Checkout all the Facts before Moving to Satellite TV

The present sluggishness in the economy is causing many families to reassess their spending options - in other words how their disposable income is spent. Value for money is now the prime consideration in deciding how a family's income is spent.

The purchase of family basics, or the purchase of goods that are bought infrequently, are now subject to a closer watch than ever before. The days of impulse buying are for the moment over. Every purchase has to be considered on its merit and its genuine need. This also includes the purchase of entertainment options such as TV subscriptions. In cases such as this a subscriber could seek out a cheaper option when his present agreement finishes, such as moving from one program provider to another.

At this time many families are carefully looking at the cost of their cable TV subscription, and comparing this with what a satellite TV provider would charge. A direct comparison shows that satellite TV comes out on top for a given level of programming. Satellite TV also has many technical advantages that alone would persuade many families to change.

However, the principal reason for cable TV viewers to change to satellite TV is because of the starter deals on offer to first time customers. These deals are changed periodically to remain 'fresh' and 'desirable' and may be for a cheaper subscription fee for the first year; installation and free equipment for a given number of rooms; or an offer of extra packages at a reduced or no cost. These introductory deals are usually dependent on the new subscriber signing a service agreement.  

Deals of this nature from the 2 major satellite TV companies are changed from time to time and are having the effect of attracting subscribers from the cable TV companies. The evidence for this is the ever-increasing number of families now connected up to the satellite companies.

There are other factors that need to be taken into account before a family moves from cable TV to satellite TV in addition to the issue of monthly fees and promotional offers. Whilst these factors are of minor importance they still need to be put into perspective and given due consideration.

A comparison of the range of program packages available from both cable and satellite. Compare what each package provides, especially from the view point of value for money. Importantly ensure that a new provider has access to all the family's favorite channels, including local news and sports channels. The availability of sports channels and foreign language programs may need to be confirmed. Access to video-on-demand services may be an important factor for some families.

Secondly, reception quality should  be checked. Satellite transmission comes from a stationary satellite situated over the Caribbean Sea in the south and requires a satellite dish to have a clear and uninterrupted view of the southern sky. Good reception for cable TV is dependent to a large extent on prevailing weather conditions and this can cause prolonged interruptions.  Satellite TV, on the other hand, is very rarely affected by bad weather.

If a householder has a current agreement with a service provider then before changing providers they should check on the penalties for canceling the agreement during its period. Cancellation fees may be unexpectedly expensive.

Equipment supplied by the comparative providers such as DVRs, tuners, and  HDTV equipment should be compared.

Finally recognize the fact that satellite TV is more able than cable to adopt the new technologies that always seem to be around the corner. The recent introduction of 3D television is a case in point. In the years ahead 3D TV will be common in most homes with the satellite TV providers at the forefront of this ground breaking technology.

The move from cable TV to the more sophisticated technology of satellite TV needs much more than a simple comparison of monthly fees. Several other issues need to be considered to ensure that a new provider at least provides a similar level of service, taking all the above factors into account.
 
But the over-riding issue is not just price, but value-for-money.

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About the author

The author, Dave Neville, has an interest in a website that deals with satellite TV, and includes a look at the comparison of cable vs satellite TV. The website also gives information to allow a subscriber to compare dish TV providers.

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