Cable vs. Satellite TV
It's a battle that is constantly being fought during breaks in your programming, with commercials claiming each one is better than the other. But the cable vs. satellite TV battle really boils down to two main components: programming and price.
Programming is the first and probably most important category. You need to know which service is going to provide you the best programming for your money. Truth be told, you can really get just about anything you'd want from either service.
Both cable and satellite provide hundreds of channels including movies, sports and HD, and you can have as many of them as you want depending on your budget. The more you pay, the more you'll get. But when it comes down to strictly programming, you'll likely be able to get your favorite channels no matter which service you go with.
There is a difference, however, in the setup and equipment you'll need to access both of these services. Cable has an edge in this category, because all you really need is a TV. The cable can be run from the wall into the TV and you're ready to go. Of course, if you want all the fancy movies, sports and HD channels, you'll need a converter box, just like satellite.
With satellite TV, you'll need a satellite receiver for each room that you want the service available to. Most satellite TV packages come with converters for four rooms, and anything else is extra. Also, you need to have a spot on your house where your satellite can be attached facing the southern sky, or your reception will not come in clearly.
The only benefit for satellite in this situation is that the southern sky is available to anyone, while cable's infrastructure may not reach out into more rural areas.
The real brass tax is what each service is going to cost you on a monthly basis, and satellite has an edge, albeit a slight one. Cable offers better low-end packages than satellite, but when it comes to the more popular packages, including the sports, movies and HD channels, you're going to pay less if you go with satellite. Either way, look to pay between $45-$80 per month for cable or satellite, especially if you include internet or digital video recorder (DVR) service.
In the end, your decision will ultimately come down to which service works better for you. If you're in a rural area that doesn't have access to cable, your decision is made for you. It's the same if you live in a big city with no access to the southern sky.
The rest is up to the level of programming and how much you can afford each month. But wheter you're a fan of movies, sports or news; you'll be able to get exactly what you desire no matter which service you select.
