Cable TV vs. satellite TV: Which is better?

Satellite TV is an alternative service to cable, offering television programming to people living in areas with limited access to cable infrastructure.

Satellite TV transmits signals wirelessly from a geostationary satellite in orbit around Earth to a satellite dish installed in your house.

Satellite TV has two required primary components to receive signals and enable you to watch TV in your home. These components are:

• A satellite dish: The dish is installed on your house’s roof or exterior wall to receive signals from a communication satellite in space. The dish focuses the signal into a small antenna, which amplifies and directs the signals to the receiver.
• A receiver: The receiver inside your house can either be a set-top box or built into your TV, decoding the signals and converting them to channels you can view.

Signal transmission starts from a broadcast center on Earth, which receives signals from various television networks and local stations. The broadcast center then sends the signals to the communications satellite in space, which is in a fixed position relative to the Earth to provide consistent coverage over large areas.

The satellite then amplifies and rebroadcasts the signals back to Earth to the satellite dish in your home.

Unlike cable TV, which requires wired cable infrastructure to provide its services, satellite TV is widely available and can reach urban and rural remote areas as long as the satellite dish has a clear view of the sky.

However, adverse weather conditions (heavy rainfall and snow storms) and physical obstructions (tall buildings and dense foliage) can impact the dish’s ability to receive signals or degrade signal quality.

Let’s discuss some comparative points and aspects to consider when choosing between the two TV services.

While both offer HD and 4K options, the availability of HD and 4K channels may vary between the TV service providers depending on several factors.

• Cable TV: Your home’s distance from the cable provider’s broadcasting hub or interference in signal transmission within the cable lines can impact the picture quality of cable TV. In addition, older coaxial cable lines degrade with time, resulting in occasional signal loss or lower signal strength.
• Satellite TV: The wireless signal transmission by satellite TV providers can be affected by adverse weather conditions such as heavy rain and snowstorms, causing signal distortion and low picture quality. Also, improper dish alignment can lead to poor signal reception, affecting picture quality.

Cable and satellite TV services offer several packages, including basic and premium channels.

• Basic cable vs. basic satellite packages: Basic packages from cable TV companies feature a mix of local channels and a selection of general entertainment and regional sports channels. Astound’s Astound TV (basic TV) package offers 40+ channels. While cable TV focuses on local programming with channels like ABC and CBS, satellite TV often provides a broader selection of local, national and international channels.
• Premium channels and specialty content: Both TV services offer premium channels like Max, Showtime and Starz. However, satellite TV provides more extensive international channels and niche options.

One of the significant factors when choosing between cable and satellite TV is the pricing.

Monthly bills and fees

Cable plans are generally more affordable than satellite TV, with packages starting at around $30 per month, depending on your selected package. However, cable TV plans can include additional fees for premium channels and DVR services.

Satellite TV plans are more expensive than cable, starting at $70, depending on the package. However, they offer more channels than cable.

Equipment cost

Cable TV usually requires a set-top box, typically included in the package price. However, depending on the cable TV provider, renting or purchasing DVR equipment costs extra.

Satellite TV requires a dish and a receiver, typically provided by the service provider, and a DVR to allow content recording. Some providers may require a customer to buy or rent the equipment separately, which adds to the subscription cost.

Installation fees

Cable TV installation is usually free or low-cost, especially in places with existing cable infrastructure. Some companies also offer self-installation kits.

Satellite TV installation is more complex. It involves mounting the dish on the roof or exterior walls of the house. Companies may charge for professional dish installation or waive the installation fee for new customers as part of their promotional campaigns.

Contracts and commitment

Most cable TV providers offer monthly no-contract payments, which users can cancel anytime. However, bundling services (TV, internet and phone plans) often require signing a one-to-two-year contract with locked pricing and early termination fees when you cancel.

Comparatively, satellite TV plans often require 12 to 24-month contracts with substantial early termination fees if you cancel your subscription.

Bundling options (TV, internet, phone)

Most cable providers offer cost-effective bundles that include TV, high-speed internet and mobile phone services. With Astound, you can build a cable TV and internet bundle by pairing an internet plan with Astound TV, giving you access to reliable fast internet speeds, live TV and on demand content in one package.

Satellite TV providers have limited options for bundling, having to partner with local ISPs to provide internet services. Therefore, the flexibility and pricing of satellite bundles may not be as attractive as cable bundles.

DVR capabilities

Both cable and satellite services offer DVRs. However, the capacity of the DVR may vary by cable provider and model.

Reliability and weather-related issues

Weather conditions significantly affect satellite TV, especially during heavy rain or snowstorms. On the other hand, cable TV is generally more dependable in bad weather, although outages can still happen due to damage to infrastructure or maintenance work.

Customer service and support

Both cable and satellite television service providers offer customer support, although overall customer satisfaction can vary significantly based on individual experience

Let’s look at the pros and cons of each TV service:

Pros

• Reliability: Cable TV is more reliable as it relies on a wired infrastructure, which is less susceptible to weather-related disruptions and signal interference.
• Various bundled packages: Cable offers bundles that allow customers to combine cable TV, internet and phone services into a single subscription. These bundles often come with discounts and offer significant cost savings compared to buying the services individually.
• Wider availability in urban and suburban areas: Cable infrastructure is widespread in metropolitan regions, reaching a larger population. It’s an ideal option for households in densely populated areas.
• Flexible contract options: Most providers offer monthly cable TV plans, enabling users to avoid long-term contracts and cancel at their convenience without termination fees.
• Local programming: Cable TV offers a better selection of local channels and regional sports networks.

Cons

• Limited availability in rural areas: Cable infrastructure is often less accessible in rural or remote regions due to the high costs of setting up infrastructure over long distances.
• Additional fees: Cable TV services often include extra charges on equipment rental fees and premium channel subscriptions. Basic packages offer limited channels, pushing users to subscribe to premium channels to access their desired content.
• Limited mobility: Cable TV is generally bound to your physical location. This inflexibility is a drawback for people who travel frequently.

Pros

• Wide channel selection: Satellite TV provides a wide range of international and local channels. Most basic satellite TV packages offer more than or equal to the number of channels cable TV premium packages provide.
• Price lock: Satellite TV providers offer price lock guarantees through their contracts, ensuring users pay the same amount through the contract termination date.
• Wide coverage area: Satellite TV can cover larger areas, making it an ideal option for people living in rural and remote areas.
• Flexible accessibility and coverage: Some satellite TV providers offer portable dishes for RVs and frequent campers.

Cons:

• Weather dependency: Adverse weather conditions, such as heavy rain, snow or strong winds, disrupt satellite TV transmissions, leading to inconsistent performance.
• Long-term contracts: Providers may require one-to-two-year contracts.
• Installation complexity: Satellite dishes require technical expertise for self-installation or hiring a professional for installation, which can be expensive if not covered by the package price.
• Limited bundling options: Satellite TV bundles are limited compared to cable bundles, as satellite companies often have to partner with local ISPs to provide internet services. The lack of comprehensive packages can inconvenience users who prefer a single provider for all services.
• Potential lag: The wireless signal transmission can cause issues with lag while channel surfing which can be frustrating for users.

Choosing between cable and satellite TV requires considering several factors, including price, picture quality, channel packages, contracts, reliability and availability. Both options have advantages and disadvantages, making the choice dependent on your personal needs.

Cable TV is prevalent in urban and suburban areas. Due to its wired infrastructure, it offers consistent performance despite adverse weather conditions. Its plans are generally cheaper than satellite, offering attractive bundles and flexible monthly payment plans. However, it may charge extra fees for equipment and premium channel subscriptions, offers less channel variety and exclusive channels compared to satellite TV.

Satellite TV provides broader channel selection, including local, international and exclusive sports content. It’s also flexible, with portable dishes for RV and campers unlike location-bound cable. However, satellite plans are costlier upfront, require long-term contracts, offer limited bundling options and the performance is vulnerable to weather-related disruptions and lag.

Cable is ideal if you want affordable prices, compelling bundling options and shorter contracts. In comparison, satellite is the best option if you want a wider variety of channels, flexibility to move to other locations and a price lock guarantee throughout the contract period.