Compare and Choose- Satellite or Cable?
Compare DirecTV, Dish Network and Cable
Will Direct TV subject cable to the same fate so many antennae faced only a few years ago? Cable in America is now fighting the same war waged just a couple of decades ago, when it replaced those rooftop antennas that brought TV to so many homes. But now it is small satellite dishes which are rapidly replacing cable.
Last year alone DirecTV added over 1 million new subscribers. Dish Network also added over a million to its ranks. And many of these new customers had switched to satellite TV from their cable provider. A simple comparison of what each of these three providers offers reveals why millions have made the switch.
Both of the satellite TV giants, DirecTV and Dish Network, provide the consumer with many of the same features.
- Both offer free equipment
- Both provide free, professional installation
- Both have less expensive program rates than cable
- Both offer over 220 channels compared to cable’s 90 or so channels
- Both offer completely digital channels - unlike cable TV.
- Both have a relocation package should you move and want to take your direct TV system with you.
- And they both allow for JD Power.
There are also some similarities between the three, although some options are provided at additional cost.
- Additional televisions can be hooked up to their system within the home
- All 3 can provide HDTV equipment
- Both of the direct TV companies and cable allow for multi-channel viewing (any tv linked to the system can be tuned to a different program)
- All have local sports programming so you can watch your local team in action
- And all 3 provide pay-for-view movies and events
The differences between cable and satellite tv are significant, but there are also some comparisons that should be noted between the two major satellite providers, DirecTV and Dish Network.
One difference is adding additional tv’s to the system. The Dish Network allows this free. But DirecTV agrees with cable TV on this point, both charging an extra fee for each additional television unit.
Another area where DirecTV and cable TV agree is in charging for HDTV equipment. The Dish Network supplies this equipment free of charge to its direct television customers. This in spite of the fact that Dish Network charges less for a basic package than does DirecTV.
While they both offer High Definition TV, DirecTV charges extra for the equipment. Dish Network provides it free to its subscribers.
One big advantage for football fans available to DirecTV subscribers is the NFL Sunday Ticket. Football fans may choose from over 100 Sunday games - as well as access to over 8 other subscription-oriented sports packages. These sports packages are not free, but they are not available at all to Dish Network or cable tv customers.
Direct TV is having a huge impact, and it goes beyond just the visual standards of what we watch. Their advanced technology gives access to so many more programs than ever before possible. There’s a wide variety of diverse interests being catered to by direct tv … interests that are not served at all by the cable TV companies.
Direct TV is now in the same position as Cable was two decades ago. Will it win out over Cable? Or will there be some sort of boundry line created on the air waves?
After all, even cable gets its main feed of those live shows from all around the world directly from its own Satellite feed?
