Battles between Cable TV and Satellite TV

The battle between satellite TV and cable TV is aggressive in the United States. Although satellite TV currently comes in two options - Direct TV and DishNetwork - and cable TV comes through various providers, the choice between the two is pretty much boils down to preference. Some people fiercely stand behind their satellite TV; others are quick to point out how satellite is a fair weather friend and cable's more dependable. You be the ref and judge for yourself.

In the United States, satellite TV subscribers have a choice between Direct TV and DishNetwork. Cable TV providers, on the other hand, are more abundant. Most cable subscribers choose either basic cable or digital cable. Digital cable has many more options than basic cable. Both satellite and cable hook up with DSL Internet service, HDTV, TiVo, parental control and other fun features. However, to get these services, you'll need extra equipment. Satellite TV scores one up on cable in this round: high definition reception automatically comes through satellite TV, whereas cable TV currently makes customers pay extra for this reception. This advantage will soon end once HD is mandatory on all new sets and all channels will come through HD. The time-line for this change in the United States is anticipated by the year 2007.

Channel options are a big deal to lots of people. Satellite wins hands down on this one, even though cable certainly carries a lot of channels. Many enthusiastic of satellite insist its reception is much crisper. You can also interact with many satellite channels and watch sports without hearing broadcasters or breaking for commercials. Cable TV is closing in on this category by trying out a few interactive channels. For example, Time Warner Cable recently introduced an interactive game and sports news
channel.

Cable TV doesn't limit all you TVs to broadcasting the same channel on every TV. You can watch different channels on different TVs. This isn't so easy to do with satellite TV. You need a separate receptor box to get a different reception than what's showing on a different TV. However, one receptor box can be hooked up to as many as 6 sets. The satellite TV providers are now offering these boxes for free rather than charging for additional boxes in the past. Even though cable TV comes through a cable line hooked up to your TV, cable seems to win in this department.

While weather can sometimes affect cable reception, a lot more can interfere with satellite TV signals. A satellite TV dish needs to be obstruction-free to the south of where it's placed (reception of satellite TV comes from the South). Most subscribers have their dish located either on their roof or porch. While some homeowner associations and landlords try to ban this placement, homeowners and renters have FCC regulations on their side.

The battle between cable TV and satellite TV seems like a very close call. Who you announce as the winner really depends on what options you want in your service. Each issue seems fairly upfront and each side can poke jabs at the other. So, what's it going to be ~ a split decision or a knock out for cable or satellite?

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