Next to our computers, the television is a major source of entertainment for the majority of us. With the push of a button, we are instantly transported to a completely different realm, whether it's in ESPN's SportsCenter studios in Bristol, Connecticut or to Middle Earth during a TBS marathon of the Lord of the Rings. You may not give much thought to the devices that make it possible, but you get a monthly reminder of your TV fix when your bill arrives.
Moving to a new home is a fantastic way to save money on both of these TV services. There are plenty of deals targeted to those that have recently relocated. But usually anywhere between six months to a year, those deals expire and you're paying full price like everyone else. The question then becomes what type of TV service are you willing to pay for during the long-term stay? The best way to find out is to weigh the pros and cons of satellite TV versus cable service.
The Benefits of Satellite TV
Having a satellite dish for a satellite signal gives you a TV feed that is clear and undistorted, thanks to the satellite's placement around the earth's atmosphere. The strategic location of the satellite is also a major plus because it picks up signals being broadcast from all over the world. That gives you access to Russian newscasts, Indian Bollywood films, and Australian surf competition coverage. It doesn't matter what your location is to receive a satellite signal, which makes it an ideal choice for people in rural or less populated areas.
The Disadvantages of Satellite TV
If you recently hired movers to relocate you to a beautifully maintained home and you want to keep the aesthetics pleasing, an unsightly satellite dish can ruin the look you're going for. Unless you're a real technical wiz, setting up a satellite dish is a hassle because you have to place it precisely where the signal for the satellite comes from on the southern horizon. Even if you land a free hardware deal, having a technician come to your home for installation is costly. During a storm, your signal can get interrupted for however long the storm lasts, ruining your TV watching experience.
The Benefits of Cable TV
The tiered packages in cable TV service are ideal for budgets of all sizes. You can also choose which channels you want to add a la carte, instead of having to go for a packaged deal like satellite TV. You can drastically cut your costs by bundling your cable TV service with high-speed internet and phone service. Setting up cable service is faster and easier than having to install a dish and program it to receive the satellite signal.
The Disadvantages of Cable TV
In some cases, paying for cable TV has little price difference than a satellite, but offers less channels. If there's a power outage or a surge, your cable can take longer than a satellite feed to recover. Unlike satellite, cable doesn't have a global reach. Some rural areas may not have access to cable service. Cable companies hold a monopoly in the cities they serve, giving you no other choice to turn to if you do want to go with cable. If you have an HD TV, you're going to have to pay extra a month to rent the hardware to receive HD signals.
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