There Are Few Reasons Not to Switch to Satellite TV

by Brett Freeman

Satellite TV has come a long way since the days of those huge metal dishes you used to see hulking in the side yards of rural homes where cable TV lines would never reach. Today, the much smaller satellite dishes utilized by the two major satellite dish TV companies have become nearly as ubiquitous as rooftop aerial TV antennas were only a generation ago.

Satellite TV providers have benefited from a cable industry that seems bent on self-sabotage with its escalating prices, bankruptcies, and mergers that leave customers wondering which cable company will be sending them a bill this month. Satellite companies were also poised to take advantage of the digital revolution of the past decade, and are similarly situated to reap the rewards as HD (high-definition) video and sound become the new standard in the coming years.

Quality Picture and Sound, and Programming, Too
In general, satellite TV will offer better picture and sound than cable, but the degree to which this is true can depend as much on the quality of your TV and speaker system as the quality of the signal. Cable companies are also lagging behind in improving their infrastructure so that it can broadcast true HD signals over a large number of channels, so if you've got HD equipment, be aware that satellite TV providers will likely have the upper hand in HD programming for the foreseeable future. But while the two satellite giants have opened a gap between themselves and the cable companies, they are still battling fiercely with each other for market supremacy, which is to your advantage. The competition has kept prices for programming low, and has both providers trying to outdo the other by offering up to six months of premium programming free for new customers.

Very Few Drawbacks
While satellite TV is generally dependable and can be installed almost anywhere, there are a few chinks in the armor. The most common complaint is that reception can be lost during heavy storms. And in urban or heavily wooded areas, buildings or trees can block exposure to the southern sky for some locations, making it impossible find a place to where your satellite dish can get a signal. And if you do take advantage of a promotion offering free premium movie channels when signing up, beware: when the promotional period is up, your bill may skyrocket if you don't remember to cancel the premium channels you don't want.

About the Author
Brett Freeman is a freelance journalist. He also owns a landscaping and irrigation company in North Carolina. Previously he has worked as a beat reporter, a teacher, and for a home improvement company, and he used to own a bar/live music venue.