Minor Factors to Consider Before Switching to Satellite TV
By Dave Neville
The present downturn in the economy is having a serious and perhaps habit-changing effect on a family's purchasing decisions. Every item of expenditure is being scrutinized to ensure that the family is receiving the best value for money.
Whether its everyday purchases such as groceries, or goods and services purchased less frequently, every purchase has to be fully justified. This includes money spent on entertainment such as television subscription charges. Where possible a purchase can be deferred until later, but in some cases the purchase of a regular service can be transferred to a cheaper provider. An example of such a service would be provided by a cable TV company.
Many families are looking at their cost of having cable TV, and comparing their present subscription with what it costs to use a satellite TV company. A review of the comparative cost will reveal that for a given level of service, satellite TV comes out much cheaper. In addition to the lower subscription charges, satellite TV has many other advantages over cable TV, advantages that by themselves would persuade families to switch from cable.
However, the prime reason why cable TV subscribers are switching to satellite TV is because of the initial deals offered to new and first time subscribers. These deals may involve cheaper charges for the first 12 months of service; free supply and installation of necessary equipment; or an introductory offer to new technology such as HDTV transmission. Usually these deals are conditional on a new subscriber signing an agreement covering a fixed period of time, more often than not for 12 months.
These deals from the two major satellite TV providers are changed periodically and are designed to attract new customers away from the cable TV providers. The effectiveness of these marketing campaigns is borne out by the increase in the number of households being connected to the satellite transmission service providers.
In addition to the issues of subscription charges and promotional deals, there are other factors to be taken into account for the family considering moving from cable TV to satellite TV. Whilst the importance of these issues are not as great as the question of the monthly charges and starter deals, they still need to be considered.
Firstly, reception quality should be checked. Satellite reception comes from the south and requires a clear and uninterrupted view of the southern sky. Reception for cable TV is dependent to a large extent on prevailing weather conditions. Satellite TV is very rarely affected by bad weather.
Secondly compare the range of programs on offer from each provider, both cable and satellite. Compare what each package provides, especially from the view point of value for money. Importantly ensure that a new provider has access to all the family's favorite channels, including local news and sports channels. The availability of sports channels and foreign language programs may need to be confirmed. Access to video-on-demand services may be an important factor for some families.
Next check on the conditions attached to the present TV provider particularly in relation to penalties for canceling a current agreement. Cancellation fees can sometimes be very harsh.
Compare the ancillary equipment offered by each provider. One may be more suitable than others. Equipment such as DVRs, tuners, and HDTV hardware should be compared.
And finally be aware that satellite TV is more amenable than cable to adopt the new technologies that are coming onto the scene on a regular basis. The recent introduction of 3D television is a case in point. In the years ahead 3D TV will be common in most homes with the satellite TV providers at the forefront of this advanced technology.
Moving from an older television technology - cable - to a newer technology - satellite - requires much more than just a comparison of monthly subscription charges. Many factors should be taken into account to ensure that the new provider at least provides the same level of service as was originally provided. But the real criterion is not just price, but value-for-money.
The author, Dave Neville, has an interest in the satellite TV industry and writes for a website that gives basic and easy to understand facts about this entertainment medium. It includes a look at the comparison of cable vs satellite TV.
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