Investigate The Facts Before Moving To Satellite TV
The current downturn in the economy is encouraging many households to reconsider their spending options - in other words how their disposable income is spent. Value for money is now the prime factor in deciding how a family makes its purchasing decisions.
The purchase of everyday necessities or the purchase of items and services irregularly are now subject to a greater level of scrutiny. On the spot buying decisions are for the moment over.
All purchases should be considered on merit and genuine need. This also refers to spending money on entertainment such as TV subscriptions. In cases such as this a family could look for a cheaper option when their present agreement ends, such as moving from one program provider to another.
At this time many families are carefully looking at the cost of their cable TV subscription, and comparing this with the cost of a similar service from a satellite TV provider. Comparing one with the other shows that satellite TV comes out on top for a given level of programming. Satellite TV also has numerous technical advantages that alone would persuade many subscribers to believe that satellite transmission is the road to the future.
However, the foremost reason for cable TV subscribers to move to satellite TV is because of the introductory deals on offer to new customers. These deals are changed periodically to remain 'up-to-date' and 'relevant' and may be for a fee reduction for the first year; installation and free equipment for a given number of rooms; or an opportunity to get an increased number of packages at less than normal fees. These introductory offers are dependent on the new subscriber signing an agreement.
Deals such as these from the two major satellite TV companies are changed from time to time and are having the effect of attracting new subscribers to satellite. This is supported by the increasing number of families moving to satellite, and the declining number using cable.
There are other minor factors that need to be taken into account before a family makes the move, in addition to the matter of monthly fees and promotional offers. Whilst these factors are of lesser importance they still need to be put into perspective and given due consideration.
Initially make a comparison of the range of program packages available from 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.
Secondly, reception quality should be checked. Satellite transmission comes from a stationary satellite situated over the Caribbean Sea in the south and requires a satellite dish to have a clear and uninterrupted view of the southern sky. Good reception for cable TV is dependent to a large extent on prevailing weather conditions and this can cause prolonged interruptions. Satellite TV, on the other hand, is very rarely affected by bad weather.
If a householder has a current agreement with a service provider then before changing providers they should check on the penalties for canceling the agreement during its period. Cancellation fees may be unexpectedly expensive.
Equipment supplied by the comparative providers such as DVRs, tuners, and HDTV equipment should be compared.
Finally recognize the fact that satellite TV is more able than cable to adopt the new technologies that always seem to be around the corner. 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 ground breaking technology.
The move from cable TV to the more sophisticated technology of satellite TV needs much more than a direct comparison of monthly fees. Several other issues need to be considered to ensure that a new provider at least provides a similar level of service taking all the above factors into account.
However the principal issue for most households is value-for-money.
The purchase of everyday necessities or the purchase of items and services irregularly are now subject to a greater level of scrutiny. On the spot buying decisions are for the moment over.
All purchases should be considered on merit and genuine need. This also refers to spending money on entertainment such as TV subscriptions. In cases such as this a family could look for a cheaper option when their present agreement ends, such as moving from one program provider to another.
At this time many families are carefully looking at the cost of their cable TV subscription, and comparing this with the cost of a similar service from a satellite TV provider. Comparing one with the other shows that satellite TV comes out on top for a given level of programming. Satellite TV also has numerous technical advantages that alone would persuade many subscribers to believe that satellite transmission is the road to the future.
However, the foremost reason for cable TV subscribers to move to satellite TV is because of the introductory deals on offer to new customers. These deals are changed periodically to remain 'up-to-date' and 'relevant' and may be for a fee reduction for the first year; installation and free equipment for a given number of rooms; or an opportunity to get an increased number of packages at less than normal fees. These introductory offers are dependent on the new subscriber signing an agreement.
Deals such as these from the two major satellite TV companies are changed from time to time and are having the effect of attracting new subscribers to satellite. This is supported by the increasing number of families moving to satellite, and the declining number using cable.
There are other minor factors that need to be taken into account before a family makes the move, in addition to the matter of monthly fees and promotional offers. Whilst these factors are of lesser importance they still need to be put into perspective and given due consideration.
Initially make a comparison of the range of program packages available from 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.
Secondly, reception quality should be checked. Satellite transmission comes from a stationary satellite situated over the Caribbean Sea in the south and requires a satellite dish to have a clear and uninterrupted view of the southern sky. Good reception for cable TV is dependent to a large extent on prevailing weather conditions and this can cause prolonged interruptions. Satellite TV, on the other hand, is very rarely affected by bad weather.
If a householder has a current agreement with a service provider then before changing providers they should check on the penalties for canceling the agreement during its period. Cancellation fees may be unexpectedly expensive.
Equipment supplied by the comparative providers such as DVRs, tuners, and HDTV equipment should be compared.
Finally recognize the fact that satellite TV is more able than cable to adopt the new technologies that always seem to be around the corner. 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 ground breaking technology.
The move from cable TV to the more sophisticated technology of satellite TV needs much more than a direct comparison of monthly fees. Several other issues need to be considered to ensure that a new provider at least provides a similar level of service taking all the above factors into account.
However the principal issue for most households is value-for-money.