Cable provided a tremendous service for those who couldn’t obtain signals by local affiliates. It quickly became part of the television landscape. The television world is littered with cable conglomerates that now compete with satellite companies by proffering hundreds of digital channels and consumer-friendly interactive services. Their goal is to obtain your business. Here is a comparison of common services usually provided by cable and satellite companies in the United States and Canada.
Cable has an advantage for subscribers who don’t desire digital programming because there’s no tools needed other than a television. For the digital subscriber, cable and satellite are similar. You’ll need a converter box, remote, and compatible television. Satellite needs an unobstructed view of the southern sky to obtain signals, which is an enormous disadvantage for renters because their leasing company might entail a deposit for satellite installation. Homeowners also presume a minimal risk by installing a dish to a side wall or roof. Cable merely reaches as far as their infrastructure is built while satellite has the entire southern sky. This is important because in some deregulated markets, all cable companies don’t reach all homes.
Concerning digital, high definition, and digital video recorders, cable and satellite companies are equivalent with one exception. Some satellite companies entail an upfront purchase of the DVR and HD box. Others are like cable companies and lease boxes on a monthly basis. Purchasing a receiver is an advantage over time because monthly charges add up. All major companies proffer all services in one way or another.
Bundling services is an adaptation of survival by cable and satellite companies. They either own or form partnerships with other telecommunication companies to proffer television, phone, and Internet service for one low price. An example of a bundled service is SBC joining with Dish Network and Yahoo to offer phone, satellite, and DSL. All major cable and satellite companies will proffer some sort of one-bill service because that’s the trend in today’s market. Satellite companies thrive without store fronts because of phone and online customer services. On the other hand, store fronts are suitable because they’re a place to pay bills, change out equipment, and voice a compliment, or complaint face-to-face.
