Cost Savings of Satellite TV
For many consumers, satellite TV provides significant cost savings compared to traditional cable TV packages. Here are some of the ways satellite TV can save you money.
Lower Monthly Bills
Satellite TV packages are generally cheaper than cable on a month-to-month basis. For example:
- DIRECTV's Choice package costs $69.99/month
- DISH Network's America's Top 120 package costs $69.99/month
- The average cost of cable is around $100/month
So satellite can save you $30 or more per month compared to cable. The savings come from less infrastructure costs - satellite broadcasts signals directly rather than through underground cable wires.
Introductory Discounts
Satellite providers often offer deep discounts for the first year of service. For example:
- DIRECTV offers new customers a year of their Choice package for $59.99/month.
- DISH offers a year of America's Top 120 for just $59.99/month.
That's a $10/month additional savings in the first year. Cable companies typically don't offer discounts this deep.
Bundled Savings
You can save even more by bundling satellite TV with internet. For example:
| Service | Regular Price | Bundled Price |
|---|---|---|
| DIRECTV Choice | $69.99/month | $59.99/month |
| AT&T Internet | $49.99/month | $39.99/month |
| Total | $119.98/month | $99.98/month |
That's nearly $20 in savings per month! DISH offers similar bundled discounts with internet providers.
No Equipment Costs
Unlike cable, satellite providers typically don't charge you to rent equipment like set-top boxes and DVRs. The advanced Genie HD DVR from DIRECTV is included at no extra cost. With cable, you'll pay $10-20/month for equipment rental fees.
In summary, satellite TV can add up to huge savings with lower regular prices, new customer promotions, bundling, and no equipment fees. It's worth checking out satellite if you want to cut your TV bill.
More Channels and Programming with Satellite TV
One major advantage of satellite TV is access to more channels and programming options compared to cable. With hundreds of national HD channels and the ability to tailor your channel lineup, satellite makes it easy to get the networks and shows you want.
More National HD Channels
Satellite providers offer over 300 national high-definition (HD) channels. This includes popular networks like:
- ESPN HD
- Fox News HD
- Discovery HD
- TNT HD
- USA Network HD
Many cable companies only offer between 100-200 national HD channels in their lineup. So satellite gives you a lot more HD programming to enjoy.
Custom Channel Packages
With satellite TV, you can customize your channel lineup by adding or removing channel packages. For example, DIRECTV offers packages like:
- Entertainment - Channels like TNT, USA, Disney Channel
- Choice - All Entertainment channels plus sports like ESPN, FS1, NFL Network
- Xtra - All Choice channels plus more sports and movie channels
- Ultimate - Everything from Xtra plus premiums like HBO and Showtime
You can pick the starting package that interests you, then add sports, movie, international or other packages you want. This makes it easy to tailor your lineup.
Access to Regional Sports Networks
Satellite TV gives you access to regional sports networks (RSNs) to follow your local teams. For example, with DIRECTV you get channels like:
- NESN (Boston Red Sox)
- YES Network (New York Yankees)
- Spectrum SportsNet (Los Angeles Lakers)
Cable companies sometimes have disputes and lose access to RSNs. But satellite reliably delivers local sports coverage.
International Programming
Satellite also offers international channel packages tailored to different languages like:
- Spanish
- Chinese
- Russian
- Portuguese
- Arabic
There are 30+ international packages on satellite. So it's a great option if you want programming from your home country or in another language.
With more national channels, custom packages, sports networks, and international programming - satellite TV gives you a world of flexible viewing options beyond cable.
Access to Local Channels with Satellite TV
With satellite TV, you get access to local broadcast stations from major networks like ABC, CBS, NBC, and FOX. Here's an overview of how satellite delivers your local channels.
Coverage Map for Local Channels
Satellite providers have coverage maps that show which Designated Market Areas (DMAs) they can offer local channels for. For example, DIRECTV offers local channel access for over 99% of U.S. households across all 210 media markets. This includes both local broadcasts and local sports.
Satellite Equipment for Local Channels
To receive local channels from satellite, you need a satellite dish and receiver. For example:
- Dish - Oval dish pointed south to receive signals from satellite at 99 degrees west.
- Receiver - Connects to the dish and processes the signals.
The dish and receiver pick up the national HD channels as well as a spot beam signal for your local market's channels.
Local Channel Package
Once installed, you can add your local channel package. For example, DIRECTV offers local channel packages like:
- Locals - Major broadcast networks ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX.
- HD Locals - High definition versions of those channels.
- Regional Sports - Local sports networks.
This gives you access to both your local broadcast stations and regional live sports.
With the right dish, receiver and package, satellite TV seamlessly integrates both national and local TV so you don't miss your favorite shows or teams.
HD and 4K Picture Quality with Satellite TV
Satellite TV offers excellent HD and 4K ultra high-definition picture quality that looks great on big screen TVs.
HD Channels
Satellite providers offer over 300 national high-definition (HD) channels covering movies, sports, news, and more. HD offers sharper picture resolution up to 1080p for a more immersive experience compared to standard definition.
4K Ultra HD
Satellite also provides 4K Ultra HD channels with resolution up to 3840 x 2160 pixels. 4K has 4 times more detail than 1080p HD. DIRECTV offers three dedicated 4K channels:
- DIRECTV Cinema - 4K movies
- Nature Vision - 4K nature documentaries
- PBC - 4K concert performances
These channels allow you to enjoy the full visual impact of 4K on a compatible UHD TV.
4K Genie Mini Set-Top Box
To view 4K content from satellite, you need a 4K Genie Mini client set-top box along with a 4K-ready satellite receiver. For example, the DIRECTV HR54 receiver supports 4K streaming to Genie Mini boxes.
Upscaled HD
Even without 4K channels, satellite providers use video processing to upscale HD channels to near 4K quality. So you get excellent picture quality across all your favorite HD programming.
With abundant HD channels, dedicated 4K content, and upscaled HD - satellite TV offers an unbeatable viewing experience. You'll see sports, movies and shows like never before on your high-end 4K television.
DVR Capabilities to Record Shows with Satellite TV
Satellite TV providers offer DVR (digital video recorder) services that allow you to easily record live TV and save episodes of your favorite shows.
How Satellite DVRs Work
Satellite uses set-top boxes with built-in DVR functionality. For example:
- DIRECTV Genie DVR - Records up to 200 hours of HD programming.
- DISH Hopper DVR - Records up to 500 hours of HD shows.
These boxes connect to your satellite dish to receive programming, while also letting you pause, rewind, and record live TV with the press of a button.
Recording Options
DVRs provide flexible recording options like:
- One-touch recording - Press record during any show to save an episode.
- Scheduled recordings - Set up a series recording for entire seasons of shows.
- Remote scheduling - Use a mobile app to set recordings when away from home.
You can keep your favorite shows, movies, and sports events to watch on your schedule.
Advanced DVR Features
Satellite DVRs offer advanced functionality like:
- Pause & rewind live TV - Pause a live program, then rewind to replay missed moments.
- Multi-channel recording - Record up to 5 shows at once during peak hours.
- Apps - Stream recordings on mobile devices when away from your TV.
This gives you full control over programming your schedule and watching shows on your terms.
With abundant DVR storage and easy recording options, satellite TV lets you build a personal on-demand library of entertainment.
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Sports Packages for Fans with Satellite TV
Satellite TV offers sports packages with tons of channels to cover all your favorite teams, leagues, and sporting events.
Regional Sports Networks
Satellite delivers regional sports networks (RSNs) with coverage of local professional and college teams. For example, DIRECTV customers get access to:
- NESN - Boston Red Sox, Boston Bruins
- YES Network - New York Yankees, Brooklyn Nets
- Spectrum SportsNet - LA Lakers, LA Dodgers
These RSNs air the games you want to see in your hometown area.
National Sports Channels
There are also a wide variety of national sports channels like:
- ESPN - Monday Night Football, NBA, MLB, PGA Tour
- FS1 - MLB, NASCAR, Big Ten sports
- NFL Network - NFL primetime games, NFL RedZone
- TNT - NBA regular season and playoffs
- Golf Channel - PGA Tour, LPGA Tour, Ryder Cup
You get 24/7 coverage of all the major pro and college leagues.
Add-on Sports Packages
Satellite providers also offer sports add-on packages like:
- NBA League Pass - Out-of-market NBA games
- MLB Extra Innings - Out-of-market MLB games
- NHL Center Ice - Out-of-market NHL games
- Racing channels - NASCAR, motorsports
These give you access to games nationwide for a single league or sport.
With RSNs, national sports networks, and league-specific packages - satellite TV is a sports fan's dream. You'll never miss a game from your favorite teams, leagues, and events.
On-the-go Viewing with Mobile Apps
Satellite TV providers offer mobile apps so you can watch shows and live sports on your smartphone or tablet on the go.
Mobile Apps
Major satellite companies have apps like:
- DIRECTV - DIRECTV app for Android and iOS
- DISH - DISH Anywhere app for Android and iOS
These apps let you enjoy your satellite TV programming anywhere with a mobile device and internet connection.
Live Streaming
The apps allow you to live stream channels and sports when away from your TV. For example, the DIRECTV app includes:
- Live TV - Stream 150+ channels on the go
- Live sports - Stream Sunday NFL Ticket games
- Regional sports networks - Watch local team coverage
This keeps you connected to breaking news and live games on the go.
On Demand Content
You can also access 20,000+ on demand titles from networks like:
- HBO On Demand
- Starz On Demand
- Showtime On Demand
- Primetime on Demand
Great for watching movies or catching up on shows from your favorite premium channels.
Offline Viewing
Some apps allow you to download movies and shows to your device to watch offline later without an internet connection. Useful for planes, commutes, or other times you can't stream.
With robust mobile apps for live streaming, on demand content, and offline viewing - satellite TV gives you maximum programming flexibility on the go.
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Discover The Benefits Of Satellite Television
- Find the best satellite television provider for your needs.
- Learn about the benefits of satellite television over cable.
- Troubleshoot common problems with your satellite television service.
- Discover new satellite television technologies and features.
- Compare prices and packages from different satellite television providers.
- Stay up-to-date on the latest news and trends in satellite television.
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What Are The Differences Between Satellite TV And Cable TV?
Satellite TV and cable TV are two popular options for television viewing. Here are some of the key differences between the two:
Cable TV:
Satellite TV:
