Cable vs. Satellite TV: Which One Is More Reliable?

You don’t want sticker shock when you receive your first cable or satellite TV bill. Fees, installation charges, and other costs can easily push a bill beyond the initially-advertised price.

Cable pricing is often more economical than satellite TV. In our research on the best cable TV providers, it’s fair to expect plans to begin between $40–$60 per month for 75+ channels. However, Optimum has a lower-tier plan that starts at $30 a month for 80 channels.

Some, but not all, cable companies extend price locks. When I had cable, I appreciated it when companies did this, as I knew what to expect each month. On the flip side, some companies require you to bundle cable with internet, which can erode value. Cable TV is more customizable; if you want a fully loaded plan, that’s possible, but expect to pay up to $185 monthly, as with Cox TV.

Satellite TV isn’t as attractive on price, and there are fewer providers. DISH and DIRECTV are the two top satellite TV providers, and pricing for both starts at $89.99 per month. DISH offers 190 channels for that price, while DIRECTV offers over 175. Overall, DIRECTV is more expensive, with its premium tier costing $169.99 monthly and 350+ channels vs. $119.99 and 290+ channels for DISH.

Beyond the cost, the other rub with satellite TV is contracts. Both providers have two-year contracts. While it locks pricing, it’s expensive to get out of the contracts. I saw this when my family and I discovered streaming 12 years ago. We had to pay several hundred dollars to break our DIRECTV contract. That aside, satellite TV isn’t all bad for the right home. For instance, satellite DVRs are traditionally more affordable, and both providers are available nationwide. For example, although Xfinity has an affordable cable package, you may not live in an area where the service is available.

When you’re spending $100+ monthly on TV, reliability is essential. Otherwise, you’re wasting money. Cable TV is generally more reliable than satellite TV. With cable, you often get a wired connection that is dependable, even during weather events. And, thanks to the connection, there’s no lagging, which is significant for sports fans.

Satellite TV providers boast of 99% uptime, but the devil is in the details. If you live in an area that’s prone to bad weather, you can have outages. I live in the Midwest, and when I had satellite TV, I would experience outages due to high winds. This can lead to a frustrating experience, particularly if the provider doesn’t offer credits for outages.

Cable TV generally has more channels at a lower price than what’s available with satellite. Despite that, the number of channels you receive isn’t always the most important factor. A cable company may tout having 150+ channels, but if 50 or more of them are music channels, that can diminish the value. When contemplating cable vs. satellite TV, your top consideration is knowing what channels you must have.

If you have sports fans in your home, having ESPN and FS1 are must-haves. Or, if you like a mix of lifestyle shows, HGTV, TLC, and Bravo may be at the top of your list. Since cable offers more customization and you’re not a sports fan, you could opt for Spectrum’s $100 base tier, which doesn’t include ESPN or FS1. Or, if you need a broad-range of sports and lifestyle networks, Xfinity’s TV World Soccet Ticket plan for $95 monthly could be a good fit.

DISH and DIRECTV channel packages aren’t that divergent from each other. You can get a comprehensive channel lineup from either platform that will make everyone in your home happy. Sports coverage is available on both cable and satellite TV, with both offering ways to customize, but expect to pay for it.

If ease is important, cable is the better option for installation and equipment. Cable relies on physical cables. People with the aptitude might even be able to self-install. Even if you need a professional, installation is simple, and hardware is limited to a DVR or box.

Satellite installation is intensive. The company sends someone to your home to install the dish, point it in the right direction, and install other equipment. I remember the installation of our satellite, and it took the technician some time to get the signal just right. Worse yet, if you decide to cancel or move, you’re often on the hook for getting the satellite back to the company.

The fine print is notorious in both cable and satellite TV. Expect to pay fees for both on DVRs, remotes, or HD boxes, especially if you need more than one. Worse yet, termination fees are rife with satellite TV, up to $20 per month left on the contract. If you’re considering a streaming service, you won’t find it with those.

Use the table below to figure out whether cable or satellite TV is right for you.