Cable vs. Satellite TV Service 2024

Moving is hectic and exhausting. Move.org is here to help save you time by helping you choose between cable and satellite TV service. Overall, we think that cable is the superior service; however, in rural locations, satellite might be the better fit.

Cable TV is probably the television service you're most familiar with. It comes into your house via a “cable” that plugs directly into your television. It’s more reliable than satellite television but also more expensive unless you bundle with internet and home phone service.

Satellite TV signals reach your home through a dish installed somewhere high—often on your roof. Then it travels down a cable and into your TV. Satellite television is not as reliable as cable since weather can cloud your reception, but it can be more widely available outside of cities.

Is cable or satellite TV cheapest? It depends on the provider. You can find great deals on cable packages with certain providers, but prices usually hike up in the second year. Satellite TV may cost more right out of the gate, but you could get your price locked in for up to two years.

Because of area availability and competition, pricing for standalone cable TV packages can vary wildly between providers. Expect to pay at least $50.00 a month for service from big companies like Xfinity and Spectrum—but watch out for price hikes in the second year.

In the US, DIRECTV and DISH have a duopoly on satellite TV service. Also, satellite television service has almost 100% availability nationwide—so pricing is more stable.

That said, DIRECTV’s prices (starting at $69.99) balloon by 30–40% in the second year. DISH, on the other hand, has a two-year price guarantee on its packages, which start around $90 per month.

We’ve all done a spit-take when we’ve received a bill for more than we expect to owe. Hidden fees—that’s how they (cable and satellite) getcha.

Thankfully, providers generally disclose these fees when you first order service. But here’s a list so you know what to expect before you call.

• Taxes: The rate will vary depending on where you live.

• Device fees: Some providers charge a monthly fee for equipment—DVRs, receivers, multiroom viewing devices, etc. These generally don’t exceed $30 a month.

• Service activation fees: A most dubious fee, this one-time charge appears on your first bill. Ask nicely and a provider might waive this one. No guarantees.

• Regional sports network (RSN) fees: Y’all want FOX Sports South? The Longhorn Network? It’ll cost you up to $15.99 a month—but in some areas, that covers a lot of channels.

• Broadcast TV service charges: TV providers pass this expense on to us, the customers. Aw, thanks, The Establishment!

• Professional installation fee: This is a one-time charge for hooking up your stuff. Some companies offer free installation or self installation. 

• Self-installation fee: This is also a one-time fee. It covers the self-install kit and associated shipping costs.

• Late fees: All but the most retentive of us know about these, which suck.

• Reconnect fees: So you’ve missed a payment. Now you want your provider to click the box that reactivates your TV service. It’s gonna cost you. Insult, meet injury.

Cable TV providers greatly outnumber satellite TV providers—but satellite is more widely available. That’s because a satellite can beam the big game to almost anywhere on the planet.

Enter your zip code below to see which cable and satellite providers are in your area.

To provide the most accurate picture of TV providers' overall value, our partner site— CableTV.com—conducts a customer satisfaction survey. This survey incorporates real-life, daily experiences from customers with expert opinions, giving you the clearest understanding of a TV provider’s overall performance.

In 2022, they surveyed customers of 11 leading TV providers, asking 19 questions across three categories: overall customer satisfaction, features and functionality, and pricing and subscriptions. The data provided valuable insights into the performance of cable, satellite, fiber, and streaming TV providers.

Read CableTV.com’s full survey to see how each provider scored in categories such as channel selection, DVR satisfaction, installation and setup, monthly billing, signal reliability, tech support and customer service, and value.

What else, besides live TV, do you get for your money when you sign up for cable or satellite TV? These are the most common services offered by providers.

• Bundling: Cable companies are all about bundling (satellite, not so much). See if you can save cash by ordering TV, internet, and phone service from the same provider.

• DVR ($6–$30/mo.): Ideally, you want high storage capacity, the ability to record the most shows at once, a voice remote, and integrated streaming apps. Some providers charge a fee for this service.

• Multiroom viewing ($5–$10/mo.): Many providers offer additional devices so you can watch TV in more than one room. Expect a small monthly rental fee for each device.

• Mobile app: Most providers have a free app that allows mobile watching, downloading for offline viewing, account management, bill pay, and other features.

• Premium add-ons ($6–$20/mo.): Before signing up, make sure that your provider has the premium channels and add-on packages you want at a reasonable price. Premium sports add-ons (NFL SUNDAY TICKET, NBA League Pass, MLS Direct Kick), for example, are $20–$400 per season or per month, depending on the add-on.

• Rentals/purchases ($2.99–$30 per title): Can you rent or purchase titles through your provider?

• On-demand library: Many providers have libraries with thousands of titles available to watch at your convenience. It’s like having a free streaming service.

Hey, Mover—you’re almost done. By now, TV time probably looks as alluring as a siren singing on a seafaring sofa. So we’ll get to the point: cable TV is better than satellite TV, and Xfinity is our favorite. Not only is it the more reliable service, but cable bundles can save you time and money when it matters most.

However, if you live in a location with limited cable TV service, satellite providers like DIRECTV are going to be able to deliver your favorite shows.

Most TV providers also offer streaming services if you want simple plans, no filler channels, no contracts, no installation appointments, and no hidden fees. If you're in a rural location, then you'd just have to make sure you have a reliable internet connection.

Move.org analyzes and ranks TV service providers using a five-step research process:

• Compare prices. We checked the prices for dozens of TV plans from the nation’s top providers to compare affordability.
• Compare channels. We checked the total number of channels offered by TV providers to determine which ones give you the most entertainment options for your money.
• Compare service quality. We analyzed the service quality and reliability of the television service types (satellite, cable, streaming, etc.) that each provider offers.
• Compare availability. We analyzed each TV provider’s availability to ensure that providers we recommend can service readers in different regions.
• Annual review. We annually revise our TV reviews and update them throughout the year to keep our recommendations up-to-date.