Thursday, April 16, 2009

The Great Debate: Satellite v. Cable

I am moving in 2 weeks, and I am trying to get all of my ducks in a row. Shopping for cable and satellite is not nearly as easy as I though it would be. There are a lot of deals out right now, but it is really hard to cypher the differences between the two.

I really need yall's advice on this one. Cable seems to be the more expensive option, but I know that it is more reliable than the dish. But I can get more channels from satellite and free equipment. Also, you have to keep in mind that I have to get my internet from Comcast anyways, but the bundle package didn't look like it was really going to save me anything except the hassle of paying 2 separate bills. MORE CHANNELS, MOVIES and VALUE!
  • Local channels included at no extra charge*
  • 200 channels
  • One FREE advanced receiver upgrade HD, DVR or HD DVR after
    instant online rebate
  • 65 music channels included
  • No equipment to buy or startup costs
  • $39.99 for one full year and the regular price of $60.99/month
  • A DVR service fee ($6.00/month) is automatically applied to your bill when you upgrade to a DVR receiver.


With Digital Preferred you’ll get more than 100 digital channels. But you’ll also get access to the amazing On Demand library, which includes thousands of movies, kids’ shows, network favorites, music videos and more that are ready to watch when you are.

Get Digital Preferred with On Demand for only $44.99 a month for 6 months for new subscribers! Promotional Rate is $44.99/month for 6 month(s) for eligible customers, ongoing price is $67.90/month. I can't find how much extra DVR service is or whether you have to buy the box!

Have any of you had good or bad experiences with either of these companies?? I think I am leaning towards getting satellite because of the difference in the number of channels (plus I get HBO and a few other movie channels for free over 3 months). Plus, they are very upfront with you on the pricing, unlike Comcast whose website is a nightmare to figure information out.

9 comments:

SouthernBelleJM said...

I HATE, LOATHE Comcast. I wish I had gone with DirecTv. That's JMO though. My HD is always cutting in and out and I don't even get WE (women's entertainment) anymore:( They moved up so it's out of the number range I have with my pkg. I am really thinking about switching. My parents have DirecTv and love it.

Amanda M said...

Is Verizon FIOS available in your area? That's what we have and we love it...and we are VERY thankful that we don't have to deal with Comcast, I say Verizon or DTV :)

Dugout Daisy said...

Ugh, I have heard nothing but bad thing about Comcast, so I would strongly advise you to not go with them. I haven't heard much about DirecTV, good or bad and a lot of our clients use it.
I have Time Warner Cable and Verizon Fios at my house.
Good luck with it all!

Black Labs and Lilly said...

I love my Comcast service! I have never (knock on wood) had problems with my HD or DVR and I love getting soapnet! Verizon FIOS wasn't an option in my area when I first moved, but I have heard great things about it!

ComcastCares1 said...

Southern Belle - Sorry to learn you are having troubles. You can email our team about your reception issue. We will be happy to assist.

Lilly – You can also send us an email. We will reach out to our contacts to make sure that the best package/promo is offered to you.

Mark Casem
Comcast Corp.
National Customer Operations
We_Can_Help@cable.comcast.com

Girl with the Curlz said...

We have had Directv for years. We then decided to try the AT & T package but luckily we didn't cancel the Directv because we are now going back to Directv. We like this better. I will say in all the years we've had it there have really been no problems but a few times we did lose the signal due to bad weather but that hasn't happend often. Good luck.

Linda

Sparkle Sparkle said...

How did comcast cares leave a comment? that is bizarre. do they google blogger comments? I am no good for giving advice. this just makes me thankful for the free cable of living with my parents. good luck!

Getting Lost In London said...

Stumbled over here from MRM's blog and glad I am in time.

To say that I would rather live on Mars and wear nothing but acid-wash denim before I ever give Comcast any business again is the understatement of the century.

They lack in Customer Service, accountability, ability to read a watch (service persons), ability to articulate "additional charges" on bills, and overall make my life miserable.

I manage a house of sorority women in suburban Chicago and we just switched from Comcast (who could never decide how many thousands of dollars they literally wanted to charge us) to Direct TV and everyone is MUCH happier.

JMO ... and that of 60 other people. :) Good luck!

Heather Watson said...

I've not had any experience with Comcast, but have had some with our local cable company. As a DirecTv subscriber, I can tell you that I'll never go back to cable! It's GREAT!!