Survey: Cable costs more, offers less

Yahoo! News / USA Today ^ | 8/20/03 | Michael McCarthy

[UB355]

For the first time, cable TV subscribers are spending more on services each month than satellite TV subscribers, but they still aren't as happy as their satellite counterparts, according to a study released Tuesday

Consumers now pay an average of $48.93 a month for satellite services from DirecTV and the Dish Network vs. $49.62 for services from cable operations, according to J.D. Power and Associates' 2003 Residential Cable/Satellite TV Customer Satisfaction Study. The study surveyed 133,000 consumers nationwide.

Subscribers gave both satellite services higher marks for overall satisfaction than cable subscribers on six factors: reliability, cost, billing, promotions, image and customer service.

The average monthly tab for cable TV is up 41% since 1998 vs. 8% for satellite TV. Much of that has been driven by larger rate increases as cable operators spent money to upgrade networks. But the study also indicates some consumers have been willing to pay cable operators more for services available from the upgrades such as digital TV, video on demand, high-definition TV and broadband.

When it comes to customer satisfaction, however, consumers ranked DirecTV and Dish Network as the top two companies in the survey. Cable firms Cablevision and Adelphia ranked last out of 13 satellite and cable providers listed in the survey.

[UB355]

I kissed my cable provider goodbye in July. Went with a bundle package offered by SBC for ADSL and Dishnetwork. Satellite is sweet. At least in my area Time Warner could not get rid of the shadowing when watching local channels on cable

[mhking]

DSL from BellSouth & satellite service from DirecTV. Down the road a bit, I'll add a Canadian satellite package from StarChoice or Bell ExpressVu (Yes, I know it's gray-market, but I'll get to see stuff I can't see here in the States!), and it'll all be complete. Now if I could get rid of this long damn commute...

Just damn.

If you want on the new list, FReepmail me. This IS a high-volume PING list...

[1Old Pro]

I've had DISH network for almost 4 years. It's been fantastic. I pay $32 for their top 100 channels and I get a dozen or so digital music channels. I couldn't be happier.

[xsrdx]

Cable sucks - it will never have the picture and sound quality, or programming flexibility, of satellite.

The only thing the cable jockeys in our AO can do is scare people into thinking their dish won't work reliably.

I left cable for DirecTV in 1998 and never looked back.

[xsrdx]

I can change my ENTIRE programming package, order pay per view, or pay my bill, in 2 minutes online.

I don't know for sure, but my guess is that's not even close to possible with Kable...

[Physicist]

Unfortunately, the one channel I can't do without, Comcast SportsNet, isn't distributed via satellite. Flyers hockey just isn't the same on the radio.

[tcostell]

Our dishnetwork service has been terrible.

We got a dish because we had moved from Manhattan and were accustomed to having any service we could afford to pay for. when we moved to northern Westchester, we tried to get cable and found that "Joe" the cable installer was on vacation so we would have to wait two weeks. This offended our urbane (and profoundly capitalist) sensibilities, so we called the dish company the next day.

they installed it 2 days after they said they would after making us wait all day. ("I'll be there between 10AM and 3PM" turned into him arriving excuses in hand at 7PM.)

Since then we have to "reboot" our box often, and lose service every time a cloud materializes. And if you have ever dealt with Dish-Network's customer service, I've found that exercise followed by strong sedatives and a nights sleep will usually return your blood pressure to something close to normal.

When we flee the state of NY for the relative tax haven across the river, we're going with cable. At least then we can get broadband access as well.

[Incorrigible]

One thing don't get with Satellite is fast internet access.

All I need is PBSkids, Nickalodian, FoxNews and triple T1 speed.

Thanks CableVision!

[Bringbackthedraft]

Just installed Dish TV in our FL home. Its great, only complaint is interruptions during Thunderstorms and the over whelming repeat of movies. 49.95 per month (2 sets) and 150+ channels, who can complain. We take the local channels off the bunny ears on the Bedroom TV.

[UB355]

Did dishnetwork install your antenna or did a private contractor do it? My signal strength is almost at maximum I live in Wisconsin. Even in heavy rain storms the signal remains strong. Have you ever had your antenna checked for proper alignment ?

I've found the customer service to be a blessing after dealing with the surly people at Time Warner.

[Bringbackthedraft]

PS We can disconnect Dish service when it is not in use with no service charge. Here in NY we have cable, it pays to have it because we use it for the internet access.

[TheBigB]

I use ComCast cable here in Nashville and haven't had any real problems. I just wish they had BOOMERANG and TURNERSOUTH on their linieups.

[jlogajan]

Cable sucks - it will never have the picture and sound quality, or programming flexibility, of satellite.

Nah, you are comparing analog to digital. Cable is going digital also. Once it is digital you can't tell what medium it arrived over.

[jlogajan]

I'd go satellite too but cable here has broadband internet. That's sweet. Hate to give that up.

[gathersnomoss]

The only reason that I have cable is for the fast internet access. Is there an alternative while using DirectTV for the slime box?

[FreedomPoster]

<*ding*> We have a winnnar!

I have the same combo.

[Physicist]

I use ComCast cable here in Nashville and haven't had any real problems.

I used to have Comcast, but I had terrible trouble with their cable modem service. It would just hang for no apparent reason, no pings, no nothing. I'd call for service, and they'd say, "everything on our end checks out fine", as if that settled it.

We switched to RCN just as soon as they ran a fiber past my house. They carry our cable, our internet, and even our local phone service (buh bye, Verizon). Thank goodness they carry the Comcast SportsNet channel! I've only had one problem with the internet service, and the knowledgeable technician at the other end of the phone cleared it right up. As for the cable service, well, that's digital, so it's as clear and responsive as any satellite.

[Wright is right!]

I'm one of the weird but wired ones that have BOTH cable and DirecTV. For a couple of reasons. First, I have a cable modem, so cable TV is only 11 clams a month more. Cable is our backup when heavy storms block the satellite. But the satellite picture quality is superior to cable. PLUS we have satellite TV in our motorhome, and the second receiver for that is only 4.95 more a month. We normally receive the local channels via DTV in both receivers, but when we go on the road outside our home area, DTV can switch on the Distant Networks, which are the broadcast nets out of NY and LA.

If I had to pick one, it would be DirecTV, but we enjoy having both.

Michael

[teletech]

Here in West Suburban Chicago I use:

DirecTV for television

Comcast for high speed internet.

Both are fantastic!

[dixierose]

I'm surprised to hear that you have so many problems with your satillite. I have DirectTV, and I've had it since it was Primestar (so that's been probably 8 years or so). I love it, and I have never had any problems with customer service. I always get to talk to a real person (Pegasus Satellite is my provider). I rarely have rain fade, except during the most severe storms, and even then it only lasts a couple of minutes. Make sure that your dish is aimed correctly....sometimes it only takes a touch. When mine was first installed I had rain fade pretty regular until I adjusted my dish (I swear it didn't take much).

I don't get local channels, but the networks were kind enough to give me the waiver (except for CBS) so that I can watch them. It's kinda neat getting FOX out of New York, and NBC out of Boston or Philly (I can't remember which). I also get the West coast stations so I can watch a show later if I miss it at the regular time.

I highly recommend DirectTV. BTW...I have DSL through my local phone company, so high speed internet access is no problem (and it's cheap). You don't need cable for that.