What is Satellite Television?

The most common alternative to cable television is Satellite TV service from companies such as DISH and DirecTV. Unlike cable TV, which requires direct access to the cable companies infrastructure,  a satellite TV connection connects to services using a home satellite dish, which is transmitting and receiving digital data from communication satellites orbiting the earth. This method of data delivery is fast, reliable and most importantly, less expensive than cable transmission. Cable companies rely on millions of miles of copper coax cable and expensive repeaters to connect to homes, and that adds up to big costs and unwieldy infrastructure. Satellite customers not only pay less, they can also get TV service almost anywhere in the US.

According to Nielsen there were 116.4 million homes in the US were expected to watch TV during the 2015-16 season. In 2016 there is an estimated 33 million satellite television subscribers. Many people are “cutting the cord” on traditional cable providers. Many are switching to satellite tv. Satellite providers such as DISH Network have advantages over traditional cable providers such as increased capacity for recording and storage of saved programs; multiple simultaneous viewing options including the ability to record one show while watching another show; pause and replay live TV; fast-forward through commercials; and HD quality local channels, all at a lower price than analog TV are highlights of satellite television’s superiority. DISH Network has the Hopper which can record up to 2000 hours of TV.