Streaming vs. Satellite TV—Which Is Best For You?

Satellite TV and streaming are two of the most popular ways to watch TV. Both offer a lot of benefits, but they also have some drawbacks. Here you will look at the pros and cons of each option to help you decide which one is right for you.

Satellite TV

Excellent for people who live in rural areas where cable and fiber are unavailable. Satellite TV providers offer the best picture quality, but it can be expensive. The satellite may be your only option if you need more clarification on your internet speed and have no other options. You’ll need to carefully evaluate your needs before committing to this service and finding a provider that works with your budget.

Streaming

Streaming is the cheaper option, and it’s much more flexible. You can access your favorite shows from anywhere worldwide—no travel required! If you’re a sports fan, streaming is also better for you. Cost of Equipment

While all this is great, you still need to consider the cost of the equipment and installation. Most cable companies offer free installation with a two-year contract, but satellite companies typically charge $200 or more for an installation. If you opt for a stand-alone box such as TiVo, then extra fees are associated with renting or buying the box monthly. In addition, some providers will give discounts on their monthly services to offset these costs if you sign up for multiple years at once.

Programming

Satellite TV has more channels than streaming, but you’ll need to pay for them.

• If you’re looking to watch sports channels, satellite TV is your best bet. For example, ESPN, Fox Sports and NBC Sports are available on the most effective plans.
• The same goes for local news channels that broadcast live updates about traffic jams and other breaking stories. Some cable companies offer local channels in their package deals or as add-ons, but if you want them without any hassle, the satellite is your only option.

Picture Quality

Satellite TV offers a better picture quality than streaming because it’s not compressed. Compression is the process of reducing file sizes to make them smaller and easier to send or store.

Compression reduces the amount of data per second, reducing image quality. You can see this when watching live sports on your phone or tablet: while they look fine at first glance, zoom in, and you’ll see that the picture has been compressed so much that it’s almost pixelated.

This also applies to satellite TV—but as long as you have a decently-sized dish and fast internet connection (at least 15 Mbps), you shouldn’t have any problems watching shows with high-quality video streams. You can explore your options online by checking trusted satellite providers like DIRECTV STREAM and more.

So, is streaming TV the future of television? Or is it just a fad? The answer is complex. Streaming might be the best option if you’re looking for a way to watch TV on your computer or mobile device. If you want high-quality pictures and sound, though—and if having access to hundreds of channels isn’t as important—a satellite may be worth considering.