| There is no question that TV programming (both | | | | ago adopted this form of transmission out of |
| satellite and cable) has come a long way in a very | | | | necessity and a desire to provide quality |
| short time. Most adults can remember a time | | | | programming to their customers. |
| when programming choices were limited to what | | | | More Channels |
| the air-to-ground TV stations broadcast. In rural | | | | While cable companies certainly offer numerous |
| areas, these were relegated to only the big three | | | | channels for the customers' enjoyment, satellite |
| national TV studios (ABC, NBC and CBS), as well | | | | providers offer far more. More than 250 regular |
| as a handful of local stations. Even today, rural | | | | channels are offered, as well as HD channels that |
| areas suffer from a less-than ideal number of | | | | broadcast only high definition programming. The |
| channels. Surprisingly (or maybe not so | | | | number of HD channels continues to rise with |
| surprisingly), cable companies do not travel far | | | | satellite providers, though cable companies seem |
| past the edges of suburbia. | | | | slow to recognize the impact of this form of |
| However, satellite providers can provide TV | | | | broadcasting. In addition, satellite providers offer |
| programming to almost any location in the US, | | | | far more sports, music, entertainment and news |
| regardless of how rural or how urban the location | | | | channels than their competition. |
| may be. In addition, satellite providers off | | | | DVR |
| numerous other benefits over the so-called | | | | The DVR has become a necessity in homes. This |
| competition (cable providers). What sets satellite | | | | device allows you to record programming ahead |
| providers apart from cable companies? What | | | | of time, or at the push of a button. In addition, |
| should a consumer look for in a satellite provider? | | | | you can rewind, fast forward, pause and delete |
| Here, you'll find a few of the best options that | | | | programming, enabling you to skip commercials, |
| can be found through this type of TV | | | | and watch only what you want to watch, when |
| programming. | | | | you want to watch it. Satellite companies |
| Digital Picture | | | | currently offer several DVR combinations, which |
| While the point will soon be moot, satellite | | | | can be combined with HD or SD programming. |
| programming is already digital. Ground-to-air TV | | | | Costs |
| broadcasts will soon have to be digital, as will all | | | | In addition to offering more channels, as well as |
| cable providers in the US. However, many | | | | providing access to far more HD channels, satellite |
| consumers will have to purchase a conversion | | | | providers offer far lower pricing than do cable |
| box for their TVs, in order to watch the new | | | | companies. This allows consumers to save a |
| digital programming. Satellite TV watchers already | | | | dramatic amount of money and still enjoy all the |
| enjoy all-digital picture and sound; thus, they will | | | | programming that they want. Custom packages |
| need no new equipment to continue enjoying their | | | | are available to help consumers pay for only the |
| programming. | | | | channels that they want at reduced pricing, as |
| Digital programming will soon be the norm for | | | | well. |
| everyone in the US, though satellite providers long | | | | |