The debate between traditional TV like cable and satellite TV and streaming services is still going on. I have spent a lot of time reading through forums like Reddit to see why people are still choosing satellite TV over streaming services like Netflix and Disney+. As someone who has used both, I know that they both have their strong and weak points. Many people have shifted from satellite TV to streaming services, there’s no doubt about that.
If you’re like me who wants to know why people prefer satellite TV over streaming services or are considering switching to satellite TV like Dish TV from a streaming service, I’ll be sharing the common reasons people are opting for satellite TV based on what people are saying on Reddit. Let’s start!
- Picture Quality
One of the main reasons why they still prefer satellite TV over streaming services is the picture quality they get from it. Since streaming services are heavily reliant on the internet, if you experience poor internet connection (due to peak hours or ISP maintenance), the quality of the video will also decrease — giving you pixelated/blurred content. With satellite TV, you get consistent picture quality even during bad weather (case-to-case basis on weather severity and location).
- More Channels Offered
Streaming services, both on-demand and live TV, offer a lot of content, but it’s nowhere near the number of channels satellite TV offers. Lifestyle, news, sports, Spanish TV, and more — you name it, and your satellite TV service will likely have it. Many people also mentioned that there are better deals offered for satellite TV packages than streaming platforms. Most premium channels are also included in the package, unlike live TV streaming packages where you need to pay an additional fee to have those channels added.
- Not Relying on the Internet to Watch TV
One of the frustrations people have with streaming services is that they need to rely on the internet to watch TV shows and movies — unless they have it downloaded beforehand which also requires an internet connection. If you live in an area where there’s no available high-speed internet, it’s better to go for satellite TV like DIRECTV instead of streaming platforms that you won’t even enjoy.
- Residence in Remote Areas
The major reason why people are still choosing satellite TV is that they live in remote areas where reliable internet plans are not available. DSL and satellite internet are the two common types of internet that are typically offered in remote areas, but they’re not the best options for streaming because of the speed and latency. Plus, they’re already satisfied with their satellite TV because if electricity goes out, all they need to have is a generator, and they’ll be able to watch the TV.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, the saying “satellite TV will be dead soon” is not true. A significant portion of the United States… and the rest of the world still don’t have access to fast and stable internet, and that’s enough to keep existing satellite TV users. Hope you learned something new today!
