Advantages and disadvantages of cable TV
Cable TV has faced increasing competition from other types of communications like satellite TV and even computer sites like Netflix. With all of these options now available, it’s a good opportunity to see the pros and cons of cable TV. In this article, I’ll examine three positives and three negatives about cable television to help you make an informed decision.
Advantage n. # 1: stability
Cable television is especially stable in service. Both traditional air wave transmissions and modern satellite television can interrupt you during any serious storm (and often some not-so-severe storms). The cable, on the other hand, will only shut down if there is some defect in the overall system, such as a broken cable or a router. This will occur much less frequently than storms, so cable television will provide much more consistent service.
Advantage n. 2: grouping
Often times, specials are available by bundling your cable TV with other services in one package, usually Internet and phone, but sometimes services like cell phones. These packages can save you a lot of money, especially if you combine the three typical services. It also provides the convenience of having a single invoice.
Advantage # 3: Price
Cable TV can be quite inexpensive if you don’t add too many options. Initial hardware costs are fairly inexpensive compared to satellite, and the FCC requires all cable companies to provide a basic cable package consisting of broadcast channels and some local channels. As a result, cable television may be the cheapest form of television, aside from buying an antenna.
Disadvantage n. # 1: pesky monopolies
Many areas only have a single cable TV provider, and this creates a monopoly. While competition from satellites is increasing, the corporate culture of these monopolies is especially poor. Customer service can be terrible, if not non-existent in many cases, and consumer satisfaction with cable television companies is consistently one of the worst among companies in the United States.
Disadvantage n. # 2: confusing pricing packages
Many cable companies are very confused when it comes to how much their service will actually cost in the long run. Many require you to sign up for two years to get a one-year introductory agreement. However, you really have to research their websites to find out how much the second year will cost. In other cases, there are hidden fees, rental charges, and taxes.
Disadvantage # 3: Privacy
If you are bundling your cable TV with the Internet (and many people are), you will have less privacy on the Internet. Wired Internet works with a stable IP address that does not change, so people will be able to easily track your visits to your sites. Compare this to DSL, where you can easily reset your IP by turning your modem on and off.
With these advantages and disadvantages in mind, you will be in a better position to make a decision about choosing cable television.