What you are about to read should not come as a shock to you, especially if you are a subscriber of cable TV.

Comcast Corp, the dominant cable provider in the nation, has raised cable TV rates for the third time in three years The rates will go up about 6 to 7 percent, depending upon where you live. Other cable providers, like RCN, have also raised rates by about 8 percent.

7 percent is double the rate of inflation. Comcast’s prices have risen three times faster than inflation since 2000.

Although cable price increases have moderated in recent years from the double-digit hikes of the 1990s, many research analysts predict that costs will keep going up.

“Operational costs” are the culprits for the rate hikes. “Operational costs” include energy costs, improvements in customer service and network maintenance. Cable companies have millions of miles of outdated lines buried below ground, and are in the process of converting their technology to digital, which will be expensive. Comcast spent nearly $200 million in the past year to maintain and enhance its fiber-optic network in the Bay Area alone.

More Facts

Cable rates have climbed 40 percent in the past six years, from an average $34.40 in 2000 to the $47.93 just announced for 2006. During that same period, inflation increased 14.3 percent, according to the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Is it any wonder why the sale of satellite TV is increasing?

There are about 65 million homes nationwide with cable TV, a number expected to decline to 61 million by 2008. DirecTV accounts for 15 million subscribers and EchoStar’s Dish Network for 12 million.

Because satellite providers don’t have to pay taxes levied by local governments and feature smaller infrastructures, consumers get more bang for the buck with satellite.

With cable, additional charges are typically assessed for installation and equipment. These charges range from $30 to $80. Satellite TV offers free installation, free movie channels, and free upgrades, usually as an incentive to get customers to sign up for their services.

More pros of a satellite dish.

* Digital picture means better quality
* More flexible programming options
* Cost is cheaper per channel
* Good solution for those living in rural areas

According to a J.D. Power study, the average cost of satellite service is about 4% less than cable. Satellite subscribers save an average of about $2.00 monthly compared to cable.

So, as the rates for the cable companies continue to rise, you can expect consumers to continue the migration to satellite TV.

About The Author

Van Whitsett has published a number of articles, both online and off. For more information about satellite tv, please visit: http://www.discount-dish-network.com.

Written By: Van Whitsett

It looks like satellite radio is here to stay. With the availability of equipment and the benefits the service has to offer, it seems more and more people are choosing to use satellite radio. If you are wondering how satellite radio works, read on.

Satellite radio offers you commercial free radio. No more static, no more interrupted broadcasts; just hour after hour of uninterrupted music. And you won’t lose your favorite radio station as you cross the state. But you will have to pay for all this convenience.

Your dependable traditional radio won’t work for satellite radio, so you’ll need to purchase a new radio and you will need to have it installed (unless you are purchase a portable system). The price of the new radio varies depending on the model you choose. You’ll also need to pay an activation fee and a monthly fee.

Think of satellite radio as an extension of cable. For your monthly fee you’ll get edgier and less censored programming, innovative programming, more channels, and specialty channels. As an added convenience, while you’re listening to the music you’ll see the name of the song and the artist name displayed which means no more confusion about whose song is playing.

Back in 1992 the FCC allocated the 2.3 GHz or S band for nationwide broadcasting of satellite based DARS. Four companies applied for licensing and two were granted licenses. The two that were granted licenses were Sirius and XM. Both already had satellites in orbit.

They operate by beaming their programming to their satellite, which then transmits the signal to the ground. Your satellite radio then picks up the channel you have selected to listen to.

For listeners that live in urban areas satellite signals can become interrupted, so the satellite providers also beam the signal to ground repeaters to ensure that doesn’t happen.

Sirius was the first to offer commercial free programming on its music channels, but both Siruis and XM now have commercial free programming. Both are competitively priced. Currently, XM offers over 160 commercial free channels. Sirius has over 125 commercial free channels.

The special programming that Siruis and XM carry is the deciding factor of which service to choose for many people. Sirius carries NFL football games; XM carries college games. XM carries NASCAR races; Siruis has a Playboy channel. Sirius carries Howard Stern; XM carries Oprah.

Satellite radio is no longer the radio of the future. It’s the radio of today, and is being chosen over traditional radio programming by more and more people every day.

About The Author:
Gray Rollins is a featured writer for SatelliteCritique. To learn more about satellite radio and satellite TV, visit http://www.satellitecritique.com/ and http://www.satellitecritique.com/satellitetvreview/

Written By: Gray Rollins