Cable Television vs the Digital Alternatives

In the UK, consumers have a wide variety of digital TV services to choose from; we look at how Cable TV stacks up against the rest.

1. Cable TV

• Only available in parts of the UK, typically areas of high population.
• Subscription-based (typically a minimum of 12 months).
• Offers more channels (145 or more) than Freeview, but less channels that the competing satellite TV service supplied by Sky TV.
• Extra subscription services such as Sky Sports and Sky Movies available.
• Virgin Media V+ Box is a hard-disc recorder that can record two TV channels, while watching a third, lets you pause and rewind live TV, and supports HD (Hi-def).

2. Satellite TV

Satellite TV is provided through a satellite dish and a special digibox installed at your home. The leading satellite television broadcaster in the UK is a subscription based service named Sky Digital, marketed by British Sky Broadcasting. However, since May 2008, a subscription-free alternative (Freesat) has also been available, jointly by the ITV and BBC.

Sky Digital

• Subscription-based (typically a minimum of 12 months).
• Installation and equipment costs usually apply.
• Over 300 channels (more than Cable TV).
• Can be received by 98% of homes in the UK - far better coverage than cable TV or Freeview.
• The widest choice of High-definition (HD) content in the UK.
• Sky+ digital video recorder - combines a satellite receiver with a hard-disk recorder that enables the user to record a programme whilst watching another, as well as the facility to pause/rewind live TV.

Freesat

This service from the BBC and ITV provides subscription-free satellite TV, although you'll need to pay a one-off cost for the box (from £50), and you'll also need a satellite dish (£80 typical installation). Once installed, you'll be able to receive around 130 TV and 30 radio channels without a subscription. Some High Definition content is available, including the BBC and ITV HD service.

Freesat from Sky

This service, offered by Sky, enables user to obtain 240 digital TV channels for a one-off cost of £147 (no subscription charges). For this, Sky will install a satellite dish and digibox. However, users who already have an old Sky box and a satellite dish can get Freesat by buying a Freesat card from Sky at a cost of around £20. HD is not available on a Sky Freesat box.

3. Freeview

Freeview is received through a standard TV aerial, and offers around 40 TV channels and 25 radio stations. However, although this is more limited than satellite or cable packages, all Freeview channels are free to watch, there's no contract, no subscription or installation cost, and no engineer needs to visit.

The only cost is a special Freeview set-top box that must be connected to the TV set, although many new TVs have a built-in Freeview receiver. Some top-end boxes have a built-in a hard-disk recorder that supports live pause, and enables the user to record one digital channel whilst watching another. Freeview also offers digital services, such as programme listings, digital teletext and games.