Comcast

Probably the most obvious question asked when comparing Dish Network to the nations leading cable provider is how well does the service work. Dish Network has a 99.9% signal reliability rate, while Comcast enjoys nearly the same outage performance, high 90’s. So either service will deliver on its promise of reliability.

Always the most important issues, after reliability are programming and cost. Both Comcast and Dish Network have all of the popular channels both broadcast and cable as well as sports, premium movies, adult and International offerings.

Comcast's Starter Cable package is regularly $53.39 per month, with a 6-month promotional rate of $29.99. The package includes Comcast's basic channel lineup, with music channels added in, roughly 80-channels total.

Dish Network counters with its Classic Bronze 100+ package, providing over 120-channels, with local channels and regional sports networks included. This package is normally $44.99 per month, but in promotion for the first year at $29.99 per month.

Comcast Digital Preferred has more than 100-digital channels and 45-music stations and starts at $68.34 per month. It is in this package that Comcast makes available its on-demand service, but be careful, not all of the programming is free, just what you subscribe and pay for.

It is at this level that Dish Network's overwhelming value comes into play, with two packages, Classic Silver 200 and Classic Gold 250 both offering more for less than Comcast's Digital Preferred. Classic Silver 200 has over 220-channels and is a bargain at $52.99 per month, but Dish discounts it to $37.99 per month for the first year. Classic Gold 250 has more than 260-channels, over 100 more than Comcast's Digital Preferred and at a regular rate of $62.99 per month it is nearly $6 cheaper. Classic Gold is also in promotion for $47.99 per month for the first year.

Comcast Preferred Plus is next and is normally $100.99 per month, but is in promotion for $49.99 per month for the first six months. The package includes the entire Digital Preferred lineup, plus all of the premium movie channels, (HBO, Starz, Showtime and Cinemax).

Comcast Digital Premier is the cable giant's best package, which is all of the programming found in Preferred Plus and includes also a 25-channel sports package for $119.99 per month and discounted to $79.99 for the first six months.

Preferred Plus and Digital Premier are the two packages Comcast targets to perspective customers, as being loaded with entertainment value, but true TV lovers will want to explore Dish Network's ultimate television experience known as America's Everything Pak. With over 295 channels, including 31-premium movies offerings from HBO, Showtime, Starz and Cinemax, a 32-channel Multi-Sports package, and Sirius Satellite Radio stations, the package is a bargain at $102.99. In fact you can add all 140 high-definition channels that Dish offers and still pay less than Comcast's Digital Premier. This package is also in promotion for new customers at just $87.99 for the first year.

Comcast includes High-Definition programming with each level of it's service, but selection is limited to around 30-channels and Comcast charges $7 per month for an HDTV receiver. It seems a much better value, assuming you are serious about HD programming to pay $10 per month and receive Dish Network's 140-HD channels.

A slight edge in sports goes to Comcast, mainly because of baseball. Comcast carries the MLB Network, as well as MLB Extra Innings, where Dish Network has yet to reach an agreement. You can still watch your local teams play on Dish Network, but you won’t be able to subscribe to out-of-market games. MLB extra Innings is normally around $180 for the season, hence the slight edge.

Another area of advantage with Comcast is bundled services, (television, Internet and phone). Dish Network does partner with DSL and phone providers though, so in this area it will be personal preference and weighing Dish Network's superiority in television with Comcast's high-speed Internet options. Keep these things in mind, however when considering a Comcast Triple Play bundle, you could potential be without all three services, should there be an outage, also many Comcast customers report their bills going up by 40-50% after the initial promotion ends.

When it comes to equipment and technology within that equipment, Comcast is left wanting. Dish Network's ViP722 Duo HD-DVR is considered the most superior receiver in the industry and has received editor’s choice awards three consecutive years. Outclassing Comcast in storage capacity for both standard-definition and high-definition, functionality, the Dish receiver can provide a fully functional DVR in multiple rooms and ease of use. Superior technology doesn't do anyone any good if its not easy to use. Dish Network gets full marks here and best for last; the receiver is free to new customers. Comcast charges $13.99 per month for its DVR service, while Dish Network is just $5.98.

Finally some customer service considerations. While most customers will admit that it is not high on their factors list when weighing their options for new service, it should be noted that Customer Satisfaction surveys from last year place Comcast dead last. Only Charter Communications was rated as poorly. Dish Network placed a close second, behind fellow satellite provider DIRECTV.

Philadelphians are proud and strong-minded Americans, who just happen to be some of the most loyal and passionate sports fans in the country. The City of Brotherly Love is host to some of the toughest pro sports teams in the nation. The Phillies, Eagles, 76ers and Flyers, have all claimed their individual sports ultimate prize - A Word Championship.

Philadelphia sports fans have no patience for anything less than the best, so it is extremely peculiar that they are forced to settle for less than the best, when it comes to choosing a service to watch their teams. Comcast, the local cable television provider and owner-distributor of Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia, has been using a local, legal loophole to prevent CSN Philadelphia, home of the Phillies, 76ers and Flyers, from being distributed via satellite. Seemingly leaving Philadelphia sports fans without the same choices enjoyed by the rest of the country.

A comparison of Comcast and satellite TV leader Dish Network reveals just what Philadelphian's are missing out on. Both services deliver high quality digital channels, DVR service and High-Definition programming, but that is where the similarities end. Dish Network's top package, America's Everything Pak costs $87.98 per month, compared to Comcast's top shelf, Digital Platinum package at $108.95. Wait, we’re just getting started. If you want more than one television to have service Comcast will charge $8.95 for each additional digital box per month. Compared to Dish Network's $4.99 per month. Dish Network also has Duo receivers that can operate two televisions (with both enjoying full-functionality and programming), eliminating the need for an extra charge altogether.

Of particular interest to sports fans, and among the more startling advantages for Dish Network is their Multi-Sports package, which allows customers to access nearly 30-regional sports networks, (of course not Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia, thanks to Comcast) from around the country. For example an NBA fan in Philadelphia can watch the Cleveland Cavaliers or Los Angeles Lakers without having to buy NBA League Pass. Best of all, the Multi-Sports Pak is included in Dish Network's America's Everything Pak. Comcast subscribers will need to pay for NBA League pass which costs $189 for the season.

Some customers in Philadelphia subscribe to both Comcast and Dish Network, which is another problem Comcast may not have considered. Having both services side-by-side makes for an easy consumer comparison. Advantages for Dish Network become even more apparent, in terms of their feature-rich receivers and 140-HD channels, which is nearly five times the amount Comcast offers to residents of Philadelphia.

Perhaps we now know the reason behind Comcast's legal stance. If sports fans truly had a choice in Philadelphia, Comcast, which provides less and costs more, would most assuredly be benched!

In no particular order...

10. Too expensive. I pay $80+ a month for 1 TV, NO premium channels, NO Comcast digital box or remote, NO On-Demand.

9. I’ve had two price increases within 12 months. Seriously? For what?! It must be those useless digital music channels that I’ve NEVER tuned in to.

8. Their DVR is crap. I own a HD TiVo box that holds 3x the amount of HD programming than the Comcast HD DVR.

7. My TiVo box requires Cable Cards decoders to broadcast the digital programming. This is an area of expertise that Comcast is clearly lacking. It took 4 visits from differnt installers to get the cards operating correctly. I’m not blaming the installers because they were clearly not trained properly on Cable Cards. The Customer Service reps know even less than the installers when it comes to Cable Cards. Very frustrating.

6. The HD picture is completely inferior to that of Satellite TV or Dish Network. The satellite tv companies blow Comcast out of the water when it comes to HD picture quality.

5. As a matter of fact, they blow Comcast out of the water when it comes to digital picture quality, period. Why doesn’t my MSNBC picture look as good as it does on my friend’s Satellite TV? I’m sure they aren’t paying any more than I am.

4. The number of HD channels is pathetic compared to Satellite TV (or even Fios). I live in a suburb of Boston, not some rural area in the mid-west. Why do I only get 40 HD stations? Someone with Satellite TV in the middle of Alaska is watching over 100 hd channels.

3. Customer Service is mediocre. I’ve had good and bad experiences with them, so I guess this would be a minor gripe. I have found the CS agents more helpful than the Supervisors.

2. I live in a large house with 3 apartments; tenants move in and out. On 3 previous occasions, Comcast shut off my service instead of the tenant moving out in one of the other 2 apartments. Of course this required a service call each time to turn it back on, resulting in 2-3 days of no television.

1. Three words: NFL Sunday Ticket. Now I know it’s not Comcast’s fault that Satellite TV shelled out 3 billion dollars to the NFL in order to retain the rights to the Sunday Ticket for at least the next decade, but man, would I love to be able to get it. I’m a huge Patriots fan (haters, hold the comments please), and I love football. I have Sunday Ticket envy. If I could get Satellite TV, I would. Unfortunately, Comcast is currently my only option. Time to cut some trees down in the back yard.

Again, these are my reasons why Comcast service doesn’t work for me. You may have your own opinions, good or bad. Sometimes you just need to vent…

Comcast Cable, a mega giant in the cable industry surprised their cable subscribers with a very early holiday gift this year. I'm sure many of you are wondering what Comcast chose to give their subscribers to reward them for their loyalty. So rather than keep you in suspense, although I'm sure many of you have already surmised what it is, I'll tell you. It's another rate hike. While many customers will be the recipient of Comcast's gift only once this year, there are those subscribers who have been unfortunate to be on the receiving end, not once but twice this year of a Comcast rate hike. Some customers were tapped the first time as early as Feburary 2008.

One would think that Comcast, which posted (I read this on line) a net income of $771 million for their 3rd quarter in 2008, which by the way is up considerably from the $560 million for this same time last year. Comcast, should have a change a heart, much like the Grinch, in the classic "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" movie and rather than take from their customers, especially in these tough economic times, they should be gifting them for their continued support of Comcast. Two gifts, either one of which I'm sure would be greatly appreciated are either a rate freeze or a rate decrease for at least a full calendar year. Now that would be a greatl holiday gift! 

Everday the local and national news brings us continuing stories of the escalating costs of food, fuel and other cost of living expenses causing many to throw their hands up in frustration. Wondering if there is any end in sight to these constant increases which seem to be spiraling out of control.

If those high costs weren't bad enough, Comcast cable customers in Huntsville, Alabama will  have to dig even deeper to pay for the higher cost of the most simplest and what used to be one of the cheapest forms of entertainment, TV. Comcast, a giant in the cable industry has seen fit to increase cable rates for their Huntsville customers. Effective August 1, 2008 customers will be expected to pay more for the "privilege" of having Comcast as their cable provider. Comcast basic cable subscribers can expect to pay as much as $2.75 more per month, while digital cable subscribers will see their monthly rate increase by as much as $4.00 per month.

With this latest increase perhaps it's time for Comcast subscribers in Huntsville, to revaluate the programming Comcast provides and question whether they are getting full value for their money. While Comcast has been around for awhile, they are not the only game in town. 

So, if you're tired of Comcasts offered programming and increasing costs then maybe it's time to check out Satellite TV. For those of you who don't know Satellite TV has over 95 national channels and a variety of programming packages sure to fit everyones financial budget.

Don't wait for another Comcast price hike. Take a few minutes today and see what Satellite TV has to offer. You'll be glad you did.  

I just came across an on-line article in Philly.com about the 20% decrease that Comcast Corp.'s CEO, Brian L. Roberts compensation for his services fell to $20.8 million in 2007. Don't expect me to be crying a river anytime soon for Mr. Roberts loss of income. Imagine if his yearly compensation with stock options, bonuses and all the othe perks that CEO's are given fell to a mere say $500,000 a year then I might consider that to be noteworthy although I can honestly say I still wouldn't shed any tears.

If Mr. Roberts or any of the other overpayed management running Comcast: Mr.Michael Angelakis CFO - $20.5 million, Mr. Stephen Burke COO - $16.9 million and David Cohen executive V.P. - $7.4 million to name a few took even a small percentage of a pay cut from their posted 2007 salaries and had that money applied to reduce the rates of Comcast subscribers then that would definitely be newsworthy.

By the second quarter of this year, Satellite TV will have its own version of On-Demand service. This is a good thing for those who love to spontaneously choose their programming and who don’t want to be limited to what happens to be playing at a particular time. Programming for Satellite TV’s On-Demand service will initially include 3,000 titles, with the number increasing over time.

Think of the variety that Satellite TV already has, and then add more. There will be movies, tv programs, specials and more. Do you want to see a hit movie? Or a classic? All of these will be available with On-Demand’s new and promising collection. You won’t have to subscribe to Netflix or any other additional service. You can turn to Satellite TV for all of your programming needs. On-Demand will work by combining satellite technology and internet technology while making use of the Satellite TV DVR. Note that it does not work in the same way as Comcast’s On-Demand service.

Many people have already chosen Satellite TV because it offers reliable satellite signals and 100% digital quality. Now there’s yet another reason to choose Satellite TV -- On-Demand, coming soon! This new service is sure to make Satellite TV even more competitive in today’s market and fulfill customers' need for impulsive tv-watching.

The cable operator has removed the western simulcasts of some Showtime and Starz channels, the newspaper reported. (The western simulcasts air three hours after the east coast channels, which are still available.) K.C. McWilliams, Comcast's general manager in the region, said the move was necessary to create more system space for high-def. "To be able to give people access to as much new High-Definition choices and programming, we're trying to make the most efficient use of our broadband," McWilliams said. Comcast, and other cable operators, have boasted that their high-def system capacity equals that of Satellite TV, which now offers more than 90 national HD channels. However, most cable services offer fewer than 40 HD channels in most markets.

The need to remove channels in Tallahassee to create space for high-def would suggest that capacity is still an issue, at least on that local system. Comcast yesterday also said it would not offer MLB Extra Innings baseball games in high-def, but denied that capacity was the reason.

It's pretty apararent that Comcast cannot keep up with Satellite TV when it comes to HD Programming, no matter how they spin it.

In Demand, the company that will distribute the pay package of games to cable operators, is expected to offer up to 10 'out-of-market' games a week in HD as well as dozens of others in standard-def. However, Comcast told TVPredictions.com today that it will not broadcast the high-def games to its subscribers. "Only SD," Comcast spokeswoman Jenni Moyer said. Asked why, Moyer said it wasn't because the cable operator didn't have room on its system for the HD games which require more capacity. "It's most likely because we don't have an agreement to carry it in HD," she said. Either way, Comcast customers lose.

Satellite TV has said it will offer up to 40 Extra Innings games a week in HD. Dish Network did not carry the pay package last year and has not announced that it will do so this year, either.

Once again, Satellite TV shows why they are the leader in HD programming.