Satellite vs streaming: Which is better for you in 2025?

Satellite vs streaming price

In the big picture, satellite and streaming have pretty comparable price points. The two satellite providers in the U.S., DISH and DIRECTV, have base plans that are in the ballpark of what it costs to get Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV or Fubo. However, there are a few streaming services that have plans far more affordable than satellite can offer. For instance, Sling TV has a price point that is about half what you’d pay for a DISH plan, albeit with far fewer channels. 

Another expense to consider is equipment fees. Satellite service will require monthly costs for renting things like receivers and satellite dishes, while streaming plans don’t. Streaming plans are also more likely to have a free trial, though some services have discontinued this practice.

And, while streaming services don’t lock you into a long-term contract, this can be a good thing or a bad thing. You have the flexibility to cancel at any time with a livestreaming plan but could also see your bill increase with very littlet notice. Satellite companies tend to offer a two-year price guarantee if you sign a contract.

Satellite vs streaming content

Satellite services tend to have a longer channel list. For instance, the highest-tier DISH package has nearly 300 channels, which most streaming platforms can’t compete with. Still, both options tend to have all local channels and a mix of sports, entertainment and news. You’re likely to find channels like Bravo, TLC, CNN, MSNBC, ESPN, Fox Sports 1, Food Network and HGTV with both satellite and streaming. You can also add premium networks like Max to a satellite plan and most streaming plans.

While streaming services will usually offer major local networks, satellite plans may have even more local coverage. Specifically, DIRECTV has regional sports networks (RSNs) and other local sports coverage that streaming platforms may not offer access to. Satellite services also have PBS, while not all streaming platforms do. 

With both types of service, you can also augment your channel lineup on demand. For instance, you can add a sports extra to Fubo or Hulu + Live TV during the football season to get NFL RedZone and then remove it from your account after the playoffs. DISH also has a sports add-on. Satellite companies are more likely to offer sign-up incentives like three months of free premium channels to lure in new customers.

Livestreaming platforms sometimes create original content or offerings, while satellite services don’t. Most notably, Hulu + Live TV has a vast video-on-demand library with network shows and Hulu Originals. That being said, satellite providers will give you an on-demand library with content from their available channels.

Satellite vs streaming DVR

Satellite service offers a physical DVR while streaming DVR is a cloud service. If you want to keep recordings indefinitely, satellite DVR is the more appealing choice. Streaming cloud DVR typically auto-deletes content after nine months.

In terms of how much you can record, most streaming services do not have a limit on how many shows you can record at one time or how many titles you can have in your storage. Your cloud storage will never be too full. On the other hand, physical DVRs have finite recording space which could cause an issue for content hoarders. 

Satellite vs streaming personalization and user experience

Livestreaming platforms almost universally let you create at least six unique user profiles, as with Hulu + Live TV and YouTube TV. Satellite service operates more like traditional cable in this department. You will only have one user profile for your account.

Because streamers let you create unique profiles, each member of your household is able to make their own favorite channels list, record their own shows to the cloud DVR and keep unique progress in the video-on-demand library. Satellite TV is a less individualized experience, requiring everyone to use the same homepage, channel lineup and DVR. 

If you’re familiar with traditional cable guides, you can adapt quickly to either a livestreaming service or satellite plan. You can scroll up and down to find the channel you want and play with the click of a remote. Some services, like YouTube TV, make it possible to rearrange your channel guide to your liking. You can put your most used channels at the top of the guide for easier access. 

Satellite vs streaming for sports fans

Since satellite service has more channels, you might assume it’s automatically better for sports fans. However, this is not necessarily the case. Both types of services offer popular channels like NFL Network, MLB Network, NHL Network, NBA TV,  and ACC Network. Streaming platforms may even be better sometimes. If you want FanDuel Sports Networks, you can find them on livestreaming platforms Fubo and DIRECTV STREAM, but not with DISH. 

If you want to get the NFL Sunday Ticket, YouTube is the exclusive home of the add-on. You don’t have to have YouTube TV to buy a season pass for the NFL Sunday Ticket, but it could certainly streamline your experience if you do. Hulu + Live TV also has a free ESPN Plus subscription with every live plan. 

Streaming services are more likely to have relationships with other apps to give you additional content for free or a streamlined experience for adding and removing league passes, etc. Meanwhile, satellite carrier DIRECTV has more NHL games than any competitor and a content hub for NASCAR races.

FAQ

Is it better to stream or have cable?

Livestreaming is better for flexibility, because there is never a contract and you can watch your cloud DVR recordings from anywhere with the app. Cable service may have more channels and offer reliable service in rural areas where broadband access is limited.

What are the disadvantages of streaming TV?

If you don’t have reliable internet, streaming TV may buffer or be unavailable at times. Streaming services also change prices often and may gain or lose channels with no warning. 

What is the #1 best streaming service?

Sling TV is the most used live TV streaming service in the U.S., but it doesn’t have the most channels. YouTube TV and Fubo both offer more than 100 channels in their base plan and unlimited DVR.