Up until the mid 90s the American family had the option of either watching the limited TV programs provided by the established free-to-air channels, or else they could sign up with one of the newly established cable TV companies. At that time the cable TV providers were the pacesetters for improving the quality of programming and introducing the use of the latest and most innovative aspects of TV technology.

However the introduction of satellite TV in the mid 90s was the start of a new era in television entertainment that not only led to a continual improvement in the variety and quality of the programs being shown, it was also the start of a period during which rapid major technological changes took place. This period of sustained change is still under way today.

The public now had a greater choice of TV options - more competition in the market place led to greater benefits for viewers. A bigger choice of channels and programs, including an explosion in the number of foreign language channels available; cheaper subscription rates; improved customer service; and special deals for new subscribers were just some of the many reasons why the public rushed to join the satellite revolution. This greater degree of competition in the TV industry lead to the conflict of cable vs satellite TV.

Families who wanted to improve their home entertainment choices now had a realistic choice - satellite TV or cable TV. An increase in the number of channels covering a multitude of interests; foreign language channels become more easily available; more competition was responsible for cheaper subscription rates and improved customer service; special deals for new subscribers became the norm. And it focused the public's mind on having an integrated home entertainment system.

It's expected that the rate of increase in the number of satellite TV subscribers will ensure that this method of transmission will become the most popular in the short term.

Satellite TV systems also have another big advantage over cable TV. The technical nature of satellite transmission allows this medium to provide its subscribers with a far larger number of channels. From this the providers are able to offer existing and new customers a more comprehensive number of satellite TV offers.

The greater flexibility of the operation of the satellite TV companies allows them to be more creative in the programming package deals they are able to offer their subscribers. Packages start from a very basic position of the older but still very popular channels together with channels concentrating on local regional issues such as news, current affairs, weather and local sports. The addition of extra channels covering national shows and entertainment, and covering a wider range and variety of topics and interests are available at a moderately higher monthly subscription fee.

The premium packages offered by the program providers takes the public into a larger sphere of channels with the ability of the public to access a much larger range of channels, many of which will sourced from overseas. Programs dealing with international events, documentaries, history, natural geography are all genres greedily taken in by people whose general interests spread far and wide.

As many of these informative programs are now transmitted in High Definition format, the average family who take their television viewing seriously are being well looked after. Other services offered by the satellite TV providers include an ever-increasing range of foreign language channels to serve the increasing number of non-English speaking people moving into the country.

The coverage of sports of all codes, both local, national and international is enough to attract the avid sports fan to one provider or the other. Major international sports events such as the Olympic Games and the soccer World Cup both encourage sports fans to upgrade their viewing options.

Satellite TV deals being offered are behind the public's increasing acceptance of having a home entertainment center. The greater variety of programs presented in a manner that takes advantage of the increasing sophistication of TV technology is leading the way for families to change their recreational habits.