We live, by choice, in the sticks. When we moved here in 1991, our only TV option was limited and poor cable service. We switched to DirectTV as soon as it became available and about four years later we switched to Dish. Dish has gotten better and better over the years--perfect picture, vast selection, and now forty HD channels that are spectacular. Our neighbors recently switched from Satellite to cable because cable was cheaper and offered phone and internet service as part of the package. They now wish they hadn't. The phone service stinks and cable service is down more often than satellite was. We do get some weather interruptions, but not very often. And some of our satellite channels are weaker than others (because we live at the far edge of the satellite's coverage capacity) and go out more often. But 99% of the time our coverage is reliable and, IMO, simply spectacular. WE have two HD receivers and sets. The receivers can record two HD channels at a time while playing back a third. So I can watch one recorded football game while recording two others!!! Nervana!!!! And Dish keeps adding HD channels to compete with DirectTV which will be bringing on lots more HD in the next year. So I am a satellite TV fan and it all just gets better and better and better. But not so much that I want to stay home and watch the tube (correction, screen) in lieu of a Regent cruise. Pat