The current downturn in the economy is encouraging many households to re-evaluate their spending options - in other words how the family income is spent. Value for money is now the prime factor in deciding how a family decides its spending options.

The purchase of family basics or the purchase of items and services irregularly are now subject to a more critical examination. Impulse purchases are for the moment deferred.

All purchases have to be considered on merit and genuine need. This also refers to spending money on entertainment such as TV subscriptions. In cases such as this a family could look for a cheaper option when their present agreement ends, for example switching from cable to satellite.

At this time many families are carefully looking at the cost of their cable TV subscription, and comparing this with the cost of a similar service from a satellite TV provider. Comparing like with like shows that satellite TV comes out on top for a given level of programming. Satellite TV also has numerous technical advantages that alone would persuade many families to leave cable and move to satellite TV.

However, the foremost reason for cable TV subscribers to move to satellite TV is because of the starter deals on offer to new customers. These deals are changed periodically to remain 'up-to-date' and 'relevant' and may be for a reduced monthly fees for the first 12 months; free equipment and professional installation for a number of TVs; or an offer of extra packages at a reduced or no cost. These introductory offers are dependent on the new subscriber signing a 12 month contract.

Deals such as these from the two major satellite TV companies are periodically renewed and are having the effect of attracting new subscribers to satellite. This is supported by the increasing number of families moving to satellite, and the declining number using cable.

There are other minor factors that need to be taken into account before a family makes the move, in addition to the matter of monthly fees and promotional offers. Whilst these factors are of lesser importance they still need to be put into perspective and given due consideration.

The first factor involves a comparison of the range of program packages available from both cable and satellite. Compare what each package provides, especially from the view point of value for money. Importantly ensure that a new provider has access to all the family's favorite channels, including local news and sports channels. The availability of sports channels and foreign language programs may need to be confirmed. Access to video-on-demand services may be an important factor for some families.

Secondly, reception quality should be checked. Satellite transmission comes from a stationary satellite situated over the Caribbean Sea in the south and requires a satellite dish to have a clear and uninterrupted view of the southern sky. Good reception for cable TV is dependent to a large extent on prevailing weather conditions and this can cause prolonged interruptions. Satellite TV, on the other hand, is very rarely affected by bad weather.

As there are financial penalties for canceling a television agreement, householders should check on the amount involved before canceling.

Check that the equipment, tuners, DVRs and HDTV hardware, supplied by the new provider is as good as that supplied by the existing provider.

Finally recognize the fact that satellite TV is more able than cable to adopt the new technologies that always seem to be around the corner. The recent introduction of 3D television is a case in point. In the years ahead 3D TV will be common in most homes with the satellite TV providers at the forefront of this ground breaking technology.

The move from cable TV to the more sophisticated technology of satellite TV needs much more than a simple comparison of monthly fees. Several other factors need to be considered to ensure that a new provider at least provides a similar level of service taking all the above factors into account.

But the over-riding issue is not just price, but value-for-money.