Many people believed that the introduction of digital television as the common way for television to be received in Britain would be the end to subscription based satellite TV. However, satellite TV has continued to live side by side, which has caused many to ask which exactly will be the best for them.
Ultimately the answer lies in just how much TV you watch and also how much speciality channels matter to you. Subscription satellite providers still offer a far greater range of channels than Freeview, whilst also being very popular with people who are particularly big fans of sport or films. There are also many more specialist channels that can please people who have tastes that vary a little from the mainstream.
That being said, there are obviously payments involved with this type of television, whilst Freeview offers a number of channels at very little cost. In many places, people will be able to receive Freeview through their normal TV aerials, although some will have to pay the small fee necessary in updating to digital TV aerials. For those whose existing TV aerials are all that is needed, the only expense incurred will be in buying the set top box, or a TV that has Freeview included.
However, even with digital TV aerials some areas may still not be able to receive a good enough signal to make Freeview a valid option, and in these cases the more recently released Freesat or subscription satellite TV may be the only answer. However, for those in areas with good reception, who simply want a fairly good range of channels to watch without any specialist interests, Freeview will most likely cover all the bases they need.
Like most things in life, at the end of the day, it will almost all come down to personal preference.