We rarely have snow here in Western Oregon. In the last 5 years we have had snow twice. The last time was about a month ago and we had 10 inches. That really stopped both internet and TV. I took a garden hose and sprayed water on it for a couple minutes and everything was OK. I had to do that twice. The second time there was less than an inch of snow before reception was gone. In Minnesota, I would figure out some kind of roof covering or place the dish under a roof overhang or something.
I agree with you about the TV connection. I don't watch more than an hour or two a week of TV. But I have an 8 year old that does like TV (so did I at that age). With Dishnetwork, there are several all cartoon channels, his favorite being the Cartoon Network that shows the same 30 to 50 year old cartoons that I grew up with. There is a Hallmark channel, Discovery channels, and, of course, Fox News. If an 8 year old kid has to watch TV (and he does have limits) then I am glad that we have the choices that we do.
There is a web site called
DBSFORUMS.COM that specializes in satelite TV and related issues. Someone there will have any system you are looking at and can give you the high and low points as well as technical aspects of the systems. These guys are hardcore satelite junkies.
God Save America (Please)