I'd want to know how likely it is that you'll have power if the cable service has gone out. Your satellite dish is pointed rather precisely at the satellite; is it still pointed in that direction after the shivers have stopped.

I would not pick a cable/satellite provider based on an earthquake, for what my opinion is worth. I'd go by service, price, and features, since that's the daily use, and I'd rely on over the air local TV and radio for local news in an emergency. In my area, rabbit ears work fine. The issue is whether I'll have power (and the house is still standing).

I'm not sure why for satellite there is a 'main provider'. We have Dish, but that's a happenstance of some local seller having Dish to sell. Are there limits to where satellite TV can go?