Mods, if in the wrong area, please move, thx

Need help, I'm sick of all the Time Warner bs, and we're looking at changing to satellite tv, but there are some thing we aren't too sure about.
1. WX, living in socal, not too much weather to be concerned about, but does the signal really break up with clouds/precip in the area?
2. Both websites say you can hook up 2 tv's to each receiver, does this requires re-wiring your cable outlets, or will this work with standard wiring?(I'm guessing you need to re-wire, our house was built early 1980's, and no re-wiring done since then)
3. Any goods/bads about either satellite company? I know about Direct tv and the nfl package, but any other things to add?
4. Are you happy with the service? Would you switch back to cable/the other satellite company?
Thanks for any advice given.