Compare Satellite TV Service - Dish Network and DirecTV

Are you looking for the best satellite TV service at the best price? Below I compare the two major providers so you can see which of the two services is best for you.

There are a number of factors to consider when it comes to choosing a satellite TV provider that will give you the best service. They are...

1. Subscription fees. Dish Network's entry level package - their Top 120 Package - is priced at .99 per month. It includes more than 120 program channels, plus 35 music channels, and you get 3 months of Showtime and HBO. DirecTV's starter package, their Choice Package, is .99 per month for 150 program channels, and 48 music channels.

2. Local Channel fees. Both providers broadcast your local television channels at no charge.

3. Optional program fees. Dish Network offers 75 pay-per-view movies a month and they charge .99 per movie. DirecTV offers 60 pay-per-view movies a month and they also charge .99 per movie. Prices for pay-per-view special events, like boxing, vary with each event.

4. Optional package fees. Dish Network offers 21 international programming packages, 7 sports packages, and 7 adult packages. DirecTV offers 15 international programming packages, 9 sports packages, and 7 adult packages. Prices for both provider's packages vary depending on the package you order.

5. Installation fees. Both Dish Network and DirecTV will install your new satellite TV system for free when you order one of their program packages. Dish Network will install it in up to 6 rooms, and DirecTV will install it in up to 4 rooms.

6. Optional equipMent fees. Dish Network gives you the option of upgrading their standard receiver to an HD, DVR, or HD/DVR receiver for free. With DirecTV you must order a more expensive program package to upgrade your receiver to an HD, DVR, or HD/DVR receiver.

7. Customer support fees. Both providers give you free 24 hour, seven-days-a-week customer support by phone or by email.

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Compare Satellite TV Companies -- DISH Network, DIRECTV, and Sky Angel

Compare Satellite TV Companies -- DISH Network, DIRECTV, and Sky Angel

Compare Satellite TV Companies

Here's a side-by-side comparison of DISH Network, DIRECTV, and Sky Angel ...

Company Information

- DISH Network: Launched in 1996, DISH Network has 9 satellites and more than 12 million subscribers.

- DIRECTV: Launched in 1994, DIRECTV has 15 satellites and more than 14 million subscribers.

- Sky Angel: Launched in 1981, they utilize DISH Network's satellites, equipMent, and broadcast facilities.

Customer Satisfaction Rating

- DISH Network: Ranked #1 by J.D. Power & Associates

- DIRECTV: Ranked #2 by J.D. Power & Associates

- Sky Angel: Not currently ranked.

Compare Programming

Program Packages

- DISH Network: Packages start at .99 for 40 channels and go up to .99 for 350 channels.

- DIRECTV: Packages start at .99 for 155 channels and go up to .99 for 250 channels.

- Sky Angel: Program package is .99 for 36 channels.

Local Channels

- DISH Network: Adding local channels costs per month.

- DIRECTV: Adding local channels costs per month.

- Sky Angel: Adding local channels costs .99 per month.

Music Channels

- DISH Network: Offers 52 music channels plus 60 Sirius radio channels.

- DIRECTV: Offers 67 XM radio channels.

- Sky Angel: Offers 16 music channels.

Pay-Per-View

- DISH Network: Movies cost .99, special event prices vary.

- DIRECTV: Movies cost .99, special event prices vary.

- Sky Angel: Included with service.

Sports Packages

- DISH Network: Offers a variety of sports packages.

- DIRECTV: Offers a variety of sports packages.

- Sky Angel: Does not offer sports packages.

Adult Programming

- DISH Network: Offers adult channels.

- DIRECTV: Offers adult channels.

- Sky Angel: Does not offer adult channels.

Internet Service

- DISH Network: Offers Internet service.

- DIRECTV: Offers Internet service.

- Sky Angel: Does not offer Internet service.

Service CommitMent

- DISH Network: One year commitMent, charges fee for early cancellation.

- DIRECTV: One year commitMent, charges fee for early cancellation.

- Sky Angel: One year commitment, charges fee for early cancellation.

Compare Equipment

Equipment Prices

- DISH Network: Free dish and up to four receivers when you subscribe to their service.

- DIRECTV: Free dish and up to four receivers when you subscribe to their service.

- Sky Angel: Charges 9 for one dish, one receiver, and one remote.

Equipment Warranty

- DISH Network: Lifetime warranty

- DIRECTV: One year warranty

- Sky Angel: Lifetime warranty

DVR's (digital video recorders)

- DISH Network: Free DVR receivers (.98 per month for service).

- DIRECTV: Free DVR receivers after rebate (.99 per month for service).

- Sky Angel: Not offered at this time.

HD (high definition) receivers

- DISH Network: Two free receivers.

- DIRECTV: Free receiver (after mail-in rebate).

- Sky Angel: Not offered at this time.

Installation

- DISH Network: Dish and receiver(s) installed free.

- DIRECTV: Dish and receiver(s) installed free.

- Sky Angel: Dish and receivers cost to 9 to install.

Installation Time

- DISH Network: One to five days depending on location.

- DIRECTV: One to five days depending on location.

- Sky Angel: One to five days depending on location.

Compare Miscellaneous Information

Customer Service

- DISH Network: Offers 24/7 toll-free and online customer service.

- DIRECTV: Offers 24/7 toll-free and online customer service.

- Sky Angel: Offers 24/7 toll-free and online customer service.

Free Bonus Gifts

- DISH Network: Click on links below to review current offers.

- DIRECTV: Click on links below to review current offers.

- Sky Angel: Click on links below to review current offers.

Ordering

- DISH Network: 24/7 online ordering and toll-free ordering.

- DIRECTV: 24/7 online ordering and toll-free ordering.

- Sky Angel: 24/7 online ordering and toll-free ordering.

Note

As some of the information may have changed since this article was published, please click on the links below for current information.

Click on the following link for more information to compare satellite TV companies. Click on these links for current ordering information, plus the latest special offers and free bonuses from DISH Network satellite TV or DIRECTV satellite TV.

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Compare DIRECTV and Dish Network

Compare DIRECTV and Dish Network

So you have decided to join millions of people across the country and make the switch from cable to satellite television. The choices are confusing but the programming looks amazing. You've heard about both DIRECTV and Dish Network and are wondering what the differences are. Do not jump too quickly to choose one or the other without investigating the facts first.

First let's take a look at the installation process. Both companies offer free installation which is a fabulous incentive to make the switch. The DirecTV dish is truly an amazing sight. It has a total of 5-LNB which provide you with incredible satellite coverage and access to more satellites then the competitor. If you do not want a large dish on your home you should go with Dish Network.

Direct TV advertises installation next day for most areas. Dish Network does not offer this as an incentive. Within the last month I have had two friends switch from cable to satellite TV. One friend went with Dish Network and the other DirecTV. My friend with DirecTV ordered the service on Wednesday and received the install on Thursday. The other friend ordered Dish Network on the same Thursday. Their installation was scheduled for a week from that Friday. While consumers may not experience this in other areas it is certainly something to consider.

Let's move on to content. The rave now is high-definition programming which is not surprising. This stunning, crystal-clear digital presentation with amazing surround sound capabilities is truly an experience unlike any other in television viewing. Dish Network and DirecTV both offer HD programming.

These companies have been on a race to provide more high-def programming to their subscribers. Each company was scheduled to launch a new satellite for this purpose in the spring of 2008. The satellite launch was successful for DirecTV and a failure for Dish Network. Both the satellite launches Direct TV was already ahead in the race for HD programming and this success will clearly give them a huge lead over Dish Network. Currently Dish Network offers 73 HD channels and cable offers 55+. DirecTV HD has a total of 95 HD channels and this number is continually rising. Direct TV can provide over 265 channels of regular programming while Dish Network has 250.

Consumers have been selecting HD DVRs as their receiver of choice. A DVR, Digital Video Recorder, allows the subscriber to select programming to record and Watch at a later date. Dish Network's ViP722 DVR is capable of record 350 hours of standard programming and 55 hours of HD programming. This can record 5 more hours of HD programming than DirecTV but with less HD programming available at Dish one would have to weigh the importance of 5 hours of recording. The DirecTV PLUS HD DVR can record a total of 200 SD programming hours and 50 HD hours. DirecTV also provides subscribers with the ability to schedule recordings using their mobile phone or the website.

Each provider offers sports programming. DirecTV is the exclusive provider for NFL Sunday Ticket while Dish Network has football in the form of ESPN GamePlan. MLB recently changed their provider to DirecTV from Dish Network but will continue to Air on Dish Network for a transitional period. Dish Network offers extensive Soccer coverage with MLS Direct Kick. Both providers offer NHL Center Ice and NBA League Pass. Direct TV has additional sports coverage including NASCAR HotPass, College Basketball & Football, Soccer, Rugby, and Cricket.

These providers offer more than television. Each provider offers satellite radio amongst their content. DirecTV offers XM Radio while Dish Network offers Sirius. With the upcoming merger between Sirius Satellite Radio and XM Satellite Radio this may not matter to consumers because the coverage will be the same.

The gap is widening between these two providers every day as DirecTV's content continues to grow and Dish Network falls steadily behind. Dish Network may be a few Dollars cheaper but it is not as comprehensive as DirecTV which makes Direct TV this writer's satellite provider of choice.

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Compare Dish Network and DirecTV Satellite Offers

Compare Dish Network and DirecTV Satellite Offers

It's not surprise to know that both Dish Network and DirecTV's offers are more or less the same, as both companies are offering their services based on the same technology. Both satellite companies are offering their service in a great bargain, giving out free satellite systems, free DVR and HD systems, as well as valuable incentive gifts. In fact the TV programming choices are more or less the same as well with Dish and DirecTV.

Comparing the basics

So Dish Network and DirecTV, who shall we choose? Let's check out the basics to know before we move on for the comparison guide:

Both Dish and DirecTV offer free satellite and DVR equipMent. While the offers look pretty the same but it's actually not if you study detail enough. Dish Network's equipMents are granted with 18 months warranty; while DirecTV has only 1 year - that's a six month different. Further more, DirecTV charge extra .99 per TV if you want to connect your system to extra TVs; while Dish Network cost zero. In other words, you get better bargains with Dish Network when you are ordering more 'TVs'.

Dish Network programming are packed as Dish Family, America's Top 100, Top 200, Top 250; while for DirecTV, shoppers get to choose from DirecTV Choice, Choice XTra, Plus, Premier, and Family. Dish Network programming package pricing range from .99 to .99 per month; while DirecTV monthly subscription fees are a little higher, from .99 to .99.

Both DirecTV and Dish Network have about 250 TV channels for their users to choose from. (That's more than you can Watch huh!) In term of programming choices, Dish has better advanTAGe in term of International programming (such as Spanish channels in Latino Dos package and Chinese channels in Great Wall TV package); DirecTV on the other hand covers more sport actions around the States. NFL Sunday Ticket and Nascar HotShots are the sport packages where you can only find with DirecTV.

Dish Network or DirecTV? Pick the right deal

MoMent of truth, Dish Network and DirecTV, who should you go for? Well, that's an answer that only you can answer yourself. Are you a NFL fans that wish to get more NFL actions? Are you willing to pay a little higher monthly subscription fees for DirecTV? Does programming in Great Wall TV package interest you?

Also, High definition Television (or Hdtv) is becoming the latest trend in TV industry - Do you have one in home? If so, the availability of HD channels might be one of your considerations when choosing between Dish Network and DirecTV. Dish is so far the best TV company that's offering more than 30 HD channels. DirecTV and other cable companies cannot even come close to that level.

General speaking, shoppers who are more into sport channels normally go for DirecTV; while others (especially those with Hdtv) normally enjoy Dish Network, for a lower monthly subscription fees.

Compare - Dishnetwork Vs DirecTV

Compare - Dishnetwork Vs DirecTV

The popularity and the increasing number of particiPants from both Direct TV and Dish Network to show that both have a lot to offer satellite TV companies. People choose a particular company for the specific services that each offer and what makes the most sense for their use in an interactive way. Each company is stronger than the others in some areas and weaker in others. This makes it necessary that the two companies to see which is the best choice for your singleSituation.

A comparison of Direct TV and Dish Network shows in packages that offer similar levels of programming, but have different levels of programming in each packet. So, to offer packages Direct TV, channel 140, 185 and 250, while packets Dish Network offers 100, 200 and 250 channels. Each satellite television company also has a small family package that makes it easy to do for families, a limitedVariety of channels for news, entertainMent and educational programs for children.

Many of the programming options of the two companies are similar. With both services, you get all the normal entertainMent. Here you will find channels like Fox News, The Movie Channel, Animal Planet, TNT and TV Land for both companies. You can also find the same premium movie channels: HBO, Starz, Showtime and Cinemax. However, it is necessary to examine individual packets to determinewhen looking for specific channels offered. Since the Direct TV programming is the smallest package of 140 channels, while Dish Network is 100, you can find a much wider selection of channels of Direct TV. For example, the smallest package of Dish Network does not include Animal Planet, ESPNEWS, or MSNBC. But these channels are obtained from Direct TV Total Choice package. If you are on the U.S. Top 200 upgrade to a quantity ofChannels you want, you could probably find a better value choice in total. The premium movie packages are also divided in different ways. Direct TV package includes the Total Choice Premier, its 250-channel package. Dish Network will conclude with the Americas Everything Pak, which is a step above the Top 250 U.S.. However, Dish Network also has many special offers, add a premium package movies for free, to make smaller packages. If youinvolving only one premium package film, this may be a good deal.

High definition television (HD) is always very popular and both companies are involved, many Hdtv programs in their line-up. With any business you get the equipMent you need Hdtv, even though Dish Network's Hdtv offers free memberships in the specific programming languages. There is also a big difference in the level of high definition televisionYou can access programming. Direct TV is behind in HDTV programming with a choice of over 11 channels. They are doing two premium channels, movies, and more local films and sports channels for a selection of fun. However, Dish Network offers 31 HD channels. This makes it the best choice for those who really want the most high definition programming.

Direct TV is because of its relative lack of high-definition TV, with its sports Selection. Directv is the only TV service provider for the NFL Sunday Ticket, a sports season ticket, you can see all the NFL can offer. Direct TV also has an important sports package that includes dozens of channels Comcast SportsNet, Fox Sports Net, NBA TV, Sun Sports, and more. Dish Network has a large number of subscriptions of the sport and a multi-sport package, but is lacking that NFL Sunday Ticket.

Customer Satisfaction

Court> Network Satellite TV is the No. 1 place in customer satisfaction among providers of cable TV and satellite TV.

Direct TV is the second among all providers of cable and satellite TV in customer satisfaction.

Direct TV vs Dishnet --- In The Bottom Line

Both DirecTV and Dish Network offer top-of-the-line satellite TV and all digital for the best picture and sound available. Both companies currently offerSpecial offers HDTV and DVR. Tired of cable TV in trouble? Transform your home entertainment with satellite TV. Click on the links for now offers the best Direct TV and Dish Network offers.

Based on excellent customer service, installation and feedback of our users recommend Dish Network by iDishNetwork.com (one of the top online authorized EchoStar retailers).

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