Call for the Best Cable, Phone and Internet Deals: 855-349-9328
For satellite TV you have a choice between DIRECTV and DISH. Service packages of both providers carry unique features, at different prices, and under a different set of terms and conditions. Both DIRECTV and DISH satellite TV offer packages with great value.
Here is a head-to-head overall comparison of these satellite TV providers to help you get started―
165+ w/60+ in HD and 45,000+ On Demand titles
200+ w/85+ in HD and 50,000+ On Demand titles
270+ w/115+ in HD and 60,000+ On Demand titles
340+ w/85+ in HD and 70,000+ On Demand titles
*w/24 mo. agmt. Price higher in 2nd year. Price subj. to change. Offer Ends: 12/10/22. Offer price includes limited-time savings of $10/mo. All prices include $5 Autopay & Paperless Bill discount, which may take 1-3 bill cycles to begin (pay $5 more per month until discount begins). New approved residential customers only. Offers may be discontinued at any time.
Satellite TV is a form of entertainment service. Unlike cable, satellite TV services utilize a completely different form of delivery. Satellite companies use orbiting satellites to broadcast radio signals. The signals delivered from satellites are received by an outdoor antenna or a satellite TV dish, installed at the customer’s residence or RV. With satellite TV services you get a greater variety of channels.
It is because of this type of technology that satellite TV providers can deliver TV service anywhere, even in the most remote areas of the country.
For rural or mobile customers, a satellite TV service is the best bet for first-class, premium television. For those living in urban or suburban areas, cable is better due to TV and internet bundle deals, no contract options, and somewhat lower prices. Satellite TV has more channels but cable TV also has plenty. Incredible HD picture quality is standard on both.
Category | Satellite TV | Cable TV |
---|---|---|
Delivery Method | Satellite dish signal receiver (wireless connection) | Coaxial cable lines (wired connection) |
Coverage | Virtually everywhere including rural & underserved areas | Primarily urban and suburban areas |
Reliability | Severe weather may lead to outages | Unaffected by poor weather |
Installation | Pro installation―the satellite TV dish must be installed at your premises | Pro and self-install options―cable lines and wall outlets required for rooms where you need the service |
Contract | Requires a 2-year contract | No-contract options are available |
Bundles | Can be paired with internet from partner service providers | Can be bundled with internet and phone services from the same service provider |
Picture Quality | More HD and 4K UHD content | HD programming may or may not be included in the price―HD and 4K content availability is relatively limited |
Customer Satisfaction | Higher customer satisfaction than cable TV as per ACSI and JD Power | Usually ranks below satellite TV for customer satisfaction |
The competition for satellite TV customers is fierce between the top ranking satellite TV providers, i.e. DIRECTV and DISH. The choice for some customers may only come down to price. For others, it would be the channel count and diversity that wins the game. And yet others may choose based upon their love for sports or premium entertainment. Albeit, in the end it may just be a combination of any or all these things.
You’ve already read about the prices and packages offered by both DISH and DIRECTV. Now let’s take a closer look at some salient features and fine print that may sway your satellite TV decision.
DIRECTV | DISH | |
---|---|---|
Price (Per month) |
$64.99/mo. - $139.99/mo.
For 12 months plus taxes and fees w/ 24 mo. agmt. Price higher in 2nd year. Price subj. to change. Offer Ends: 12/10/22. Offer price includes limited-time savings of $10/mo. All prices include $5 Autopay & Paperless Bill discount, which may take 1-3 bill cycles to begin (pay $5 more per month until discount begins). New approved residential customers only. Offers may be discontinued at any time. |
$69.99/mo. - $104.99/mo.
for 24 months |
Winner: DISH TV―DISH TV plans are priced lower than DIRECTV from the starter to the top tier. | ||
Contract Length | 2 years | 2 Years |
Winner: DISH TV. With DISH the price is locked in for the length of the contract i.e. 24 months, and with DIRECTV the price stays locked for 12 months. | ||
Customer Satisfaction (2022) | 66 | 65 |
Winner: DIRECTV. This score is compiled by The American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI®) which analyzes customer satisfaction with the quality of products and services in the U.S. DISH seems to have fallen about 2% from 2021, while DIRECTV has maintained its customer satisfaction rating. | ||
Channel Count | 330+ | 290+ |
Winner: DIRECTV. From a number’s standpoint, DIRECTV offers almost 50 more channels than DISH | ||
DVR | Genie HD DVR | Hopper Duo |
Winner: DIRECTV. Genie HD DVR is capable of recording 5 shows at a time and allows 200 hours of HD video storage whereas the Hopper Duo records 2 shows simultaneously and gives you 125 hours of HD video storage. | ||
Sports Programming | Top national, regional and local sports channels + FREE NFL Sunday Ticket | Add-on Sports packages available―unless the Multi-Sport Pack comes included as a special offer |
Winner: DIRECTV. Both satellite TV providers offer a range of sports programming, but DIRECTV stands unbeaten with more choice, and its exclusive right to offer the NFL Sunday Ticket. | ||
Premium Entertainment Networks | HBO MAX, Cinemax, STARZ & EPIX are offered for 3-months with all packages and included in the top tier lineup | Add-on premium networks available―limited-time subscription to DISH Movie Pack SHOWTIME & STARZ included as a special offer |
Winner: DIRECTV. Both satellite TV providers offer a range of premium networks as add-ons―and may include a limited time subscription with select plans. DIRECTV however includes unlimited access to popular premium networks in its top tier as well. | ||
TV Everywhere | DIRECTV app is available with all plans―stream live TV or On Demand anytime anywhere | For full functionality DISH Anywhere app must be synced in with Hopper w/Sling or Hopper 3 |
Winner: DIRECTV. Both satellite TV providers include the TV Everywhere feature, but with DISH access to live or recorded TV requires Hopper w/Sling or Hopper 3. |
Neither DIRECTV nor DISH satellite TV offer a namesake internet service. But, you can get satellite TV plus internet by working with a partner provider. Both satellite TV providers allow you to pair their TV with another provider’s internet service.
DIRECTV works with AT&T, HughesNet, CenturyLink and Kinetic by Windstream to provide internet service. DISH also collaborates with Frontier Communications EarthLink, Cox, WOW! and more.
To find out which of these internet providers serve your area call at 855-349-9328.
Can’t find any of the partner internet service providers in your area to pair your DIRECTV or DISH satellite TV?
Well, you can explore other provider options for high-speed internet that are accessible in your neighborhood. At BuyTVInternetPhone we partner with a number of reputed high-speed internet providers that offer network coverage across the U.S. Call us at 855-349-9328 to hear about internet deals available in your area.
DISH and DIRECTV are the top ranking satellite TV providers that offer satellite TV services everywhere in the U.S. This is especially of value to rural customers deprived of coverage from Cable providers. Many TV customers choose the unique benefits and features that satellite companies offer, over the more abundant cable TV options.
You can get satellite TV near you, wherever you live. You have multiple options, too. You can choose a basic satellite TV package or a premium lineup with movie channels, sports packs and much more.
DIRECTV and DISH offer channel packages that are comparable to cable, and in most cases even better. DIRECTV’s top package provides over 340 channels while DISH offers over 290 at the highest tier.
Both satellite TV providers also offer 4K programming. 4K UHD is the industry’s best picture format, but not many cable TV providers can yet meet the requirements for this type of picture quality.
For the perfect lineup, know the channels that you want, and search for them in each package. If you want to add on sports and premium channels you can do this on per channel basis, as well as channel packs.
Families with diverse preferences want access to a broad variety of content. And you can get this with satellite TV channel lineups more so than with Cable.
BuyTVInternetPhone offers more than just affordable high-speed internet. With us you can also get the best TV and home phone service plans and packages.
Both DIRECTV and DISH require a satellite dish antenna to receive the TV signal. This is the only way satellite companies can provide a TV service to their customers. The good thing is satellite TV providers often include the equipment i.e. the dish, cables, and other hardware and offer a free of cost installation service. For more details on offers available in your area call at 855-349-9328.
While both cable and satellite TV are subscription pay-TV services, they differ in the scheme of their packages, channels, and picture quality. The main difference is how customers receive the service in their homes. Cable TV is wired, and the signal is delivered via coaxial cable lines from a distribution center. Satellite TV transmits its signal from an orbiting satellite to dish receivers affixed to the customer’s property before it is relayed to the TV set.
Free satellite TV is also known as free-to-air (FTA) satellite TV. FTA transmits many channels via satellite. Free satellite TV is not encrypted like subscription satellite TV, but you will need an FTA receiver box to partake.
Do not expect the same type of entertainment channels you get with pay-TV though. Free satellite TV broadcasts channels that are in the public domain, religious, and government channels. Although you can still find plenty of news and even sports channels.
DIRECTV and DISH are the top ranking popular satellite TV providers with coast-to-coast availability. There are other satellite providers that offer specific content, like the free-to-air satellite TV channels, but not the type of news, entertainment, and sports content that you get with DIRECTV or DISH. For more details on offers available in your area call at 855-349-9328.
Not only do you get to enjoy a large channel variety with DISH, but access to the Hopper 3 DVR, which is one of the best in the industry. DISH TV plans include Hopper Duo at no extra cost but you can upgrade to Hopper 3 for only $5/mo. more. Current DISH offers include the Multi-Sport Pack in the price. And you can also enjoy STARZ, SHOWTIME and the DISH Movie Pack for 3 months.
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