DirecTV or DISH - How Do They Compare?
Compare equipment and services from DirecTV and Dish Network
DirecTV is the largest provider of digital satellite TV, servicing over 15 million customers nationwide. Its DirecTV system is the fastest selling electronics product and offers 250 channels.
DirecTV uses well-known manufacturers to build its DirecTV system. Their satellite receivers are produced by companies like Sony, Panasonic, and RCA. The DirecTV system includes an 18-inch dish, an integrated receiver decoder and a remote control. They have two broadcasting centers, one in Colorado and one in California, that transmit signals to five satellites.
Dish Network
DISH network, part of the larger company named EchoStar, is considered the fastest growing satellite TV company. DISH network services several million customers and adds 100,000 new customers on a monthly basis.
DISH network, based in Colorado, is the second largest satellite tv provider. The company’s service offers 500 satellite TV channels including digital video and music stations. EcoStar Technologies manufactures the satellite dish.
Free Products From Both Companies
Both companies offer free products when you sign up. A contract of at least one year is required by both companies to qualify for free products. And these freebies are only available to new customers.
Both DirecTV and DISH network offer free satellite packages. These free packages include an 18″ or 21″ satellite dish, up to five satellite receivers for your televisions, free professional installation of the system, a video recorder (either a personal video recorder or TiVo), and, usually, a few months of free service.
The ownership of the equipment is one of the differences, however. With a DirecTV system you own the equipment. DISH network customers do not own the free equipment. But DISH network does allow ownership with a small cost upfront, which is normally refunded on the first bill.
Both DirecTV and DISH network also offer digital video recorders (DVR’s). The difference is in the type of recorder offered and the upfront costs. DISH Network offers a free digital video recorder. DirecTV now supports TiVo, which is available for a fee that is refunded upon order.
Installation times, from one to seven days, are the same for both companies. And while both providers offer local programming, you should check each local programming package for certain channels. Both support international programming. The difference will be determined by your personal viewing preferences and the channels offered.
Costs are approximately the same for the programming packages. Some differences will occur in special programming or extra packages you choose. DirecTV owns the rights to several sports packages, including NHL Center Ice, MLB Extra Innings, Yankee games, NFL Sunday Ticket which shows just about every NFL game, and NBA League Pass. Plus, DirecTV offers a greater number of international channels.
The DirecTV system offers up to 250 channels. DISH network provides up to 500 channels.
Definitely check out each company’s availability in your city. DirecTV offers service in Milwaukee, Memphis, Baltimore, Las Vegas, and Columbus. While DISH network does not cover those cities, it does offer service in others that DirecTV does not support, such as Grand Rapids, Oklahoma City, Albuquerque and Honolulu.
In spite of a lot of similarities in the two companies they are not exactly the same. Your choice between these two major providers mainly comes down to personal preferences. What do you want to watch on your satellite tv programming?
