At first glance the two major satellite TV companies seem quite similar. But if you take a closer look you'll find that there are several significant differences. This is a satellite TV review of the two.
Programming
DISH Network (now known as just DISH) provides a total of 320 television channels, while DirecTV provides a total of 265. The satellite TV channels from both providers offer a wide variety of categories including movies, news, sporting events, variety shows, network broadcasts, weather, reality shows, special interest programs and foreign channels.
DIRECTV fees start at $29.99 a month for 140 channels, including local television channels - ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, as well as the CW channel. Program rates for DISH's at $24.95 for 190 channels which includes your local channels including NBC, CBS, FOX, and also ABC.
Motion Picture Channels
The two companies offer 31 movie channels from HBO, Showtime, Cinemax, and Starz. Movie channel fees begin at $13 monthly for Showtime, Cinemax, and Starz, and $16 for HBO.
Streaming Video Service
Streaming videos are the latest technological advance in satellite TV programming. With streaming video service you can watch movies and TV shows on your TV, your computer, your cell phone, and your laptop. DirecTV has 10,000 steaming videos and DISH has 25,000 streaming videos.
Pay-Per-View Features
With pay-per-view you will have a recently released movie sent to your receiver so can watch a film without the need to go to a video store to have it. For $3.99 you'll be able to rent a new movie from DIRECTV, which features 60 movies per month. DISH provides 75 motion pictures per month, plus sports plus special events, with rates starting at $3.99 a movie.
DIRECTV And DISH Network Music Service
With DIRECTV you will get 9 Sonic Tap music channels in addition to 56 XM satellite radio channels. With DISH you can get 64 SiriusXM satellite radio stations and 52 music channels. Every one of the radio and music programming from both companies are broadcast in digital audio giving you a clear, rich sound, plus broadcasts are actually commercial free.
DIRECTV and DISH Network Equipment
DIRECTV delivers a free satellite TV system in as many as 4 rooms of your house along with free installation of that system whenever you purchase their services, while DISH offers a free satellite television system installed in up to 6 rooms of your home when you order their service. The two service providers give you the choice of upgrading your receivers to an HD receiver for high-def reception, a DVR receiver so that you can record your TV programs, or even a combination HD/DVR receiver for the best of both worlds.
DIRECTV and DISH Customer Care
In the event you experience issues with your satellite TV system, or just have questions about using it, the two providers have a 24-hour toll-free hotline and an web based customer service in order to render assistance when it's needed.
In Conclusion
With regards to equipment, DIRECTV and DISH Network's dishes and receivers are the same in quality and design. However, I've found DISH Network's remote control and program guide to be more user friendly compared to DIRECTV's.
With it comes to programming, DIRECTV provides the most sports channels, which includes the popular NFL Sunday Ticket, while DISH Network gives you the most movies, music, international programs, as well as pay-per-view movies.
With DIRECTV you can get 160 high-def channels. With DISH Network you can get 200 high-def channels.
If you're searching for the most variety as well as the very best price for satellite television service, your smartest choice is definitely DISH Network. If you want to get the most sports programming, which includes NFL Sunday Ticket, then I recommend choosing DIRECTV.
