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Home : DISH Network vs DIRECTV
Who should you go with: Dish Network or DIRECTV?
It's normal to see satellite TV shoppers having dilemma between DISH Network and DIRECTV. After all, they are TV entertainment delivered from the same technology - it's no surprise that their deals look so alike. If you are unsure about signing up for DIRECTV or DISH Network, try read our guide below and compare the pros and cons of both satellite TV providers.
Learn how Dish Network and DIRECTV stack up in term of programming choices, package price, and current promotions (updated for 2010 DISH Network/DIRECTV promotion).
Dish Network vs DIRECTV
| Comparisons |
DISH |
DIRECTV |
Comment |
| Basic Offers |
Free shipping? |
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Both Dish Network and DIRECTV provide free shipping and free professional installations to their customers. Both of their audio and picture quality are guaranteed to be 100% digital.
Dish Network and DIRECTV won J. D. Power Awards in term of customer satisfaction over cable TV companies.
A tie on Dish Network and DIRECTV in term of basic offers condition. |
Free installation? |
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Picture quality |
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Audio quality |
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Customer satisfactions |
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| Equipments |
Free satellite systems? |
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There's not much different between DISH Network and DIRECTV in equiments except for the additional TV cost.
You'll get free satellite system, free DVR and HD upgrades with both DISH Network and DIRECTV. As for the equipments warranty, Dish Network system normally comes with 12 to 18 months warranty; while for DIRECTV, 12 months.
Currently DishPronto (DISH retailer) offers free standard TV installations for up to 6 rooms; while DIRECTV at 4. |
Free DVR systems? |
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Free HD systems? |
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Additional TV cost |
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Warranty period |
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| Pricing |
Activation
fees |
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Both DISH Network and DIRECTV charge no activation fees at all (which is a huge plus considering cables charge up to $99.99 for it).
In term of monthly subscription fees, DISH Network are slightly cheaper than DIRECTV - where Dish packages range from $24.99/mo to $84.98/mo* (price after discount); while DIRECTV priced from $29.99/mo to $85.99/mo* (price after discount).
Both DISH Network and DIRECTV offer great HD programming and both allow users to subscribe (to HD channels) with a very little cost. As DISH Network has a wider choices in HD channels (for 130+ HD channels), we rate DISH one step higher than Dish. However note that DIRECTV is the one with HD 3D Channels - which is a big advantage for those who want ultimate HDTV entertainment.
* All reference prices are based on discounted prices. |
Monthly subscription fees |
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HDTV subscription fees |
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HDTV subscription fees |
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| Programming Choices |
Programming channels |
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Both DIRECTV and Dish Network offer more than 250 channels.
DIRECTV won slightly Dish Network in term of sport programmings as DIRECTV has NFL Sunday Tickets, which Dish Network does not.
Dish Network has advantage over DIRECTV in term of International programming choices. For example, Dish Network offers 17 Chinese programming channels (via Great Wall TV Package); while DIRECTV has only 9 Chinese channels. Also, up to 35 latino language channels are offered by Dish Network!
Dish Network used to be the best HD programming providers - well, not anymore. Now with DIRECTV HD system, you can get up to 92 HD channels via your DIRECTV HD system. That's right, 92 freaking HD channels!
Local channels are provided with both whenever available. |
NHL on the Ice |
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NBA League Passes |
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MLB Extra Innings |
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NFL Sunday Ticket |
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ESPN Game Day |
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International Programming |
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HD channels |
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Local channels |
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| Others |
Satellite radio |
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Dish Network offer Sirius Satellite Radio for America's Top 200 and above; while DIRECTV offers XM. We think Sirius is much better than XM (thus rating Dish Network as the winner) but that is a very subjective view (you might prefer XM over Sirius).
For the rest (customer supports, PPV, parent lock) of the features, both satellite TV providers offer more or less the same. |
24-7 live
supports |
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Multichannels viewing |
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Parent lock |
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Pay-per-view Movies & Events |
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| Wrapping up |
Scores |
25  |
23 |
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Conclusion on DISH Network and DIRECTV comparison
As both services are offered based on the same technology, we are not surprise to see such a close scoresheet on DISH Network and DIRECTV comparison. So the question is, again, who has the best? DIRECTV or Dish Network? Well, the answer might be different for different shoppers.
From our observations:
DIRECTV is better than DISH Network in term of:
- Sport channels coverage (NFL Sunday Tickets, NASCAR... etc)
DISH Network is better than DIRECTV in term of:
- Wider HD programming choices.
- Lower monthly subscription fees
- More International programming choices
So now the shopping choice is simple: Want more NFL, NASCAR, and other sport actions, go with DIRECTV; cheaper monthly TV fees, better HD experience - go with Dish Network, full stop.
Order Dish Network or DIRECTV now!
Made up your mind? Now here's our recommended Dish Network and DIRECTV deals.
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