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More than ever, the competition to be the best TV service provider is stiff. Between social media video, streaming video services, and cable, consumers have dozens of options – and that’s not including satellite tv providers.
Two of the biggest satellite tv service providers are DISH and DirecTV. But what’s the difference? Don’t waste time or money trying to compare the two – our guide has got you covered.
Keep reading to find out which one is the best tv service provider for you.
Contents
DISH
First, let’s look at what DISH network has to offer for pricing and packages. They have 4 prebuilt packages:
- America’s Top 120 for $69.99/month
- America’s Top 120 Plus for $84.99/month
- America’s Top 200 for $94.99/month
- America’s Top 250 for $104.99/month
Overall, DISH has some affordable satellite television plans. However, some of the plan names are misleading. For example, America’s Top 120 plan sounds like it offers 120 channels, but it’s actually 190 channels.
If your household is a fan of foreign movies and TV, DISH offers 20+ channels of foreign programming. DISH offers programming in Arabic, Filipino, Cantonese, Mandarin, Punjabi, Tamil, French, German, and more.
Many of these channels are add-ons for an additional price each month. However, there is also an International Basic plan that offers 50+ channels for $15 a month.
DISH offers great recording options. Their Hopper 3 DVR hardware allows for simultaneous recording of up to 16 programs at once and 2,000 hours of storage.
DirecTV
First, let’s talk about the packages and pricing. DirecTV offers 4 packages:
- Entertainment – 160+ channels for $64.99/month
- Choice – 185+ channels for $69.99/month
- Ultimate – 250+ channels for $84.99/month
- Premier – 330+ channels for $134.99/month
As you can see, DirecTV has some fairly inexpensive packages, and the price difference for the Entertainment and Choice packages isn’t a lot.
DirecTV also has a lot of sports options. The Tennis Channel, MLB Network, NBAtv, and multiple ESPN channels are available.
They also offer NFL Sunday Ticket, a service that offers live, out-of-market NFL games every Sunday. There’s no extra charge for this, so it’s a huge win for football fans.
A few years ago, DirecTV debuted its Genie Go, which allowed users to take their recorded programming with them on the go. However, it was quickly discontinued in 2016.
Fortunately, the technology is still around. If you want to use it, consult a guide that will tell you all about DirecTV Genie Go and how to use it.
Comparing the Two Satellite TV Service Providers
So DISH vs. DirecTV? Which of the satellite tv service providers is best?
Both are capable satellite providers, provided they have a clear view of the sky. Both also offer multiple packages for multiple budgets.
Out of the two, DISH is the more affordable option. Their DVR options – especially the Hopper 3, outshines the competition. They also offer lots of international channel options.
DirecTV offers more channel options for sports fans, including NFL Sunday Ticket. They also have more HD channels.
So if you value lots of DVR recording time and international channels, DISH is the better option. But if you love sports (especially the NFL), DIRECTV is the better option.
Find the Right TV Provider for You
Now that you have a comparison of two of the major satellite tv service providers, you can make a comparison of the two and decide for yourself which suits you.
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