Comparison Between Satellite Providers DirecTV and DISH Network

To get the best offers on DISH Network, you must commit to a service contract, likely for 18 months, but you can do a month-to-month service agreement if you like. The month-to-month downside is financial; you won’t be able to take advantage of certain special offers. Also, you’ll likely have to pay for installation.

DirecTV typically requires subscribers to agree to a service contract that lasts anywhere from 12 to 24 months.

If you cancel your contract with either company before it expires, you might be subject to penalties and cancellation fees. Read the fine print before giving credit card information or signing the contract.

Both providers offer similar packages, from basic family programming to all-inclusive packages that include premium movie-channel subscriptions. On average, DISH Network's daily prices are lower per month than DirecTV’s package of the same type.

The reason DISH Network has lower prices is that it generally offers fewer channels or services on average compared to DirecTV — for example, 100 channels compared to 200, or a lack of HD or DVR service.

DirecTV typically offers several months of free programming to new customers and builds in HD service and expanded channel lineups within basic programming packages. The cost of the basic package will shoot up to the regular monthly price when the special-offer period expires.

Both carriers assess a standard monthly charge for every HD and non-HD receiver beyond the primary receiver on the bill. Remember, the first receiver is built into the package cost.

The key difference between DirecTV and DISH Network is that a four-room system for DirecTV will likely use four single-tuner receivers (you will be charged for three) while a four-room system on DISH Network will likely use two dual-tuner receivers (you will be charged for one).

DirecTV usually beats DISH Network on price for HD offerings and the overall HD-channel lineup. Both providers often offer deals — for example, free HD for up to six months. DISH Network usually offers the best monetary value with these specials.

New DirecTV subscribers must pay a leasing or upgrade receiver fee upon signing up for service. You won't buy your receiver; you'll lease it and return it to DirecTV after you're finished with the service.

DISH Network is known for its leasing of equipment, but now the company also sells receivers, although they tend to be expensive. You won’t have to pay the monthly leasing fee for every receiver you own, however.

Customers usually get standard receivers for free with both companies. Standard receivers are digital devices without DVR or HD capabilities. Consider the following information also about HD and DVR receivers:

• Digital video recorders (DVR receivers): DirecTV has an upgrade fee but usually offers an instant rebate that covers the cost of the receiver, making it free. DISH Network doesn’t charge an upgrade fee but assesses a monthly leasing fee if you don't opt to buy.
• HD receivers: DirecTV has the same deal as the DVR, in which new subscribers can upgrade for a fee that's rebated, making the HD receiver free. DISH Network does the same for its HD receiver as its DVR. You pay a monthly leasing fee or you can buy it.
• HD-DVR combo receivers: DirecTV has an upgrade fee, but they sometimes offer a rebate, which brings the price down considerably. DISH Network has the same deal as its DVR and HD receiver. You can lease the receiver for a small monthly charge or buy it outright.

Minus a few provider-specific channels, the channel lineups for these two providers are about equal. This is a business question. If one provider has a certain channel, then the other will offer it, too, to compete on level ground. So, the key difference is the level of the package you need to subscribe to so that you can view your favorite channels.

DirecTV gives you the full 200 channels on its third-lowest-cost package. DISH Network requires you to move up to the fourth-lowest-cost package to get 200 channels.

When you get down to it, DISH Network has more options with respect to channel lineups. If you don’t want the full 200 channels, a 100-channel package is available. On the high end, DISH Network has a few more channels than DirecTV, but you get the same movie channels — so it's pretty much a wash.

DirecTV seems to force subscribers to buy into its 200-channel packages instead of offering a basic package with 100 channels. DirecTV's model is good for add-ons, like HD and DVR service, but not everybody wants the added expense needed to get the 200 channels.

DirecTV offers about 70 nationwide HD channels, and DISH Network, about 38. Both say more are on their way.

Both companies struggle to provide local HD channels without an over-the-air (OTA) antenna, but things are getting better. They have many markets available, and you can use a tool on their respective websites to see if local channels in your area are available in HD. If not, you can still use an antenna that attaches to the satellite dish to receive your local programming in HD.