Satellite & TV Information

About the Author:

C.J. Gustafson is a successful freelance writer for 1st-Dish-TV.net who has written numerous articles on satellite TV. She personally has no preference between the DISH Network and DIRECTV, as long as she can get the History Channel.

Copyright 2004 1st-Dish-TV.net

Permission is granted to publish this article on your site only if all 3 links are kept intact.


MORE RESOURCES:
Cyberattack cripples satellite service's customer relations - Roanoke Times
Cyberattack cripples satellite service's customer relations  Roanoke Times

Lack of clarity on Dish's ransomware attack results in stock trading at ... - Insider Intelligence
Lack of clarity on Dish's ransomware attack results in stock trading at ...  Insider Intelligence

Frustrated Dish customers still spending hours on hold weeks after ransomware attack, they say - NBC News
Frustrated Dish customers still spending hours on hold weeks after ransomware attack, they say  NBC News

FCC Chair Calls for Cable, Satellite TV to Show One All-In Price - Bloomberg Law
FCC Chair Calls for Cable, Satellite TV to Show One All-In Price  Bloomberg Law

Cut the Cord and Reassemble the Pieces – Satellite TV vs. Streaming - highcountryshopper.com
Cut the Cord and Reassemble the Pieces – Satellite TV vs. Streaming  highcountryshopper.com

DirecTV says Newsmax will return to lineup, months after network claimed "censorship" - CBS News
DirecTV says Newsmax will return to lineup, months after network claimed "censorship"  CBS News

Western Europe Pay TV Market Report 2023: IPTV will Surpass ... - GlobeNewswire
Western Europe Pay TV Market Report 2023: IPTV will Surpass ...  GlobeNewswire

Leading U.S Satellite TV Provider Dish Network Yet to Recover ... - CPO Magazine
Leading U.S Satellite TV Provider Dish Network Yet to Recover ...  CPO Magazine

Ring of Honor “Supercard of Honor” Pay-Per-View to Stream on ... - Warner Bros. Discovery
Ring of Honor “Supercard of Honor” Pay-Per-View to Stream on ...  Warner Bros. Discovery

Frontier tightens ties to YouTube TV, targets cable's bundle - Light Reading
Frontier tightens ties to YouTube TV, targets cable's bundle  Light Reading

Cost of Living has less impact on DACH streaming subscriptions ... - Broadband TV News
Cost of Living has less impact on DACH streaming subscriptions ...  Broadband TV News

Satellite TV Set-Top Box Market 2023: Rising Demand, Trend, Share ... - Digital Journal
Satellite TV Set-Top Box Market 2023: Rising Demand, Trend, Share ...  Digital Journal

Dish Network still reeling from week-old ransomware attack - The Seattle Times
Dish Network still reeling from week-old ransomware attack  The Seattle Times

Latin America Pay TV Market Analysis Report 2023: Pay Satellite TV ... - GlobeNewswire
Latin America Pay TV Market Analysis Report 2023: Pay Satellite TV ...  GlobeNewswire

Carolina Hurricanes vs Tampa Bay Lightning: Live streaming options, how and where to watch NHL live on TV, Channel List, and more - Sportskeeda
Carolina Hurricanes vs Tampa Bay Lightning: Live streaming options, how and where to watch NHL live on TV, Channel List, and more  Sportskeeda

Will the Boston Red Sox Air In 4K On DIRECTV? - The TV Answer Man
Will the Boston Red Sox Air In 4K On DIRECTV?  The TV Answer Man

THX Ltd. and SEI Robotics Announce Strategic Partnership to Bring ... - InvestorsObserver
THX Ltd. and SEI Robotics Announce Strategic Partnership to Bring ...  InvestorsObserver

Bulsatcom to focus on satellite TV - Broadband TV News
Bulsatcom to focus on satellite TV  Broadband TV News

Insight View on Mobile Satellite TV Market 2023-2027 Size and ... - Digital Journal
Insight View on Mobile Satellite TV Market 2023-2027 Size and ...  Digital Journal

YES Network still hopes to launch direct-to-consumer product by Yankees' Opening Day - New York Post
YES Network still hopes to launch direct-to-consumer product by Yankees' Opening Day  New York Post

Astro Malaysia Shares Fall Amid Weak Results, Analyst Downgrades - MarketWatch
Astro Malaysia Shares Fall Amid Weak Results, Analyst Downgrades  MarketWatch

Battle for Dish TV control nears end | Mint - Mint
Battle for Dish TV control nears end | Mint  Mint

When does ‘John Wayne: Cowboys & Demons’ documentay air on Reelz? Premiere, date, how to watch on demand with - OregonLive
When does ‘John Wayne: Cowboys & Demons’ documentay air on Reelz? Premiere, date, how to watch on demand with  OregonLive

Rastelli's Earns Coveted QVC Star Award for Vendor of the Year & ... - PerishableNews
Rastelli's Earns Coveted QVC Star Award for Vendor of the Year & ...  PerishableNews

TAP Digital Media extends satellite broadcast deal with ABS ... - SatelliteProME.com
TAP Digital Media extends satellite broadcast deal with ABS ...  SatelliteProME.com

Score a 50-inch 4K Amazon Fire TV for just $280 — that's 40% off - Yahoo Singapore News
Score a 50-inch 4K Amazon Fire TV for just $280 — that's 40% off  Yahoo Singapore News

Streamers, Hollywood Studios Win $30 Million in Copyright ... - Media Play News
Streamers, Hollywood Studios Win $30 Million in Copyright ...  Media Play News

Bank of America double downgraded a satellite TV provider today - InvestorsObserver
Bank of America double downgraded a satellite TV provider today  InvestorsObserver

When does ‘Ride’ premiere on Hallmark Channel? Free live stream, release date, time, TV channel, stream on de - OregonLive
When does ‘Ride’ premiere on Hallmark Channel? Free live stream, release date, time, TV channel, stream on de  OregonLive

Dish Says Outage Due to 'Cybersecurity Incident' - CNET
Dish Says Outage Due to 'Cybersecurity Incident'  CNET

‘Dish TV not appointing govt-okayed directors’ | Mint - Mint
‘Dish TV not appointing govt-okayed directors’ | Mint  Mint

Smart STB Market worth US$ 1.93 Billion 2024 with a CAGR of 8.06%- By PMI - EIN News
Smart STB Market worth US$ 1.93 Billion 2024 with a CAGR of 8.06%- By PMI  EIN News

Dish investigates as internal systems outage continues - FierceVideo
Dish investigates as internal systems outage continues  FierceVideo

Judge Overturns Dish $469M Patent Violation Case - TV Technology
Judge Overturns Dish $469M Patent Violation Case  TV Technology

The Reckoning of Sports Cable TV Channels - videoageinternational.net
The Reckoning of Sports Cable TV Channels  videoageinternational.net

Thema launches new channels on Le Bouquet Maghreb - Digital TV Europe
Thema launches new channels on Le Bouquet Maghreb  Digital TV Europe

News Releases | About DISH - About DISH
News Releases | About DISH  About DISH

Saudi Arabia OTT and Pay TV Market Report 2023: Digital Cable ... - GlobeNewswire
Saudi Arabia OTT and Pay TV Market Report 2023: Digital Cable ...  GlobeNewswire

Antenna viewers must rescan to receive NEXTGEN TV - KCCI Des Moines
Antenna viewers must rescan to receive NEXTGEN TV  KCCI Des Moines

When does ‘A Picture of Her’ premiere on Hallmark Channel? Free live stream, release date, time, TV channel, - OregonLive
When does ‘A Picture of Her’ premiere on Hallmark Channel? Free live stream, release date, time, TV channel,  OregonLive

Race to Survive Alaska: release date, trailer, teams and everything ... - What To Watch
Race to Survive Alaska: release date, trailer, teams and everything ...  What To Watch

'On Patrol: Live' March 24 and 25 free live stream, new episodes, air ... - OregonLive
'On Patrol: Live' March 24 and 25 free live stream, new episodes, air ...  OregonLive

The Blockbuster website is active and fans are speculating about a comeback. What is the status of the company? - CBS News
The Blockbuster website is active and fans are speculating about a comeback. What is the status of the company?  CBS News

Pay TV and Cable Providers Lost 5.8M Subscribers in 2022 - Hollywood Reporter
Pay TV and Cable Providers Lost 5.8M Subscribers in 2022  Hollywood Reporter

Pakistan’s Electronic Media Watchdog Bans Imran Khan’s Speeches From Satellite TV Channels - Outlook India
Pakistan’s Electronic Media Watchdog Bans Imran Khan’s Speeches From Satellite TV Channels  Outlook India

Satellite images show 5,000-mile seaweed belt creeping closer to US - WGN TV Chicago
Satellite images show 5,000-mile seaweed belt creeping closer to US  WGN TV Chicago

Satellite Internet in Luxembourg: Prices, Providers, Services – CityLife - CityLife
Satellite Internet in Luxembourg: Prices, Providers, Services – CityLife  CityLife

Pakistan’s electronic media watchdog bans live coverage of rallies and public gatherings in Islamabad - The Indian Express
Pakistan’s electronic media watchdog bans live coverage of rallies and public gatherings in Islamabad  The Indian Express

MIB issues clarification on permitted entities under uplinking ... - Adgully
MIB issues clarification on permitted entities under uplinking ...  Adgully

Latin America shifts to IPTV, with 11.5 million paying IPTV homes ... - Digital TV Europe
Latin America shifts to IPTV, with 11.5 million paying IPTV homes ...  Digital TV Europe

Joe Phillips: TV stream gone | Lifestyles | northwestgeorgianews.com - Northwest Georgia News
Joe Phillips: TV stream gone | Lifestyles | northwestgeorgianews.com  Northwest Georgia News

Sky Glass and Sky Stream users get 6-months of Apple TV+ for free - Pocket-lint
Sky Glass and Sky Stream users get 6-months of Apple TV+ for free  Pocket-lint

Here's How To Watch 'John Wick: Chapter 4' Online Free: Is John Wick 4 (2023) Streaming On Peacock, Netflix Or HBO Max - Outlook India
Here's How To Watch 'John Wick: Chapter 4' Online Free: Is John Wick 4 (2023) Streaming On Peacock, Netflix Or HBO Max  Outlook India

DirecTV sues broadcasters; viewers remain blacked out - Times Union
DirecTV sues broadcasters; viewers remain blacked out  Times Union

Wyoming's Latest UFO Sighting Is Disappointing - KOWB
Wyoming's Latest UFO Sighting Is Disappointing  KOWB

Cheyenne's Revenues 'Much Better Than Last Year,' Mayor Says - Kgab
Cheyenne's Revenues 'Much Better Than Last Year,' Mayor Says  Kgab

Amazon Project Kuiper: Everything you need to know about ... - Tom's Guide
Amazon Project Kuiper: Everything you need to know about ...  Tom's Guide

4K Set Top Box (STB) Market Research Report 2023-2033 Market ... - Los Alamos Monitor
4K Set Top Box (STB) Market Research Report 2023-2033 Market ...  Los Alamos Monitor

Cord Cutting is Still Going Strong But When Will Cable TV Die? - Cord Cutters News
Cord Cutting is Still Going Strong But When Will Cable TV Die?  Cord Cutters News

Here’S: ‘UFC 286 Live Stream’ : UFC 286 Pay-Per-View, And UFC 286 Streaming: UFC 286 Fight Live On Kayo TV Channels, How To Watch The ‘UFC 286’ Online fight: Live On Tv Free Info - Outlook India
Here’S: ‘UFC 286 Live Stream’ : UFC 286 Pay-Per-View, And UFC 286 Streaming: UFC 286 Fight Live On Kayo TV Channels, How To Watch The ‘UFC 286’ Online fight: Live On Tv Free Info  Outlook India

News round-up: C5 orders moon doc; Leonine ups Sarah Fischer ... - TBI Vision
News round-up: C5 orders moon doc; Leonine ups Sarah Fischer ...  TBI Vision

Sports Calendar – The Kansan - Newton Kansan
Sports Calendar – The Kansan  Newton Kansan

How To Watch & Stream The Sweet Sixteen NCAA March Madness ... - HD Report
How To Watch & Stream The Sweet Sixteen NCAA March Madness ...  HD Report

Starlink vs. HughesNet vs. Viasat: Which Satellite Internet Provider Is ... - PCMag
Starlink vs. HughesNet vs. Viasat: Which Satellite Internet Provider Is ...  PCMag

How to watch the Royals in 2023 - Royals Review
How to watch the Royals in 2023  Royals Review

Geo eye spy: first Eurostar Neo selfie from Eutelsat's HOTBIRD 13F ... - Space Daily
Geo eye spy: first Eurostar Neo selfie from Eutelsat's HOTBIRD 13F ...  Space Daily

Twitter Blue shakeup to scrap privileges for non-paying users, Musk ... - Arab News
Twitter Blue shakeup to scrap privileges for non-paying users, Musk ...  Arab News

03-28 Classifieds | Atlantic | swiowanewssource.com - The Audubon County Advocate Journal
03-28 Classifieds | Atlantic | swiowanewssource.com  The Audubon County Advocate Journal

How to watch the 2023 Oscars live — streaming or cable - Yahoo Entertainment
How to watch the 2023 Oscars live — streaming or cable  Yahoo Entertainment

52% of US households do not have cable or satellite TV - World Soccer Talk
52% of US households do not have cable or satellite TV  World Soccer Talk

Here's How To Watch 'Scream 6' Online Free: Is Scream VI (2023) Streaming On Paramount Plus, HBO Max Or Netflix - Outlook India
Here's How To Watch 'Scream 6' Online Free: Is Scream VI (2023) Streaming On Paramount Plus, HBO Max Or Netflix  Outlook India

Kenya: Comparing Internet Providers with TS2 Space – CityLife - CityLife
Kenya: Comparing Internet Providers with TS2 Space – CityLife  CityLife

Cox Stations Dropped From Dish TV | TV Tech - TV Technology
Cox Stations Dropped From Dish TV | TV Tech  TV Technology

Disney Networks Including ESPN, ABC Go Dark on Dish and Sling TV Amid Carriage Dispute - Variety
Disney Networks Including ESPN, ABC Go Dark on Dish and Sling TV Amid Carriage Dispute  Variety

Fox Providence removed from satellite provider DISH TV in January ... - The Providence Journal
Fox Providence removed from satellite provider DISH TV in January ...  The Providence Journal

DirecTV to shed more than 200 managers amid pay-TV struggles ... - Los Angeles Times
DirecTV to shed more than 200 managers amid pay-TV struggles ...  Los Angeles Times

Cord cutting cheaper than cable, satellite TV - GoErie.com
Cord cutting cheaper than cable, satellite TV  GoErie.com

The Walt Disney Company Forces Channel Blackout for Millions of ... - PR Newswire
The Walt Disney Company Forces Channel Blackout for Millions of ...  PR Newswire

Dish Satellite Now a Third of Its Peak 2009 Subscriber Size After ... - Next TV
Dish Satellite Now a Third of Its Peak 2009 Subscriber Size After ...  Next TV

Dish Loses 268,000 Pay TV Subscribers in Fourth Quarter - Hollywood Reporter
Dish Loses 268,000 Pay TV Subscribers in Fourth Quarter  Hollywood Reporter

What is Freesat? The satellite TV service explained - Stuff
What is Freesat? The satellite TV service explained  Stuff

Feature: China-aided satellite TV connects remote Ugandan villages ... - Xinhua
Feature: China-aided satellite TV connects remote Ugandan villages ...  Xinhua

Dish Network drops Me TV from satellite service amid dispute - The Desk
Dish Network drops Me TV from satellite service amid dispute  The Desk

Dish adds 30K pay TV subscribers, as Sling TV gains and satellite ... - FierceVideo
Dish adds 30K pay TV subscribers, as Sling TV gains and satellite ...  FierceVideo

Dish Introduces Vague 3-Year 'Price Guarantee' on Full Monty ... - Next TV
Dish Introduces Vague 3-Year 'Price Guarantee' on Full Monty ...  Next TV

Is Streaming Actually Cheaper Than Cable? We Do the Math - CNET
Is Streaming Actually Cheaper Than Cable? We Do the Math  CNET

Looking for Newsmax TV? DISH has it! - THE DIG - Dish Network
Looking for Newsmax TV? DISH has it! - THE DIG  Dish Network

Government to deregulate uplinking of satellite TV channels - The Tribune India
Government to deregulate uplinking of satellite TV channels  The Tribune India

GSN Blacked Out in Dispute With Dish Network, Sling TV - Next TV
GSN Blacked Out in Dispute With Dish Network, Sling TV  Next TV

Dish's Ergen Declares Local Broadcast TV the 'Newspaper of This ... - Next TV
Dish's Ergen Declares Local Broadcast TV the 'Newspaper of This ...  Next TV

A DISH & DIRECTV Merger May Be Coming Soon Thanks to Cord Cutting - Cord Cutters News
A DISH & DIRECTV Merger May Be Coming Soon Thanks to Cord Cutting  Cord Cutters News

DirecTV Debuts 'SignalSaver,' IP Backup for When Satellite-TV ... - Next TV
DirecTV Debuts 'SignalSaver,' IP Backup for When Satellite-TV ...  Next TV

DISH Ranked #1 in Customer Satisfaction Nationally for 5 ... - About DISH
DISH Ranked #1 in Customer Satisfaction Nationally for 5 ...  About DISH

Lionsgate+ SVOD Joins Sky Satellite TV Platforms Across Europe - Media Play News
Lionsgate+ SVOD Joins Sky Satellite TV Platforms Across Europe  Media Play News

Satellites Can't Get Information Into North Korea Now, but Could ... - 38 North
Satellites Can't Get Information Into North Korea Now, but Could ...  38 North

Will Dish Network Stock Continue To Underperform? - Forbes
Will Dish Network Stock Continue To Underperform?  Forbes

Sky signals end of satellite dishes on homes amid move to streaming - The Guardian
Sky signals end of satellite dishes on homes amid move to streaming  The Guardian

Goodbye red slate. Hello BBC One in HD for everyone... - BBC
Goodbye red slate. Hello BBC One in HD for everyone...  BBC

DirecTV Says Dish Network 5G Plan Will Wreak Havoc on Its ... - Next TV
DirecTV Says Dish Network 5G Plan Will Wreak Havoc on Its ...  Next TV

Dish and DirecTV Have a Window to Finally Merge After Next ... - Next TV
Dish and DirecTV Have a Window to Finally Merge After Next ...  Next TV


DirecTV and DISH Network - How Do The Two Leading Satellite TV Providers Stack Up?


DirecTV and DISH Network - How Do The Two Leading Satellite TV Providers Stack Up?

If you live in the U.S. and want satellite TV systems, you have basically two choices. Yes, there are other providers out there, but for most viewers, DirecTV and DISH Network offer the most choices for the least money, although Pegasus and Voom are fast becoming major contenders in the satellite television industry. Competition being what it is, both DirecTV and DISH Network offer similar services and constantly adjust to add features and outdo their rivals. So how do you choose between the two? A side-by-side comparison of the services and prices shows some differences that help customers decide which service best fits their viewing needs. But first, a little background on each provider might be helpful.

DirecTV

The company known as The DirecTV Group is made up of four main units, which include DirecTV U.S., DirecTV Latin America, PanAmSat, and Hughes Network Systems (HNS). As a group, the organization serves over 12 million U.S. satellite TV customers and another 1.5 million subscribers in Latin countries. Through PanAmSat, they operate a fleet of 25 satellites capable of providing satellite transmissions to 98% of the world. And Hughes Network Systems operates a satellite-based consumer broadband Internet access service known as DirecWay. This component of Hughes has over 180,000 subscribers. HNS is also one of the largest manufacturers of DirecTV set-top receivers. The four different aspects of The DirecTV Group give the company a large, comprehensive base of direct and indirect satellite customers. Their partnerships with technology leaders such as AOL, Microsoft, and TiVo also add to their customer base.

There are plans for improving and expanding services in efforts to attract more customers. Hughes Network Services is developing SPACEWAY, a more advanced satellite broadband communications package that is expected to provide customers with more affordable high-speed, two-way data communications. SPACEWAY is expected to be introduced in 2005.

DirecTV has been actively working to increase the number of markets where they offer local programming. In January of this year, the company added 18 new markets that will receive local channels via the DirecTV(R) programming service. By year-end, the company plans to offer local channels in a minimum of 130 markets, representing 92% of U.S. television households. Continued marketing and development of their HDTV and DVR products will also be a part of their plans to expand their customer base. Two different basic dish designs and several different manufacturers provide DirecTV consumers with a number of dish options.

DirecTV subscribers have a choice of two basic dish designs for their satellite service. The round dish is the more common 18" design that has been popular across the country. The oval dish or low noise blockdown (LNB) dish is able to receive information from more than one satellite and is required for those who want to receive local channels, HDTV, or Spanish language programming.

Popular manufacturers of DirecTV compatible dishes include Hughes, Sony, Phillips, and RCA. Current DirecTV sales and deals offer the satellite dish and other equipment for free with a one-year commitment. It could cost anywhere from $50 to over $200 to purchase the DirecTV compatible dish separately.

DISH Network

EchoStar Communications Corporation and their DISH Network service are Hughes Network's top competitors. Headquartered in Englewood Colorado, EchoStar has been a leader in the satellite TV industry for over 20 years. The company, founded by Charlie Ergen, began as a distributor of C-band cable television systems and filed for a Direct Broadcast Satellite (DBS) license in 1987. The company received broadcast access in 1992, launched its own satellite, EchoStar I, in 1995, and introduced DISH Network in 1996.

Today, the company has 9 satellites, and through DISH Network, provides over 500 channels of video, audio, and data satellite services to over 8.5 million customers in the U.S. In addition to satellite television services, DISH Network customers can also receive high speed Internet, Interactive TV (on demand programming), and High Definition TV (HDTV).

HDTV is EchoStar's latest innovation, which reportedly delivers extraordinarily sharp pictures and integrated sound by digitizing television programming. Broadcasting all DISH Network programming in wide-screen format and transmitting up to 10 percent more pixels, HDTV provides a clearer more proportionate picture.

In August of 2003, EchoStar was the first company to offer a satellite receiver with a built-in digital video recorder (DVR). A DISH Network standard DVR receiver allows viewers to stop, rewind, fast forward and record up to 60 hours of live TV programming. More advanced receivers provide enhanced services.

DISH Network services can be purchased on-line or through a local retailer. Unlike its competitor, DirecTV, DISH Network offers equipment installation. This service usually involves a fee, but often is offered at free or reduced rates through special sales promotions.

The equipment needed for DISH Network satellite TV is basically the same as for DirecTV service. You need a dish, a satellite receiver, and the access cards. Depending on the type of satellite TV you want, you have several choices for equipment. Whether you want standard satellite TV or Digital Video Recording (DVR), or High Definition (HD) options, you will need a dish. Each type of service requires a different dish, but that is determined for you when you choose your package.

A Comparison

So how do the two leading satellite television services compare? Both offer over 200 channels and Pay Per View selections, DVD recorders, HDTV and seven HD channels each. But from there, things differ somewhat. Here's a side-by-side listing of the different packages and the services provided. Look them over and decide which satellite TV service is best for your budget and viewing needs.

DIRECTV

Dish Network

Receiver

Included with price plan

Free to $149 depending on selection

HDTV Receiver

$399

$449

Dish

Included

Included

Lowest price plan

$36.99 per month

$24.99 per month

Highest price plan

$87.99 per month

$77.99 per month

Satellite Internet

Yes

No

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