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:
Dish Network is raising satellite TV prices in October - The Desk
Dish Network is raising satellite TV prices in October  The Desk

Nexstar TV stations blackout on DirecTV ends after 76 days - Los Angeles Times
Nexstar TV stations blackout on DirecTV ends after 76 days  Los Angeles Times

KTVX-Channel 4 and KUCW-Channel 30 are back on DirecTV - Salt Lake Tribune
KTVX-Channel 4 and KUCW-Channel 30 are back on DirecTV  Salt Lake Tribune

DirecTV blackout of WPRI over, but not FOX Providence - The Providence Journal
DirecTV blackout of WPRI over, but not FOX Providence  The Providence Journal

Satellite TV Market Analysis 2023: Upcoming Trends, Challenges and Future Business Growth by 2030 - Benzinga
Satellite TV Market Analysis 2023: Upcoming Trends, Challenges and Future Business Growth by 2030  Benzinga

Sling TV President Takes Over Dish TV, Overseeing Both Businesses - Cord Cutters News
Sling TV President Takes Over Dish TV, Overseeing Both Businesses  Cord Cutters News

Hearst Removes Local Channels from DISH TV Customers - About DISH
Hearst Removes Local Channels from DISH TV Customers  About DISH

Watch ‘Retreat to You’ Hallmark movie premiere for free, live stream on demand without cable (9/23/2023) - OregonLive
Watch ‘Retreat to You’ Hallmark movie premiere for free, live stream on demand without cable (9/23/2023)  OregonLive

Direct-to-Home (DTH) Satellite Television Services Market Share ... - Digital Journal
Direct-to-Home (DTH) Satellite Television Services Market Share ...  Digital Journal

Hero or villain? Rupert Murdoch’s exit stirs strong feelings in Britain, where he upended the media - ABC News
Hero or villain? Rupert Murdoch’s exit stirs strong feelings in Britain, where he upended the media  ABC News

‘On Patrol: Live’ September 22 and 23 free live stream; how to watch Reelz TV channel on demand - OregonLive
‘On Patrol: Live’ September 22 and 23 free live stream; how to watch Reelz TV channel on demand  OregonLive

Satellite TV Set-Top Box Market Size, Regional Status and Outlook 2023-2030 - Benzinga
Satellite TV Set-Top Box Market Size, Regional Status and Outlook 2023-2030  Benzinga

Best TV and Internet bundles: Save money and get the services you ... - CBS News
Best TV and Internet bundles: Save money and get the services you ...  CBS News

NC State opens ACC play this week at Virginia. Here’s how to watch - Raleigh News & Observer
NC State opens ACC play this week at Virginia. Here’s how to watch  Raleigh News & Observer

9 Best Satellite TV Antenna For Rv Direct for 2023 - Robots.net
9 Best Satellite TV Antenna For Rv Direct for 2023  Robots.net

Eutelsat Communications: DAZN Complements Streaming With ... - Business Wire
Eutelsat Communications: DAZN Complements Streaming With ...  Business Wire

Linear TV still king in Poland, despite increase in streaming - Digital TV Europe
Linear TV still king in Poland, despite increase in streaming  Digital TV Europe

Disney Channels, Including ABC and ESPN, Go Dark on Charter Spectrum In Major Carriage Dispute - Hollywood Reporter
Disney Channels, Including ABC and ESPN, Go Dark on Charter Spectrum In Major Carriage Dispute  Hollywood Reporter

Kentucky Statewide classified Advertising - The Falmouth Outlook
Kentucky Statewide classified Advertising  The Falmouth Outlook

Can ESPN survive while cable TV dies? - Los Angeles Times
Can ESPN survive while cable TV dies?  Los Angeles Times

New plans to bring online TV channels under Ofcom content rules - GOV.UK
New plans to bring online TV channels under Ofcom content rules  GOV.UK

Breakingviews - Disney starts drafting broadcast TV's grand finale - Reuters
Breakingviews - Disney starts drafting broadcast TV's grand finale  Reuters

Baghdad implements all clauses of security agreement with Tehran ... - Press TV
Baghdad implements all clauses of security agreement with Tehran ...  Press TV

Streaming Video Supplants Cable/Satellite Viewing in Vizio TV ... - Media Play News
Streaming Video Supplants Cable/Satellite Viewing in Vizio TV ...  Media Play News

How to watch the Georgia-UT Martin football game: Kickoff time, streaming info - SicEmDawgs.com
How to watch the Georgia-UT Martin football game: Kickoff time, streaming info  SicEmDawgs.com

09-23 Classifieds | Atlantic | swiowanewssource.com - The Audubon County Advocate Journal
09-23 Classifieds | Atlantic | swiowanewssource.com  The Audubon County Advocate Journal

How to watch Clemson Tigers football in 2023 - Yardbarker
How to watch Clemson Tigers football in 2023  Yardbarker

10 Things To Do In Cocoa Beach: Complete Guide To This Sunny ... - TheTravel
10 Things To Do In Cocoa Beach: Complete Guide To This Sunny ...  TheTravel

Burrow Your Heads in Shame, Cincinnati! 52% of Bengals Fans Say ... - Next TV
Burrow Your Heads in Shame, Cincinnati! 52% of Bengals Fans Say ...  Next TV

What Is The Difference Between Youtube Tv And Youtube Premium - Robots.net
What Is The Difference Between Youtube Tv And Youtube Premium  Robots.net

What time is Singapore Grand Prix Qualifying? TV Channel, where to watch it in the US and Schedule - Marca English
What time is Singapore Grand Prix Qualifying? TV Channel, where to watch it in the US and Schedule  Marca English

Pay TV Market size is Expected to Reach $203.13 Billion by 2028 | Registering a CAGR of 1.5%. - EIN News
Pay TV Market size is Expected to Reach $203.13 Billion by 2028 | Registering a CAGR of 1.5%.  EIN News

Beware! 3 Stocks Waving Massive Red Flags Right Now - InvestorPlace
Beware! 3 Stocks Waving Massive Red Flags Right Now  InvestorPlace

The 10 best internet services in 2023: Top choices ranked by our ... - CBS News
The 10 best internet services in 2023: Top choices ranked by our ...  CBS News

Charter Settles With Disney: Who Gets the Next Carriage Deal ... - The TV Answer Man
Charter Settles With Disney: Who Gets the Next Carriage Deal ...  The TV Answer Man

Dish Wins Key Ally in Dispute With T-Mobile Over Spectrum Sale - Cord Cutters News
Dish Wins Key Ally in Dispute With T-Mobile Over Spectrum Sale  Cord Cutters News

10 Things To Do In Fort Davis: Complete Guide To This Overlooked ... - TheTravel
10 Things To Do In Fort Davis: Complete Guide To This Overlooked ...  TheTravel

DISH Networks Stock Surges Amid Government Support and Merger ... - Best Stocks
DISH Networks Stock Surges Amid Government Support and Merger ...  Best Stocks

How To Watch Bullet Train - Robots.net
How To Watch Bullet Train  Robots.net

Watch and live stream Mixed Martial Arts - Goal.com
Watch and live stream Mixed Martial Arts  Goal.com

Cable & Satellite Providers Unhappy With More Monday Night Football on ABC - Barrett Sports Media
Cable & Satellite Providers Unhappy With More Monday Night Football on ABC  Barrett Sports Media

Dish loses 294K subscribers across satellite, Sling TV in Q2 - StreamTV Insider
Dish loses 294K subscribers across satellite, Sling TV in Q2  StreamTV Insider

Dish's satellite TV biz isn't 'going away,' Ergen says - Light Reading
Dish's satellite TV biz isn't 'going away,' Ergen says  Light Reading

Cable and Satellite TV Providers May Have to Show You Their ... - CNET
Cable and Satellite TV Providers May Have to Show You Their ...  CNET

Dish Lays Off Employees As Cord Cutting Chips Away At Dying ... - Techdirt
Dish Lays Off Employees As Cord Cutting Chips Away At Dying ...  Techdirt

Sky to cut hundreds of jobs in shift from satellite TV - Financial Times
Sky to cut hundreds of jobs in shift from satellite TV  Financial Times

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

Dish TV Orders New Satellite from Maxar - Via Satellite
Dish TV Orders New Satellite from Maxar  Via Satellite

How Localisation Influences the Pricing for Satellite TV Services in ... - Space in Africa
How Localisation Influences the Pricing for Satellite TV Services in ...  Space in Africa

Chile gives ClaroVTR more time to divest sat... - BNamericas English
Chile gives ClaroVTR more time to divest sat...  BNamericas English

Charlie Ergen reunites Dish, EchoStar in all-stock deal - Reuters
Charlie Ergen reunites Dish, EchoStar in all-stock deal  Reuters

Merger rumors swirl around Dish and EchoStar - SpaceNews
Merger rumors swirl around Dish and EchoStar  SpaceNews

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

Nexstar channels, NewsNation dropped from DirecTV in blackout - Los Angeles Times
Nexstar channels, NewsNation dropped from DirecTV in blackout  Los Angeles Times

Dish Network: Next-Gen Starlink Dishes Risk Interference With ... - PCMag
Dish Network: Next-Gen Starlink Dishes Risk Interference With ...  PCMag

Streaming Services vs. Cable Smackdown: Is One More Affordable? - CNET
Streaming Services vs. Cable Smackdown: Is One More Affordable?  CNET

DTH satellite TV remains on top in Germany - Broadband TV News
DTH satellite TV remains on top in Germany  Broadband TV News

How Much Longer Can DIRECTV & Dish Stay In Business? - The TV Answer Man
How Much Longer Can DIRECTV & Dish Stay In Business?  The TV Answer Man

6 Reasons to Cut the Cord On Cable and Satellite TV - The TV Answer Man
6 Reasons to Cut the Cord On Cable and Satellite TV  The TV Answer Man

Ukraine accused of disrupting Russian satellite television - The Desk
Ukraine accused of disrupting Russian satellite television  The Desk

Cord-Cutting Hits All-Time High in Q1, as U.S. Pay-TV Subscriptions Fall to Lowest Levels Since 1992 - Variety
Cord-Cutting Hits All-Time High in Q1, as U.S. Pay-TV Subscriptions Fall to Lowest Levels Since 1992  Variety

Dish hit by multiday outage after reported cyberattack - TechCrunch
Dish hit by multiday outage after reported cyberattack  TechCrunch

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

Satellite TV vs. Cable TV: Which One Has the Best Picture Quality? - The TV Answer Man
Satellite TV vs. Cable TV: Which One Has the Best Picture Quality?  The TV Answer Man

DISH Network Reports Fourth Quarter, Year-end 2022 Financial ... - About DISH
DISH Network Reports Fourth Quarter, Year-end 2022 Financial ...  About DISH

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

Mexico's Televisa posts big second-quarter miss on Univision joint ... - Reuters
Mexico's Televisa posts big second-quarter miss on Univision joint ...  Reuters

Hispasat betting on OTT while seeing a long ... - BNamericas English
Hispasat betting on OTT while seeing a long ...  BNamericas English

Dish's Charlie Ergen flew to Dubai to fundraise for satellite TV giant, source says - New York Post
Dish's Charlie Ergen flew to Dubai to fundraise for satellite TV giant, source says  New York Post

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

Dish Network surges after report of talks to sell wireless plans via ... - Reuters
Dish Network surges after report of talks to sell wireless plans via ...  Reuters

Cable TV has fewest subscribers since 1992, YouTube TV is the only riser - Ars Technica
Cable TV has fewest subscribers since 1992, YouTube TV is the only riser  Ars Technica

DISH Lost 515,000 TV Subscribers In The First Half of 2023 - Cord Cutters News
DISH Lost 515,000 TV Subscribers In The First Half of 2023  Cord Cutters News

Subhash Chandra moves to raise Dish TV stake | Mint - Mint
Subhash Chandra moves to raise Dish TV stake | Mint  Mint

Cable and satellite providers may have to advertise the true price of TV service - Engadget
Cable and satellite providers may have to advertise the true price of TV service  Engadget

Who's Paying Fox's $787.5 Million Settlement With Dominion? - The Intercept
Who's Paying Fox's $787.5 Million Settlement With Dominion?  The Intercept

How to get better UK satellite TV reception in France - The Connexion
How to get better UK satellite TV reception in France  The Connexion

AVS Leverages Optimum Coverage of EUTELSAT 65 West A ... - Space Ref
AVS Leverages Optimum Coverage of EUTELSAT 65 West A ...  Space Ref

DIRECTV vs. Nexstar: Why Do DIRECTV & Dish Have More ... - The TV Answer Man
DIRECTV vs. Nexstar: Why Do DIRECTV & Dish Have More ...  The TV Answer Man

Dish to Package Linear With CTV in New 'Dish Connected' Product - Next TV
Dish to Package Linear With CTV in New 'Dish Connected' Product  Next TV

2023 NFL Draft: Cable and satellite channels for Rounds 4-7, streaming info and more - Yahoo Sports
2023 NFL Draft: Cable and satellite channels for Rounds 4-7, streaming info and more  Yahoo Sports

FCC denies Dish Network 5G plan over Starlink interference concerns - SpaceNews
FCC denies Dish Network 5G plan over Starlink interference concerns  SpaceNews

SES' annual Satellite Monitor reveals TV reaches 369 million homes ... - SatNews
SES' annual Satellite Monitor reveals TV reaches 369 million homes ...  SatNews

Newsmax returns to DirecTV after Republican campaign - Los Angeles Times
Newsmax returns to DirecTV after Republican campaign  Los Angeles Times

Saudis launch new Satellite TV channel dedicated to Saudi Culture - The Arab Daily News
Saudis launch new Satellite TV channel dedicated to Saudi Culture  The Arab Daily News

Dish's Sling TV Loses 234,000 Q1 Streaming Subs, 318,000 ... - Media Play News
Dish's Sling TV Loses 234,000 Q1 Streaming Subs, 318,000 ...  Media Play News

Western Europe Pay TV Market Report 2023: IPTV will Surpass Satellite TV in 2025 to Become the Most Lucrative Platform with Pay TV Revenues Declining by $5 Billion Between 2022-2028 - Yahoo Finance
Western Europe Pay TV Market Report 2023: IPTV will Surpass Satellite TV in 2025 to Become the Most Lucrative Platform with Pay TV Revenues Declining by $5 Billion Between 2022-2028  Yahoo Finance

Probe diversion of Dish TV funds, say small investors | Mint - Mint
Probe diversion of Dish TV funds, say small investors | Mint  Mint

Why Dish Network Shares Were Cut in Half During the First 6 ... - The Motley Fool
Why Dish Network Shares Were Cut in Half During the First 6 ...  The Motley Fool

Dish Network: Did Charlie Ergen Talk DIRECTV Merger? What ... - The TV Answer Man
Dish Network: Did Charlie Ergen Talk DIRECTV Merger? What ...  The TV Answer Man

Dish Network (And Its New 5G Network) Is Probably Doomed - Techdirt
Dish Network (And Its New 5G Network) Is Probably Doomed  Techdirt

Dish & DIRECTV Are in Talks to Merge… Here is Everything We Know - Cord Cutters News
Dish & DIRECTV Are in Talks to Merge… Here is Everything We Know  Cord Cutters News

DirecTV keeps NFL Sunday Ticket rights for restaurants, bars and ... - Los Angeles Times
DirecTV keeps NFL Sunday Ticket rights for restaurants, bars and ...  Los Angeles Times

Dish Network's Boost Infinite Begins Selling Wireless Service to ... - CNET
Dish Network's Boost Infinite Begins Selling Wireless Service to ...  CNET

Dish Drops to 24-Year Low on Concerns About Subscriber Losses - Yahoo Finance
Dish Drops to 24-Year Low on Concerns About Subscriber Losses  Yahoo Finance

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

Sen. Whitehouse, Rep. Eshoo Reintroduce Bill to Stop Excessively ... - Senator Sheldon Whitehouse
Sen. Whitehouse, Rep. Eshoo Reintroduce Bill to Stop Excessively ...  Senator Sheldon Whitehouse

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

AT&T CEO Tight-Lipped About DirecTV Merger Scenarios With Dish - Hollywood Reporter
AT&T CEO Tight-Lipped About DirecTV Merger Scenarios With Dish  Hollywood Reporter

Full support to set up satellite TV channel for Gurbani telecast from Golden Temple - India Today
Full support to set up satellite TV channel for Gurbani telecast from Golden Temple  India Today


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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