Once upon a time, living in a rural or remote area translated to a humdrum life. Although being far from the loud and jam-packed cities has certain advantages, the lack of entertainment options was disappointing.
Luckily, times have changed – we have DISH vs. DIRECTV! Can’t have traditional cable internet and TV? No problem. Satellite technology can keep you connected and provide an elevated home entertainment experience, regardless of location.
DISH and DIRECTV are among the top satellite TV providers in America, and today we help you decide which one is best for you.
Pricing & Packages
Both DISH and DIRECTV offer four tiers of plans to choose from – the higher the tier, the more robust the features. While DIRECTV showcases a lower starting price, DISH provides way more value with its slightly pricier starter plan.
DISH TV Plans
| TV Package | No. of Channels | Price |
|---|---|---|
| America’s Top 120 | 190 | $86.99/mo.* |
| America’s Top 120 Plus | 190+ | $101.99/mo.* |
| America’s Top 200 | 240+ | $106.99/mo.* |
| America’s Top 250 | 290+ | $116.99/mo.* |
*Requires credit qual. and 2-year agreement with early termination fee. Monthly price includes eAutoPay savings $5x24Mo. See offer details
DISH TV Deals & Promotions
- FREE Professional Installation
- Special Discounts for Veterans, Seniors, Teachers, etc.
- 2-Year Price Guarantee
- Huge Savings when you bundle DISH TV with HughesNet Internet
- New customers get Paramount+ with SHOWTIME, STARZ and DISH Movie Pack (FREE for 3 months)
Note: Promotional offers are subject to change and conditions apply; may vary by location.
DIRECTV Plans
| TV Package | No. of Channels | Price |
|---|---|---|
| ENTERTAINMENT | 165+ | $74.99/mo.* |
| CHOICE™ | 200+ | $89.99/mo.* |
| ULTIMATE | 270+ | $119.99/mo.* |
| PREMIER™ | 340+ | $164.99/mo.* |
*New approved residential customers, price incl. TV pkg & equip. fees for first TV. Add’l fees may apply to non-qualified customers. Equipment lease req’d. Early agmt termination fee applies ($20/mo.) & add’l fee(s) may apply if equip. not returned. Credit card req’d. Restr’s apply.
DIRECTV Deals & Promotions
- Get Max, Paramount+ with Showtime, STARZ®, Cinemax® and MGM+™ for 3 months (FREE) with ENTERTAINMENT, CHOICE or ULTIMATE package
- Obtain up to $500/year in eGift Cards through referrals (get paid every time a friend signs up for DIRECTV
- Get $240 in savings by signing up for CHOICE, ULTIMATE, or PREMIER package
Note: Promotional offers are subject to change and conditions apply; may vary by location.
DISH vs. DIRECTV: Additional Fees Comparison
| DISH TV | DIRECTV | |
|---|---|---|
| Installation Fee | Free up to 6 rooms | Free for up to 4 rooms |
| Activation fee | $0 – $50 (one-time fee) | $19.95 (one-time fee) |
| Local Channels Fee | $12 per month (included in package price) | $0 |
| Regional Sports Network Fee | up to $3 per month | up to $17.99 per month |
| DVR Receiver Fee | $5.00 – $15.00 each (per month) | First is free; next are $7.00 each (per month) |
| Early Termination Fee | $20 per month remaining on a contract | $20 per month remaining on a contract |
Note: Terms and taxes may apply to listed costs. Pricing varies by location and is subject to change
Channel Selection & Sports Packages
In terms of variety, DIRECTV takes the prize with over 340 channels in its PREMIER™ package. In contrast, DISH TV promises more than 290 channels in the highest tier TV plan – which is still a lot!
DISH TV features a bigger pool of child-friendly networks, so it’s the best choice for family entertainment. On the other hand, DIRECTV caters better to sports buffs with an unbeatable range of exclusive sports packages.
Both satellite TV service providers air all the popular local channels with few exceptions. If you want information about a particular network and its channel number in your area, you may refer to:
DVR Features
Adding a DVR to your home entertainment system adds a ton of convenience; luckily, you can get one with either Satellite TV service. DVRs let you record your favorite content from multiple channels simultaneously in high-definition.
DISH Hopper 3 vs. DIRECTV Genie
| DISH Hopper 3 | DIRECTV Genie | |
|---|---|---|
| Storage Capacity | 2 TB | 1 TB |
| Hours in HD | 500 | 200 |
| Simultaneous Recordings | 16 | 5 |
| 4K Support | Yes | Yes |
Customer Experience & Support
According to the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI), subscription TV services are reviewed and rated on various factors, including picture quality, ease of use, customer service response/helpfulness, variety of content, and pricing.
Both DISH TV and DIRECTV score 68 out of 100, as per the evaluation results of 2024. It’s safe to say that each satellite TV provider has its strengths and weaknesses, which brings them neck to neck.
DISH TV offers better value for money, whereas DIRECTV showcases more variety, particularly in the sports section. At the end of the day, both are solid choices; hence, you should choose the service that resonates with your unique demands.
DISH vs. DIRECTV: Pros & Cons
PROS
- DVR offers greater storage/more HD hours
- Relatively consistent pricing
- Large variety of kids' channels
CONS
- Add-ons are pricier
- Expensive than cable TV/streaming services
PROS
- Higher channel count/more options
- Best sports packages
- Lower starting price
CONS
- Steep price increase after the promotional period
- Costs more than conventional TV services
Parting Words
The mentioned satellite TV services have more or less similar pricing and matching customer satisfaction rates – you won’t regret choosing either. However, understanding your home entertainment needs plays an important role in reaching the best possible decision.
Choose DISH TV if:
- You want to bundle your TV service with Hughesnet Internet
- You require maximum DVR storage capacity
- You have a big family and the option for recording about a dozen shows simultaneously would be nice
- Plentiful content for kids is a priority
- You want the best value for your money
Choose DIRECTV TV if:
- You live and breathe sports
- Regional sports networks (RSNs) are your jam
- You live among people with diverse interests, so variety in channels is key
- You don’t mind paying a bit more for exclusive features/add-ons
- You’re already using AT&T Internet which can be bundled with DIRECTV
FAQs
What is the difference between DIRECTV and DISH TV?
Both DIRECTV and DISH TV are satellite TV services with comparable home entertainment plans. The main difference lies between certain features like DVR, channel selection, and contract terms.
Is Satellite TV better than cable TV?
Satellite TV surpasses cable TV service in terms of coverage and rural availability. However, Satellite TV is pricier and reception is often affected during bad weather episodes.
Which is the cheapest satellite TV package?
DIRECTV’s starter plan (ENTERTAINMENT) is the cheapest option among the listed satellite TV packages.