Compare Dish
Network to Direct TV

How does Direct TV compare to Dish Network. That is not always an easy question since they offer different programs, incentive and features. Plus you have to wade through the marketing hype to figure out just want you are getting for your money. Regardless, Satellite TV offers a far superior value than cable TV.

It is important to compare the regular costs you will incur once the special offer runs out. The information below represents the offers as of 3/29/06.

Below is a simplified chart to help you compare which is best, Direct TV or Dish Network:

Compare	Direct TV	Dish Network
Prices	With the current offer from Direct TV you get 3 FREE months of HBO®, STARZ® Super Pack, Cinemax® and SHOWTIME Unlimited® plus over 155 (with local channels) all digital channels for only $29.99/mo for the 1st 3 months. (Regular price $44.99/mo. with out premium channels.) BONUS: Get 3 months of Free HD programming when you activate HD Programming! The actual base package is $41.99 per month where you get 150 channels, and $44.99 per month with 5 additional local channels	Packages for Dish Network programming start at $29.99 (America's Top 60), plus another $5 per month for local channels. With their America's Top 180 package you get 180 channels, plus local channels for $44,99 per month. Current promotion, receive $10.00 off America's Top 120, Top 180, or Everything Pak for 10 months, plus free Starz movie package for the first 3 months.
Programming	Over 245 channels available in the Total Choice Premier package.($96.99/mo.)	Over 220 channels available in the America's Everything Pak package.($74.99/mo)
Local Channels	For $3 more per month you get 5 local channels that include ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox and PBS.	For $5 more per month you get 4 local channels that include ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox..
Sports Package	Direct TV has a variety of sports packages that cover NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL and even cricket matches. Packages range from $89 to $249 for the NFL season package.	Football package is not as good, but has superior soccer coverage. Packages range from $119 to $299 for the soccer package.
HDTV - High Definition TV	Yes	Yes
Multi-Channel Viewing Ability to watch different channels on different TVs at the same time	Yes	Yes
Premium Services: HBO, Cinemax, Showtime, etc.	You are charge per premium programming. Price are: 1 package - $12/mo. 2 packages - $23/mo. 3 packages - $33/mo. 4 packages - $41/mo. 5 packages - $48/mo.	You are charge per premium programming. Price are: 1 package - $12-$15/mo. 2 packages - $23/mo. 3 packages - $31/mo. 4 packages - $38/mo.
Additional TVs Advantage: Draw	$5.00/month fee on second and each additional TV	$5.00/month fee on third and each additional TV
Pay-Per-View Movies & Events	Approx. 80 Channels	Approx. 80 Channels
Recommended Retailers	We recommend USDish.com. They have an excellent customer service record and are one of the largest suppliers of Direct TV. They are ranked #1 among cable and satellite providers for customer satisfaction by J.D. Powers and Associates.	We recommend Dish Network They also have an excellent customer service record and are one of the largest suppliers of Dish Network. Dish Network is ranked #1 among all pay-TV providers in the American Customer Satisfaction Index .

When you compare Direct TV to Dish Network it is not easy to say one is better than the other. For lowest price Dish Network wins out, but when you compare NFL programming Direct TV offers better options.

Another important factor when you compare packages is the availability of local channels in your area. Make sure to check before you buy.

* Dish Network is owned by EchoStar Communications. It currently has 12 million subscribers. Direct TV was launched by General Motors and has 14.5 million subscribers. It is ranked #2 by J.D. Power and Associates.