DISH vs DIRECT TV: Free equipment and Free installation
Both DISH Network and DIRECTV offers first-time new customers with a free satellite TV system that includes a satellite dish, receivers hooking up to 4 rooms, and remote controls. Both companies will dispatch a professional technician to customer’ house for free installation. Typical installation leading time is 1 to 7 days.

With DISH Network, you can upgrade to a DVR (digital video recorder) or an high-definition (HD) receiver for free. No mail-in redemption is required. DIRECTV, however, will also give you a free DVR receiver or an HD receiver upgrade only after a $99 mail-in rebate.

DISH vs DIRECT TV: Pricing
DISH Network is best known for its “lowest all-digital prices nationwide” slogan. DISH Network offers 6 different tier of programming packages starting from $19.99 per month, while DIRECTV offers 4 major programming packages starting from $29.99 per month. So it seems the monthly package prices of DIRECTV packages are generally higher than DISH Network. However, keep in mind that DISH Network charges $5/month extra for watching local channels, which is actually included in all DIRECTV base packages at no additional cost. In addition, DIRECTV usually provides more channels in its packages than its DISH counterparts. So when you compare pricing of DISH vs DIRECTV, you have to keep these factors in consideration.

DISH vs DIRECTV: Programming
DISH Network and DIRECTV offers almost identical programming and channels towards customers. DIRECTV offers a couple more sports and HD channels, such as NFL Sunday Ticket. However, DISH Network offers some sports and HD channels that may be exclusive to DISH. So you might not be able to find these channels on DIRECTV. DISH Network is better than DIRECTV in terms of ethnic channel offerings such as Latino, Chinese, Arabic, South Asian and other foreign language programming.

DISH vs DIRECTV: Current Promotion
Both DISH Network and DIRECTV now offer great promotional incentives to first time new customers. DISH Network providers $180 OFF ($15 off per month for 1 year) in addition to 3 months of HBO and Showtime movie packages FREE . DIRECTV, on the other hand, offers $21 off per month for one year.

DISH vs DIRECTV: Customer Satisfaction
Both DISH Network and DIRECTV have ranked higher than cable TV in customer satisfaction for eight years in a row according to the annual American Customer Satisfaction Index and JD Power & Associates surveys. DIRECTV scores a bit better than DISH Network, but not to a significant extent.

I hope the side-by-side comparison between DISH vs DIRECTV helps you decide which Satellite TV provider better fits your needs.

It is easy to take cable off the table, because Satellite TV providers more national HD channels than any cable company in the US. This is because of the different delivery method employed by satellite and cable providers. Cable company must have the proper network structure in place before they can add a significant number of HD channels. While with DIRECT TV and DISH Network, they can deliver as many HD channels as possible as long as they have enough satellite capacity available.

It’s a bit complicated when you compare DIRECTV to DISH Network in terms of HD offering. Both DIRECT TV and DISH Network claim they have the most HD channels in the US. So who is telling the truth? And who provides the best HD option? I will compare HD programming provided by DIRECT TV and DISH Network side-by-side in order to draw an unbiased conclusion here.

As the No.1 Satellite TV provider in the US, DIRECT TV currently offers over 130 National HD channels , as well as local channels in HD (where available). In comparison, DISH Network offers around 140 national HD channels plus local HD channels (where available). It doesn’t necessarily mean DISH Network beats DIRECTV because both companies pad their numbers by using pay per view, regional sports networks, and on-demand channels as cable TV does. Almost all the important national HD channels are available on both Satellite TV platforms.

Both DIRECT TV and DISH Network offers HD package on top of the basic standard-definition programming package for additional $10 per month. With this $10/month HD package, you can get HD versions of all channels included in your standard-definition package. For example, if you get ESPN and TNT in your base package, then you’ll get ESPN HD and TNT HD as well.

So I hope you have a better understanding after I compare DIRECT TV to DISH Network.

High-speed DSL internet provides download speed up to 20 Mbps and costs much less than average cable bills. With high-speed internet, you can download files in a matter of seconds. You are able to get wireless modem/router options just as what you get via cable moderm, except that you pay an average of $20 less per month with DSL. For limited time, DIRECTV is now offering $120 rewards for its DSL high-speed internet service. Eligible customers can save $10/month for up to 1 year with mail-in rebate submission.

In some locations, DIRECTV may not be able to partner with a local company to offer DSL service. In this case, DIRECTV does offer another solution that is called high-speed satellite Internet service thanks to its partnership with WildBlue. This WildBlue internet service is available virtually anywhere in the US. With a download speed up to 1.5 Mbps, it boasts speeds that are 30 times faster than dial up, making it much easier to download music, video and pictures. The cost has been one of the biggest drawbacks of DIRECTV high-speed internet service in the past, but it is getting much cheaper now. You can choose a service plan starting from as low as $49.95 per month. And you don’t even need a phone line – that’s great for someone who just need cell phone instead of paying extra for home phone. Something different from DSL internet access: you do need another satellite dish installed in order to receive WildBlue Satellite high-speed internet.

Considering switching to Satellite TV? Are you looking for DIRECTV installers in California or elsewhere? Do you know that you have two different ways to have DIRECTV antenna and receiver installed at your home at no cost?

First, you can sign up with DIRECTV call centers directly. Just call DIRECTV toll free number, pick the right programming package and promotion and sign up over the phone. DIRECTV offers installation and customer service nationwide, no matter where you live in the US. You will be asked for your preferred installation date and a customer service representative will check the date availability for you over the phone. The installation process takes a couple of hours and you’ll need someone to stay at home at that time period in order to oversee the installation and signal testing. The typical installation waiting time is 1 to 10 days.

Or you can choose to sign up with a local DIRECTV retailer, who will take your order, and send a professional DIRECTV installer to your home for installation. These licensed installers are highly trained in the installation of satellite TV system. Your satellite installation technician will ground the dish in the right position in order to allow best satellite signal pick up. The typical installation leading time from reseller is 1 to 5 days.

DISH Network has almost every channel that your local cable provider carries, plus tons of  movies, sports, news and more channels.

Click here to view the online DIRECTV program guide. You can set up your preferences with DIRECTV and your home zip code, in order to customize the programming guide.

Like what you’ve found? Order DIRECTV now and watch over 150 channels for just $34.99 per month for the whole year!