DirecTV and Dish Network are the two leading Satellite TV companies in U.S. These two companies have very little difference and they are almost identical in features, price as well as service. But, however, they do have minute differences in terms of equipment, programming packages, prices and few other fields that requires for a good Satellite TV service.
In fact, when looking the Satellite TV choices, Subscribers may have a great dilemma whether to go for DirecTV or Dish Network for choosing their Satellite TV service. This article clears subscribers’ dilemma by comparing these two providers in various aspects. The Satellite TV comparisons are enlisted below with Short description:
Satellite TV Equipment Service
Dish Network provides free DVR receiver or a HDTV receiver along with the free standard satellite TV equipment, Satellite TV Dish and Satellite TV receiver (set top box). But DirecTV doesn’t give the DVR receiver or a HDTV receiver along with the free standard satellite TV equipment.
Satellite TV Programming
Comparing the basic packages of these Satellite TV providers, Dish Network provides 230 channels in their basic packages whereas DirecTV provides 155 channels in their basic packages.
Also, both these companies provide more channels that can be added to the existing packages (For e.g. basic packages) for an extra cost or the subscriber can choose for higher value packages with more channels.
Top Satellite TV Companies
Dish Network is ranked as first in customer satisfaction and DirecTV is ranked as second in customer satisfaction among all the Satellite TV companies and cable TV companies. So subscribers can get reliable customer supports from both these Satellite TV providers.
Comparisons Of Satellite TV Channels
HD Channels
Dish Network delivers 120 HD channels including the local channels in their TurboHD package Whereas DirecTV offers 130 HD channels including the local channels.
Sports Channels
Though Dish Network provides major international sports such as cricket, rugby and soccer. But Direct TV is the leader in sports programming packages. The NFL Sunday Ticket, Nascar hotpass and MLB Hot Innings are the most popular sports channels of DirecTV.
Only DirecTV delivers every NFL game every Sunday, all 64 games of the NCAA Tournament and every NASCAR race. It also has programming packages that delivers all the major college games and professional sports games.
Local Channels
Dish Network subscribers have to pay extra charge of $5.00 per month for local channels whereas DirecTV offers local channels along with the service without putting any extra charge for it.
Pay- Per- View Options
Dish Network offers 75 movies per month through pay-per-view option. DirecTV offers 60 movies per month through pay-per-view option.
Music Channels / Audio Channels
Dish Network delivers 52 music channels and 61 commercial-free satellite radio stations whereas DirecTV gives 73 XM satellite radio channels. Sirius music channels are the most popular ones. Subscribers can have access to Sirius totally free of cost. To date Sirius as standalone paid service has attracted 400,000 subscribers.
International Channels
Both these Satellite TV companies, offer numerous international channels.
Dish Network provides 150 international channels of 20 different languages (African, Arabic, Armenian, Chinese, Filipino, French, German, Greek, Israeli, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, South Asian, Spanish, Ukrainian, Urdu and Vietnamese).
Direct TV offers 100 international channels of 14 different languages (Arabic, Brazilian, Caribbean, Chinese, Filipino, Greek, Italian, Korean, Polish, Russian, South Asian, Spanish, Ukrainian and Vietnamese)
Price
Dish Network provides various programming packages at a cheaper rate than DirecTV. But DirecTV packages even though costlier but offers more channels.
Media Share
Currently only DirecTV offers a feature called Media Share through which if offers the provision through which one can unleash pictures, music and videos from a computer and access them on the TV. There is no need to switch from TV to computer to enjoy the media stored in your computer.
Personal Video Recording
Both Dish Network and Direct TV offer personal video recording or digital video recording wherein subscribers can pause or rewind a live program. subscribers can also record programs and view it later.
Subscribers Strength
Over 18 millions of subscribers are subscribing the Satellite TV service of DirecTV and 14 millions of subscribers are subscribing the Satellite TV service of Dish Network.
While comparing these Satellite TV providers in terms of Subscribers, DirecTV has more subscribers than Dish Network.
Thus, the above differences clearly assert that there are a very few differences between these two Satellite TV companies. Subscribers who want wide range of sports and HD programs can Subscribe DirecTV as it leads in sports and HD programming. But subscribers who are likely to have more interest in movies and music can subscribe Dish Network.