Cablevision Vs Dish Network
Cablevision is one of the bigger cable TV providers in America. Their cable service is popularly known as “It’s Optimum” or “iO TV”, in short. Dish Network is another Satellite TV provider in America. Both companies hold huge shares in the Home entertainment market. This article compares and contrasts the customer offerings of these two Cable Television giants.
Technology
Cablevision delivers fiber optical cable to deliver its programming. Fiber optical cable is a superior medium for delivering programmes when compared with co-axial cable in various aspects.
In comparison to Cablevision, Dish Network scores higher by delivering programmes through TV Satellites. By mounting a smart dish, signals from TV Satellites which transmit programming signals throughout the U.S region, could be received without interruption even by rural American subscribers.
Cablevision or Cable TV services do not install their services in rural region of U.S because of expensive installation cost. So, Cablevision does not deliver its programming to many rural American regions. However, the main advantage of Cablevision is its signal strength. Programming signals can be delivered by Cablevision even in worst climatic conditions which is not always possible in the case of Dish Network.
Programming
Basic programming packages
iO TV in Cablevision has 4 basic programming packages namely, iO Gold package with 464 channels; iO SILVER package with 288 channels; FAMILY CABLE package with 264 channels and BROADCAST BASIC package with 25 channels. A broad range of shows, movies and sports are available in these packages.
Dish Network has 5 basic programming packages as America’s Top 120 with 120 channels, America’s Top 120+ with 120 channels in addition to local sports channel; America’s Top 200 with over 220 channels; America’s Top 250 with over 260 channels and America’s “EVERYTHING” with over 295 channels. Like Cablevision, Dish Network also has wide range of shows, movies and sports in these packages.
On comparing these providers in basic programming, the prices of ultimate iO Gold package of Cablevision’s price and Dish Network’s ultimate America’s “EVERYTHING” are approximately same. However, customers are entitled for discounts on one whole year subscription for Dish Network’s basic packages.
Apart from pricing, Cablevision delivers more channels than Dish Network. But comparing in number of basic programming packages, Dish Network is better. It provides better variety of packages to subscribers.
Premium Programming
iO TV in Cablevision has 5 premium movie packages namely HBO, Showtime, Cinemax, TMC and Starz that deliver hit movies, comedies, classic films, family programming and award winning series, with the inclusion of HD service.
Dish Network has 5 premium movie packages namely HBO, Showtime, Starz, Cinemax and Playboy TV. In addition, Dish Network also has adult programming not available in Cablevision.
But in pricing, Cablevision delivers more number of channels in their packages at lesser cost than Dish Network.
Sports Programming Packages
iO TV in Cablevision has 7 Sports programming packages such as iO Sports pak, MLB Extra Innings, MLS Direct kick, NBA League Pass, ESPN Full Court, NHL Center Ice and ESPN GamePlan that deliver versatile range of Sports programming packages.
Dish Network has 8 Sports programming packages such as MLS Direct Kick, NHL Center Ice, Fox Soccer Plus, ESPN GamePlan, ESPN Full Court, NBA League Pass, Multi Sport, ZEE Sports that too deliver massive collection of Sports programming packages.
On comparing these providers in Sport programming, Dish Network covers all the sports programming of Cablevision, in addition to Fox Soccer Plus and Zee Sports packages that are not available in Cablevision. So, sports fanatics can subscribe to Dish Network.
International Programming Packages
iO TV in Cablevision has been delivering 19 International channels in different programming languages such as Arabic, Japanese, Brazilian, Korean, Chinese, Polish, Spanish, Portuguese, Filipino, French, Russian, Greek, South Asian and Italian.
Dish Network has been delivering 170 international channels in different programming languages such as African, Arabic, Armenian, Bangla, Brazilian, Chinese, Filipino, French, German, Greek, Gujarati, Hindi, Israeli, Italian, Japanese, Kannada, Korean, Malayalam, Polish, Portuguese, Punjabi, Russian, Taiwanese, Tamil, Telugu, Ukrainian, Urdu and Vietnamese.
On comparing these providers in International programming, Dish Network, with its 170 international channels in 28 languages is better in quantity and quality.
Also, while comparing overall programming of these providers, Dish Network provides a better variety of entertainment programming. Even though, Cablevision delivers more number of channels with versatile programming, Dish Network leads the way in Quality.
Comparison Of Services
Pay-per-view
One of the exciting services in television market is pay-per-view. iO TV in Cablevision provides exciting pay-per-view events like boxing, wrestling, comedies and so on.
Dish Network also provides pay-per-view events that differ vastly when compared with Cablevision. It shows more exciting pay-per-view events like comedy, live concerts, mixed martial arts and wrestling. They also provide live sports events like baseball, basketball, boxing, cricket, soccer, football, hockey, and rugby. Apart from these, they show Hollywood, Spanish and International movies and many more that Cablevision doesn’t!
Video on Demand
Video on Demand service is available on Dish Network but not in Cablevision. This service features programming such as The Anime Network, Adult Swim, Ski Channel and Eurocinema movies. Although most of the movies are available for free, the subscriber may have to buy some.
A la carte
An A la carte service helps subscribers to add their wished channels to basic packages. Dish Network has an A la carte service but Cablevision does not.
HD Programming
HD Service is in great demand in Television market. Both providers have HD service. Cablevision delivers over 115 HD channels that include movies, sports, events and also local programming.
When compared to 115 HD Channels from Cablevision, Dish Network delivers over 200 HD channels in its variety of programming packages. They have also added HD service in their services such as VOD as well as pay-per-view whereas Cablevision shows HD Content only in VOD. As far as HD service provisions go, Dish Network leads the way by delivering more HD content along with its extraordinary services.
ViP 922 Slingloaded DVR
ViP 922 Slingloaded DVR is a unique product of Dish Network as this DVR, has built-in Sling box technology. This DVR also has advanced, integrated search functionality. The Storage capacity of 1 terabyte is the largest hard drive capacity in Satellite TV industry.
Digital Phone
Cablevision offers Optimum Voice service that provides phone service including a number of calling features. Dish Network also provides subscribers with similar phone services.
Internet Facility
Cablevision offers Optimum Online that provides high-speed cable based Internet service. Dish Network provides DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) Internet service. Also, Dish Network offers high-speed Satellite Internet powered by WildBlue.
On comparing the Internet service, Cable based Internet of Cablevision is faster than Dish Network’s DSL. However, the main advantage of Dish Network is their Satellite Internet that Cablevision lacks. Satellite Internet is ideal for the people who live in rural areas where they don’t have access to DSL or cable-based high-speed Internet service.
Customer care
Both Cablevision and Dish Network have 24/7 customer care service that assist and support subscribers regarding their billing inquires, payments, change of service requests, technical supports and many more.
Comparison of Features
Cablevision has features like iO Quick View, iO TV Shortcuts, Easier Search and Optimum Select that provide quick way to search programming, to see incoming calls with name and number on the right of the TV and also to access information on recent coupon codes of Cablevision. On comparing Cablevision’s features with Dish Network, Dish Network provides all features available in Cablevision. Apart from these features, Dish Network also provides extraordinary features like Dish Remote Access, TV Everywhere, DISH Network WiFi Monitor and HDTV Multi-Room Extender.
Using Dish Remote Access, Subscribers can access their DVR from anywhere using their computers or mobile devices to search and record programming.
Using TV Everywhere feature, Subscribers can watch Dish Network programming on their computers or mobiles devices from anywhere by adding sling box to their existing Dish Network HD DVR receivers.
Subscribers also can watch Dish Network programming in a lightweight, portable, high-definition monitor known as Dish Network WiFi Monitor. This feature helps subscribers to enjoy all the features of Dish Network programming with the inclusion of watching live TV programming. This feature also helps to view and manage DVR recordings.
Using HDTV Multi-Room Extender, subscribers can watch Dish Network HD content in multiple rooms. They can also record a show in one room and watch it in another room, all with one DVR receiver.
From the above head to head comparison of Cablevision and Dish Network, in terms of programming, services and features, Dish Network emerges as the triumphant winner. Though Cablevision provides more number of channels than Dish Network, Dish network leads the way in providing quality programming with excellent features combined with great services!