Compare Dish packages side by side

When choosing a satellite TV provider, you need to consider a variety of factors. Each company offers several features that its competitor can't, which may be just what you want. Two of the biggest satellite companies are DirecTV and Dish Network. Both offer different services to their customers at a different price.

Channels

Both cable companies include all local channels in any of their packages. In addition, both providers have basic premium channels, including most movie channels. However, DirecTV offers several sports channels and packages that Dish Network does not, including UFC and NFL Sunday Ticket, which includes NFL Red Zone. Dish Network is able to provide several more premium channels than DirecTV, which includes EPIX 3, Veria and several additional adult channels.

HD

Both networks offer HD programming on many of their channels. To use HD on DirecTV, you just have to add $10 to any package you purchase. Dish Network is currently offering free HD for life although normally this costs an additional $10 and is not available with the company's smallest package. DirecTV offers 78 premium HD channels, with local channels included in its package, and has the most available HD channels. Dish Network offers 68 premium HD channels and an additional $5 to receive HD local programming.

Cost

Both providers offer a variety of packages. Dish Network's lowest package begins at $24.99 per month, and its most expensive is $99.99 per month. DirecTV's lowest package costs $29.99 per month, and its most expensive package costs $114.99. When you compare two packages from each of the providers with similar channels and features, you'll find DirecTV costs about $10 more per month.

DVR

A DVR (Digital Video Recording) package from DirectTV costs an additional $7 a month whereas from Dish Network it's $6 a month. Both are able to record HD programming as well as SD programming and perform basic tasks such as pause, rewind and fast forward. Dish Network's DVR allows you to record up to 400 hours of SD programming and 100 hours of HD programming. DirecTV allows you to record up to 200 hours of HD recording and 50 hours of HD programming, and recording can be set up to 14 days in advance.

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