Compare DISH Network with DIRECTV
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About DISH TV
DISH Network, also known simply as DISH, provides satellite television, satellite Internet and other services to residential and commercial customers. With around 14 million subscribers and nationwide availability, the company currently holds the #2 spot among America’s biggest satellite television providers behind DIRECTV.
Headquartered in Meridian, Colorado, DISH is a publicly traded company listed in Fortune magazine’s Fortune 250.
Key dates in DISH Satellite TV History
1980 – Charlie Ergen, Candy Ergen and Jim DeFranco form the satellite TV equipment distribution company EchoStar
1995 – EchoStar launches Echo I satellite
1996 – EchoStar begins offering TV subscription service through its consumer brand DISH Network
2008 – EchoStar becomes DISH Network Corporation
2009 – DISH customer base surpasses 14 million
2012 – Debut of DISH satellite Internet service dishNET
DISH TV Services
This section offers a general overview of programming options and features available with DISH satellite TV.
DISH channels
DISH’s channel selection ranges from 55+ to 330+, varying by package. Customers can choose to supplement their core packages with additional channels and specialty packages.
Regional and college sports networks are available with select packages. A monthly charge for local channels may be required for non-qualifying packages.
Available channels include local programming, premium movie channels, music channels and national news, sports and entertainment networks. Varieties and examples of DISH channels include:
Entertainment
USA Network, Syfy, WGN America, Comedy Central, BRAVO, A&E, AMC, MTV
News
CNBC, Weather Channel, Fox News Channel, CNN, MSNBC, C-SPAN
Premium movies
HBO®, Cinemax®, STARZ®, ENCORE®, SHOWTIME®
Latino
Univision, Telemundo, Azteca America, Discovery En Español, ESPN Deportes
Educational
National Geographic Channel, TLC, Travel Channel, Animal Planet, Discovery, HISTORY, Food Network
Sports
ESPN, ESPNU, SEC Network, World Fishing Network, Horse Racing Television, MLB Network, NBA TV, NFL Network
Children and Family
ENCORE® Family, Disney Channel, Nickelodeon, Nick Jr., Baby TV
DISH packages
Core packages
DISH satellite TV offers several English-language core packages, which include:
- Smart Pack, with 55+ channels
- America’s Top 120, with 190+ channels
- America’s Top 120 Plus, with 190+ channels (including regional sports networks)
- America’s Top 200, with 240+ channels
- America’s Top 250, with 290+ channels
- America’s Everything Pak, with 330+ channels
Latino core programming packages from DISH TV include DISHLATINO® Básico (55+ channels), DISHLATINO® Clásico (180+ channels), DISHLATINO® Plus (190+ channels), DISHLATINO® Dos (225+ channels) and DISHLATINO® Max (270+ channels).
DISH Network also offers more than 28 international core packages with programming from countries and regions including India, Asia, Brazil, Israel, Africa and the Middle East.
Sports and Specialty Packages
The selection of DISH Network sports packages includes Multi Sports Pack, Outdoor Sports Package, MLS Direct Kick™, NBA LEAGUE PASS and NHL® CENTER ICE®.
Available specialty packages include Heartland Package, EPIX™ Package, ENCORE® Movie Package, Latino Bonus Pack and Blockbuster @Home™.
Features and Equipment
DISH Network offers a number of viewing features, such as:
- More than 200 high-definition channels
- Video On Demand
- 3D programming
- DISH Anywhere™ mobile app
- Mobile satellite TV antennas
DISH Network offers different varieties of receivers and HD DVR devices. The company’s top-of-the-line components are the HD DVR Hopper and the Joey device. Whole-home HD DVR features with the Hopper and Joey equipment include:
- Automatic commercial skip
- Recording up to eight live HD channels during primetime
- Recording capacity up to 2,000 hours
- Connecting up to six HD TVs
Bundle Packages
Bundling options from DISH Network include pairing satellite TV with Internet and phone service. Internet service is available through dishNET, the DISH satellite Internet product, or through a DISH partner provider. DISH partners also provide phone service.
See How DISH TV Measures Up to DIRECTV
To make certain you are weighing your options thoroughly, look into DIRECTV. Widening the search will help you make an informed and objective decision on satellite TV service.
Sources and Research:
Data collected 12/2/2014 from http://www.dish.com
