Satellite TV Dish Network Direct

DirectTV vs Dish Network


The information surrounding DirectTV vs Dish Network is plentiful and may be a bit confusing. If you’ve been considering moving up to satellite television, you probably are not sure which way to go. Here is a synopsis of the features of each provider for your consideration.

Dish Network

Direct TV

Free DVR records up to 100 hours of your favorite programs. Priced a bit lower than Direct TV, but beats cable hands down.

Offers some premium packages not available at Dish Network. Price beats cable easily, yet Dish has the overall price advantage.

Activation fee paid up front is credited on first bill, so ends up being free.

Usually no activation fee applies. When one is applied, it is credited on the first bill. Winds up free.

Charges for local channels and DVR.

Local channels are free, but a small fee is charged for DVR.

Equipment shipping is free.

Charges shipping depending on receivers ordered.

100% pure digital picture quality.

100% pure digital picture quality.

At last count, over 256 channels were available with Dish Network service. Most NFL pre-season, regular and post season games are available without having to buy an expensive sports package. More international programming with foreign language packages available.

Supporting 225 channels.

Direct TV has rights that are exclusive to particular sports channels. To get these channels requires an additional fee. Exclusive sports packages offered:


• NHL Center Ice

• MLB Extra Innings

• NY Yankee Games

• NBA League Pass

• NFL Sunday Ticket boasts access to just about every NFL game.

Dish Network’s DVR510 digital video recorder allows you to record up to 100 hours of your favorite programs. No video tapes required! You can watch one channel and record another. There is a fee for DVR510, however, AMERICA’S EVERYTHING subscribers get the DVR510 service free.

Record as much as 35 hours of your favorite programs with TiVo. No video tapes needed. Watch one channel while recording another. TiVo is a subscription service.

TOTAL CHOICE PREMIER customers receive the TiVo service free.

Offers 24 hour service customer service via telephone.

Offers 24 hour service customer service via telephone.



There really isn’t a great difference with Dish Network vs Direct TV. The main differences are price, sports, channels and music.

All you need to do is decide what is more important to you. If you are a complete sports fanatic, you won’t mind the extra monthly charge.

Satellite TV has come a long way in the last few years and is a much better value than cable. So take a look at DirectTV vs Dish Network and decide for yourself.