Criteria |
DirecTV |
Dish Network |
Popularity |
Most popular with more than 10 million customers in the United States. |
Also very popular with millions of customers and growing rapidly. |
Transmission
Quality |
100% Digital high quality signal |
100% Digital high quality signal |
Programming |
Supports up to 225 channels. Direct TV has exclusive rights to some sports channels but you need to pay an extra fee to get these channels. The exclusive sports packages include NHL Center Ice, MLB Extra Innings, NY Yankee Games, NBA League Pass and NFL Sunday Ticket which gives you access to almost every NFL game.
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Supports up to 500 channels. Great range of programming including many sports channels. Has more understanding international programming with additional foreign language programming packages. |
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Cities |
Direct TV receivers can be located in some cities that Dish Network does not: Las Vegas, Memphis, Milwaukee, Columbus and Baltimore. |
Dish Network Programming has access to the following cities that Direct TV does not: Oklahoma City, Albuquerque, Honolulu and Grand Rapids. |
Pricing |
Basic packages' prices range are between $31.99 to $81.99. |
Basic packages' prices range are between $22.99 to $72.99. Promotions are more aggressive. You can get installation of up to four receivers for free if you commit to 12 months of service. |
Customer Service |
They both offer online services like viewing current and prior statements, add packages and make payments to your account.
They also provide online user manuals and installation guides. |
Warranty |
Both satellite tv systems offer 12 months of warranty from the day of activation and a 24 hours customer service line but Dish Network's customer service is done in-house so it may be of a higher quality. |