DISH Vs DIRECTV: Guide To Equipment, Channels, Promotions & More

Satellite TV is still an option worth considering for live TV access in geographic areas that aren’t reachable yet by cable (or internet) connections. Satellite TV companies have also upped their game and offer more channels, packages, programming, and perks to compete with the changing media landscape.

Are you debating between DIRECTV vs DISH? We’ve got your back in our satellite TV guide. We cover everything from each provider, including equipment, channels, pricing, and more. We also feature the most current promotions available for you to save money on your new package.

Article Overview

• Satellite vs Cable
• DIRECTV vs DISH
  • HD Recording
  • Channel Comparison
  • Pricing & Promotions

	Visit Website	Call
	DIRECTV (Authorized Dealer)	DIRECTV (Authorized Dealer) – 855-692-6985
	DISH (Authorized Dealer)	DISH (Authorized Dealer) – 855-357-2283

Satellite vs Cable: Which Is Better?

Debating between satellite vs analog? There are several reasons satellite is better than traditional cable, including:

• Enhanced Picture Quality and Sound: Because cable connections go through multiple network reconfigurations, they degrade the quality of sound and picture. With satellite, the programming bypasses that complicated network web, so your signal is direct and, therefore, unblemished. This direct system allows for ultra-high-definition TV (UHDTV) and 4K broadcast resolutions.
• Better Channel Selection – Both DIRECTV and DISH offer more programming than cable, i.e., more channel choices, including productions from other countries and programming in other languages. While DIRECTV offers more than 330 channels, DISH offers more than 290, and both provide multiple language options, though DIRECTV has fewer than DISH currently. In addition, you get HD quality local channels.
• Cater Your Viewing – You can select packages specific to your viewing preferences, i.e., sports, kids, etc.

DIRECTV vs DISH: How Do They Compare?

Read our in-depth DIRECTV Review | Read our in-depth DISH Review

We have a bit more first-hand experience with DIRECTV, so we have an article on the company’s history and how it merged with TiVo. We also have a page dedicated to special offers.

A growing number of homes are changing the channel to one of the two biggest players in the satellite TV market: DIRECTV and DISH Network. Learn the advantages of satellite over traditional cable and analog and compare features, pricing, and more.

Weighing the value of DIRECTV vs DISH is difficult because both products and the services they offer are very comparable.

To determine which is the best fit for you, it is important to know your viewing habits and personal preferences. Then, when you look at the two lists side by side, it will be easier to recognize which provider better meets your needs and desires.

Below is a comparison of some of the basic features of DISH and DIRECTV.

	DIRECTV	DISH
Professional Installation	Free	Free
Number of Channels	330+	290+
Custom Design Your Package	No	No
4K Recording
Contract Lengths	24 months	24 months
Price Lock	12-24 months	24 months
Activation Fee	$19.95	$50
Early Termination Fee*	$20/mo	$20/mo

* Early termination fee amounts are based on the months remaining in your contract, so if you are in month 10 of a 24 month contract, you’ll owe 14 months or $280.

HD Recording: DIRECTTV Genie vs DISH Hopper^®

HD recording gives you the power to pause, rewind, and record live TV. Below is a comparison of DIRECTV Genie and DISH Hopper.

	DIRECTV Genie HD DVR	DISH Hopper 3®
Number of Shows Recorded at Once	5	16
Hours of HD Recording	200 (0.83 TB)	480 (2 TB)
Recommends New Shows
Transfer Recordings to Mobile
Watch 2 Shows On One Screen	(Up to 8 sports channels)
Watch 4 Shows On One Screen
Voice Remote
Remote Finder
Amazon Alexa Compatible

Number & Variety Of Channels Comparison

The number of channels offered and the particular programming of those channels differ between DIRECTV and DISH. As mentioned above, DISH offers more than 290 channels while DIRECTV offers 330+.

A closer look at those 330+ channels will reveal that more is not necessarily better. What your household likes to watch may not be the same as what your neighbor’s family watches. So, take a look and see which satellite provider offers the channels you are seeking.

		DIRECTV	DISH
Sports Channels:	ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNEWS, ESPNU, NBA TV, NBC Sports Network, FOX Sports 2, NFL Network, MLB Network, NHL Network, Tennis Channel, and Golf Channel
Sports Channels:	Big Ten Network,, MLB Network Strike Zone, NFL RedZone, Pac-12 Networks, and Universal Sports
Premium Channels:	SHOWTIME® and STARZ®
Premium Channels:	HBO Max®
Premium Channels:	Bloomberg and RFDTV
Miscellaneous Channels:	Discovery Family Channel, Discovery Life Channel and ION
Miscellaneous Channels:	A&E, AMC, BET, Bravo, Comedy Central, Discovery, E!, Food Network, HGTV, History, MTV, MTV2, Spike, TBS, TLC, TNT, USA and VH1
Kid Channels:	Nickelodeon, ABC Family, Disney, Disney JR, Disney XD, Nick JR, Nicktoons Network and Cartoon Network
Adult Channels:	Playboy TV, Vivid TV, Hustler TV, BraZZers TV, Reality Kings
Adult Channels:	Penthouse TV and UBang
Adult Channels:	Cheap Thrills, Hustler HD, TEN, Reality Kings, Girlfriends Films and XTSY

DIRECTV & DISH Pricing & Package Comparison

We’ve taken the lowest and highest prices packages from DIRECTV and DISH and compared them side-by-side. Read further to see who we think offers the best packages.

*We selected these channels based on what we thought were some of the most popular channels households wanted in their cable packages.

DIRECTV offers low-priced basic packages, while DISH Network’s starting package is $59.99 per month. For the premium packages, the winner is DISH. America’s Top 200 offers all the same “popular” channels as the Premier package from DIRECTV for less money. However, if you’re wanting STARZ, HBO Max, or SHOWTIME, we suggest you go with DIRECTV.

Below is a broad comparison of all DIRECTV and DISH packages.

DIRECTV & DISH Promotions

DIRECTV often has time-sensitive promotions. Check out our DIRECTV Promo Codes page to learn more.

More Satellite Options

Did you know you can also use a satellite for your internet? This could be essential if you live in a more remote area with few utility and communication options.