A basic package is the core element of your satellite TV viewing. While both DISH and DIRECTV offer many of the same channels, there are some differences in how they are organized across packages.
Satellite TV Packages
When you choose a satellite TV plan, you should first decide which channels and features you want the most. The channels and features you want with your satellite TV package will determine the price you pay each month for satellite TV service.
DIRECTV and DISH are the two largest satellite TV providers available in the US. Compare the two side by side to see which strikes the best balance between price and features.
Please note that we are only going to review the English language satellite TV service plans. DIRECTV and DISH both have Spanish language plans and some international plans, but we won't be reviewing them here.
You can customize your satellite TV programming by selecting plans with certain features. Click on a satellite TV package below to see if that plan has the channels and features you want. By shopping around and comparing rates, you should be able to find an affordable plan with all or most of the channels and features that are important to you.
DIRECTV Satellite TV Packages
Read our DIRECTV satellite TV programming reviews to see if a plan with DIRECTV is the right plan for you.
All of the satellite TV packages listed below include:
- 3 free months of HBO and SHOWTIME
- Free access to local channels
- 1 included HD DVR ($10/month for first 2 years, $20/month after that for DVR service)
- Free HD service
- Free installation
- Free satellite dish
- Free handling and delivery
- No startup cost
- Entertainment Plan
The Select Plan with DIRECTV costs $24.99/month for the first year and $29.99/month for the second year. The regular price is $49.99/month.
The Select Plan offers 130+ channels, 30+ HD channels, and many On Demand channels for free.
Entertainment Plan
The Entertainment Plan with DIRECTV costs $29.99/month for the first year, $34.99/month for the second year, and $57.99/month thereafter.
The Entertainment Plan includes 140+ digital channels, 30+ HD channels, and 4000 On Demand channels for free.
Choice Plan
The DIRECTV Choice Plan costs $34.99/month for the first year and $39.99/month for the second year with a 2 year contract. The regular price is $66.99/month.
With the Choice Plan, you get 150+ digital satellite TV channels, 40+ HD channels, and 6000 free On Demand TV shows. This plan also includes the NFL Sunday Ticket for free, which gives you full access to all Sunday NFL games and the Red Zone Channel.
Choice Extra Plan
The DIRECTV Choice Extra Plan costs $39.99/month for the first year and $44.99/month for the second year with a 2 year contract. The regular cost is $73.99/month.
The Choice Extra satellite TV package includes 205+ satellite TV channels, 50+ HD channels, and 7000 On Demand channels. The Choice Extra Plan also includes the NFL Sunday Ticket and Red Zone Channel.
Choice Ultimate Plan
The Choice Ultimate Plan with DIRECTV costs $44.99/month for the first year and $49.99/month for the second year with a 2 year contract. The regular price is $81.99/month.
The Choice Ultimate Plan includes 225+ satellite TV channels, 7000 On Demand channels, and 55+ HD channels.
The Choice Ultimate Plan also includes the NFL Sunday Ticket, the Red Zone Channel, and 11 extra movie channels.
Premier Plan
The Premier Plan with DIRECTV costs $92.99/month for the first year and $97.99/month the second year with a 2 year contract. The regular price is $129.99/month.
The Premier Plan includes 285+ channels, 105+ HD channels, and over 7000 On Demand channels. This plan also includes the NFL Sunday Ticket, the Red Zone Channel, and a selection of 35 sports specialty channels like CBS College Sports, GoITV, and the YES Network.
A Note about Receiver Fees with DIRECTV
With every DIRECTV plan, all receivers are free (except for the Home Media Center HD DVR plan which costs $99 extra).
If you want additional DVRs, there are extra fees for some models. An extra Home Media Central HD DVR costs $198, an HD DVR Receiver costs $99, a TiVO HD DVR Receiver costs $99, and a DVR Receiver costs $99. A standard or HD Receiver is still free. However, there is a $6 fee for each additional receiver.
DISH Satellite TV Packages
All of the satellite TV packages with the DISH have the following features:
- 3 free months of HBO®, Cinemax®, SHOWTIME® and STARZ®*
- Blockbuster @Home for 3 months*
- $7/month DVR service fee if you want a receiver with DVR
- Free installation on up to 6 TVs
- Free local channels
- The Smart Pack Plan
The Smart Pack satellite TV package costs $19.99/month* for the first year, and $32.99/month after that. This plan includes 55+ channels.
This is the only plan that doesn't include a free Hopper Whole-Home HD DVR. As a result, it is the only plan that doesn't require HD service. HD service usually costs an extra $10/month. However, you do still have to pay the $7/month DVR service fee if you want a DVR.
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READY TO INSTALL PACKAGE : Directv HD SATELLITE DISH w/ SWM3 LNB + RG6 COAXIAL CABLES INCLUDED Ka/ku Slim Line Dish Antenna SL3 SINGLE OUTPUT W/ 4 PORT SPLITTER, 21V POWER INSERTER Speakers (DIRECTV)
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DIRECTV HD SL5 Satellite Kit for Camping Rving or Tailgating With SWM Dish CE
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Arris 4-Port (Formerly Motorola S-4) Bi-Directional Cable TV, OTA, Satellite HDTV Amplifier Splitter Signal Booster with Passive Return And Coax Cable Package - cableTVamps® Speakers (Motorola)
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Electroline EDA-AR01200 1-Port Cable TV/HDTV/Digital Internet Modem Signal Booster/Amplifier With Active Return (Retail Package with 5-Year Warranty) CE (Electroline)
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READY TO INSTALL PACKAGE : Directv HD SATELLITE DISH w/ SWM3 LNB + RG6 COAXIAL CABLES INCLUDED Ka/ku Slim Line Dish Antenna SL3 SINGLE OUTPUT W/ 4 PORT SPLITTER, 21V POWER INSERTER Speakers (Generic)
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