What is satellite TV?

We've created this guide to help you figure out whether satellite TV makes sense for your home and, if it does, what provider has the combination of programming that best matches your viewing needs.

Since most people are interested in knowing what channels they can get and how much their bill will be each month, we have organized this section around answering these two questions. As you click through to each page, you'll be able to put together your optimal programming package and find the answers to frequently asked questions.

When you are ready to get satellite TV

The process can be a bit confusing, so here is a quick summary of how to go from thinking about satellite TV to actually watching it:

1. Use the tools on this site to decide between DISH and DIRECTV.
2. Order your equipment. If you wish, you can choose one of the offers on this page for a free system with free installation.
3. During the ordering process, you will pick your equipment, schedule installation, and select your programming.
4. The installer will bring the equipment, set it up, and get your programming activated. If you want to update the programming selections you made when ordering, you can do it through the installer.
5. Turn on the TV and decide what to watch!

Compare DIRECTV and DISH

As the only two major satellite TV providers in the nation, DIRECTV and DISH have a lot in common. However, their prices and features vary in a few important instances that could really affect your satellite TV service.

Prices versus Features

Overall, DIRECTV seems to be the more expensive of the two providers. However, DIRECTV always offers some extra features. It is up to you to decide if the extra features are worth the extra cost.

In the above chart, we compared the cheapest plans currently available with DIRECTV and DISH. However, these two plans aren’t really comparable. The DISH Smart Pack plan is much cheaper than the DIRECTV Entertainment plan but the DISH Smart Pack plan has far fewer channels.

The DISH America’s Top 120™ plan which costs $39.99/month* for 190+ channels is a more comparable plan to the DIRECTV Entertainment Plan. After the first 12 months are up, the DISH America’s Top 120™ costs $64.99/month. Like the DIRECTV Entertainment Plan, the DISH America’s Top 120™ includes a free Whole-Home HD DVR upgrade.

Satellite Television Channels and Extra Features

However, DIRECTV has a couple of features that DISH doesn’t have. With the Entertainment Plan, you can watch 4000 On Demand shows and movies at no extra cost. On the other hand, DISH includes a 3 month subscription to the DISH Movie Pack™ program which allows you to stream movies for free.

You also don’t get some channels with DISH that you do get with DIRECTV. DIRECTV channels include Bravo, Animal Planet, BET, and Nick Jr. To get these features with DISH, you have to upgrade to a better DISH package like the America’s Top 200™ or America’s Top 250™ plans.

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