What is the difference between DISH and Directv?

There are a few key differences between DISH and Directv. The foremost difference, important to most people, is price. DISH is, in fact, less expensive than Directv. This begs the question, why? DISH has created their packages in such a way that allows greater choice for the consumer in regards to monthly payments. Example (Two room system): DISH's entry-level package (America's Top 120) starts at the non-promotional rate of $39.99. Directv's entry-level package (CHOICE) starts at $63.99. That's $24 per month more per month.

But, is Directv offering more, is that why they're more expensive?

Directv really promotes this argument, that they're "offering more" and that's why they're more expensive. Well what they're really doing is just removing the choice of selecting a smaller package. Some of the channels in their CHOICE package are not available in our Top 120 package, but a lot are. So, Let's say you choose the next package level up with DISH, The Top 200. The regular price for that starts at just $54.99. That's still less expensive!

Even if you go to our biggest, non-premium channel package, the America's Top 250, our regular price starts at just $64.99 which is only $1 more than Directv's smallest package. To put this in perspective, Directv's largest non-premium package, the CHOICE Ultimate, is $73.99.

What about HD service, and HD-DVR Upgrades?

Sometimes comparing the package prices isn't enough. Most customers are now concerned with HD programming, DVRs, and the fact that they have several TVs in the home that may need servicing. So, let's put DISH Network up against Directv again.

No matter what package you choose, DISH Network offers several free equipment upgrades:

• DISH Offer: FREE Multi-Room Dual Tuner HD-DVR upgrade
  Choose any of our America's Top packages, or the Everything Pack, and this upgrade is free ($0). There is a monthly service fee of $6/month, and the HD-DVR works in both rooms. Directv charges $10/month for this functionality, and two $99 upgrade fees if you select their entry-level package, called CHOICE.


• DISH Offer: Up to three (3) HD Receiver Upgrades, FREE
  Again, choose any of our America's Top packages, or the Everything Pack, and upgrade three of your receivers to HD for free. Directv charges an upgrade fee, as much as $99 each, if you select their CHOICE package.


• DISH Offer: Up to six rooms worth of equipment, and installation, FREE
  DISH Has multi-room dual tuner receivers. So, three receivers will work up to six (6) televisions. You do not have to pay an upgrade fee for a six room configuration, which can include a multi-room HD-DVR dual tuner, and two additional HD dual tuner receivers! Directv only allows free standard equipment and installation for up to four TVs. Anything beyond that requires an additional upgrade fee, even for standard equipment (which is $69 each).

Let's see what Directv offers ...

• Directv offer: Get a multi-room HD-DVR for only $198 upfront, and $10 extra per month
  When you select their entry-level package, the CHOICE package, you have to pay $99 for the HD-DVR upgrade. They charge $7 per month if you want it to operate only one TV. If you want it to operate two TVs, they charge $10 per month for the DVR, $5 per month for the second receiver required, and also charge an additional $99 upgrade fee for that second HD receiver (that is not optional if you want the multi-room service). If you select their more expensive packages, you get the HD-DVR upgrade and the additional HD receiver upgrade free, but the $10 and $5 extra monthly charges still apply.


• Directv offer: Get a two free receiver upgrades
  If you select their entry-level package, CHOICE, you'll see this offer: "Free HD or DVR upgrade." This is cleverly worded, as if you choose the DVR they're talking about a Standard Definition DVR, not an HD-DVR. The HD receiver is just that, an HD box for one TV. If you're looking for SD-DVR, DISH will give you six (6) rooms of SD-DVR without any upgrade fees!
  
  If you select their mid-level package, CHOICE XTRA, or higher, they give you the choice of two free receiver upgrades: HD-DVR and an HD receiver, or two HD receivers. Either way, this only covers two of the TVs in your home. If you have a third TV that is HD, they tack on an additional $99 upgrade fee. DISH will cover all three HD receiver upgrades free of charge.


• Directv offer: Whole home DVR+HD, only $10 per month
  This sounds appealing, right? Well, here are the details. This requires an HD-DVR upgrade. Then, any TV in your home that you want to have the extended DVR playback feature must be connected to it's own HD receiver. So, if you're choosing the CHOICE package, and you have a two room system, that's a minimum of $198 in upgrade fees. So, let's say you have four rooms, and want their Whole-home DVR service. Just remember, each TV requires an HD receiver for this to work, and they're $99 a pop.
  
  So, if you're willing to pay for their more expensive packages, like the CHOICE Xtra and above, they'll allow a free HD-DVR and an additional HD receiver upgrade for free. This will cover two TVs, which may be enough for some people, but anything beyond that is $99 a pop to get the whole-home DVR feature.
  
  Keep in mind, DISH's HD-DVR is automatically a multi-room DVR. So, for no additional upgrade fees, the DISH DVR works in two rooms, and yes you can record two HD programs, and watch two different playbacks at the same time.


• Directv offer: Free equipment and installation for up to four rooms (TVs)
  Anything over four rooms is an additional $69 upgrade fee per room, and that's for a standard definition receiver.