Best Satellite TV Providers and Plans

Wondering which satellite TV provider is right for you? Here are the details on DISH TV and DIRECTV.
Best variety
  • pro
    No price hikes
  • pro
    Highly rated DVR
Best for sports
  • pro
    Sports programming
  • con
    Price hike after 2 year

Kristin Cooke
Feb 07, 2024
Icon Time To Read7 min read

Which satellite TV provider is best?

DIRECTV and DISH are the two major satellite TV providers that look similar when you’re comparing channels. (Unless you're into sports—more on that later.) Both DISH and DIRECTV all include over a hundred channels on even their most basic plans, with the channel count rising to 350 or more on some DIRECTV premium plans.

If you’re looking for the best TV package overall, we recommend DISH's America's 120+ plan because it offers the best bang for your buck across your two-year contract, plus a fantastic DVR to enjoy it with. But if you want solid sports programming, DIRECTV's CHOICE package is the way to go.

Top satellite TV plans

Dish
DISH

Price
$97.99/mo.–$122.99/mo. for 24 mos.

Channels
190+ to 270+

Directv
DIRECTV

Price
$69.99/mo.–$159.99/mo. for 12 mos

Channels
90+ to 185+

*Data as of 4/15/2021. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change. Actual speeds may vary and are not guaranteed. †After 12-month introductory period, DIRECTV prices rise to $97/mo.-$197/mo.

DISH vs. DIRECTV pros and cons

DISH

Pros
pro 2-year price lock
pro Lots of international, specialty, and regional sports
Cons
con No HBO
con No NFL SUNDAY TICKET

DIRECTV

Pros
pro Great sports programming
pro HBO available
Cons
con Price hike after 2 yrs
con No NFL SUNDAY TICKET

DISH satellite TV service

Our pick for the best DISH satellite TV package is  America’s Top 120+, which includes the pack of 190 channels you’ll get in America’s Top 120 plus a lot more sports. This package includes the NFL Network, Big Ten, SEC, Sports Alternate, Fightbox, FOX Sports 2, and the World Fishing Network.

If regional and specialty sports aren’t a hit in your household, don’t go with America’s Top 120+. Instead, go with America’s Top 120. By cutting out the sports, you’ll save $15 per month, which works out to $180 per year.

Best DISH TV package

If you're torn between DIRECTV and DISH, here's a little tip: get DISH if you have a wide range of viewers in your home—or if you like international programming. DISH has our vote as the best variety programming among satellite TV providers. DISH is best for watching a little of everything: movies, TV shows, news, and some sports. Plus, DISH has 85+ Spanish channels. You can get a dozen or so channels in Spanish with most DISH packages, or you can get exclusive Spanish programming starting at $69.99 per month and up.

DISH has the best international programming, so if you're lucky enough to know a second language, practice your skills by watching a few shows in Finnish each month.

Not all major sports will be available on DISH, although you can find many on NFL Network and many other sports stations included in premium plans. Neither DISH nor DIRECTV offer NFL SUNDAY TICKET anymore, but DISH still gives you a lot of sports stations, including NFL Network, NFL Red Zone, beIN SPORTS, and regional sports networks. Plus, DISH wins big with more international sports than you'll find with DIRECTV.

All in all, it's hard to find someone who won't be pleased with DISH. From Hallmark Channel to NBA League Pass, DISH has something for everyone. That’s why we gave DISH our vote for the satellite TV provider with the best variety.

All DISH TV packages

DISH TV package
Channels
Price
America's Top 120190$97.99/mo.*
America’s Top 120+190+$102.99/mo.*
America's Top 200240+$112.99/mo.*
America's Top 250290+$122.99/mo*

All information contained herein is confidential and subject to change. Offer for new and qualifying customers only. Other restrictions may apply a 2-year price guarantee.

How to save money on DISH
Money

If you like premium channels like Paramount+ with SHOWTIME®, STARZ ENCORE, or DISH MOVIE PACK, we recommend trying out a premium channel individually (as an add-on) rather than signing up for the biggest package available.

True, America’s Top 250 includes almost every station imaginable, but it’s $20* more per month than America’s Top 120 (which is for sports fans) and a full $30 more per month than America’s Top 120 (for non-sports fans). Our recommendation to all satellite customers is don’t pay for what you won’t really use. Slice off channels you don’t need and take a weekend getaway this summer instead. Or use the extra cash to get tickets to a live sports event or concert.

Did you know that you can also add in a premium channel to your DISH plan and then cancel it a few months later? This can come in handy—if there’s a new season of your favorite show, sign up for a premium channel for a few months. Enjoy it. Indulge! Then remember to cancel it when your show ends.

*Data as of 4/27/2020, plus taxes fees. Prices subject to change.

DIRECTV satellite TV service

For most mainstream Americans, DIRECTV rules for sports, thanks to its many sports add-ons like MLB EXTRA INNINGS, NBA LEAGUE PASS, and more. But if you want NFL SUNDAY TICKET, you're at a loss here. DIRECTV doesn't offer the service anymore; you'll have to turn to YouTube TV for that service. But if you like a spread of sports, DIRECTV is still your best all-inclusive option--minus that.

Best DIRECTV packages

We recommend CHOICE All-Included as the best DIRECTV package. It includes a well-stocked selection of over 185 channels, including drama, news, children’s programming, cooking, reality TV, and more. It also includes three free months of HBO®, STARZ®, Paramount+ with SHOWTIME®, CINEMAX®, and MGM+™.

If any of the premium channels happen to tickle your fancy, you can add them individually at $13.99–$17.99/mo., or splurge and add them all for $41.99/mo.

All DIRECTV packages

DIRECTV package
Channels
Price
ENTERTAINMENT All-Included90+$69.99/mo.*
CHOICE All-Included125+$79.99/mo.*
ULTIMATE All-Included160+$104.99/mo.*
PREMIER All-Included185+$149.99/mo.*

Data effective 11/15/2023. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.

for 24 months plus taxes and fees w/ 24-mo. agmt. New approved residential customers, price incl. TV pkg & equip. fees for first TV. Add’l fees may apply to non-qualified customers. Early agmt termination fee applies ($20/mo.) & add’l fee(s) may apply if equip. not returned. Credit card req’d. Restr’s apply. $19.95 activation & equipment lease req’d for satellite customers. Equipment lease req’d for DIRECTV via Internet customers in some sales channels.

How to save money on DIRECTV
Money

If you like premium channels like HBO, Paramount+ with SHOWTIME®, or STARZ ENCORE, we recommend adding HBO individually to DIRECTV’s CHOICE All-Included instead of signing up for the biggest package available.

True, Premier All-Included offers almost every station imaginable (okay, that’s pretty cool, actually. . .) but it’s $65* more per month than CHOICE All-Included. You’ll pay an extra $1,560 over a two-year period if you sign up for that premium package.

Did you know that you can add premium channels occasionally during the season premieres of your favorite shows? Yup. Just contact customer service or adjust add-ons in your account.

You can also upgrade at any time to a bigger package without it affecting your contract. Downgrading can sometimes reset the two-year contract, though.

What about Orby TV satellite TV service?

After operating for two years, Orby TV filed for bankruptcy on March 14, 2021, and discontinued all services. The company closed its doors with over $51 million in debt to various broadcasting companies. Although it was a favorite for many, it ultimately didn’t prove to be a profitable business offering.

Bottom line: Get the best satellite TV provider for your main interests.

The bottom line is that you should get the best satellite TV professor that delivers the entertainment catering to your main interests.

Satellite TV has a lot of perks over streaming TV options. You'll never get a buffering symbol, (although there are occasional pauses while the programming or menu loads), and you don't have to use valuable internet data on all your entertainment (which is a big plus if you use a satellite internet connection with a data cap).

Get DISH to please a big crowd of watchers at your place. With a two-year price lock and a wide variety of programming, DISH delivers the best in movies, TV shows, news, and more.

For all you diehard sports fans out there, we know what you're after. You'll want to choose DIRECTV to get access to its sports channels, sports add-ons, and of course movies, cartoons, National Geographic, E!, and oodles more.

What are you waiting for? Sign up for satellite TV and get watching.

Best variety
  • pro
    No price hikes
  • pro
    Highly rated DVR
Best for sports
  • pro
    Great sports add-ons
  • con
    Price hike after 2 year

FAQ about best satellite TV packages

What is satellite TV?

Satellite TV is a TV service that relies on satellites orbiting the earth to bring television programming to homes and businesses. The most well-known satellite TV providers are DISH, and DIRECTV.

How does satellite TV work?

Satellite TV delivers national and local TV channels and specialized satellite programming into your home via a satellite dish attached to your home (usually on the roof or on a pole). This dish picks up signals from satellites orbiting the Earth in a geostationary orbit.

Which satellite TV plans do not have price hikes after the first year?

DISH does not have a price hike after the first year. DIRECTV prices do go up after a year, more than doubling on some plans. And since you’ll be locked into a two-year contract, you’ll have to pay the high second year prices.

What's the cheapest satellite TV provider?

DISH is the cheapest satellite TV provider. For $60 per month, you can get 190 channels (plus taxes and fees). DIRECTV is the most expensive in the long run—although it looks like it's cheaper than DISH at first glance because prices go up after the introductory period.

For example, DIRECTV plans start around $50, plus taxes and fees. But after 12 months of your 24-month contract, your price nearly doubles. DISH is more affordable, although DIRECTV rules for sports programming—especially if you like football.

What other satellite TV companies are there?

DIRECTV and DISH are the main residential satellite TV providers in the US. Orby TV went out of business in 2021. There are other specialty satellite providers, but DIRECTV and DISH are the most popular and most widely available.

Can I get satellite TV for free?

You can install a large satellite dish in your yard and get some satellite stations for free (mostly the local channels with a few extra add-ons), but you need to know what you're doing or have a professional install it since it takes some tinkering to get it right.

How many satellite TV companies are there?

You can install a large satellite dish in your yard and get some satellite stations for free (mostly the local channels with a few extra add-ons), but you need to know what you're doing or have a professional install it since it takes some tinkering to get it right.

How much does Orby TV cost?

Orby TV is no longer available, as the company filed for bankruptcy in March 2021. The company used to offer a pared-down satellite TV service starting at $40 per month, but it no longer operates.

Kristin Cooke
Written by
After graduating with a degree in English from the University of Utah, Kristin learned to geek speak while working as a technical recruiter, interviewing software developers and tech companies. For over 20 years, she has created award-winning content for technology, health, and finance companies. Kristin is an advocate for affordable internet for all and writes about rural internet solutions, satellite internet news, and tech products at SatelliteInternet.com. Her work has been featured in New York Post, PCMag, Forbes, Business Insider, Telecompetitor, Space.com, and The Benton Institute for Broadband & Society.