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 premium plans.
If you’re looking for the best TV package, without regard to price, we recommend DIRECTV because it’s the only way to get NFL SUNDAY TICKET. But, that said, there are plenty of reasons to look into the other two options—particularly if you’re not getting satellite TV just for NFL Sunday games.
Top satellite TV plans
*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
- 2-year price lock
- Lots of international, specialty, and regional sports
Cons
- No HBO
- No NFL SUNDAY TICKET
DIRECTV
Pros
- NFL SUNDAY TICKET
- HBO available
Cons
- Price hike after 1 yr.
- Limited access to regional and specialty sports
DISH satellite TV service
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 around $49.99 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. Although DISH doesn’t include NFL SUNDAY TICKET, DISH does give 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.
Best DISH TV package
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, Pac-12, Longhorn, and SEC Networks, 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 20+. 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.
All DISH TV packages
| DISH TV package | Channels | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|
| America's Top 120 | 190 | $59.99/mo.* | View plan |
| America's Top 120+ | 190+ | $74.99/mo.* | View plan |
| America's Top 200 | 240+ | $84.99/mo.* | View plan |
| America's Top 250 | 290+ | $94.99/mo* | View plan |
*Data as of 12/9/2020, plus taxes and any additional fees (such as Regional Sports Network fees, if desired). Prices locked for 2 years. 24-month contract required with service.
How to save money on DISH
If you like premium channels like 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 $40 more per month than America’s Top 120 (for non-sports fans). Paying $40 more per month adds up pretty fast—that’s $480 per year. 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 the option to add on the coveted NFL SUNDAY TICKET. The exception? If you occasionally like watching specialty or international sports, you might get your fix with DISH or Orby TV and avoid paying expensive sports network fees.
And if your tastes run more to news, movies, travel, cooking, science, the arts, or the good old rom com, DIRECTV will have plenty of options.
If you don’t plan to watch NFL games, opt for DIRECTV and you can save a bundle (which you can spend…plenty of other ways).
DIRECTV CHOICE and above plans include one free year of NFL SUNDAY TICKET, which is valued at $293.94 or more per season (prices vary).* This will automatically renew the following year—which you will have to pay full price for—unless you call and cancel it before the beginning of the season.
Is one season of football worth three hundos? Well, for lots of folks, that’s a hard yes. If you’re going to watch every game, that’s a lot of entertainment and it’ll be worth it. If you aren’t much of a sports fan, we recommend canceling it the second year, or opting for a package that doesn’t include NFL SUNDAY TICKET.
Pro tip
You don’t have to buy a CHOICE DIRECTV plan or above to get NFL SUNDAY TICKET. You can add NFL SUNDAY TICKET to any plan by buying a season pass for around $300 per year.*
If you get a basic DIRECTV plan and add the NFL SUNDAY TICKET, you will pay less than if you bumped up to a premium plan every month for 24 months. Of course, if you’re adding the CHOICE plan for the premium channels, then go for it.
*Prices vary; currently billed at $293.94 per season (or $73.49 per month).
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 one free year of NFL SUNDAY TICKET and three free months of HBO®, STARZ®, SHOWTIME®, CINEMAX®, and EPIX®.
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-Included | 160+ | $64.99/mo.* |
| CHOICE All-Included | 185+ | $69.99/mo.* |
| ULTIMATE All-Included | 250+ | $84.99/mo.* |
| PREMIER All-Included | 330+ | $134.99/mo.* |
*Data as of 12/9/2020, plus taxes and additional fees. Autopay & Paperless bill reqd. Prices higher in 2nd year. 24-month contract required with service.
How to save money on DIRECTV
If you like premium channels like HBO, 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?
Orby TV was a budget-priced satellite TV service that went out of business in March 2021. Although it was a favorite for many, it ultimately didn’t prove to be a profitable business offering. 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.
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 football fans out there, we know what you’re after. You’ll want to choose DIRECTV to get access to NFL SUNDAY TICKET, plus movies, cartoons, National Geographic, E!, and oodles more.
What are you waiting for? Sign up for satellite TV and get watching.
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DISHView plans
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DIRECTVView plans
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 2-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 (although these plans don’t include NFL SUNDAY TICKET). But after 12 months of your 24-month contract, your price nearly doubles. DISH is are 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 also some 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?
There are two main satellite TV companies available to people living in the United States: DISH and DIRECTV.
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 no longer operates.
