Compare Dish Network and Direct TV side by side.

Both of the major satellite television companies, DISH Network and Direct TV, have access to all the same channels. However, there is a measurable difference in the way each of these companies package these channels for their customers. The information below identifies some of the major differences as well as a side-by-side glance at what's on offer.

Direct TV has three basic packages to choose from: The lowest priced is called Total Choice. Its price per month, including local channels, is $39.99. It offers over 130 channels, including 31 commercial-free music channels. The next step up from there is the Total Choice Plus package which runs $42.99 per month, including the local channels. It has all the programming as the lower package but for three dollars more includes fifteen other channels that are great for families. Examples include PBS Kids, Nicktoons, Biography, History International, VH1 Classic, and five Discovery channels.

The blue ribbon DirecTV package is a large step up from the other two, coming in at $90.99 (and that's without the local channels). Total Choice Premier, as it is called, has everything that the other two have plus all of the movie packages (7 HBO's, 12 Starz's, 9 Showtime channels, and 3 Cinemax channels) as well as 25 specialty and regional sports channels. It is possible to fall somewhere between the Plus package and the Premier package. DirecTV offers the premier movie channel packages as well as the sports package separately as add-ons to the Total Choice or Total Choice Plus. The price for each add-on goes down with each additional package. The first costs $12 per month. The second costs $11, The third $10, then $8, and finally $7. For the sports lover, DirecTV has many sports mega packages available as well, including NFL Sunday Ticket, which is exclusively available through DirecTV.

DISH Network has more options for basic packages, starting with what they call the Top 60. Despite the name, this package offers 86 of the most popular channels available. The cost for this economy package is $24.99 per month. Next is the Top 60 Plus, which is the same as Top 60 plus regional sports networks. The cost for this package is $29.99. For five dollars more, customers can upgrade to the Top 120 package. This has 260 channels to choose from including over 30 commercial-free music channels. Above that package is the Top 180. This has many other sports, entertainment, music, and educational channels that are not offered on the lower tier packages, including 9 commercial-free movie channels. To get this package, however, a DISH 500 system is required. The DISH 500 is the world's first 500 channel digital satellite system. It uses a 20-inch dish which receives signals from two satellites simultaneously. At the top of DISH Networks package pyramid is the “Everything” Pak. This has everything offered in the other packages but also includes all four of the premier movie packages (Showtime Unlimited, Starz Superpak, HBO, and Cinemax.) The DISH 500 system is also required for this package, and the price is $77.99 per month. DISH Network also offers the premier movie packages separately for those who sign up for one of the lower four packages. Each package is priced as follows:

Showtime Unlimited – 10 channels (8 without DISH 500) for $11.99/mo.

HBO – 8 channels (6 without DISH 500) for $13.99/mo.

Starz superpak – 8 channels (6 without DISH 500) for $11.99/mo.

Cinemax – 5 channels for $11.99/mo.


DISH Network also has all the same Sports mega-packages that DirecTV offers, with the exception of NFL Sunday Ticket, at comparable prices. One difference between the two is that DirecTV requires that the receiver always be connected to a land based phone line and DISH Network requires that a DISH 500 system be in use.

DISH Network

Number of basic packages: 5

Price Range: $24.99 to $77.99

Movie Packages offered: 4 major packages (31 total channels)

Price per package: $11.99 to $13.99

Discounts for multiple movie packages? Yes – up to 34% for multiple packages.

Sports packages: MLB Extra Innings. ESPN College Grand Slam, NBA League Pass, ESPN Full Court, ESPN Game Plan, NHL Center Ice, MLS Direct Kick, English Premier League.

Commercial-free music: Yes – at the Top 120 level (package price = $34.99)



DirecTV

Number of basic packages: 3

Price Range: $39.99 to $90.99

Movie Packages offered: 4 major packages (27 total channels)

Price per package: $12 for first package

Discounts for multiple movie packages? Yes – lower cost with each subsequent addition ($11, $10, $8, $7)

Sports packages: MLB Extra Innings, ESPN College Grand Slam, NBA League Pass, ESPN Full Court, Mega March Madness, ESPN Game Plan, NFL Sunday Ticket,
NHL Center Ice, MLS Direct Kick, English Premier League, Euro 2004.

Commercial-free music: Yes – at the Total Choice level (package price = $39.99)