It is easy to take cable off the table, because Satellite TV providers more national HD channels than any cable company in the US. This is because of the different delivery method employed by satellite and cable providers. Cable company must have the proper network structure in place before they can add a significant number of HD channels. While with DIRECT TV and DISH Network, they can deliver as many HD channels as possible as long as they have enough satellite capacity available.

It’s a bit complicated when you compare DIRECTV to DISH Network in terms of HD offering. Both DIRECT TV and DISH Network claim they have the most HD channels in the US. So who is telling the truth? And who provides the best HD option? I will compare HD programming provided by DIRECT TV and DISH Network side-by-side in order to draw an unbiased conclusion here.

As the No.1 Satellite TV provider in the US, DIRECT TV currently offers over 130 National HD channels , as well as local channels in HD (where available). In comparison, DISH Network offers around 120 national HD channels plus local HD channels (where available). It doesn’t necessarily mean DIRECT TV beats DISH Network because both companies pad their numbers by using pay per view, regional sports networks, and on-demand channels as cable TV does. Almost all the important national HD channels are available on both Satellite TV platforms.

Now there is one significant factor to consider when comparing HD options between DIRECT TV and DISH Network: packaging and pricing. Both DIRECT TV and DISH Network offers HD package on top of the basic standard-definition programming package for additional $10 per month. With this $10/month HD package, you can get HD versions of all channels included in your standard-definition package. For example, if you get ESPN and TNT in your base package, then you?ll get ESPN HD and TNT HD as well.

However with DIRECTV, you can not subscribe to that $10/month HD package alone without subscription to any base standard-definition package. On the other hand, DISH Network offers a special stand-alone HD series that consist of 100% HD channels. This “TurboHD” series packages offer up to 65+ HD channels. Customers can subscribe to TurboHD packages starting from as low as $9.99 per month for 6 months (after that regular price of $29.99/month applies) via the current special offer from DISH Network. This is what you couldn?t get from DIRECTV.

So I hope you have a better understanding after I compare DIRECT TV to DISH Network. For more comparison of DISH NETWORK vs DIRECT TV in pricing, programming, customer satisfaction and more features, I recommend you checking out Satellite TV Info. It is a specialized Satellite TV info website that provides you with all the useful information about Satellite TV and Satellite TV provider. By reading that website, you can save hours of searching for the best Satellite TV deals, comparing Satellite TV to cable, or researching for differences between major Satellite TV providers. Be sure to try that webiste.

#1: Types of Packages Available

With more than 200 individual channels available on both systems, it may seem impossible not to find exactly what you’re looking for every time you turn on your TV. But, being satisfied with your programming depends a great deal on the type of package you choose.

For instance, both providers offer basic packages that offer the standard local and national channels (ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN, PBS), but may vary a great deal on the other channels they offer. For instance, one company’s “family package” may offer a dozen national-feed PBS stations offering round-the-clock children’s programming, while the other provider’s “family package” may include channels for older kids like Disney, Cartoon Network and Nickelodeon. Neither is better or worse than the others, you just have to carefully weigh which programming options best suit your family’s individual needs.

#2: Sports Options

The simple fact remains: Direct TV is generally touted as the sports authority when it comes to the types and quality of games they offer through the network. Although Dish Network may not yet offer the major sports showings of their competitor, many non-traditional sports enthusiast do seem to enjoy the offbeat and international offerings Dish provides. While football and baseball fans will really need Direct TV to get the best coverage

#3: Pricing

Pricing, too, can vary between the two providers, depending on the program packages they provide. But, both seem to offer starter basic packages at around $20 per month, with more complex premium style packages at $50-$65 dollars a month, and of course more add-on sports, movie and specialty programming running as high as $100 or more per month.

#4: Availability

Both Direct TV and Dish Network tout broad availability almost anywhere in the United States. The main difference between the two is that Direct TV pulls its signal from the southern sky, while Dish Network gets its signal from the opposite direction (the northern sky). So, if a consumer does not have a clear view of either of these horizons, it could interferer with signal reception from one particular company.

#5: Installation & Equipment

Both companies may officially charge for installation and equipment, but considering that both Direct TV and Dish Network both seem to offer continuous special promotions and sales, no one should ever have to pay for either installation or basic equipment from either company.

The only thing to really shop for between the two for is how many free or low-cost extras they happen to be offering at the moment. One month Direct TV may offer 10 free pay-per-view movie passes with installation, while Dish Network gives away 3 months service to the movie channel of your choice, or even a free upgrade in package. Take your time to review each company’s specials and promotions to get the best deal you can.

#6: Service

It really doesn’t matter which satellite service provider you choose: Direct TV or Dish Network – they both tout an excellent service record with few interruptions and fast and easy trouble shooting guides. So now that you know what to compare when choosing your satellite TV service, get out there and cut the cable cord!

When it comes to cities, Dish Network vs. Direct TV are pretty equal. They both have cities they don?t work in. For Direct TV, they do not work in cities like Las Vegas, Memphis, Milwaukee, Baltimore and Columbus. With Dish Network, cities like Oklahoma City, Grand Rapids, Honolulu and Albuquerque are unable to receive service. The pricing fir Dish Network vs. Direct TV varies. For the Direct TV, it can range between $39.99 and $90.99. Then for Dish Network, the prices can range between $24.99 and $77.99. When you decide to install a 12 month service plan with

One of the main decisions you will have to make when it comes to choosing a satellite TV provider is whether you want to go with Direct TV or Dish Network. They are the two main satellite TV providers who have been going head to head for customers for years. Each company has a their own unique style of offering their channels to you. Both companies also offer certain channels that the other does not.

Of course there is a slight difference in the price of service for Direct TV and Dish Network. There are so many different factors that you must compare in order to make sure you are getting the right programming package with the right company. Price is always a main factor for most family and business owners. Depending on the area you live, you may be able to qualify for special incentives and limited time offers.

The easiest way to compare different companies and service providers when you known exactly what it is that you want to sign up for. In general Dish Network is the one that comes out the most inexpensive and doesn’t offer as sophisticated and expensive models. Direct TV often runs special price promotions to remain competitive with Dish Network.

When you sit down and compare both of the big name satellite providers programming packages you will notice that they are quite similar. There are variations of the numbers of channels in each package, and some of the packages include upgrades such as the digital video recorder (DVR).

With Direct TV you are able to choose from three different main programming packages. You can also choose from additional variations to these packages which include high definition TV and DVR. The entry level package with Direct TV has one hundred and forty channels and is called the Total Choice Package. The next package up includes one hundred and eighty five channels. If that still isn’t enough then you can upgrade to the Total Choice Premier package which has more than two hundred and fifty channels to sit back and enjoy.

You can also go with Dish Network who also decided to divide their channels up into three main packages. You can choose from any of the three America’s Top Entertainment packages at one hundred, two hundred, and two hundred and fifty channels packages. For HDTV access you can go with an additional 31 channels HD package through Dish Network.