Selecting a Satellite TV Service Provider for the Maximum Amount of Free Channels With regard to satellite television services there is always the advantage of being able to choose from a range of channels running to hundreds offering diverse programming interest areas. However, satellite providers vary widely on how many of the above channels they offer to their customers for free. When you want to bank on the service provider that can offer you greatest opportunities to use free channel, which is the satellite provider that you should go for?
What Do You Mean By Free Satellite Channels First, it must be clear what a free channel means in the context of the satellite TV industry. In satellite you need to pay for the basic bouquet in other to be able to receive any channel at all. Thus free channels mean those that are offered by the channel provider as part of the basic bouquet you subscribe to.
For instance, news and entertainment channels are normally in the basic package but other channels such as movie channels, sports subscription and other premium channels like HBO are add-ons. So when comparing the number of free channels between satellite providers, we are indeed comparing the number of channels that comes with the basic package or what is offered by the lowest tier package.
There are several satellite players in the industry; however, the following are the major satellite television providers. There are three major satellite TV providers available across most or all of the continental United States: This cable television providers include DIRECTV, DISH Network, and Verizon FiOS. Here's a closer look at each provider and how their free channel offerings compare:Here's a closer look at each provider and how their free channel offerings compare:
DIRECTV DIRECTV is the largest satellite provider in the country, and its minimum package referred to as “Select” contains over 155 channels. Some of the stations that are included free of charge are local broadcast stations, CNN, ESPN, Disney channel, USA, TNT and many others. DIRECTV also enables its users to watch local channels and the Genie DVR platform enables customers to record their favorite shows.
DISH Network DISH is second in Satellite market share in the U. S. Their most basic package offered is “America’s Top 120” which includes 190 channels in entertainment, news, sports, family, and lifestyle. Like DIRECTV, local channels are available depending on your geographical location. Some of the special free channels available in DISH are the Cooking Channel, Bloomberg Television, and BBC America.
Verizon FiOS Even though Verizon FiOS is marketed as a fiber optic TV service, it does incorporate satellite to deliver video programming. As far as the largest number of free channels, which is 215+ in the basic TV plan, FiOS comes out on top. Some of the popular channels included in FiOS’ standard package but not in the other packages are the Weather Channel, NFL Network, MSG, and regional sports networks.
What You Should Know About Combined TV and Internet Services However, it is crucial to point out that you can save a significant amount of money if you decide to subscribe to both your TV and internet services at the same provider. Verizon FiOS has the advantage of delivering both fiber internet connectivity and satellite television services. If DIRECTV and DISH were to offer VoIP service, they would have to ally themselves to a local service provider like Comcast Xfinity. If you are subscribing to both TV and internet, consider the overall price plus the number of channels.
Local Channel Availability Satellite’s disadvantage is that one cannot watch local channels or regional sports network without being restricted by location. Be sure to input your address when contacting TV companies for a quote so that you get an accurate view of the channel selection available at your location. Large population concentration areas are likely to provide a wider Local channel availability as compared to areas of low population density.
Premium Channels and Upgrades The channel counts mentioned above are just for the minimum expenditures to bring you the best value for your money. Both also provide additional movie channels such as HBO and Cinemax, additional sports packages like NFL Sunday Ticket, and more top channel packages if the basic ones are not enough. These are usually available at an additional monthly charge, but they put satellite ahead of other such choices as Hulu and Sling.
How to Properly Place Your Satellite Dish To subscribe to that many free channels with satellite TV, it’s crucial to get your satellite dish set up and adjusted by the professionals. Interference from trees or neighboring structures can greatly affect reception. Therefore, be ready to perhaps have to make an initial payment to ensure that a direct line is set between your dish and the provider’s satellites that are orbiting in space.
Satalite providers with most free channels As for the core offering of channels that come with the package, Verizon FiOS triumphs with over 215 channels. However, DIRECTV and DISH Network are two satellite based services, which actually provide 155+ and 190+ channels respectively without asking for an extra amount. Either way, you will find yourself with plenty of viewing choices with satellite TV across news, sports, movies, and many more of the more popular channels.