Who is the best satellite TV provider?

When it comes to satellite TV, there is nearly always two competitors that come out on top, and these are DIRECTV and DISH Network. These two companies boast of having millions of subscribers each, and they have been in this contest for over two decades to determine who between them is the best satellite TV service provider. Hence, it would take a toss-up to determine which of the two should be considered as the rightful one to be dubbed with that title.

First, it will be essential to consider content offerings. DIRECTV provides access to over 200 High-Definition channels with two packages being available that are from the basic Entry to the Premier package with over 340. DISH also offers various packages, and the America’s Top offerings have slightly more total channels with over 330. Comparing the two companies, the numbers are fairly similar, although most experts would say that DIRECTV has a slight lead when it comes to diversity, especially for those who want to watch every single game.

When comparing the DVR and receiver equipment, DISH takes the lead in this aspect with its Hopper whole-home HD DVR. This feature enables you to schedule up to 16 programs for recording at a time and has a feature called AutoHop to enable you to bypass the commercials. Another feature that the Genie DVR from DIRECTV offers is the ability to record concurrent programs and has ample space for storage but lacks AutoHop. For households that are technically inclined and wish to have access to the latest gadgets and convenience, DISH deserves some credit in this area.

In this particular case, it is possible to conclude that DIRECTV is more accessible and flexible. The latter has better coverage nationwide because it employs satellites that are located at a higher latitude over the equator. This means that DISH loses signal easier in bad weather because most of its satellites are located relatively low on the horizon. DIRECTV also does not restrict you when it comes to starting or stopping service that is without early termination fees. Early termination is impossible with DISH since it demands a two-year commitment and therefore if you cancel early, you will be charged a fee. For those who frequently relocate or who like to switch between services, there is good news for DIRECTV subscribers.

DISH has a slight edge when it comes to rating both the customer service and satisfaction through surveys from JD Power and the American Customer Satisfaction Index. They found that DISH representatives are generally more knowledgeable, polite, and capable of addressing client concerns during the first call. Customer service at DIRECTV remains adequate although there is a variation in the quality of service being offered by different agents. As for the enhancement of overall customer satisfaction, DISH gets the job done right.

Assessing installation process and costs is more complicated because both providers have different offers depending on the promotion. DIRECTV, however, offers more flexibility regarding the equipment choices while DISH offers free installation as part of its offers. It is also easier to do the installations by yourself with DISH. DIRECTV pricing, in general, usually starts a bit lower but adds up more consistently if you don’t bother to negotiate new offers. However, DISH maintains its pricing consistent in the long run despite the initial higher charges.

Finally, there are several miscellaneous perks and extras that one provider or the other might offer that are worth comparing. Currently, DIRECTV customers can always benefit from NFL Sunday Ticket exclusives to let the most passionate football fans watch games not broadcasted in their area. Subscribers who frequent outdoors may find DISH’s Tailgater moveable satellite that can be placed on RVs, boats, etc appealing Subscribers who love to watch movies in high definition may find DIRECTV offering a little more in 4K HDR programming. But DISH fights back with Sling compatibility – which enables the watching on a mobile device and the cloud DVR option.

When aggregating all the major factors, it is recognized that both providers have their advantages and disadvantages, but for the most part, they seem to give a marginal edge to DIRECTV as the current best satellite TV provider. Thus, despite the fact that DISH has a greater number of channels, more sophisticated features of the DVR, and better initial bonuses, its advantages are outweighed by greater coverage, outstanding sports packages, and lesser long-term expenses.

However, DISH remains very aggressive and often offers equivalent or superior solutions to those of DIRECTV. It offers excellent HD quality and keeps on adding to the 4K selection. While the current disparity in DISH’s satellite quality to DIRECTV is significant, as DISH continues to improve on its satellites in the next couple years, the coverage gaps will decrease. Thus, despite the fact that currently DIRECTV remains the leader, DISH may take the “best satellite TV provider” title in the future.

When comparing the satellite TV giants, you will have to bargain for the rate and incentives and if you are with one of them for more than a year,it might force you to negotiate for the best value again. What it does mean is that the occasional hours devoted to researching new customer promotions and discussing the possibilities with retention agents may take place regularly. However if you want home entertainment you don’t mind shelling out some extra bucks then both DIRECTV and DISH bring home top notch High Definition channels, commanding Digital Video Recorder capabilities and out of the league innovative technology compared to cable.