Who is the Cheapest Satellite TV Provider?

Here is a list of the current prices from DirecTV and Dish Network, both before and after special offers. These figures do not include state sales tax and other fees and surcharges. We will cover other fees later.

Dish Network:

America's Top 120 - 120+ Channels, $24.99 per month for the first 12 months, $39.99 per month after that. Total cost over 5 years: $2,219.40

America's Top 200 - 220+ Channels, $39.99 per month for the first 12 months, $54.99 per month after that. Total cost over 5 years: $3,119.40

America's Top 250 - 250+ Channels, $49.99 per month for the first 12 months, $64.99 per month after that. Total cost over 5 years: $3,719.40

America's "Everything" Pak - 295+ Channels (Including 31 Premium Movie Channels), $84.99 per month for the first 12 months, $99.99 per month after that. Total cost over 5 years: $5,819.40

DirecTV:

Family Package - 45+ Channels, $29.99 per month all the time.

Choice Package - 150+ Channels, $29.99 per month for the first 12 months, $44.99 per month for the next 12 months, $58.99 per month after that. Total cost over 5 years: $3,023.40

Choice Xtra Package - 210+ Channels, $34.99 per month for the first 12 months, $49.99 per month for the next 12 months, $63.99 per month after that. Total cost over 5 years: $3,323.40

Choice Ultimate Package - 225+ Channels (Including 11 Extra Movie Channels), $39.99 per month for the first 12 months, $54.99 per month for the next 12 months, $68.99 per month after that. Total cost over 5 years: $3,623.40

Premier Package - 285+ Channels (Including 31 Premium Movie Channels and 35 Specialty Sports Networks), $85.99 per month for the first 12 months, $100.99 per month for the next 12 months, $114.99 per month after that. Total cost over 5 years: $6,383.40

Right now, both services are offering their customers free HD channel packages for the life of their account. All they are asking in exchange is that you setup automatic bill pay with a checking account, credit card, or debit card and paperless billing (getting your bill in an e-mail or by logging into your account at the provider's website). It is also important to note that both companies require new customers to sign a 24-month service agreement. These things have become a fact of life. No matter which provider you choose, you'll be asked to sign a contract. It's just like the cell phone companies. In exchange for this agreement, both organizations will give you free equipment and free installation. This includes free HD and DVR equipment, so you'll get the best technology they have available. Before I continue, I would also like to note that Dish Network does have a pay-as-you-go plan, much like the cell phone companies do. There is a deposit required up front, but you won't need to sign a contract or pass the credit check, but unlike the cell phone providers, you get all the benefits of a normal account. If you'd like further information about either of these services, give us a call today toll-free.

Dish Network: 1-888-953-5644

DirecTV: 1-888-821-0936

As we all know, taxes are a fact of life, so count on paying your state sales tax when paying your satellite dish bill. Can't hold that against the providers, but what about fees and surcharges? Let's find out what's in the small print.

Dish Network:

DVR Service - $6.00 per month

Additional TV Fees - There are no additional fees for the first 2 TV's, each TV after that carries a $7.00 per month lease fee.

HDTV Fees - With the free HD channel offer, the HD 120 programming package is free. Adding the HD Platinum Package costs an additional $10 per month but provides you with every available HD channel in your area.. Free HD equipment is also provided for the first 3 TV's that will be viewing HD shows. If you want HD service on more than 3 TV's, please call the number above for pricing.

DirecTV:

DVR Service - $7.00 per month

Additional TV Fees - There are no additional fees for the first TV, each TV after that carries a $5.00 per month lease fee.

HDTV Fees - With the free HD channel offer, HD programming is free. Free HD equipment is also provided for the first 2 TV's that will be viewing HD shows. If you want HD service on more than 2 TV's, please call the number above for pricing. Without special offer, HD access costs $10 per month.

Equipment Fees - Only 1 HD DVR receiver is supplied free. Additional HD DVR units cost $199 each, additional HD receivers cost $99 each, additional standard-definition DVR units cost $99 each. Basic receivers are free for up to 6 units.

So there you have it, all the fees you need to know about. These charges can be somewhat confusing, but our website gives you access to the order pages for both services which allow you to pick and choose the equipment and programming that fits your needs and shows you the monthly fees as you go. Just visit our main page at http://www.tvasap.com and click on the service of your choice to find out exactly what your monthly bill would be based on the programming and services that you require.

Now I will briefly touch on some observations I have made that may help you with your choice.

Dish Network always provides you with at least 1 HD receiver at no charge. They have recently switched to all HD equipment, so even if you ordered service for 1 TV and you don't yet have a high-definition television, you'd still get an HD unit, so you wouldn't need to upgrade your satellite receiver if you upgraded your TV. Also, Dish Network will give you up to 3 HD receivers for 3 HD TV's at no additional cost. DirecTV only provides you with 2 free HD units, and additional HD receivers cost $99 a piece. If you're big into HD, Dish Network would probably be your better choice.

As far as DVR service is concerned, DirecTV may have the edge there, but it does depend on what you're looking for. DirecTV has a new technology called Whole-Home DVR. This gives you DVR service on all the TV's in your home and even allows you to pause a show in one room and resume watching it in another. There is a catch to this however. In order for this feature to be used throughout your home, you would have to have an HD receiver in every room. Sure, this service can be setup to work in as many as 15 rooms, but you must have an HD receiver in each of those rooms. The equipment for the first 2 rooms is free, but at $99 per receiver after that, it can sure add up fast. As for Dish Network, their DVR receivers can only share their functions with 2 TV's at a time, but they will give you as many as 3 of these devices for a much lower price, hence giving you DVR functions on up to 6 TV's. The first dual-tuner HD DVR is free, and up to 2 additional units are only $99 each. That means 2 TV with DVR functions is free, 4 TV's would be $99 additional, and 6 TV's would be $198 extra. With DirecTV, sharing DVR services with 6 TV's would cost an additional $396 up front! $198 sounds better to me. Dish Network is also the only provider with the amazing ViP 922 SlingLoaded Receiver and access to full Google TV integration. Visit the links at the bottom of this page to learn more about these awesome options.

The side-by-side comparison could go on and on forever as each provider is constantly adding new features and technology, so I will wrap this comparison up shortly. Let's finish by discussing what these 2 excellent providers have in common. Both offer digital picture and sound on every station, all the time. No analog channels like you get on cable. Both give you free satellite radio and music channels, free movie channels for 3 months when you sign up, free equipment packages, and free professional installation. Lastly, let me put to rest the rumors about signal loss with satellite TV. If your system was installed by a competent technician, you will likely experience very little signal loss over the life of your system. Cable TV isn't any more reliable than satellite. What most people fail to realize is that cable providers get their channels from satellites too. If the weather gets bad enough, they lose signal too.

Just some closing thoughts before I end this Lens. I hope that you have found this information useful. I do try not to be long-winded, but with so much data to cover, it can be difficult. Below you will find a list of links to some topics you may find of interest. I will also post a section for comments if anyone has any feedback or questions. Thanks for taking the time to read my Lens. Check back soon for the latest info.