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About the Author:

C.J. Gustafson is a successful freelance writer for 1st-Dish-TV.net who has written numerous articles on satellite TV. She personally has no preference between the DISH Network and DIRECTV, as long as she can get the History Channel.

Copyright 2004 1st-Dish-TV.net

Permission is granted to publish this article on your site only if all 3 links are kept intact.


MORE RESOURCES:

Satellite TV - Google News

SES-4 Satellite Launch Re-Scheduled for February 14-15 - Business Wire (press release)

DirecTV and DISH Network - How Do The Two Leading Satellite TV Providers Stack Up?


DirecTV and DISH Network - How Do The Two Leading Satellite TV Providers Stack Up?

If you live in the U.S. and want satellite TV systems, you have basically two choices. Yes, there are other providers out there, but for most viewers, DirecTV and DISH Network offer the most choices for the least money, although Pegasus and Voom are fast becoming major contenders in the satellite television industry. Competition being what it is, both DirecTV and DISH Network offer similar services and constantly adjust to add features and outdo their rivals. So how do you choose between the two? A side-by-side comparison of the services and prices shows some differences that help customers decide which service best fits their viewing needs. But first, a little background on each provider might be helpful.

DirecTV

The company known as The DirecTV Group is made up of four main units, which include DirecTV U.S., DirecTV Latin America, PanAmSat, and Hughes Network Systems (HNS). As a group, the organization serves over 12 million U.S. satellite TV customers and another 1.5 million subscribers in Latin countries. Through PanAmSat, they operate a fleet of 25 satellites capable of providing satellite transmissions to 98% of the world. And Hughes Network Systems operates a satellite-based consumer broadband Internet access service known as DirecWay. This component of Hughes has over 180,000 subscribers. HNS is also one of the largest manufacturers of DirecTV set-top receivers. The four different aspects of The DirecTV Group give the company a large, comprehensive base of direct and indirect satellite customers. Their partnerships with technology leaders such as AOL, Microsoft, and TiVo also add to their customer base.

There are plans for improving and expanding services in efforts to attract more customers. Hughes Network Services is developing SPACEWAY, a more advanced satellite broadband communications package that is expected to provide customers with more affordable high-speed, two-way data communications. SPACEWAY is expected to be introduced in 2005.

DirecTV has been actively working to increase the number of markets where they offer local programming. In January of this year, the company added 18 new markets that will receive local channels via the DirecTV(R) programming service. By year-end, the company plans to offer local channels in a minimum of 130 markets, representing 92% of U.S. television households. Continued marketing and development of their HDTV and DVR products will also be a part of their plans to expand their customer base. Two different basic dish designs and several different manufacturers provide DirecTV consumers with a number of dish options.

DirecTV subscribers have a choice of two basic dish designs for their satellite service. The round dish is the more common 18" design that has been popular across the country. The oval dish or low noise blockdown (LNB) dish is able to receive information from more than one satellite and is required for those who want to receive local channels, HDTV, or Spanish language programming.

Popular manufacturers of DirecTV compatible dishes include Hughes, Sony, Phillips, and RCA. Current DirecTV sales and deals offer the satellite dish and other equipment for free with a one-year commitment. It could cost anywhere from $50 to over $200 to purchase the DirecTV compatible dish separately.

DISH Network

EchoStar Communications Corporation and their DISH Network service are Hughes Network's top competitors. Headquartered in Englewood Colorado, EchoStar has been a leader in the satellite TV industry for over 20 years. The company, founded by Charlie Ergen, began as a distributor of C-band cable television systems and filed for a Direct Broadcast Satellite (DBS) license in 1987. The company received broadcast access in 1992, launched its own satellite, EchoStar I, in 1995, and introduced DISH Network in 1996.

Today, the company has 9 satellites, and through DISH Network, provides over 500 channels of video, audio, and data satellite services to over 8.5 million customers in the U.S. In addition to satellite television services, DISH Network customers can also receive high speed Internet, Interactive TV (on demand programming), and High Definition TV (HDTV).

HDTV is EchoStar's latest innovation, which reportedly delivers extraordinarily sharp pictures and integrated sound by digitizing television programming. Broadcasting all DISH Network programming in wide-screen format and transmitting up to 10 percent more pixels, HDTV provides a clearer more proportionate picture.

In August of 2003, EchoStar was the first company to offer a satellite receiver with a built-in digital video recorder (DVR). A DISH Network standard DVR receiver allows viewers to stop, rewind, fast forward and record up to 60 hours of live TV programming. More advanced receivers provide enhanced services.

DISH Network services can be purchased on-line or through a local retailer. Unlike its competitor, DirecTV, DISH Network offers equipment installation. This service usually involves a fee, but often is offered at free or reduced rates through special sales promotions.

The equipment needed for DISH Network satellite TV is basically the same as for DirecTV service. You need a dish, a satellite receiver, and the access cards. Depending on the type of satellite TV you want, you have several choices for equipment. Whether you want standard satellite TV or Digital Video Recording (DVR), or High Definition (HD) options, you will need a dish. Each type of service requires a different dish, but that is determined for you when you choose your package.

A Comparison

So how do the two leading satellite television services compare? Both offer over 200 channels and Pay Per View selections, DVD recorders, HDTV and seven HD channels each. But from there, things differ somewhat. Here's a side-by-side listing of the different packages and the services provided. Look them over and decide which satellite TV service is best for your budget and viewing needs.

DIRECTV

Dish Network

Receiver

Included with price plan

Free to $149 depending on selection

HDTV Receiver

$399

$449

Dish

Included

Included

Lowest price plan

$36.99 per month

$24.99 per month

Highest price plan

$87.99 per month

$77.99 per month

Satellite Internet

Yes

No


SES-4 Satellite Launch Re-Scheduled for February 14-15
Business Wire (press release)
LUXEMBOURG--(BUSINESS WIRE)--SES SA (Paris:SESG)(LuxX:SESG) announces that ILS has re-scheduled the SES-4 satellite launch from the Baikonur Cosmodrome on board an ILS Proton Breeze M rocket for 1:36 am local time on February 15 th , 2012 (February 14 ...

Satellite Beach to review City Manager Michael Crotty's employment contract - Florida Today


Satellite Beach to review City Manager Michael Crotty's employment contract
Florida Today
File photo shows Satellite Beach City Manager Michael Crotty greeting people after a meeting. Crotty earns $126059 per year as Satellite Beach's chief executive officer. He has served since September 2, 1985, overseeing City Hall services for this ...

Digi Extends Internet of AnyThing to Iridium Satellite Network - MarketWatch (press release)


Digi Extends Internet of AnyThing to Iridium Satellite Network
MarketWatch (press release)
MINNETONKA, Minn., Feb 07, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Digi International /quotes/zigman/71053/quotes/nls/dgii DGII -0.34% today announced that the Iridium satellite network now supports the iDigi Device Cloud(TM). Similar to cellular SMS, Digi devices ...

and more »

Satellite industry growth to continue despite challenges - Telecompaper (subscription)


Satellite industry growth to continue despite challenges
Telecompaper (subscription)
Prospects for the satellite industry will remain favourable over the decade in a variety of areas, according to Euroconsult studies. The next ten years should see continued growth for commercial markets, while at the same time stagnating growth for ...
Satellite Industry Growth To Continue Despite Challenging EnvironmentDirectionsMag.com (press release)
Euroconsult's Long-Term Satellite Forecast Bullish on Commercial, Bearish on ...Satellite Today (subscription)

all 4 news articles »

Satellite study reveals critical habitat and corridors for world's rarest gorilla - Space Ref (press release)


Satellite study reveals critical habitat and corridors for world's rarest gorilla
Space Ref (press release)
The newly published habitat analysis, which used a combination of satellite imagery and on-the-ground survey work, will help guide future management decisions for Cross River gorillas living in the mountainous border region between Nigeria and Cameroon ...

and more »

ViaSat Versus Space Systems/Loral... Infringement Inferred (Business) - SatNews Publishers


SatNews Publishers

ViaSat Versus Space Systems/Loral... Infringement Inferred (Business)
SatNews Publishers
[SatNews] Peter B.de Selding in Space News reports that satellite broadband provider ViaSat Inc. has filed a patent infringement lawsuit in a California court against satellite builder Space Systems/Loral (SS/L).... Artistic rendition of the ViaSat-1 ...
Suing Space Systems/Loral Costing ViaSat $1 Million per QuarterSpace News
VIASAT'S EARNINGS HIT MARK; REVENUE MISSESU-T San Diego
ViaSat Q3 Profit Declines - UpdateNASDAQ
Advanced Television
all 7 news articles »

SB112 aims to level cable, satellite television tax rates - Deseret News


SB112 aims to level cable, satellite television tax rates
Deseret News
By Marjorie Cortez, Deseret News SALT LAKE CITY — Tax policy shouldn't determine the winner and losers in the cable or satellite marketplace, says Sen. Wayne Neiderhauser, whose attempt to evenly tax the competing television services prompted a flurry ...
Senator wants to level taxes between cable, satellite customersDaily Herald
Utah Legislature: Cable customers could get small breakSalt Lake Tribune

all 5 news articles »

Iran Reports Launch of Small Satellite - Sci-Tech Today


Sci-Tech Today

Iran Reports Launch of Small Satellite
Sci-Tech Today
By Nasser Karimi Iran's Navid satellite was sent into orbit by a missile launch-vehicle dubbed Safir. Navid is designed to collect data on weather conditions and monitor for natural disasters. But Iran's decade-old space program has raised alarms in ...
Iran reports launching small satellite into orbit, latest in its ambitious ...Washington Post
Iran Lifts Off Satellite 'Navid' Into OrbitFrench Tribune
Iran reports launch of small satellite into orbitDAWN.com
Huffington Post
all 314 news articles »

How NASA Makes Those Incredible High-Res Images of Earth - Wired News


Wired News

How NASA Makes Those Incredible High-Res Images of Earth
Wired News
Taken by the Suomi NPP satellite, these pictures portray our planet's incredible beauty with 8000- by 8000-pixel and 11500- by 11500-pixel detail. How were these highly detailed images created? The satellite flies 512 miles above the Earth, ...
The Blue Marble 2012, an Incredible Image of the Pale Blue DotUnion of Concerned Scientists (blog)
Blue Marble By Suomi NPPSpace Daily
"Blue Marble' view of Earth's other sideCBS News
Discovery News -French Tribune -The State Column
all 89 news articles »

NASA NASA Seeks Smaller, Better Satellites - InformationWeek


NASA NASA Seeks Smaller, Better Satellites
InformationWeek
Agency puts out call for flight demos of small satellites that can do more, while being launched more quickly and more cheaply, to provide new opportunities for space research and communications. By Elizabeth Montalbano InformationWeek NASA is seeking ...
NASA Wants Small-satellite Demo ProposalsAviation Week
NASA looks for small satellite swarming technologyFierceGovernmentIT
NASA Seeks Small Satellite SolutionsSignal Magazine

all 4 news articles »
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