If you are in the market for a new pay television provider in 2010, then you may want to take a close look at the DISH Network bundles that are available to you.  With DISH Network, you can enjoy all of the local and national networks that you get from your local cable TV company, and in most cases at a lower price overall.

DISH Network Bundles

If you are currently subscribing to basic cable, you are probably paying at least $60 a month.  For digital or premium cable through a provider like Comcast, the bill moves into the $80 to $150 a month range depending on how many premium channels you have.  While a DIRECTV bundle may save you some over cable TV, their overall pricing structure is a bit more than with DISH Network.  With a DISH Network bundle, you can start with a package as low as $19.99 a month for the Dish Family package, but since very few subscribe to this package, we will start off with the Dish Classic Bronze bundle, and consider how it compares to cable.

The DISH Network Classic Bronze bundle is a great choice if you are currently a basic cable customer. Depending on your cable company, you probably pay anywhere from $50 to $75 a month for basic cable, and for that you probably get around 100 channels.  With the Classic Bronze bundle, you will get 120 channels total, of which around 25 are music stations.   Current pricing is $24.99 a month, which is a $15 discount from the regular price during the first year.  After that you are looking at $40 a month.  DVR service is another $6 per month, but even at the regular price this bundle compares well against basic cable.

The Classic Silver bundle is next up from DISH Network.  With more than 200 all digital channels, this package matches up well against digital cable or the DIRECTV Choice Xtra bundle.  This package is priced at $37.99 a month when considering the $15 first year discount.  Regular pricing is $52.99, which again compares well with something like your typical digital cable bundle.

The DISH Network Classic Gold bundle is next on the list, and comes in at $47.99 a month, or $62.99 a month if you are considering the price once the promotional period is over.   Here you will find over 260 all-digital channels when you count both audio and video.  Quite a few of these are Sirius satellite radio stations, so if those are not high on your list, the Silver 200 bundle may be a better choice.

Finally, the America’s Everything Bundle is the all inclusive choice available from DISH Network.  Everything in the Classic Gold package is included, plus more than 30 premium movie channels like HBO and Showtime are included.  This Dish bundle is just under $100 a month, and is also eligible for the new customer discount for 12 months.

A few additional factors to consider when looking at a DISH Network bundle.  All of the above packages include local channels where available.  DISH Network reaches more than 95% of the country with local channel programming, so this shouldn’t be much of an issue.  If you want high definition content with your DISH Network package, then you will be paying an additional $10 a month.   The number of HD channels you get depends on the bundle you pick, obviously the bundles with more channels overall also offer more HD channels.

Finally, none of the DISH Network bundles include the monthly fee for DVR service.  Right now, DISH Network charges $6 a month per DVR, though there are rumors circulating that Dish may be raising rates on their HD DVR service.  This does compare well with cable TV providers, some of whom charge upwards of $15 a month for DVR service.

When looking at satellite TV service, no doubt you will want to consider the DIRECTV pros and cons and compare them with either your cable company or Dish Network. Also if you have an HDTV, you no doubt want a provider that can give you plenty of content at an affordable price.  Does DIRECTV HD have what you want?  Lets consider a few of the DIRECTV Pros and Cons in order to help you make an educated decision about satellite service.

DIRECTV Pros

1.) Content – DIRECTV generally has more content for a lower price when comparing it to you cable television company.  Now of course this will vary in different parts of the United States, so you have to get in touch with your local cable carrier to see what they have to offer.  But as a general rule, DIRECTV will give you more channels for the money when comparing their channel lineups with cable.

2.) Sports- DIRECTV has become the leading satellite TV company when counting subscriber numbers because of their commitment to sports programming.  Their big draw is the NFL Sunday Ticket package, which is a DIRECTV exclusive.  Other sports packages available include the NBA League Pass, MLB Extra Innings, and the NHL Center Ice bundle.  Some of these are found on cable and Dish Network, but often they are not, leaving DIRECTV as your best option for sports programming

3.) HD Content – While DIRECTV has slipped a bit in the last year, falling behind competitors like Dish Network and Verizon Fios, they still offer a fairly hefty HD lineup.  While DIRECTV promotes having more than HD channels, the actual number is closer to 90 when pay per view and video on demand offerings are subtracted.  Still, they come out ahead of most cable TV companies who offer between 20 and 70 hi def channels depending on the carrier and city you live in.  DIRECTV has announced their new satellite will allow them to offer up to 200 HD channels, but whether they will actually have this number is up for debate.

4.) Price – Because satellite TV companies have lower costs than cable, their packages are generally lower overall.  DIRECTV deals can get you into a fairly robust programming package for about $35 a month to start, though that price does increase to the regular rate after the first year of service.  Monthly DVR fees are lower than cable, though they do charge $10 a month for HD access.

So there are a few of the positives when looking at DIRECTV, lets take a look at the other side of the coin.

DIRECTV Cons

1.) Satellite Dish Installation – In order to get DIRECTV service, you of course have to have a satellite dish installed to receive the signals.  This works ok if you are a homeowner, or rent a home and you landlord is fine with this situation.  But if you live in an apartment or condo, your options may be limited.  Apartments and condos that face north are oftentimes unable to get service, and even if you face south you may have problems.  Usually a private balcony or deck area is needed where you can have the satellite put on a tripod.  The future may be brighter though, as DIRECTV and Dish Network are placing receiving units on large apartment buildings that can be shared by the tenants inside.

2. ) Contract – DIRECTV generally requires a two year contract for those subscribing for the first time.  This insures they can recoup the costs involved in having the satellite TV system installed, and in providing the equipment necessary.  If you are moving soon, you may want to wait to have DIRECTV installed until you know you can fulfill your end of the contract without interruption.

3.) Bundled service – Satellite TV is set up to provide you with one service, video entertainment.  Cable television companies have expanded over the past 10 years by offering not only video service, but high speed internet and voice service as well.   DIRECTV internet service is offered through partners such as Verizon, AT&T, and Qwest, who can provide you with a DSL line where available.  Other DIRECTV internet service is resold through WildBlue, which offers their own satellite internet service.  While these solutions may be workable depending on your situation, they are not really triple play bundles like your cable company offers.

4.)  Weather – So how about the question of weather.  Everyone seems to have their DIRECTV horror story about how they lost service during a snowstorm.  And of course it was during the 4th quarter of the Super Bowl and the fifty people at their house didn’t get to see the end of the game.  Well, there certainly is the danger of losing service during a heavy rainstorm or if excess snow gets on your satellite dish.  Personally, I have lost service twice during 18 months of DIRECTV service, both times for about 30 minutes and both times during very heavy rain.   Yes it happens, and yes you will be affected if there are lots of heavy storms in the area you live in.  That being said, you won’t have 100% uptime with you cable company either, its just something that happens from time to time no matter which provider you choose.

So there are a few of the pros and cons of DIRECTV.  If you are looking for current deals and offers on satellite service, check out the latest DIRECTV promotional offers and save yourself some cash.

The Classic Bronze 100 package is the entry level offer from Dish Network satellite TV. Maybe you have hesitated when considering the satellite television option for a couple of reasons. One could be signal reliability, as there is a myth out there that satellite service always drops out during bad weather. Another is that satellite is not as reliable when compared to cable. Lets review the Classic Bronze package in comparison to cable TV offers.

As you can probably figure out by the name, the Dish Classic Bronze 100 package offers more than 100 channels. Not all are video though, as about 25 of the channels are commercial free music stations. Like your typical cable package from Comcast or Time Warner, this satellite TV package has local channels and all of the most popular cable networks like TNT and ESPN.

The package is equal to most cable companies though in it offers the same amount of content. The advantage come into play in that it comes in at a lower price point. Both Dish Network and cable companies offer promotional rates for the first year, but when normal prices are lined up side by side, Dish usually comes in about 15 to 20% lower on a monthly basis.

What about reliability? Often cable TV slams satellite reliability, claiming service outages are annoying and excessive. While you may lose service during a strong rain or snow storm, these of course depend on the area you live in. Sometimes its just a matter of a bit of snow on the satellite dish that has to be brushed off. Overall signal and service reliability for Dish and DirecTV is more than 99.9% of the time. Cable TV outages can affect you for days at a time, and their overall reliability rate falls below satellite service.

Another thing to remember when comparing the Classic Bronze 100 package vs. cable is the number of HD channels available. Dish Network currently leads the nation with upwards of 150 HD channels, a number most cable companies fall far short of reaching. Keep in mind, Dish TV does charge and extra $10 a month for HD access, so add that in when comparing service to your local cable operator.

With folks looking to save money in today’s economy, this Dish Network package offers an affordable alternative to your cable bundle.

In reviewing what we have discussed:

• You can save 15 to 20% monthly over cable with a Dish Network Package
• Dish Network service is just as reliable when compared to Cablevision service

Dish Network and Verizon are large pay TV companies that provide television service via satellite or cable. With so many offers available from so many companies, it can be very difficult to make a decision regarding which service to use, which service provides the best value for money. In this article we will provide you with the information you need to make an informed decision regarding which service to go with.

DISH Network vs Verizon Fios

Verizon is the first communications service provider to offer fiber optic connections directly into your home. While AT&T U-verse offers fiber to the node, Verizon is running fiber to every location it serves.  Generally, fiber optic connections are used only up to the network backbone, with a copper or coax infrastructure for the end-user. At present, 12.7 million households have Fios access, and Verizon is rapidly expanding their FiOS service to many new areas.

Verizon Fios has of course tons of HD, extremely fast upload speeds and great features, delivered to your home on a 100% fiber optic line. Fios also offers a home media multi-room DVR unit that can record up to 80 hours of SD programming and 20 hours of HD. It allows you to record in one room and watch in any room of the house, thus reducing the cost of having multiple DVR units in your home. The unit comes with a media manager software that lets you play music and slideshows from your PC on your TV.

If you’re a sports fan, then Fios is ideal for you, because every Sunday afternoon, you can see all the touchdowns, and most exciting sports moments in HD on NFL RedZone.  Fios also has TV widgets that are small applications that run on the Fios TV set-top box, which for example, will alert you on your TV when a team enters the RedZone, and you can switch directly to the game. It also provides football scores, schedules and standings in real time. There are also a Twitter and Facebook widgets, so you can tweet, while you’re right in the action.

Verizon also offers an excellent feature if you want to record a show but are away from home. You have three options, namely to logon directly onto the website, download a special application for your mobile phone, or use your mobile phone to navigate to a special webpage from where you can view listings, browse movies, change your subscription, manage your account and schedule recordings for your DVR.

The fact that Verizon uses fiber-optic technology to deliver the best quality HD directly into your home means that the service is more reliable and less affected by weather, plus performance can be monitored at all times and repairs conducted, even before the customer is aware of a problem. Another advantage of this technology is that it offers a number of uses such as interactive content, home shopping, telecommuting and audio video-on-demand. The interactive media guide allows you to search for shows and movies by title, actor, director and genre, plus it offers you the ability to manage your own photos, videos and music.

Verizon Fios offers over 115 HD channels, 320 overall channels, 16,000 video-on-demand titles and pay-per-view. As with other providers, Verizon has taken advantage of its existing customer base and added to its service portfolio both an Internet service as well as a phone service.

Verizon claims its service will be available in all Verizon territories all over the United States, but some areas will not be able to receive TV and phone services due to various franchise agreements.

Verizon offers two Internet services, the first one, which includes a fiber optics connection right to your home with the fastest speed available, is known as Fios Internet, and the second is a dedicated high-speed connection which is far better than cable. Verizon provides 24 / 7 phone support as well as excellent online support for your Internet service. You’ll also receive personal web space, e-mail features and premium installation, provided by experienced technicians, who will install all the equipment and make sure everything is running smoothly.

Verizon’s landline phone services are highly reliable, with over 1 billion calls made every day with a 99.9% network reliability, secure lines, which work even during emergencies and power failures, good quality sound and great value for money, because you have unlimited calling.

Verizon has a variety of packages to suit any household, as well as various price ranges to fit in any budget. Verizon has plenty of offers all the time so should check out their website to see what discounts and package deals are available.

Dish Network prides itself on offering the best quality at excellent prices, providing real value for money. As Verizon, Dish Networks offers HD content, but it has the largest selection of HD channels with 140 available. The main difference when comparing FiOS vs Dish Network, is that Dish Network’s delivery system is via satellite dish and Verizon uses fiber optic lines. Dish Network also offers video on demand, premium movie channels and DVR receivers. DVR receivers, also known as dish DVR’s, offer all the advantages of digital video recording combined with powerful satellite receivers. Your DVR unit will allow you to record all your favorite shows, so that you can watch them when you have free time.

Another important difference between the two companies, which could be a decisive factor for you, is the number of HD channels offered by both companies, in which case Dish Network ranks first, with over 140 channels available. It also offers a variety of packages, premium content, sports and international programming. You can also contact your DVR receiver via your mobile phone or a network computer station, which will give you access to the web, and set your unit to record even in your absence, so that you don’t miss any of your favorite shows. There are also special HDTV receivers available, which help in promoting the quality of the signal, as well as standard definition receivers.

Dish Network also offers you the possibility to expand your HD DVR storage by using an external hard drive, which is a service that requires a onetime $ 39.99 activation fee.

Dish Network provides both English as well as Spanish TV packages like the Dish Latino lineup.  Other options like the Dish Family that provides more than 55 channels of sports, news, children’s programs and more, at $24.99 per month. The most popular package is Classic Silver 200, which includes over 220 channels at $37.99 a month, and for only an extra $10 every month you can add over 70 HD channels.  This price is the current Dish Network offer, which discounts the price $15 for the first year.

When comparing Dish Network versus Verizon Fios, choosing one or the other is based on your own subjective view, on what you require in entertainment as well as related services. Both companies offer various excellent packages, at various prices, although price should not be the only factor in determining which operator you prefer. You should carefully check the level of Verizon services in your area, because in some areas, Internet speed is not as fast as it should be.

One advantage Dish Network has over Verizon is that a satellite will permit those who do not have access to cable television, to receive excellent entertainment via the satellite dish that is mounted. Although, Dish Network has a drawback like DIRECTV in that the position of the satellite must be such that it has exposure to the southern sky, which means that some apartments, or other households that have large trees or buildings blocking the way, will not have access to this service. In this case, Verizon may be your only choice, because it uses a fiber-optic ground cable.

In terms of pricing strategy, Fios TV essentials in the Verizon package with over 250 channels available and up to 14 HD channels, is priced at $47.99 per month, while Fios TV extreme HD offers over 320 channels with up to 65 of them being HD, at $57.99 per month. Of course there are always bundle offers, for example, if you subscribe to phone, Internet and TV services you get $150 back.

Dish Network’s price ranges start at $24.99 and go up to $87.98, thus having an added advantage over Verizon in terms of the number of packages available and their flexibility. To be able to adequately compare, Classic Silver 200 is the closest in terms of available channels to the Verizon offer, with over 220 channels available at $37.99 a month and you can get over 70 HD channels for an extra $10 every month.

In the case of both companies, the DVR service is available for an extra charge. Dish Network offers their Classic Silver 200 package bundled with a DVR service at $57.99 a month, again with the option of adding over 70 HD channels for an extra $10 per month.

If both services are available in your area, choosing Dish Network vs Verizon Fios is based mostly on what you and your family prefer in terms of entertainment, since one company may have a package that suits your lifestyle better, or a better price for the same package.  If you are wondering about how Fios stacks up against the other big satellite company, review our DIRECTV vs Verizon FiOS article.  They are both excellent services, but again it’s up to your personal preferences, which service you choose and what delivery method you prefer, be it fiber optics or a satellite service.

If you live in the United States and speak French, no doubt you realize there is little selection from your local cable company when it comes to French programming. The satellite television alternative though can bring home plenty of content with DISH Network French programming packages.

DISH Network French packages allow you to add on to one of the regular Dish TV bundles at an affordable price. You can either add the full French lineup from DISH Network, or add channels on an individual basis if you have a specific interest.

The French Bouquet programming package is the main offer from DISH Network. This foreign language bundle contains five different channels all broadcasting 24 hours a day in French. Here are a few of the details on the channels offered in this package.

Afrotainment Movies is found on DISH Network channel 751. This channel delivers high quality films and TV shows produced in Africa. Films from Nollywood, the Nigerian film industry are available, and programming in both English and French is presented.

Eurochannel on DISH Network channel 752 is next up. The best of Europe can be found here, including movies, documentaries, and top series. Movies from France, Germany and Italy are featured, many with English subtitles. At least half of the movies presented are in French.

TV5Monde can be found on Dish channel 731. This channel feature French programming from Canada, Belgium, Switzerland, and of course France. Broadcasting 24 hours a day, viewers can keep up to date with the latest news, current affairs, movies and sports including live French League Soccer.

EuroNews is the next channel in the DISH Network French package, and can be found on channel 784. This channel could be considered the European version of CNN, as it covers the latest breaking news. EuroNews is offered not only in French, but also in Russian, English, Portuguese, German and Italian. In addition to the latest news, business coverage, top sports stories, and lifestyle programming are also included.

Trace TV is the last channel in the French package, and is on DISH Network channel 735. This 24 hour a day channel is dedicated to French entertainment, particularly the music industry. TRACE TV offers 700 plus music videos each week, and also features top music award shows.

The DISH Network French package is priced at an affordable $19.99 per month, or you can get a bit of a discount if you pay annually, with the price being $219.89. The French programming package can be added to any base DISH Network package, or if you don’t want that you can simply add local channel access at $9.99 per month and get the French Bouquet on its own.  Other DISH Network specials offer free installation and a free HD DVR to qualifying customers.

Overall, the DISH Network French package offers programming in your language that you can’t get from your local cable TV company, and offers an alternative if you don’t want to go with DIRECTV.

If you are moving into your first home, you may finally have an additional choice when it comes to your cable provider. Generally, those who live in apartments have to obtain service from the local cable TV company, unless they have a private balcony where they can put a satellite dish. But when you move into your own home, you have the choice of getting either cable or satellite TV. In this article, we will review your options when it comes to comparing pay television providers.

DISH Network vs Cable

DISH Network is of course one of the pioneers when it comes to challenging the old cable TV monopoly. After starting operations in the early 1990’s, DISH Network has grown to serve nearly 14 million customers in the United States today. The combination of low rates and high quality HD content makes DISH Network a company you should consider when looking at your satellite and cable TV options.

Cable television has its own advantages. Whether you are served by one of the large cable companies like Comcast or Time Warner, or one of the smaller cable operators, there is quite a bit to consider when considering what cable TV can offer. Most cable TV companies offer triple play bundles of service, allowing you to deal with one company for your voice, high speed internet, and video service. Oftentimes you can get is bundled discount when you have all of these services through your cable company. Cable TV companies also offer great On demand content, giving you literally hundreds of options when you sit down to watch a little TV. Alternatively, cable TV is generally more expensive than the satellite TV companies, DISH Network and DIRECTV.

Because channel lineups and content is fairly similar when comparing DISH Network vs. cable, lets first look at the pricing of these two options. Usually, if you are a new customer you can strike a good deal with either Dish TV or your local cable company. Because companies are always looking for ways to increase their subscriber base, they are willing to offer discounted rates, free premium channels, and free equipment in order to entice people to subscribe. This is true with satellite TV, as DIRECTV and DISH Network deals are always available to new subscribers.

The regular DISH Network prices are what you should consider if you plan on keeping satellite TV service for the long term. Packages like the Classic Bronze 100 are regularly priced at around $45 per month, while the Classic Gold 250 is about $63 a month. Add $10 per month if you want HD content and you have a starting point to compare DISH Network to cable TV in your area. Right now, the current DISH Network offer discounts the package you select by $15 for the first 12 months of service, so you can save $180 overall in programming costs.

Cable TV prices of course vary quite a bit depending on the area you live in and what other services you take from your local cable company. We have provided reviews on Charter cable and Cox Communications, but your best way to determine what rates prevail in your area is to call your local cable television company. Be sure to ask what the cable rates are after any promotional period, as they are often deeply discounted during the first year of service for new customers.

While cable TV is often more expensive than DISH Network when looking at video service, you can get a better deal with cable triple play offers. Usually, you will get a basic cable package, high speed cable service, and local phone service for around $100 per month. After a year though, the price usually goes up, so be aware of any deals like this when comparing the overall price against Dish TV.

Next, an important consideration when comparing cable TV vs. DISH Network is picture quality, and HD content. This has become even more important over the past year, as millions of Americans have gone out and purchased HDTV’s and want the best content for these expensive television sets. You probably won’t notice much of a difference when comparing cable TV against DISH Network when you are watching standard definition programming. Where most notice a difference is when it comes to HD content. In this area, DISH Network beats most cable providers in both the picture quality, and in the number of HD channels available.

Right now, DISH Network Turbo HD has more than 140 national HD channels, recently passing DIRECTV for the most HD content. Now you really won’t get that many HD channels depending on the package you select. For example, the Classic Gold 250 package actually has 80 HD channels. Where are the rest? Basically there are quite a few PPV channels in HD, and also premium movie channels in HD like the various Starz and HBO feeds.

On the other hand, you won’t find nearly as many HD channels with your local cable TV company. Only the Verizon FiOS and AT&T U-verse cable options are going to come close to the HD content offered by DISH Network. Most cable companies are still struggling to upgrade their networks to provide more HD content, so the number of HD channels available from area to area can vary quite a bit. Also, some cable companies like Time Warner have been better about HD deployment, while Charter cable has been one of the worst when it comes to providing subscribers with high definition.

When it comes to getting your local channels in HD, you will probably find that both DISH Network and your cable TV company are able to do this. DISH Network now covers more than 90% of U.S. households when it comes to local HD programming. Check with your local cable company and DISH Network if this is a high priority for you.

Going in a different direction, on-demand programming is an area that has grown significantly in the last few years. Cable TV companies have pioneered on demand access, setting up huge server farms in order to provide subscribers with 24/7 access to all kinds of programming. Most of the big companies like Cox, Comcast, Brighthouse, and Time Warner cable (TWC) offer On-demand at no extra charge. Usually you have to have a digital cable package or higher for free On-demand access.

With DISH Network, they have made a big push in promoting their Movies On Demand offer. While you can watch pay per view movies at any time, you still have the fees associated with VOD, usually $5-6 per movie. Dish TV does offer many of their titles in 1080p, which is the best video quality available today. When it comes to regular TV programming, there is not much at all with DISH Network compared to cable TV, as DISH Network has to push the content to your DVR and there is limited space available. A definite edge goes to cable TV if you use On-demand frequently.

Another consideration for many when comparing DISH Network vs. cable TV is the availability of sports programming. Here you will find things to be fairly similar between your local cable TV company and DISH Network TV. The major sports networks like ESPN, ESPN2, and your regional sports networks are usually there with either provider. On most of the higher tiers you will also find the NFL Network, Speed, and a few other sports networks. One network you won’t currently find on DISH Network though is the MLB Channel. They have yet to strike a deal with Major League Baseball to carry the network, and they also do not carry the MLB Extra Innings package, which is on DIRECTV and most cable TV carriers.

DISH Network does carry the NBA League Pass and the NHL Center Ice package, which usually run about $200 extra per year. Both of these packages are also on most cable TV carriers. Where cable television and DISH Network both come up short is when it comes to the NFL Sunday Ticket. This package remains an exclusive of DIRECTV, which recently extended their contract with the NFL for carriage through the year 2014. DIRECTV has stated that it will be making the Red Zone channel available to Dish TV and cable companies, but it is unclear if any other pay television companies will take DIRECTV up on the offer.

If customer service is a concern for you, then comparing DISH Network against cable TV on this subject is another important consideration. Last year, DIRECTV had the highest customer satisfaction rating, while DISH Network came in second place. Big cable companies fell far behind both satellite TV companies, including Comcast, Time Warner, and Charter cable, which posted the lowest score ever measured in the 2009 University of Michigan American Customer Satisfaction Index (ASCI). While these scores are of course averages and each customer experience is different, you probably will have fewer issues with DISH Network customer service compared to cable.

If you have used a DVR, or digital video recorder, you know how handy these devices are in helping you watch TV. Both DISH Network and cable TV companies have adopted DVR technology today. While you won’t notice a huge difference when comparing the Dish DVR with cable TV DVR units, there are some advantages that go to the satellite TV provider. DISH Network offers their DuoDVR device which can connect one HDTV and one standard definition TV through the same box. DVR service with DISH Network runs about $6 per month, per DVR.   Many cable companies charge extremely high rates on their DVR units, an example being Comcast cable which charges more than $15 per month for DVR service. Be sure to check out how much your cable company charges for DVR service before committing.

In conclusion, a side by side comparison of DISH Network vs cable TV is the smart thing to do before committing to one or the other. Closely evaluate your personal needs when it comes to a pay television provider, then see which company can meet those needs at a price you can live with.

With all broadcasting now in the digital format nationwide, many people are looking for an affordable cable or satellite TV package. The DIRECTV Family package might be something for you to consider if you have been affected by this recent change in broadcast requirements.  So why consider the Family package from DIRECTV versus what is available from cable?

First off, the DIRECTV Family package is extremely affordable.  At $29.99 per month, the only package out there that is less is probably the Dish Family package by competitor DISH Network.  If you are looking at low priced options from your cable TV company, generally the lower priced packages are going to be at least $50 per month.

Now with this DIRECTV package, you certainly won’t find a ton of channels.  Currently, the Family package has about 50 channels, and as the name implies, they are of course family friendly.  No start up fees or equipment charges apply, so that is another advantage if you are making your first step into the cable or satellite TV world.  Another way to approach this package is to start out here, then if you decide later you need a bigger DIRECTV programming package down the line, you can simply upgrade by making a phone call and there is no need for a technician to visit your home again.

So how does the channel lineup look with this DIRECTV package?  Certainly there are plenty of shopping and religious channels.  Add in a dozen or so cartoon and kid oriented networks, and the package is complete.  There are also four music channels, and your local networks are included as long as they are available in your area.  Here is a current channel list:

ABC
Bloomberg TV
Boomerang
BYU TV
CBS
CSPAN
CSPAN2
CW
Daystar
DIRECTV Basics
DIRECTV Pay Per View Previews
Discovery Kids
DIY
Disney Channel (East)
Disney Channel (West)
Disney XD
EWTN
FitTV
Food Network
Fox
GemsTV
GOD TV
HLN
HGTV
Gospel Music Channel
Hallmark Channel
HITN-TV
Home Shopping Network
Link TV
The N
NASA TV
National Geographic Channel
NBC
Nickelodeon/Nick at Nite (East)
Nickelodeon/Nick at Nite (West)
Nicktoons
Noggin
NRB
ONCE Mexico
PBS Kids Sprout
Science Channel
Shop NBC
QVC
RFD TV
TBN Trinity Broadcasting Network
TCT Network
Disney XD
Weather Channel, The
TheWord

Now if you have a new plasma screen or LCD television these channels are available in HD.  You do have to pay a $10 a month access fee for DIRECTV HD to receive these channels in high definition

ABC
CBS
CW
Disney Channel
National Geographic Channel
Nickelodeon/Nick at Nite
NBC
Food Network
Fox
Home & Garden Television
Science Channel
Disney XD
The Weather Channel

Finally, if you want to control your television rather than having it control you, the DIRECTV DVR is the perfect addition to this package.  At $6 per month, digital video recorder service is well worth the price in that it can save you tons of time over the course of a month.

So there are the basics on the DIRECTV Family package.  While it certainly can’t compare with the content available with the Premier package, it is a great way to keep the kids happy at an affordable price.

If you’re a DIRECTV satellite TV customer, you may have noticed a new feature while surfing through some of your favorite channels. It’s called DIRECTV ScoreGuide, and it is a great way to pull up all of the latest scores from Major League Baseball, the NBA and the NHL.

ScoreGuide works by showing you a small red icon the lower right hand corner of your television screen. It will pop up from time to time when you are watching DIRECTV sprorts channels such as national cable networks, regional sports channels, and DIRECTV subscription sports channels. These are the channels in the 700-799 range that show the NFL Sunday Ticket, NBA League pass, NASCAR Hotpass, and the like.

Simply push the red button on your remote control when you see the Score Guide alert, and an interactive menu pops up. It stays to the right of your screen, so you can still watch the current sports channel while scrolling through all of the latest sports results. The guide can also be minimized even further to the bottom right hand corner of the screen, but then you have to scroll through the results one by one.

The DIRECTV ScoreGuide is free, and is available to customers who have one of DIRECTV’s advanced receivers, generally any DVR or HD DVR. Scores on the DIRECTV ScoreGuide will include NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, as well as Top 25 college scores in football and basketball. PGA Golf Tour Majors and well as Grand Slam Tennis results will also be available on ScoreGuide. NASCAR coverage is scheduled for next season.

ScoreGuide is the latest enhancement to some of DIRECTV’s expanded tennis and golf coverage. If you have seen the expanded coverage of the French Open or Wimbledon, the ScoreGuide feature deployed during these tournaments was extremely helpful to fans in keeping up on all of the latest results.

My initial testing of the ScoreGuide feature found it to be a bit frustrating at first. If you switch to a sports channel, don’t hit the red button immediately. If you wait between 5 and 15 seconds, the ScoreGuide prompt may appear on its own. If not, you can hit the DIRECTV remote control red button and ScoreGuide usually comes up. If you have already been on a sports channel for some time, ScoreGuide seems to work fine, its only when you first switch to a sports channel that the feature acts a bit buggy.

DIRECTV ScoreGuide is especially good for keeping up on other games and not having to switch away from the game you are currently watching. While scrolling sports scores have become the normal procedure, especially for ESPN and ABC, ScoreGuide gives the viewer instant access to any other sporting event in progress. DIRECTV again tops Dish Network and cable TV in providing additional sports coverage for their customers.

If you live in the western part of the United States, you may be familiar with Bresnan cable TV, a carrier in Montana, Wyoming, Utah and parts of Colorado as well. Of course, many of these areas are fairly rural as well, so satellite TV companies are very popular as well. In this article, we will discuss the heads up match-up between Bresnan vs. DIRECTV.

When comparing Bresnan cable vs DIRECTV, it is somewhat of an apples to oranges comparison. That is because DIRECTV provides just pay television service, while Bresnan offers cable TV as well as high speed internet and digital phone service. Bundling all three of these services together, Bresnan offers the triple play bundle that larger cable TV providers like Comcast and Time Warner are known for.

So lets consider DIRECTV vs. Bresnan cable when just comparing video service. Then we will provide you with some information on the Bresnan triple-play bundle.

Bresnan digital cable packages start in the $70 per month range when you are looking at the normal price, without any discount for having additional services like high speed internet or digital phone. Here are the rates taken from the Bresnan cable website, and considering a Cheyenne, Wyoming service address.

Bresnan Digital cable with On demand:

Digital Classic $69.58
Digital Classic Plus $72.58
Digital Value $82.58
Digital Value Plus $92.58
Digital Premier $102.58

All of the above listed packages include one digital converter box with remote control. For additional Bresnan digital converter boxes, expect to pay $5.99 per month, pretty much in line with the additional receiver costs that Dish Network or DIRECTV would charge. Most of the basic channel lineups are the same in the above listed packages, the prices rise based on the number of premium movie channels like HBO that you want.

Now if you are comparing with the prices that Bresnan charges against DIRECTV, here are the regular prices for satellite television.

DIRECTV Family package $29.99
DIRECTV Choice $55.99
DIRECTV Choice Xtra $60.99
DIRECTV Plus DVR $65.99
DIRECTV Plus HD DVR $75.99
DIRECTV Premier $109.99

With DIRECTV, you can get a $21 discount on these packages for the first year with the exception of the Premier package. That bundle is currently discounted $57 for the first three months only. In return for the discounted price and free installation, DIRECTV asks for a two-year contract to be signed. This basically makes it a win-win for the customer and DIRECTV, in that they can recoup the costs involved in getting a new subscriber on board.

Overall, when comparing DIRECTV with Bresnan cable you can see that DIRECTV pricing is slightly lower when looking at normal prices. With DIRECTV you get some additional options, such as DVR or digital video recorder service. You also have access to some of the exclusive sports packages available like the NFL Sunday Ticket, and the NCAA Mega March madness package, though these of course cost extra.

One area Bresnan cable has an advantage in over DIRECTV satellite is in their On Demand programming. Cable TV operators across the country have built their On Demand platforms as a great alternative to watching live TV.  Bresnan On Demand offers more than 2,000 titles for viewing at any time.   The Bresnan cable DVR also gives you control over watching television on your time.

So as we have shown, you may be better off with DIRECTV over Bresnan cable if video service is the only thing you are looking for.   But as we mentioned earlier, if you are a new customer to Bresnan, you might want to look into the triple play bundle they offer, as you get a great price during the first year.

The basis of the Bresnan triple play package is the $99.97 price point available for new customers for the first 12 months of service. This package includes the Bresnan digital cable package with up to 220 channels depending on the area you live in. Also included are up to 17 channels of Showtime and the Movie channel, and 45 music channels as well.

The Bresnan Digital phone included in this package includes your dial tone service and 13 calling features like call waiting, caller ID, and voice mail. Unlimited local and long distance calling are also in the Bresnan digital phone package.

Finally, the high speed internet piece of the Bresnan triple play bundle completes the package. The cable internet offered by Bresnan offers speeds at 8 Mbps and also includes a free online security manager.

Overall, the package savings for the first 12 months are significant. Be aware though that after the first year of service, the normal pricing will kick in, raising your monthly bill by approximately $60 per month.

Whatever your choice, comparing Bresnan vs DIRECTV is the smart thing to do before locking into an agreement for a year or two.

Comcast and DISH Network are two of the three largest pay television companies in the United States today.  But how do they measure up from the customers viewpoint?  Which company should you choose if you have just moved and are looking to set up cable or satellite TV service?  In this article, we will compare the two companies.

DISH Network vs. Comcast

When looking at DISH Network versus Comcast, the most obvious difference is the delivery method used.  DISH Network was the leader in providing an alternative to cable TV service, in their deployment of small satellite dish units to the customer.   Comcast uses last mile technology, an actual hard line to each location it serves.  This of course gives Comcast the ability to sell additional services such as their high speed internet offering and home phone service.  So which method works better?

Unless you are in an area that experiences a lot of extreme weather, this contest between DISH Network and Comcast is a draw.  Satellite TV technology has come a long way, and most subscribers experience as good as, if not better service than Comcast.  That’s not to say that your service will be lacking with Comcast, as most areas have experienced upgrades in technology as well allowing Comcast digital cable and on-demand service to be standard.

How do Dish TV and Comcast compare when it comes to programming?  Will you be able to find the channels you want on Comcast and DISH Network?  Both Comcast and DISH Network have been known to drive hard bargains with content providers over the years, and this has left the subscriber out in the cold so to speak at times.  One example of this is the ongoing disputes that both Comcast and DISH Network have been involved in with the NFL Network.  While you can find the NFL Network on some DISH Network packages, the situation with Comcast is still being worked out in court.

Overall, DISH Network provides you more options than Comcast in building a truly customized package.   DISH Network offers customers the ability to order packages that are 100% HD with their Turbo HD lineup, as well as packages that include both SD and HD.   DISH Network packages start from $19.99 for the Dish Family package.  Though this package only has about 40 channels, it is something to consider for families that don’t have any type of cable TV, especially with the digital transition looming.

The standard entry level package with DISH Network is the America’s Top 100 package.  This package is currently $32.99 a month and provides 100 channels.  If you want HD, you can add the Turbo HD Bronze package for another $10.   Local channels cost another $5 per month.  As you can see, DISH Network offers a very low entry price point compared to Comcast, but things can add up if you want to add different options to your package.

With Comcast, there are slightly different prices in each area they serve, but we will compare DISH Network to Comcast in the Denver, Colorado area where Comcast is a big player.  Currently, Comcast offers their Starter Cable package for $53.39 a month, with a six month promotional price of $29.99.  This package is the Comcast basic cable lineup, with a few extras like music channels and a digital converter box.   Note the $53.39 price listed on the Comcast website is a “starting at” price, so it may be more in your area and may increase based on your particular choices.

The next Comcast digital cable package is the Digital Preferred ON Demand, which has more than 100 digital channels and 45 music stations.  This Comcast package starts at $68.34 per month, and also includes full access to the Comcast ON Demand library which has thousands of programs.

Comcast Preferred Plus with On Demand is a high end package available through the cable TV provider.  Right now, Comcast is actually offering a nice deal on this package, which is normally $100.99 a month.  New customers can get this package for just $49.99 a month for the first six month of service.  No such luck though if you are a current Comcast customer.  This deal includes everything in the Digital Preferred package, and adds in all of the premium movie channels.  Enjoy multiple channels of HBO and Starz.

The top level package is the Comcast Digital Premier with On Demand.  Normally priced at $119.99 per month, this bundle is discounted to $79 a month for the first six months for new customers only.  This is the top level package offered by Comcast and is comparable to the DISH Network America’s Everything Pack.  All of the channels are here, including five different premium movie bundles: HBO, Starz, Cinemax, Showtime and Encore.  For more information on Comcast, please read our Comcast cable review.

While we have briefly touched on the DISH Network packages including the AT100, DISH Network offers several packages in the middle so to speak.  The America’s Top 200, America’s Top 250, and the DISH DVR Advantage offerings give the customer several different ways to create a package that is just right.

Comcast includes HD service with each level of service, while with DISH Network, you have to pay $10 a month for HD service.  This is true only if you are adding HD on to one of the standard definition packages that have already been discussed.   DISH Network now offers a separate class of programming package called Turbo HD.  For further information, you can check out our Turbo HD review.  The packages are extremely affordable, and allow customers to get a package of HD-only channels for their viewing pleasure.

Now when it comes to sports programming, DISH Network and Comcast are fairly even.  You will of course find the major sports channels like ESPN, ESPNews, and the Fox Sports channels.  Both Comcast and DISH Network have been locked out of the NFL Sunday Ticket, which is an exclusive of DIRECTV currently.   One area Comcast has an advantage over Dish TV is in Major League Baseball.   The new MLB Channel started on January 1st, and while DISH Network has yet to strike an agreement to carry this channel, Comcast and DIRECTV have begun airing the network.  Comcast also offers the MLB Extra Innings package, while DISH Network has yet to carry this premium baseball package.   Both carriers do offer the NBA League Pass, the NHL Center Ice, and the ESPN Gameplan college football packages.

When it comes to comparing DISH Network HD vs. Comcast HD, things can get confusing.  That’s because when it comes to HD every company out there including DIRECTV, Time Warner cable, Verizon Fios, or Comcast all claim to be the leader in HD.  There is a good reason for this, and that reason is money.  All of these companies are in a fierce fight for the customers dollar, and often they are willing to stretch the truth in their effort to convince the public that they have more high definition content than the other guy.

Comcast and DISH Network each have their own distinct advantages when it comes to HD.  DISH Network beats Comcast when it comes to the number of HD channels available.  Currently, DISH Network claims to have over 130 national HD channels, though this number is inflated by video on demand and pay per view channels.  Still, the nice thing is no matter where you live in the United States, you will have access to the full lineup of DISH Network HD service.

With Comcast, the advantage in HD comes into play when looking at their On Demand availability.  Comcast ON Demand has been on a tear of late, expanding their library of programs into the thousands.  While not all of the programs contained in the On Demand setup are in HD, there are hundreds that are.   Obviously this is great for the customer, to have so much On Demand content available at the touch of a button.    Because Comcast generally lags behind Dish TV and DIRECTV in the number of channels, they have invented a new term in order to say they have the most HD.  That term is “HD choices” and they often say they have more than 1,000 HD Choices for their customers.  Again, slick marketing must be evaluated when comparing Comcast to DISH Network.

Another area where Comcast has an advantage over DISH Network is in bundled service.  Because of the nature of satellite TV, DISH Network is pretty much stuck delivering one service, that being pay television.  On the other hand, Comcast has the ability to deliver not only cable television service, but also high speed internet and home phone (voice) service.  The Comcast digital phone service offers both local and long distance calling.   Usually this is a pretty good deal for the customer who is just starting out with Comcast.  A Comcast Triple Play bundle is often deeply discounted for either the first six or twelve months of service,  Allowing the subscriber to save money by packaging all of these services together. However, many customers report seeing their bills jump by 40 to 50 percent on a Comcast Triple play bundle once the promotion is over.  This is of course something to keep in mind if you are looking for a Comcast deal.

With DISH Network, they used to have an agreement with AT&T to bundle their service along with the telephone and AT&T DSL service offered in many areas of the country.  However, the ATT-DISH Network deal is expiring on January 31, 20009.   ATT is going to partner with DIRECTV, in areas where ATT has not deployed their U-verse service.  What this means for DISH Network is that they will no longer have a partner to offer triple play bundled service with, nor will they have the advantage of having a local telephone company sell DISH Network satellite TV service.

Another area to consider with these companies is the Comcast DVR versus the DISH Network DVR.   For several years now, DISH Network has been recognized as having one of the best, if not the best DVR on the market. Some have even rated it equal or superior to the TiVO DVR.  From its ease of use to its overall functionality, you really can’t go wrong with the Dish DVR, the latest model being the ViP722 DVR.  A new DISH Network DVR called the ViP 922 will have integrated Slingbox technology built in, allowing customers to remotely watch content on their DVR from either a high speed internet connection or even a cell phone.  The new DVR will be $199 for existing customers, while pricing for new customers is unclear at this time.

The Comcast DVR is of course functional, but reviews don’t find anything great to talk about.  Probably the most notorious side of the Comcast DVR is its high monthly service fee, usually between $13-15 per month in most areas served by Comcast.  Compared to the $6 fee for the DISH Network DVR, Comcast really hits up the customer in this area.   Another factor to consider is that Comcast charges around $7 per month just for an HDTV receiver.

A final consideration when comparing DISH Network versus Comcast is customer service.  Of course most cable TV companies are not know for their customer service, and unfortunately Comcast falls in this boat.  Satisfaction surveys from last year had Comcast at the bottom of the heap along with cable TV company Charter communications, while DISH Network came in second place behind DIRECTV.    While this isn’t usually a deal maker or breaker when considering DISH Network vs. Comcast, it is high on the list for customers who can’t stand poor customer service.