The DIRECTV bundle packages offered today are designed to get you into a new satellite dish system at little to no cost, and they offer a ton of programming. Is a DIRECTV bundle right for you? Lets take a look at the options available to you today, and then you will have the information you need to decide if DIRECTV or Dish Network is the better choice for your situation.

The DIRECTV Family bundle is the first option available. This is a bare bones package, offering around 50 channels of high quality digital programming. Local channels are included in this DIRECTV package, as they are with all of the other options we discuss here. Installation of the satellite dish is also included here, and the price is a low $29.99 a month. This DIRECTV bundle is best for families with small kids, where the parents don’t really watch much TV.

The DIRECTV Choice bundle is a good place to start for most people trying out satellite television service for the first time. This package offers 150 plus channels when you count both audio and video networks. If you go with just the base package without HD or DVR service, you are looking at an affordable price tag of $34.99 per month for the first year. After one year, the Choice bundle price is $55.99 a month.

If you can spare an extra $5 per month, the ChoiceXtra bundle is a great way to round out your satellite TV package. For that $5, you will get another 50 channels, bringing your total to 200+ audio and video channels. Though many of these channels are second-tier, if you have a specific interest in life your sure to find a channel or two that your will really enjoy with the DIRECTV Choice Xtra bundle.

Now the next two DIRECTV bundles build on the ChoiceXtra package. The Plus DVR package takes all of the channels from the previous setup, and adds in the convenience and time savings of a digital video recorder to your DIRECTV bundle. This starts at $44.99 for one year, then goes up to $65.99 per month.

The DIRECTV Plus HD DVR adds not only a DVR, but also all of the HD channels carried in the ChoiceXtra bundle. This one starts at $54.99 a month and then increases to $75.99 a month after the DIRECTV promotion ends. Currently, there are more than 130 total HD channels available through DIRECTV satellite, but you won’t get that many unless you go to the King of all DIRECTV bundles – the Premier package.

The DIRECTV Premier bundle is the all you can watch TV offer. Basically, you get everything here. All of the standard cable TV channels, all of the audio channels, and most importantly, all of the premium movie channels. Several feeds of HBO, Starz, Cinemax, and Showtime are included, and the price is around $110 per month. You also get the DIRECTV Sports bundle, which provides you non stop sports with several regional and lesser known sports channels. Do remember you will pay for DVR service and HD in addition to the base price.

Promotions vary with the DIRECTV Premier bundle, as often you can get the package for free with the NFL Sunday Ticket during late summer and early fall. Other times of the year the price is often dropped for the first three or four months of service.

Other DIRECTV bundle incentives usually include free installation, and a discounted or free HD DVR unit. Check with DIRECTV customer service by calling or visiting their website to find out exactly what the current offers are before you subscribe.

Now there are a few other DIRECTV bundles available in addition to the base packages that we have already discussed, and what we are talking about here are the premium sports packages that can be added on to your base package. Whether it is football, baseball, basketball or hockey there is something for everyone on satellite television. These prices are approximate, and based on either the most recent season or on the upcoming season if pricing has been released.  There is often an early bird discount on some of these packages, so check with DIRECTV well before the season starts and you might get a better deal.  Some packages also are available starting mid-season for a reduced rate.

NFL Sunday Ticket bundle $300

Superfan bundle $100 (Only available with Sunday Ticket)

NBA League Pass bundle $199

NHL Center Ice bundle $199

MLB Extra Innings bundle $209

ESPN Gameplan bundle $129 (College football)

ESPN Full Court bundle $109 (College Basketball regular season)

NCAA Mega March Madness bundle $69 (NCAA Tournament coverage)

So hold on to your wallet sports fans, as DIRECTV certainly offers just about every enticement you can think of when it comes to sports programming. There are a few freebies out there, as DIRECTV sports does give you free additional coverage of the major tennis and golf tournaments like the Masters and Wimbledon. In addition, the NASCAR Hotpass was also offered free to subscribers in 2009.

Carefully compare the DIRECTV bundles offered with what Dish Network and your local cable company offer. Chances are you will find a package that meets your entertainment needs at an affordable price.

Dish Network and Cox cable are two of the big players when it comes to pay television service.  If you are in an area served by Cox cable services, you certainly want to make the right choice when it comes to either selecting cable or satellite TV service.  In this article, we will consider some of the pros and cons of both Dish Network and Cox cable.  Lets take a look at how they stack up against each other.

Cox Communications, or Cox cable as they are often referred to is the third largest cable TV company operating in the United States today.  Only Comcast and Time Warner cable are larger as far as subscribers go in the cable world, though both Dish Network and DIRECTV boast higher subscriber numbers than Cox.

Where will you find Cox cable?  Their largest areas of coverage are in Arizona, Nevada, Louisiana, California, and Florida.  Major cities in these areas served by Cox include Las Vegas, New Orleans, Cleveland, Phoenix, and San Diego.  Other states served by Cox include Idaho, Iowa, Oklahoma, Kansas, Virginia, and Nebraska.

As you can see, Cox serves some fairly populated markets, and they certainly fall into the category of “Big Cable.”  For more information, browse our Cox cable review.  Of course, Dish Network is a powerful entity as well, boasting more than 13 million subscribers and having the ability to serve the entire country.

Cox cable of course offers more than just cable television service.  Like other cable operators, Cox has been able to leverage their existing network and branch into the high speed internet field, as well as offer home telephone service.  These triple play packages are enticing to customers as they offer convenience and a oftentimes a low price when bundled together.  Dish Network on the other hand is primarily a satellite television provider only, thought they do have a few partnership arrangements out there to offer additional services.  For our comparison today, we will focus on video services, then touch on the Cox bundled offers at the end of this article.

Now of course one of the main differences when comparing Cox vs Dish is the delivery method.   Dish Network service requires the installation of a small satellite dish on your home that has exposure to the southern sky.  This rules out service altogether for some in apartments, or others who have large trees or buildings in the way.  Cox cable relies on a cable network, so it may be your only choice in some apartments or condominiums.

Usually when shopping for cable or satellite TV service, most people want to compare Dish Network prices versus Cox cable rates.  While price is certainly important in today’s faltering economy, you want to be sure you are going to get the programming that your family wants from either Dish or Cox.  So decide up front if you want an all inclusive type of package with all of the movie channels like HBO, or something basic which just has the major cable TV channels like ESPN and CNN.

With Cox basic cable, you are looking at a price tag of about $47.95 per month for Expanded cable, and $52.95 a month for Standard digital cable.  Cox cable prices quoted in this article are taken from the Phoenix Arizona region, one of the largest served by Cox.  These packages are comparable to the Dish Network Classic Bronze 100 package, though they do have fewer channels overall.

Now where Cox begins to really nickel and dime their subscriber is in the digital box and HD DVR area.  While charges in this area are standard with any cable and satellite TV company, take a look at what Cox charges for some of their receivers and DVR units:

Digital Box $6.00
DVR/HD Receiver $12.00
HD-DVR Receiver $18.00
Cable Card $1.99

Receivers and digital cable boxes usually run $5 to $7 each from every cable and satellite provider, but the $18.00 monthly fee from Cox for an HD-DVR unit is quite high.  In comparison, Dish Network includes one receiver or DVR free with their programming like the DishDVR, though there is a $10 monthly HD access fee.   Cox by comparison gives you HD free with your package, though you will pay a pretty penny each month to record that type of content, especially if you need more than one HD DVR.

Cox cable is flexible as far as adding on channels once you have digital cable.  While with Dish Network you move from the Classic Bronze 100 up to the Classic Silver 200 then to the Classic Gold 250, with Cox you add on Digital Tiers.  This is kind of nice in that you can add the content that interests you the most, rather than just being given a mix of different channels.  Cox offers the Variety Tier, the Sports and Info Tier, the Movie Tier, and Paquete Latino Spanish language Tier.  Pricing on these start at $11.00 per month for just one digital tier, and moves up to $20 a month if you would like all four Cox digital cable tiers.

To give you an idea of some of the content in these tiers, here is the channel lineup for the Sports and Info Tier, followed by the Variety Tier

NHL Network
NFL Network
Fit TV
ESPNU
ESPNews
ESPN Classic
Fox Soccer Channel
NBA TV
Tennis Channel
Fox College Sports Atlantic
Fox College Sports Central
Fox College Sports Pacific
Fuel
FOX Business News

Variety Tier

Hallmark
Lifetime Movie Netw
DIY
Fine Living
Biography
History International
BBC America
Disney XD
Encore WAM
Nicktoons Network
The N
Boomerang
Oxygen
Fox Reality Channel
GSN
SoapNet
MTV Tr3s
MTV 2
MTV Jams
MTV Hits
VH1 Classics
VH1 Soul
CMT Pure Country
MTVU
BET Jazz
Great American Country
Fuse
G4
Logo
WE tv
Style
PBS Kids Sprout
mun2
Chiller

As you can see, there is quite a bit of content available on these digital tiers, but you won’t find any of the major cable networks here, as they are in the regular package already.  It all depends on if you have a specific interest that could be met by some of these channels, and if the price is right in your eyes.

Next, with so many people buying new HDTV’s in 2009 you should evaluate Dish Network HD vs Cox HD.  With Dish Network, you have access to 140 HD channels at this time, but that number does include pay per view options and regional sports networks so it isn’t 100% accurate.  What you should know is that Dish Network HD is the current national leader as far as channel counts go, and probably will be at least until DIRECTV gets another satellite operational.

With Cox, the number of HD channels will vary depending on the area you live in.  Cable companies like Cox have struggled to keep up with satellite when it comes to HD content.  A current check of the Cox site would not display a specific number of HD channels available in the Phoenix area.  Instead, Cox is relying on the old cable company line of promoting their HD choices rather than HD channels.  This means they add in the number of HD programs available through their on-demand platform, which of course skews the number much higher, as there are usually hundreds of programs available at any given time through on-demand, both in SD and HD.  The good thing with Cox HD is that they currently do not charge extra for high definition channels.

Now that the subject of on-demand programming has been brought up, that is another consideration when comparing Cox with Dish Network.  If you have used on-demand for any period of time, it is an extremely slick feature perfected by big cable companies like Cox and Time Warner.  Basically, you can access thousands of programs through a menu system and watch them on your schedule, rather than waiting for them to come on.  With Cox, you will find a wide variety of regular TV shows available through their on-demand platform.  Dish Network has focused on provides PPV movies on-demand which of course you have to pay for.  This is because the content has to be sent to the customers DVR, not on central servers like with cable TV.  Advantage to Cox cable when it comes to VOD.

Now when is comes to sports programming, Cox and Dish Network are pretty much in the same boat.  Both are shut out from the premium sports package out there, the NFL Sunday Ticket which remains with DIRECTV until 2014.  But you can get all of the basics like ESPN, Fox Sports, and the like with both providers.   A few of the other packages are available through both providers like NHL Center Ice and NBA League pass, but be aware that the MLB Network and the MLB Extra Innings package are only on Cox currently, as Dish Network has not yet struck a deal with Major League Baseball to carry these channels.

A final consideration is the type of deal you can strike when setting up service.  There are always promotions going on with both Dish Network and Cox cable, so some research up front can save you a little cash.  Current Dish Network deals give first time customers a $25 discount on service for the first six months, in addition to free installation and a free HD DVR.   The discount is a little bit less at $20 if you go with one of the new Turbo HD packages.

When it comes to Cox cable deals, the first thing to remember is that they want you to subscribe to more than one service.  So promotional offers for Cox cable are tied in to subscribing to Cox high speed internet and Cox digital phone service in addition.  If you are in the market for all of these services, you probably can strike a pretty good deal, as bundled pricing on the Cox site is quoted from $92.99 a month on up to $129.99 for the Cox Deluxe package.  Check with the cable company directly though to determine exactly how long the promotion pricing lasts for, as often cable TV triple play deals last for 12 months or so.

Overall, when comparing Cox cable vs Dish Network, you will find your personal preference plays a big part in figuring out which provider is best.  On demand and bundled package customers will find Cox is probably the better choice.  When looking at bottom line pricing and superior DVR service, then Dish Network is probably the way to go.   If you still don’t like your choices, hopefully either AT&T U-verse TV or Verizon FiOS are in your neighborhood to offer you a thrid option.

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.

AT&T U-Verse is a fairly new cable product available to some customers served by the giant telecom.  Is U-verse the right choice for you? What about U-Verse in comparison to satellite TV companies like DIRECTV and DISH Network? Here we will consider a few of the answers to these questions in this extensive AT&T U-verse review.

If you’re not familiar with U-verse, it is basically the telephone companies response to big cable TV companies like Comcast, Time Warner cable, and Cox cable. Several years back, these cable TV operators began offering triple-play bundles of service, which include your video, high speed internet, and home phone service all from the same provider. As telephone companies like Verizon and AT&T began to see customers jumping over to the competition. In response, Verizon Fios and AT&T U-verse services were deployed as an answer to cable TV. While expensive to deploy, AT&T U-verse has been fairly successful, with more than a million households signing up for the service.

AT&T U-verse is a fiber to the node technology, meaning the phone company deploys the service to a serving terminal in the neighborhood, then the existing copper lines carry the signal the rest of the way to the customers home. While cheaper than the fiber to the home technology being deployed by Verizon, U-verse can face some limitations if you live far from the serving terminal. Problems in this area generally involve slower speeds when it comes to the U-verse internet service.

When evaluating U-verse, it is important to consider both what you already have as far as satellite TV or cable service, and of course what you want. AT&T certainly wants you to subscribe to all three services in the Uverse bundle, but if you don’t need all of them then you will be wasting money with a triple play package. Of course, the availability of U-verse is not a given, so AT&T will then offer you their home phone with DSL and a DIRECTV deal in addition.

We will first consider the internet and voice pieces of U-verse service, then compare the U-verse TV offer with what is out there from DIRECTV and DISH Network.

AT&T U-verse voice offers an unlimited plan for $30 a month or a U-verse voice 250 plan for $25 a month. The unlimited plan of course includes local and long distance calling across the country, plus Canada and Puerto Rico. The AT&T 250 plan offers unlimited local plus 250 minutes of long distance per month. Both plans include a boatload of calling feature as well such as the old standbys like Call Forwarding, Call Waiting, Caller ID, and Three Way Calling. In addition there are several advanced calling features in U-verse Voice, some of which are anonymous Call Rejection, Call Screening, Call Transfer, and Do Not Disturb.

Other cool features of the Uverse voice plan are the battery backup feature, which maintains power to your home phone even during power outages, and the call history feature. Call history displays your recent calls on your television set and/or your personal computer.

AT&T U-verse high speed internet is the second piece of the triple play offering. With U-verse internet, you can expect basically what any high speed internet service gives you, fast downloads combined with wireless home networking. U-verse internet comes in quite a few flavors, briefly outlined here.

AT&T U-verse Express-Up to 1.5 Mbps, starting at $25 a month

U-verse Pro-Up to 3 Mbps, starting at $30 a month

U-verse Elite-Up to 6 Mbps, starts at $35 per month

U-verse Max-Up to 12 Mbps, starting at $55 a month

U-verse Max 18- Up to 18 Mpbs, starting at $65 a month.

Prices quoted here are from the AT&T website, and reflect a la carte pricing. Depending on what combination of services you purchase, you can obviously get a better overall U-verse deal. AT&T also adds in a few extras with the service, such as anti-virus software, Spam guard, firewall software, and of course wireless networking capability.

Now the final piece of the AT&T U-verse package is the cable TV option. U-verse TV offers everything you would normally find with either cable or satellite TV. Full programming lineups, DVR service, HD channels, as well as professional installation are all part of the AT&T video offering. So how does U-verse match up against the traditional cable and satellite companies?

As with any new service, there are bound to be a few bumps along the road. With U-verse, there are of course growing pains as technicians are often expected to install TV service throughout a home, not to mention the high speed internet on the same visit. Most complaints on our DIRECTV vs U-verse comparison have to do with the lengthy installations, and at times difficulty with the U-verse technology working correctly. While people are certainly more apt to air their frustrations when U-verse isn’t working, potential customers do need to keep in mind it is a new service and of course there are difficulties in getting it to work correctly for all customers.

Now when it comes to U-verse packages and pricing, this is where AT&T is very competitive with DIRECTV and DISH Network, and in general beats most cable TV packages.

The first U-verse package is the U100 TV package.  Comparable to either the DIRECTV Choice package or the DISH Network Classic Bronze offer, this bundle will get you all of the basics when it comes to cable.   Up to 120 channels are included here, and pricing starts at $49 per month.

Next up is the U-verse U-200 package.  Here you will find about 220 channels total, of which about 50 are music channels.  U-verse pricing on this package starts in the area of $64 per month.

The U-300 package is next up.  About 290 channels are included here, when you count both audio and video networks.  Stand alone package pricing on this package is in the area of $79 per month.

Finally, the all-inclusive option is called U-verse 450.  Comparable to the DIRECTV Premier package or the DISH Network America’s Everything Pak,  U450 has all of the cable channels you could ever ask for.   Over 360 channels total are included here and pricing starts at $109 per month, and you get all of the premium movie channels like HBO and Starz.

If you opt for the lower priced packages, you can add on movie and sports packs individually.   The Movie package runs $20 per month and has over 30 channels of Starz, Encore, Showtime, the Movie Channel and Flix.   The HBO/Cinemax combination offers 9 channels of each, and runs $20 per month.  A sports pack tier for $10 is also available, adding some of the lesser knows sports networks.

Now beyond the regular programming packages, what else does U-verse offer?  There are certainly advantages to the AT&T U-verse bundled package, as many services can be integrated and can work together throughout your home.  For example, one thing you can do is program your U-verse DVR with either your home computer or your AT&T wireless phone as long as it has internet access.

The U-verse Total Home DVR is an interesting device that takes your home entertainment to another level.  To start with, the U-verse DVR has the capability to record up to four shows at once.  You won’t find that with DIRECTV or DISH Network, where you are limited to two shows at once.   One U-verse DVR is included in any of the above TV packages.  Another great feature with the Total Home DVR is the option to watch recordings from different TV sets in the home.   This give you access to all of your DVR content in every room where you have a TV, and you aren’t restricted to the room where the DVR sits.

The U-verse DVR holds up to 233 hours of SD content, or 65 hours of HD content.  The capacity here is a quite a bit less than the DIRECTV DVR or the DISH Network ViP 722 DVR, so you won’t be able to hold as many movies as you might like.  The Total Home DVR is of course all digital when it comes to picture and sound, and includes features that are standard on DVR devices like parental locks and an on-screen programming guide.  One thing to keep in mind is that there is a $7 fee per month for each additional receiver where you want the full DVR functionality to work.

When it comes to HD, or high definition content, Uverse has really stepped up to the plate in 2008 and 2009.   While not quite to the levels offered by DIRECTV HD or DISH Network Turbo HD, U-verse does now have more than 100 HD channels.   While DISH Network and DIRECTV are both in the 130-140 HD channel range, the number includes pay per view and regional sports networks, so it is somewhat inflated.  AT&T Uverse has taken the same approach as satellite companies when it comes to charging for HD.  There is a $10 fee for HD except on the U-450 package where HD is included in the price.  There is also a HD Premium package which is $5 extra per month, similar to the DISH Network Platinum of the DIRECTV Extra Tier package which offer more HD access.

A final consideration is what kind of U-verse deal can you get as a new customer.  Deals are always out there when it comes to cable and satellite TV providers, as it makes sense from a business perspective for the company.  Lure in subscribers with a great deal for the first year, then hopefully rake in subscription fees for several years as long as the customer is happy.

Usually, offers like this give the customer a discount during the first year of service, for example DIRECTV offers $21 off of most packages during the first year of service, while DISH Network gives a $25 discount during the first six months.  With AT&T U-verse, they have opted to go a different route, give the customer a fist full of cash in order to make the sale.

The popular promotion running now for a U-verse deal is the $200 cash back offer.  Basically, new customers who order U-verse online can qualify for a $200 check back in the mail if they keep service for at least 30 days.   This offer is good for customers who subscribe to the U200, U300, or the U450 offer.   Currently, the U-verse cash back offer is scheduled to run through September 19, 2009.

Finally, free professional installation is part of the U-verse package as well. One thing to keep in mind is that the technician will be hooking up all of your television sets, your computers, and may also be running new cabling through parts of your home.  Expect a full installation of U-verse to take from 4-6 hours, and stories circulating on the internet even report installations taking all day at times.

AT&T U-verse of course as the new kid on the block faces an uphill battle against incumbents like DISH Network, DIRECTV, and cable companies like Comcast.  Potential subscribers should compare DIRECTV vs U-verse or any other option that may be out there.  But with new technology and strong bundles of service, U-verse aims to be a long term player in the pay television market.

Time Warner currently the second largest cable TV company operating in the United States today. DIRECTV is the biggest satellite television company. How do they match up in a side by side competition? We will consider that in this article.

Time Warner Cable vs. DIRECTV

Time Warner cable operates currently in 27 states currently. Large areas that are served by Time Warner cable, or TWC include Southern California, New York, Wisconsin, and the New England area. Additional Time Warner cable franchises are in Kansas City, the Carolinas, and San Diego. DIRECTV on the other hand is available across the entire United States, provided you have an area where a satellite dish can be placed facing the southern sky.

So what should you consider when looking at TWC vs DIRECTV? Price is on most people’s minds today, so lets start with that. Cable TV companies like Time Warner are always being criticized because of their ever increasing prices. Time Warner is no exception, with TWC rates going up between $3-4 dollars a month this past January. Their DVR service also was hiked, going from $7.95 to $10.95 a month.

DIRECTV isn’t innocent when it comes to raising rates. The nations largest satellite TV company pushed through their own price increase this spring on their 17 million strong customer base. Prices for DIRECTV customers went up $3-5 per month, depending on their DIRECTV programming package.

Now pricing can vary wildly with both DIRECTV and Time Warner cable. That is because both companies offer incentives during the first year in order to sign you up as a subscriber. With TWC the best deals are found when you subscribe to additional services beyond just cable TV. Adding high speed internet and/or TWC digital phone service will certainly result in a much better price over the first year when comparing prices against regular Time Warner cable rates.

DIRECTV also offers incentives to new customers. Currently, new subscribers get a $21 per month discount on service for the first year. For example, the DIRECTV Choice Xtra package is normally $60.99 per month, but with the discount for the first year, you are looking at $39.99 per month. A package like this includes local channels, and 200+ video and audio stations. In addition, DIRECTV satellite will also give you one the necessary equipment such as a new HD DVR device, though you will have to pay extra each month for DVR and HD service.

Looking at regular pricing with Time Warner cable, here is what is offered in a comparable package. These prices are pulled from the Raleigh, North Carolina area, and prices vary a bit depending on which TWC area you live in. The digital cable package in this market is $71.95 per month, and includes one digital cable box and one remote. So when lining up a digital cable lineup comparing DIRECTV vs. TWC, you will save about $10 per month with satellite TV, but of course there are many other factors to consider besides price.

Picture quality is a prime consideration when comparing Time Warner to DIRECTV, and what you will find here can vary from area to area. Time Warner has actually been one of the leading cable TV companies when it comes to upgrading their network to accommodate new HD channels. In many areas served by TWC, you can now get more than 100 HD channels. Of course this depends on the local Time Warner cable network, so it is necessary to check with them directly to find out what is available to you. On the other hand, since DIRECTV serves their customer base from satellites, all of their customers currently have access to more than 130 HD channels.

Another consideration when comparing Time Warner cable vs. DIRECTV is the service you receive when you have a question or a problem with your television service. Time Warner unfortunately has one of the lower satisfaction ratings, at least according to the 2008 survey. Last year they came in with a score of 59, which beat out Comcast and Charter cable who both bottomed out at 54. DIRECTV topped all pay television providers when it comes to customer service with a rating of 68, edging out Dish Network for the highest rating last year.

Additional fees and charges can really add up, so what can you expect from DIRECTV and Time Warner cable when it comes to those nickel and dime charges? Both companies offer local channels at no additional charge, while you pay $5 per month for locals with Dish Network. One thing that Time Warner and other cable TV companies have been pushing is the sales point that they offer “Free HD”.

As mentioned earlier here, the next time your cable company gives you something for free will be the first time. While TWC isn’t actually breaking out a charge for HD service on you bill, you can be sure you are paying for it somewhere. With DIRECTV, you have the option of declining HD service, say if you don’t have a flat screen or plasma TV. If you do have one of those fancy new LCD TVs, HD service is $10 per month with DIRECTV. Neither DIRECTV or Time Warner have all HD packages like the Dish Network Turbo HD offering.

As far as DVR service goes, DIRECTV has a couple of packages which include DVR service, those being the Plus DVR and the Plus HD DVR bundles. If you go with a DIRECTV package that doesn’t have the DVR service included, expect to pay $6 per month extra. With Time Warner cable, the current monthly charge for DVR service is $10.95 a month, again pricing taken from the Raleigh, NC area.

Now depending on how many television sets you have in your home, you will have to pay extra for either cable boxes or satellite TV receivers. With Time Warner cable, each extra digital cable box is $7.23 per month, and there is a .32 charge for each remote control, so a total of $7.55 per television. With DIRECTV, you will pay $5.00 per receiver after the first one.

When it comes to programming and channel lineups, you will find that when comparing DIRECTV vs TWC almost all of the main cable TV channels are available in both places. One notable exception however is in the sports department. DIRECTV has a strong leadership position when it comes to sports programming, mainly because of the exclusive sports programming packages they carry. For example, you can only get the NFL Sunday Ticket, the NASCAR Hotpass, and the NCAA Mega March Madness packages on DIRECTV. Another sticking point for football fans is the ongoing dispute between Time Warner cable and the NFL Network, which has locked TWC subscribers out of games carried on the NFL’s in-house channel.

On the other hand, there are quite a few premium sports packages that are available on both Time Warner and DIRECTV. Those are the NBA League pass, the NHL Center Ice package, and the MLB Extra Innings bundle. Bottom line? If the NFL is at the top of your list, DIRECTV wins out over Time Warner, otherwise things are equal in this area as you will still get ESPN, ESPNEWS and your regional sports networks.

Now as mentioned earlier, there are DIRECTV deals out there which give new subscribers a $21 discount per month for the first year of service. What Time Warner deals are available to new customers? Again, the promotional period and the regular price are important to consider, as this is the price you will have to pay once the promotion runs out. With TWC, there are several options that give new subscribers a discount during the first six months of service.

One deal currently being offered on Time Warner packages is an introductory price of $49.95 per month for the first half year. This can be combined with promotional prices on Time Warner Road Runner Lite service for as low as $19.95 a month for the first year. Road Runner Basic at $32.95, Road Runner Standard at $42.95 and Road Runner Turbo for $52.90 are the other TWC package options. The final piece of the triple play bundle is the Time Warner digital phone option which can be added for another $25 per month. Time Warner deals change frequently, so its best to call directly to find out what the latest offer might be.

A final consideration when weighing whether to subscribe to either DIRECTV or Time Warner cable is the “on-demand” capabilities of each company. Time Warner On Demand currently claims to offer 10,000 programs each month. DIRECTV On Demand claims to offer over 4,500 choices per month. So even the most dedicated couch potato won’t be able to keep up with either TWC or DIRECTV.

The main difference when comparing satellite on demand to cable on demand is the delivery method. Cable TV companies like Time Warner have a hard line connection to each home, and they have built robust systems to deliver the program to you at a moments notice. DIRECTV satellite TV relies on the customers own DSL or cable modem connection. You have to download at least part of the program before you can begin watching it. Depending on your internet connection speed, DIRECTV on demand can be a bit of a hassle. Advantage to Time Warner in the on demand arena.

So there is a brief summary of what a Time Warner vs DIRECTV comparison looks like. If you are in an area served by the nations largest cable TV company, Comcast, be sure to read our Comcast vs DIRECTV comparison, or our Comcast vs Dish Network review.

Update: Classic Silver 200 has been renamed Americas Top 200

A few months ago, DISH Network renamed their programming packages, switching away from the America’s Top bundles to names that match up with their Turbo HD packages. One such package is the DISH Network Classic Silver 200, which was formerly the America’s Top 200 package.

The Classic Silver 200 package includes all digital audio and video programming comparable to the DIRECTV Choice Xtra package. Right now, you can get a $25 discount on the DISH Network Classic Silver package, making it an affordable option compared to cable TV companies like Time Warner. So what all is included in this package? Here are a brief review of the DISH Network Classic Silver 200 bundle.

DISH Network satellite TV of course delivers signal to your home via a small satellite dish mounted on your home. You need a clear view of the southern sky, so even if you are in an apartment, you may be able to get the Classic Silver 200 package if you have a deck or balcony. From there, the DISH Network installer will provide service into your home, reaching up to four different television sets. Additional receivers are needed if you are getting more than two rooms hooked up, so be sure to verify the monthly charges for these extra satellite TV boxes.

With the DISH Network Classic Silver package, you will get all of the popular basic cable channels like ESPN, CNN, TNT and TBS. An added bonus for sports fans is the addition of the NFL Network to the Classic Silver 200 lineup, as the NFL and DISH Network recently reached a multi-year agreement to carry the station for several years.

Other popular channels carried on the Classic Silver 200 package include MSNBC, Speed, the Fox News channel, and Toon Disney. At the bottom of this article we have included a full list of channels in this package.

As mentioned earlier, there is a deal on the DISH Network Silver 200 package which offers a $25 discount for the first six months of service. This reduces the price from the normal rate of $47.99 per month down to $22.99 a month. What additional charges can you expect with this package?

DISH Network offers the lowest bottom line prices when comparing programming packages with DIRECTV and cable TV providers. So while the price looks great up front, be aware of charges for DISH Network local channels and DVR service. Right now, DISH Network charges $5 per month for local programming, which almost everyone wants. Additionally, while DISH Network will provide new customers with a new DVR or HD DVR when agreeing to a two year service agreement, you do have to pay extra for DVR service. This is currently in the area of $6 per month per DVR. Also if you need or want more than one DVR when setting up service, you will pay for that too. One nice thing is that installation is free for up to four rooms, as long as there isn’t anything extremely labor intensive in getting your satellite TV system setup.

The current makeup of the DISH Network Classic Silver 200 package is approximately 110 video channels and about 90 audio channels, of which more than 20 are provided by Sirius satellite radio. No premium movie channels are included in this package, but of course can be added individually or as packages.

Finally, most new DISH Network and DIRECTV customers are setting up service in order to get HD programming. With the Classic Silver 200 package, you also get the SilverHD package free for six months. If you continue with HD service after six months, the cost is an extra $10 per month. While cable TV companies like Comcast claim to offer “free HD” you can usually come out with a lower overall price with DISH Network when comparing with regular cable TV prices.

So how does the channel lineup look for this DISH Network package? As mentioned earlier, here is a complete list of the current channels included. Of course this is subject to change, so check with DISH Network directly if you want the most current information.

A&E
E! Entertainment Television
Sci-fi Network
Telefutura Este
BBC America
FX
SiTV
Telefutura Oeste
BET
Galavisión
SoapNet
USA Network
Bravo
Game Show Network
Spike TV
Univision Este
CCTV-9
IMF
TBS
Univision Oeste
Comedy Central
Lifetime
TNT
WGN Superstation
ReelzChannel
Oxygen
TV Guide Chanel
We: Women’s Entertainment
Mens Outdoor & Recreation
ION
KBS World
C-Span
CNN
CNN Headline News
NASA
C-Span2
Fox News Channel
MSNBC
The Weather Channel
CNBC
G4techTV
The Pentagon Channel
FAMILY
ABC Family
Disney Channel (West)
Noggin/ The N
TV Land
Cartoon Network
Nickelodeon / Nick at Night (East)
Nickelodeon / Nick at Nite (West)
Toon Disney
Disney Channel (East)
MOVIES
American Movie Classics
Independent Film Channel
Turner Classic Movies
SPORTS
NFL Network
ESPN
ESPN Classic
ESPN2
ESPNews
TVG – Horse Racing TV
HorseRacing TV
Speed Channel
Fox Sports Net (Varies by Region)
Animal Planet
Discovery Health
History Channel
The Learning Channel
Discovery Channel
Food Network
Home & Garden Television
The Travel Channel
Florida Education Channel
University House
University of Washington TV
Country Music Television
MTV
MTV2
VH1
Fuse
BYUTV
Free Speech TV
Documentary Channel
University of California
Classic Arts Showcase
Good Samaritan Network
Colours TV
HITN
LINK TV
Research Channel
RFDTV
Angel One
Daystar
Eternal Word Television Network
Trinity Broadcasting Network
SHOPPING
Beauty & Fashion Channel
Jewelry Television
Men’s Channel
Shop NBC
Home Shopping Network
iDrive Resort & Residence

Digital Audio Channels

70s Songbook
CD Kidtunes
SIRIUS Classic Vinyl – Early Rock
SIRIUS Praise – Gospel Music
Acoustic Crossroads Latin Styles
SIRIUS Classical Voices – Operas
SIRIUS Prime Country – ’80s & ’90s Country
Adult Alternative
Light Classical
SIRIUS Disorder – Free Form Rock
SIRIUS Pure Jazz – Classic Jazz
Adult Contemporary
Modern Rock Alternative
SIRIUS Elvis – All Elvis!
SIRIUS RUMBON – Reggaeton/Tropical SIRIUS RUMBON -
SIRIUS Faction – Punk HipHop Rock Mix
SIRIUS Remix – Dance Club Mix
BYU Radio Network New Country
SIRIUS First Wave – Classic Alternative
SIRIUS SPA 73 – NEW AGE
Big Band Era
NuJazz
SIRIUS Gold – ’50s and ’60s Hits
SIRIUS Soul Revue – Classic Soul
Blues Power Rock
SIRIUS Hair Nation – ’80s Hair Bands
SIRIUS Spectrum – World Class Rock
Reggae
SIRIUS Hard Attack – Heavy Metal
SIRIUS Spirit – Christian Hits
Classical Ambience Urban Beat
SIRIUS Heart & Soul – R&B Hits
SIRIUS Standard Time – Standards
Contemporary Christian
SIRIUS ’60s Vibration – ’60s Hits
SIRIUS Hip Hop Nation – Uncut Hip Hop
SIRIUS Super Shuffle
Contemporary Instrumentals
SIRIUS – BBC-1 SIRIUS Hits One – Top 40 Hits
SIRIUS Symphony Hall – Symphonies
Contemporary Jazz Flavors
SIRIUS – Love Songs
SIRIUS Hot Jamz – Hip Hop & R&B Hits
SIRIUS THE GLOBE SIRIUS THE GLOBE
Country Classics
SIRIUS Alt Nation – Alternative Rock
SIRIUS Jam on – Jam Bands
SIRIUS The Coffee House
Country Currents
SIRIUS Area 63 – Trance/Progressive
SIRIUS Jazz Cafe – Smooth Jazz
SIRIUS Totally ’70s – ’70s Hits
SIRIUS Back Spin – Old Skool Rap
SIRIUS Left of Center – College Rock
SIRIUS Underground Garage – Garage Rock
Eurostyle
SIRIUS Big ’80s – ’80s Hits
SIRIUS Mexicana – Regional Mexican
SIRIUS Universo Latino – Latin Pop Mix
Fiesta Mexicana
SIRIUS Bluegrass – Bluegrass Music
SIRIUS Movin Easy – Easy Listening Hits
SIRIUS WAX – Hip Hop Mixes and Remixes
Hawaiian Music SIRIUS Blues – Classic Blues
SIRIUS Octane – Pure Hard Rock
SIRIUS the Bridge – Mellow Rock
SIRIUS Boombox – Breakbeats/Old Skool
SIRIUS Outlaw Country
SIRIUS the Pulse – The ’90s & Now
Jazz Traditions
SIRIUS Broadway’s Best – Broadway Musicals
SIRIUS Planet Jazz – Contemporary Jazz
SIRIUS the Roadhouse – Classic Country
Jukebox Gold
SIRIUS Buzzsaw – Classic Hard Rock
SIRIUS Pops – Classical Favorites
SIRIUS the Strobe – Classic Disco
SIRIUS the Vault – Deep Cuts Classic Rock
SIRIUS Classic Rewind – Recent Rock

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.

Cable vs satellite TV. So how do they measure up when doing a side by side comparison? While we are strong believers in satellite TV, there are some areas where cable TV might be the right choice. Let’s review how cable and satellite TV stack up with each other in several areas. We will consider pricing, programming, and convenience, content such as HD, and of course a few other things along the way.

While it is impossible to cover all of the various factors involved when comparing cable vs satellite TV, a brief overview is in order. Most are familiar with satellite TV companies Dish Network and DIRECTV. These companies came on the scene in the early 1990′s when technological advances made it possible to deliver television to the home via small satellite dishes. No doubt some enjoyed satellite TV prior to this, though they probably didn’t enjoy having the eyesore that was a 10 foot satellite dish sitting in their backyard. While DIRECTV and Dish Network have often been the talk of merger activity over the years, both have settled into their respective positions as dominant players in the pay television arena.

Cable TV is quite a different story, as there are literally hundreds of cable operators in existence today. For the purposes of this discussion, we will focus on the main players, the largest cable TV companies in America today. Comcast, Time Warner Cable, Cox Cable, Charter Cable and Bright House Cable are probably the companies that most Americans have experience dealing with, as these serve most of the major metropolitan areas. For now we will leave out Verizon Fios and AT&T U-Verse, telecom operators that are moving into the cable TV business through their network of telephone lines.

When comparing cable TV to satellite, the main consideration on many minds is the price. With the economy like it is today, people are looking to make every dollar count, whether it be with the cable TV company or the satellite TV provider. Fortunately for consumers, both cable and satellite TV companies are doing everything in their power to sign up new subscribers. This means a good deal for the customer who is moving or looking to switch their service. DIRECTV TV deals include discounts for the first year of service, reduced or free equipment such as an HD DVR, and free movie channels like HBO and Starz for at least three months. Dish Network offers similar discounts, free movie channels for a few months along with free DVR equipment. Instead of a monthly discount on the price for the first year, Dish offers a few bill credits as an incentive over the first two years of service.

Cable TV discounts vary based on what promotions the company is running at the time. Most cable TV promotions for new customers involve triple play bundles. These packages include not only digital cable, but also high speed internet and home phone service. Comcast, Time Warner cable, and Charter all offer these types of bundles. While the terms and conditions on these cable TV deals vary, usually you can get all three services for around $99 per month for an introductory period, usually anywhere from six month to a year. While there are certainly pros and cons to consider with this kind of cable TV deal, the price usually can’t be beat for customers who want all three services. If you’re not in the market for phone or internet service though, satellite TV is the better way to go.

What about regular pricing when comparing satellite TV with cable? Most folks who have had cable TV inevitably become frustrated with the high price, and more importantly the constant rate hikes. Overall, Dish Network has the lowest regular prices, followed by DIRECTV. Dish Network also has new all-HD packages that are extremely affordable, though the channel selection is limited with Turbo HD. Cable TV is reasonable when you stick with packages like the Comcast basic cable package. Anytime you get into digital cable without a bundled discount, you will be paying some of the highest prices out there when it comes to pay television.

The next area to consider is content, what sort of channels are available on cable vs those on satellite TV. While both cable and satellite have comparable channel lineups, a big difference can be found in one particular area-HD or high definition. In this area, satellite TV dominates cable TV in most areas of the country. This is due to the delivery mechanisms used by satellite TV, which are much more conducive and flexible when it comes to adding new content like HD channels.

DIRECTV led the pack, with a rapid expansion of their national HD lineup in 2007. While Dish Network was a little late to the party, they have caught up with DIRECTV in 2008, as both satellite TV companies now offer in the area of 130 HD channels. Many of these though are pay-per-view HD channels, so the number is a bit skewed for marketing purposes.

With cable TV, the number of HD channels will vary widely depending on your cable company, and the size of the community you live in. For example, Time Warner Cable has been expanding their HD lineup in the past few months, especially in highly populated areas. If you live in New York, New Jersey, or Dallas, there is a good chance you can get about 100 hi-def channels. The same is true with some areas served by Comcast, such as Atlanta or San Francisco. But if you don’t live in one of the major markets served by one of the big cable TV companies, you will probably be extremely disappointed by the lack of HD content offered. An example of this is Charter cable, where you can consider yourself lucky if you even have 40 HD channels. Overall, if you have a definite desire for HD, satellite TV beats cable in this area.

What sort of equipment considerations are there when considering cable versus satellite TV? Usually you can get set up with either cable or satellite without any out-of-pocket costs. The real consideration is whether there are any monthly fees associated with leasing the equipment. DIRECTV and Dish Network will both set you up with free installation of service in up to four rooms of your home. You may have an upfront cost if you want to have DVR service in more than one room, check with your preferred satellite TV provider to find out exact charges. Usually the monthly cost for DVR service ranges from $5-7 dollars a month, though some satellite TV packages include this fee in the monthly price for the first TV.

With cable TV you will find similar charges. You can save some money monthly if you accept an analog signal instead of a digital cable box. Having digital cable boxes in several rooms in the house can really add up, as the fee is usually $10 or more per month per box. One area where some cable TV companies are really high is for DVR service. With Comcast’s recent price increase, customers are now paying more than $15 a month for DVR service with cable TV, quite a difference than DIRECTV or Dish charge.

As far as the quality of the DVR’s used by cable TV and satellite companies, Dish Network is recognized as having the best DVR units on the market currently, just a step below TiVO devices. The DIRECTV DVR and cable TV DVR units are comparable, but aren’t anything special. TiVO does have agreements in place with some cable TV companies, allowing subscribers to hook up their TiVo’s to cable. Expect an additional monthly fee though for the TiVO service. DIRECTV and TiVO have inked a new agreement, and new HD TiVO devices supported by DIRECTV are expected on the market in 2009.

One final factor when it comes to equipment is the delivery method used. Satellite TV of course uses a dish which has to be mounted outside your home or apartment. Unfortunately, this shuts out completely some individuals who would like to have satellite TV, but can’t because they live in a condo or apartment. Dish Network and DIRECTV are working on new initiatives that will allow more people living in condos and and apartments the ability to subscribe to satellite service. One of these is a multi dwelling unit or MDU system where Dish and DIRECTV will work with building owners, placing the satellite dish units on the roof for the whole building. Another option for those who have their own patio or deck is to have their dish placed out there. Some landlords and condo associations frown on this, but recent FCC rulings have upheld the rights of tenants to have satellite dish units placed or mounted in these areas.

Signal quality and customer service should also be examined when comparing satellite to cable TV. With satellite TV, you have a 100% digital signal. Both Dish Network and DIRECTV offer this, so you are guaranteed to have excellent audio and video quality. With cable TV, you may not have as good of a signal. That is because in many areas, cable TV is not yet digital; they often use analog or a mix of analog and digital in delivering the stations to your home. Ordering digital cable is the solution to this, but of course there is a good chance you will run into additional charges for each digital cable box in your home. If you want guaranteed digital video and audio, the satellite TV is the choice over cable TV.

When it comes to customer service, it seems that almost everyone has their own cable TV horror story. Whether it’s the installer that never shows up, or the endless hold times that have to be endured when you call, cable TV companies certainly aren’t known for great service. Customer satisfaction surveys bear this out as well, as recent surveys places both Comcast and Time Warner cable (TWC) at the bottom of the barrel compared to satellite TV providers. DIRECTV came in 1^st in last year’s survey, while Dish Network came in second place. Customer service is certainly a consideration when comparing satellite to cable, especially if your blood boils when experiencing poor customer service.

Video on demand, or on-demand is another area to look at when judging cable against satellite TV. Here is one place where the big cable companies have really differentiated themselves from the pack. Comcast, Time Warner, Cox cable and Charter all have invested millions in their on-demand lineups in order to attract and retain customers. Comcast has even deployed a project called Project Infinity, which is designed to offer customers 1,000 HD choices at any given time.

Though Comcast may have the most on-demand, other cable TV companies offer plenty of content as well.If you have a premium movie package like HBO or Showtime, you can use the on-demand platforms to watch movies and exclusive series whenever you want with on-demand.

Satellite TV on-demand is still a work in progress. Though DIRECTV has officially launched its own on-demand platform, it is nowhere near as robust as that offered by big cable TV companies.The main problem is that you have to download on-demand content through a high speed internet connection, and high speed internet is often difficult to come by in the areas where satellite TV is popular-rural America.

So there is a brief rundown of the cable vs satellite TV debate.Obviously there are plenty of pros and cons on each side, but it is easy to see why satellite TV has become so popular and has taken away so many cable TV customers in the last 15 years.

DIRECTV or Cable TV? It is a question many have pondered over the past 15 years since satellite TV came on the scene. So which is better? Which is cheaper? More importantly, which one will respond to your problem when you have an issue with the picture or your bill? Here are a few of the pros and cons when considering the DIRECTV vs Cable TV debate.

Generally most folks in the United States only have one cable company serving their home. You may have one of the major cable TV companies like Time Warner Cable, Comcast, Cox, Charter, or Bright House. Or you may have one of the so called mom-and-pop cable TV operators which serve small communities. Whatever your situation, there are several considerations when comparing cable TV to DIRECTV.

One of the main factors of course is price; everyone is looking for the lowest cost possible in today’s economy when considering cable TV against DIRECTV. The first rule here is that the new customer usually gets the best deal. So if you have cable TV, and you are looking to switch to satellite with DIRECTV, then there are all kinds of satellite TV deals designed to entice you to subscribe. Conversely, if you have DIRECTV already, cable TV companies like Comcast will have all kinds of deals from basic cable to triple play offers of cable, telephone and internet service.

The best thing to do of course is to comparison shop. Line up DIRECTV vs cable TV on a piece of paper comparing each item. Features and services to compare include high definition service, up front costs, installation fees, and length of contract if any. Other factors to consider are digital video recorders (DVR) number of TV’s you need connected, local channel availability, reputation on customer service, and programming packages including specialized sports packages.

Pricing for DIRECTV and cable TV is what is on the mind of most subscribers. This is one area where you really have to look at the whole picture when comparing cable TV to DIRECTV. Most cable TV companies offer great deals- that is if you are in the market for a triple play bundle. These packages of cable, telephone, and high speed internet service are usually discounted deeply during the first year of service. Generally the promotional price is around $100 per month for a year, but then jumps up to the area of $150 after that.

DIRECTV offers similar discounts during the first year. Most packages include an $18 dollar discount on pricing during the first year, with another $5 off for a total of $23 if you sign up for online billing. The only exception is the DIRECTV Premier package, which usually has its own promotion running offering a discounted price for a few months. Once regular pricing kicks in, DIRECTV and cable TV offer pricing that is fairly close, with the exception of the all-inclusive packages. The DIRECTV Premier package is about $105, while most cable TV packages that include everything such as HBO, Starz, and the like are usually at least $125 per month.

Signal quality is one area where DIRECTV generally beats cable TV. DIRECTV delivers all of their channels in 100% digital video, while with cable you will find varying levels of quality when it comes to your picture. Some “digital cable” products are comparable with DIRECTV, but most are not. Most cable systems continue to use a mix of analog and digital signaling, meaning you aren’t getting the best of the best. DIRECTV also offers 100% digital audio quality as well. Check with your local cable provider to find out exactly what percentage of channels are digital quality.

Local channel programming is important, keeping you up to date with the latest news, weather and sports in your area. DIRECTV offers local channel programming to over 94% of the country, meaning almost everyone can get access to their local stations through DIRECTV. Cable companies also provide local channel access in almost all of the areas they serve. The difference in this area between DIRECTV and cable TV is in the number of HD markets being served.

Through their newest satellite, the DIRECTV 11, more communities can receive their local channels in high definition then through any other provider. DIRECTV now serves over 90 markets with local HD, so if you live in or around a fairly populated city, your can get local programming in HD.   Cable TV is struggling to keep up with DIRECTV when it comes to local programming in HD. Network upgrades are both costly and time consuming, meaning local HD is a hit or miss proposition with cable TV.

As mentioned earlier, the cost differential when comparing DIRECTV to Cable TV is usually minimal after any promotional period, but what about the programming available? Cable TV companies usually have two or three tiers of service, such as basic cable and expanded basic cable. From there you can add on premium movie packages or individual channels like Showtime or HBO. A recent development with many cable TV companies is the addition of a sports tier, which often carry channels like the NFL Network or other specialized sports networks. DIRECTV seems to be better at working out programming deals with programmers, and they have carried sports channels like the NFL Network and the Big Ten Network on basic programming tiers rather than charging extra.

That leads us into our next area of consideration when considering DIRECTV vs Cable TV. That being sports programming and specialized sports packages. If you are a big-time fan of the NFL, NASCAR Racing, or the NCAA March Madness tournament, then your only choice is Direct TV. Why? Because DIRECTV has struck exclusive deals to carry expanded programming packages with these organizations. DIRECTV has the NFL Sunday Ticket, the NASCAR HotPass, and the Mega March Madness tournament. These packages cannot be found on any other cable TV provider, or even on DISH Network. While subscribers do have to pony up the extra money to receive these packages, it’s nice to have the option, something that can’t be found on cable TV.

Other sports packages such as the MLB Extra Innings, NHL Center Ice, and the NBA League Pass are also available on DIRECTV. These packages are not exclusive to satellite, so many cable TV companies also have these sports packages. Larger companies like Comcast, Time Warner, and Cox cable usually carry these sports packages, but check locally if this of special interest to you.

Installation costs are another factor to remember if you are comparing cable TV to DIRECTV. If you are setting up with satellite TV, the installer of course has to set up the satellite dish. This is done at no cost to the subscriber. DIRECTV also includes installation in up to four different rooms in your home. This includes wiring into these rooms if necessary. There are no up front charges for the installation, though there may be if you want more than one DVR. Cable TV charges vary for installation. Some cable companies match what DIRECTV does, installing service into multiple areas of the home. Several cable TV companies charge extra for each room beyond the first for installation. Both cable TV and DIRECTV charge for either extra set-top boxes or receivers beyond the first one in the home.

Satellite TV companies have made huge inroads in the last few years by offering the digital video recorder, or DVR. While cable TV companies were initially slow to adopt DVR technology, digital video recorders are now available from all of the major cable TV companies such as Comcast and Charter. While the DIRECTV DVR doesn’t quite match up with TiVo or the DVR’s offered by DISH Network, they still do a nice job of giving the customer control over their television set. Cable TV DVR’s are sufficient as well, but where you will notice the difference is in pricing.

DIRECTV offers DVR service for $5.99 per month with their Choice package, and some of the higher end DIRECTV packages include the DVR service along with the package. In contrast, some cable television companies charge anywhere from $10 to $15 dollars a month for DVR service. For example, Comcast recently announced a new round of price increases, including a hike in the monthly DVR service fee to $15.95 per month starting in November. While not all cable TV companies charge as much as Comcast for monthly DVR service, DIRECTV is quite reasonable compared to cable TV.
Customer service and network reliability has long been a trouble spot for cable TV companies. While network reliability and service outages have been troublesome in the past with cable, this issue depends on the network in your particular area. Urban areas and new developments seldom encounter outages, as in these areas the network is new, or has been upgraded. Older neighborhoods usually experience more trouble as far as cable TV outages go. With satellite TV, you can expect service over 99% of the time. While in the past, minor weather could cause trouble, newer technology keeps outages to a minimum.

Customer service is another issue where DIRECTV has a definite advantage over cable. This year’s customer satisfaction survey again placed DIRECTV at the top of the heap, besting DISH Network and all of the major cable TV companies. Comcast, Time Warner Cable, and Charter Cable in particular had poor ratings from current subscribers who evaluated the service level they were receiving from their respective cable television provider.

Video on demand, or VOD is an area where the large cable TV companies have invested a lot of money over the past few years. This is one area where DIRECTV has struggled to keep up, as their delivery mechanism is not as friendly in its ability to deliver VOD content. If you live in an area covered by one of the major cable TV companies, and video-on-demand is of interest to you, cable TV is probably the better choice. Comcast and Time Warner cable now offer hundreds of programs available on-demand at any given time.

DIRECTV also has introduced its own VOD product, but it comes up short in a few areas. First, you must have a broadband connection to access most of their on-demand content. This doesn’t work well in rural areas, where it is already difficult, if not impossible to get high speed internet. Direct TV does have a small catalog of on-demand content that is sent to customers via satellite, but the small capacity of a customer’s DVR makes the amount of video on demand negligible. Smaller cable TV companies may not offer as much on-demand content, if any, so check with your local provider if you’re not served by one of the big boys.

Finally, the last thing to consider is HD content. Nearly 30% of homes have a high definition television set, and that number will certainly grow to nearly 100% over the next decade as prices continue to fall. If you already have a HDTV, or if you will be buying one in the near future, you will of course want the best service provider with the most HD channels. Looking at it from that perspective, there is only one choice, DIRECTV.

DIRECTValready has 130+ HD channels, and that number will continue to increase as networks change over to HD formatting. DIRECTV has an advantage over cable TV as they can deliver HD channels nationally as soon as they are ready. Cable TV companies continue to lag behind DIRECTV in HD as they have to upgrade their networks to carry more and more HD signal.

The result when comparing cable TV HD to DIRECTV HD is that cable usually provides half of what DIRECTV can offer. Now in some highly populated areas, cable TV companies have upgraded networks and remained within striking distance of DIRECTV when it comes to their HD channel count. It all depends on the area you live in. Telephony TV providers like Verizon FiOS and AT&T U-Verse have actually done a better job in providing HD content than most cable TV companies.
DIRECTV and DISH Network still lead the pack when it comes to actual HD channel count. Both expect to offer nearly 150 HD channels in 2009. DIRECTV currently offers HD programming as an add-on to their base packages, while DISH Network has introduced several HD only packages under the Turbo HD brand.