There's a war going on between the two major satellite TV providers - DISH Network and DIRECTV. They're offering hundreds of dollars worth of free satellite TV equipment, cheap programming, and even free gifts to get you to subscribe to their services.
Here's what they're giving away, and here's where to get the best deals on what they're not giving away ...
Free Satellite TV System
Both DISH Network and DIRECTV will give you all the equipment you need for satellite TV viewing - a satellite dish and up to four receivers - absolutely free.
They'll also give you a free DVR (digital video recorder) so you can record your favorite programs, or a free HD (high definition) receiver so you can watch your shows in high def format.
Installation of the entire system in up to four rooms of your home is also free, and your installer will even show you how to operate your system.
So what's the catch? In order to get a free satellite TV system from DISH Network or DIRECTV you have to subscribe to their programming service.
Best Satellite TV Programming Deals
DISH Network
DISH Network programming starts at $19.99 per month for their 40-channel DishFamily Pak, and goes up to $74.99 for their ?Everything? Pak which has 350 channels.
DISH Network has the biggest variety of movies, music, international programs, HD programming, and pay-per-view movies and events of the two satellite TV providers.
DIRECTV
DIRECTV programming starts at $41.99 for their 155 channel Total Choice package, and goes up to $96.99 for their Total Choice Premier package which has 250 program channels.
DIRECTV offers the most sports programming of the two providers.
Freebies and Special Offers
DISH Network
DISH Network is currently offering three free months of their Starz Movie Pak, which includes seven movie channels, when you sign up for any of their program packages. In addition, one DISH Network retailer is offering a free DVD Home Theater System, a free MP3 Player, or a free DVD Player if you subscribe through them (click on the DISH Network link below for more information).
DIRECTV
DIRECTV is currently offering four free months of their Total Choice Premier Package when you purchase a subscription to their NFL Sunday Ticket package (click on the DIRECTV link below for more information).
In recent years more and more cable TV subscribers have been upgrading to a satellite TV provider, and with the high prices and unreliability of cable TV it isn't that surprising. With more than 14 million satisfied subscribers, Direct TV is the largest and most successful satellite TV provider. Cable TV offers their customers limited bandwidth programming, so the service is impossible to get in many areas and the quality isn't very good. With Direct TV you are getting one hundred percent digital sound and picture for the best quality.
If you have already invested money into high definition equipment then you can opt for Direct TV's special high definition package. When you upgrade to high definition home entertainment you will experience your shows as if you were in a movie theater. If you upgrade to high definition programming then you will get a free HDTV receiver.
Direct TV not only offers better quality programming but also offers a massive amount of options to choose from. You can start off with the entry level package which includes more than one hundred and fifty five different channels. These include popular channels such as Comedy Central, ESPN, and Disney. For even more options you can go with the Total Choice Plus package which includes thirty more popular channels. This package includes a large assortment of XM commercial-free satellite radio stations, as well as other family favorites like Nicktoons and Discovery Home. Direct TV can even allow you to view all of your favorite local channels for most areas in the United States.
If you are one of those people who love to watch movies and sports events then Direct TV's Total Choice Premier is the package that will serve your entertainment needs. This package includes channels such as Sundance, HBO, Cinemax, and Starz. With this many channels to choose from you will never hear you family complain that there is nothing to watch on TV. This package also includes thirty different sports channels that are enough to keep any sports fanatic entertained. Direct TV also offers additional options you can choose from such as seasonal sports subscriptions, Pay Per View, and adult channels. Direct TV offers their subscribers the seasonal NFL Sunday Ticket which is only available through them.
Not only does Direct TV offer their customers a huge assortment of programming with awesome picture and sound quality, they also offer other useful devices such as their digital video recorder (DVR). A DVR is electronically interfaced with the satellite system and has the ability to record one station while a different channel is being watched. The DVR also allows the user to pause, rewind, or even replay live television. The DVR allows you to take advantage of interactive services such as weather, lottery results, horoscopes, a "find it" feature which makes it easier to find a program by title, keyword, actor, or channel. Direct TV has made their services and features as user-friendly as possible.
Both Brian Stevens & Kaptain Dave are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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