Both offer several different packages. The simplest is the "family package", which provides local programming, plus a limited number of cable network channels. The selection is focused on wholesome, family-friendly programming. These packages don't offer a great number of sports or lifestyle channels, but do have enough variety of programming to satisfy the average family's basic television needs.
Next are the tier packages, with increasing numbers of channels for an increasing flat monthly price: Dish Network offers packages with 60, 120, and 180 channels, plus an "Everything Pak", while DirecTV's packages have 155, 185 and 250, plus a "Titanium" everything-included package. On top of that, both allow you to add your choice of premium movie channels: HBO, Showtime, Cinemax, and Starz.
Packages aimed at family viewing are the least expensive, while premium "everything-included" satellite television packages promise and deliver platinum service with something for everyone. HDTV, satellite radio, video-on-demand, and pay-per-view are just a few of the extra goodies available.
Both services include dozens of satellite radio channels, in addition to the video channels: Dish Network provides programming from Sirius Satellite Radio, while DirecTV provides XM Satellite Radio.
In addition to the standard satellite TV and radio channels that the consumer gets with their monthly subscription, both providers offer certain movies as video-on-demand (VOD) selections. This means you don't have to wait until the movie you want to watch is ready to start- frustrating even when the movie is being played multiple times a day on a premium network- you just go to your VOD channel, select the movie you want and press "play" when you're ready to begin.
Dish Network and DirecTV also provide pay-per-view channels that allow you to spend a few extra dollars to view first-run movies, or special events like major boxing matches or broadcast rock concerts.
Dish Network's packages are a less expensive, but contain fewer standard channels, although they have a greater selection of high definition channels. It remains to be seen whether DirecTV's customers will continue to consider the wide selection of channels and the noted customer service to be worth the higher price.
Between the two satellite TV providers -- DISH Network and DIRECTV -- you can get more than 350 different channels of TV programming, pay-per-view movies and events, your local channels, and commercial-free music channels.
Satellite TV channels are bundled into various packages. Here's a rundown on what satellite TV packages are available:
Dish Network Satellite TV Packages
Dish Family Pak -- 40 program channels for $19.99 per month.
America's Top 60 -- 75 program channels for $29.99 per month.
America's Top 120 -- 230 program channels including 60 Sirius satellite radio channels for $39.99 per month.
America's Top 180 -- 318 program channels including 60 Sirius satellite radio channels for $39.99 per month.
America's "Everything" Pak -- 350 program channels including 60 channels of Sirius satellite radio, premium movie channels from Showtime, Starz!, HBO and Cinemax, and DISH Network HDTV programming for $74.99 per month.
DISH Network Movie Channel Packages
10 Showtime Channels, 8 Starz Channels, 8 HBO Channels, 5 Cinemax Channels, Showtime Unlimited/Starz Super Pak, HBO The Works/MultiMAX from Cinemax, HBO The Works/Showtime Unlimited, HBO The Works/Starz Super Pak.
DISH Network Sports Packages
Multi-Regional Sport, The Outdoor Channel, MLB Extra Innings, ESPN College Grand Slam, NBA League Pass, ESPN Full Court, ESPN Game Plan, NHL Center Ice, MLS Direct Kick, English Premier League.
DISH Network International Programming Packages
Dish Latino, Dish Latino Dos, Dish Latino Max, Chinese Great Wall Package, African, Arabic, Armenian, Farsi, French, German, Greek, Israeli, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, South Asian, Tagalog, and Urdu.
DISH Network Adult Channels
Playboy, Spice Ultimate, TENClips, TENXtsy, Private Fantasy (note: all DISH Network satellite TV systems include parental locks.
Note: For more information on current DISH Network programming and subscription fees, or to order satellite TV service with a free satellite TV system, click on the links below.
DIRECTV Satellite TV Packages
Total Choice -- 155 program channels, including 50 XM radio channels for $41,99 per month.
Total Choice Plus -- 185 program channels, including 50 XM radio channels for $46.88 per month.
Total Choice Premier -- 250 program channels, including 67 XM radio channels for $96 .99 per month.
DIRECTV Premium Services Packages
HBO7 HBO channels (including HBO HD), STARZ (4 STARZ channels, 2 Encore channels, and 6 EncoreSM Theme channels), Showtime Unlimited (5 Showtime channels, 2 channels of The Movie Channel, 1 FLIX channel, and 1 Sundance channel), Cinemax (3 Cinemax channels),
Sports Pack (more than 25 specialty and regional sports networks, plus NBA.com, Fox Sports World, and The Golf Channel).
DIRECTV Sports Subscriptions
NFL Sunday Ticket, NBA League Pass, ESPN Game Plan, MLB Extra Innings, NHL Center Ice, ESPN Full Court, MLS Direct Kick, Barclays English Premier League, Mega March Madness, Cricket Ticket
Additional Programming Packages
HD Package (ESPN HD, ESPN2 HD, Discovery HD Theater, HDNet, HDNet Movies, TNT HD, Universal HD, and Pay-Per-View.
International Program Packages
Para Todos, Phoenix TV, Jade World, Filipino, South Asian, Vietnamese, and Italian programming.
DIRECTV Adult Programming
A Taste of Spice, Playboy TV, Spice Platinum, The Hot Network, The Hot Zone, and Spice HD.
Note: For more information on current DIRECTV programming and subscription fees, or to order satellite TV service with a free satellite TV system, click on the links below.
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