Satellite TV providers
Satellite TV brings services to rural areas that are often without other options. DISH and DIRECTV both have premium packages with high channel counts for your entertainment needs.
Best satellite TV providers
DIRECTV
- Prices starting at – $69.99/mo. for 75+ channels
DISH
- Prices starting at – $79.99/mo. for 190+ channels
Compare DIRECTV and Dish satellite TV
When it comes to satellite TV companies, DIRECTV and DISH cover nearly 100% of the country, making them your main two options. Either DIRECTV or DISH could be the best satellite TV provider for you depending on what you’re looking for.
| Providers | Starting price* | Channels | DVR recordings | Contract |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | $69.99/mo. | 75-150+ | 200 hours | Two years |
 | $84.99/mo. | 190-290+ | 2,000 hours | Three years |
*Pricing per month plus taxes for length of contract. Additional fees and terms may apply. Pricing varies by location and availability. All prices subject to change at any time. As of 04/23/24.
Which satellite TV provider is best for you?
The best provider for you will depend on what you’re looking for. If you want the best channel selection, including sports coverage, DIRECTV is the better option. But if you’re looking to save money and have access to a more advanced DVR, we’d go with DISH, which locks in your price for two years, whereas DIRECTV raises it significantly in year two.
Both satellite providers lock you into a two-year contract. For DIRECTV’s cheapest plan, the price goes from $74.99/mo. in year one to $122/mo. in year two. DISH’s cheapest package, meanwhile, stays at $69.99/mo. for the entire contract. DISH and DIRECTV both have early contract termination fees.
DIRECTV pros/cons
Highest channel count – DIRECTV offers up to 340+ channels. This is one of the highest channel counts available.
Two-year contract – One downside of satellite TV is that it still requires long-term contracts, unlike streaming TV services.
Price increase – Expect your bill to increase by $20-$30/mo. after the first 24 months.
DISH pros/cons
Two-year price lock – DISH helps customers save money by locking in their price for two years.
Best low-tier package deal – If you are looking for the best cheap TV package, DISH is a better option than DIRECTV.
Not as high a channel count – DISH does not offer as many channels for its most expensive TV package as DIRECTV.
NO HBO – While DIRECTV offers HBO Max for free for three months, DISH does not provide HBO whatsoever.
Which satellite provider offers better premium channels?
If you’re looking to include premium networks like HBO, SHOWTIME and STARZ in your channel lineup, DIRECTV generally offers cheaper prices than DISH. The CHOICE, ULTIMATE and PREMIER packages all include one year of HBO Max, and the PREMIER package ($149.99/mo.) also throws in Cinemax, SHOWTIME and STARZ.
DISH, on the other hand, doesn’t offer most premium channels. The only ones that are available to add to your package are EPIX and STARZ ENCORE. If you want HBO, SHOWTIME or STARZ, you’ll have to subscribe to their streaming services separately.
DIRECTV breakdown
DIRECTV packages come with 165-340+ channels, plus add-on package options and thousands of on-demand titles available.
The CHOICE mid-tier package includes in-market regional sports networks, including the MLB and NFL networks.
If you love movies and original content, all DIRECTV plans come with some premium channels like HBO Max™, SHOWTIME®, STARZ®, Cinemax® & EPIX® included for three months.* After that, you’ll automatically be charged full price unless you cancel.
You can also add HBO Max™, Cinemax®, SHOWTIME®, STARZ® or EPIX® with the Premium Channel Pack for $53.95/mo.
Fees to be aware of
DIRECTV requires customers to sign a two-year contract and your monthly fee will be larger in year two. If you want to get out of the contract, you will pay a deactivation fee and a prorated charge of up to $480.
There is also a fee of $7/mo. for each receiver and/or Genie Mini/DIRECTV Ready TV/Device on your account.
*First 3 mos. of Max, SHOWTIME®, STARZ®, MGM+™ and Cinemax® are included with ENTERTAINMENT through ULTIMATE packages. Customers selecting PREMIER package only receive MGM+™ for first 3 mos. All selected channels auto-renew at then prevailing rates (currently $15.99/mo. for Max, $11.99/mo. for SHOWTIME®, $11/mo. each for STARZ® and Cinemax®, and $6/mo. for MGM+™), until you change or cancel by logging into your account at directv.com/signin or calling 800-531-5000. Offer subject to change & may be modified or discontinued at any time without notice. 04/23/24
DISH breakdown
DISH offers packages with 190 to 290+ channels and their Hopper 3 device can record up to 16 shows at once, as well as supports 4K.
There are four English channel packages and five Spanish packages. You can add premium and specialty channels like STARZ and SHOWTIME to any plan, but DISH does not offer the popular HBO.
DISH does offer the Multi-Sport Pack that can provide you with access to college and pro games, but it is not as robust as DIRECTV’s sports offerings.
Fees to be aware of
DISH also requires a two-year contract for their service, but they have a two-year price lock, so your price won’t change for the length of your original contract.
DISH does have an early termination fee of $20 for each month remaining on your contract.
For monthly fees, you can expect a regional sports fee of about $3 to be on your bill, as well as a $12 fee for local channels.
There are also monthly fees for the DVR equipment, ranging from $5 to $10/mo. Don’t forget the upfront, one-time fee of $50 for the Hopper 3.
How does satellite TV work?
Satellite TV is a popular alternative to standard TV services, especially among rural residents. Satellite television providers send signals to satellites above the earth, which then transmit those signals to smaller dishes attached to homes.
Satellite TV receivers, like your set-top box, convert the signals into an image to your TV, similar to how your modem converts incoming signals into internet service for your computer.
What you’ll need for satellite TV service:
- A satellite dish
- A satellite receiver
- Coaxial cable to connect the dish to the receiver
- HDMI cable to connect the receiver to your TV
Your installation technician will be responsible for providing your satellite dish and will place it in a way that will ensure high-quality service. The dish will be pointed towards the sky in the direction of a corresponding satellite thousands of miles away. This satellite will receive and transmit all your online requests.
You can either rent a modem and router from your provider for an additional monthly fee (usually $10-$15/mo.*), or you can invest in your own equipment to avoid extra charges. The modem and router will act as the middlemen between your satellite dish and your internet-connected devices by interpreting and transmitting the signal back and forth.
Pro tip: Check with your homeowner’s association or housing community before you schedule your installation and purchase your plan. Satellite installation is considered by most to be an alteration to the outside of a home. Some HOAs will require approval before installation, while communities like apartment complexes may prohibit installation altogether.
Bundle satellite TV and internet
You can get high-speed internet with satellite TV service. DISH and DIRECTV both work with internet providers in your area to bring you satellite TV and internet bundles. Depending on which providers are available in your area, you may be able to snag discounts by bundling multiple home services. AT&T internet and DIRECTV bundles, for example.
Can satellite TV provide internet?
While neither satellite TV provider offers internet directly, you can combine their TV packages with an internet plan from leading providers in your area. Call today to build your satellite TV and internet bundle with providers such as:
Is cable or satellite TV better?
Satellite TV companies will likely give you more channel options and lower introductory pricing, but cable is less likely to be affected by inclement weather. Both satellite and cable TV will give you similar channel packages and picture quality. Take a look at some other differences between the two to find the right TV service for you.
What makes satellite TV services different from cable TV?
- Satellite TV uses a dish to get the TV signal to a customer’s home instead of cable lines.
- Satellite service delivers all the typical cable TV channels to areas where cable does not reach.
- Satellite TV providers are known for carrying a variety of international and sports programming.
Why we like satellite service
Availability – Satellite TV is available throughout all 50 states. Cable service and providers vary by location.
Channel selection – Satellite TV typically has more channel variety and package selections than cable. If you’re looking for a basic package with little more than local channels, cable may be your better option.
Picture quality – Satellite TV supports higher bandwidth than cable, which can allow for more 1080p HD channels or even 4K programming.
Customer satisfaction – DISH and DIRECTV had higher ACSI ratings than most major cable TV providers in 2021, both scoring a 66 out of 100, respectively.
Things to consider
Service disruptions – Inclement weather such as rain, snow, strong winds and heavy cloud coverage can interfere with your signal and cause a temporary service outage. However, your recorded programming will likely still be available.
Contracts – Both DISH and DIRECTV require a two-year contract.
Dish installation – To get satellite TV, you need a satellite dish, so your installer will need to affix the dish to your roof or another exterior surface on your home.