| Dish Network and DirecTV now provide satellite | | | | commitment to a certain level of service. |
| TV service to more than 28 million homes in all 50 | | | | So both Dish Network and DirecTV operate on |
| states in the USA, and that number is growing | | | | the same basic business model. They give away |
| every day, while cable TV service is declining. This | | | | the equipment and the installation so they can |
| is happening because Dish Network and DirecTV | | | | make money selling the programming packages, in |
| provide more entertainment at a lower price. In a | | | | much the same way as when Gillette used to |
| nutshell, Dish Network and DirecTV give you quite | | | | give away the razor in order to sell the blades. |
| a bit "more bang for your buck." | | | | Dish Network and DirecTV equipment and |
| How can they do this? Dish Network and DirecTV | | | | installation are both excellent and there is very |
| can do this because the cable companies have | | | | little difference between them in the way of |
| priced themselves right out of the market, as | | | | quality, reliability, and ease of service. |
| suggested by the Dish Network ads that urge | | | | It is in the way they offer programming |
| you to "stop feeding the cable pig." Cable fees, | | | | packages that Dish Network and DirecTV differ, |
| which are higher than Dish Network and DirecTV | | | | and it is here that most of us develop a |
| to begin with, have increased by more than 40% | | | | preference for one or the other providers, based |
| since 1998, while satellite fees have increased by | | | | on what features are most important to us. |
| only 8%. | | | | Dish Network offers programming in a way that |
| Depending on where you live and what cable | | | | allows you to keep your costs as low as possible |
| company serves your area, you will pay about | | | | if you simply want to step up to the basic |
| $40 per month for basic cable service (about 64 | | | | benefits that satellite provides you over cable. |
| channels), plus $10 per month to get digital | | | | These benefits include 100% digital programming, |
| programming instead of analogue. You will also pay | | | | better picture, many more channels, free |
| a monthly fee for each additional "box" you need | | | | dual-room DVR receiver, free HD receiver, and an |
| to service more than one TV in your home. And | | | | overall monthly cost that is usually a good bit |
| finally, there will also be an installation charge. | | | | lower than cable. |
| When I finally saw the light and left cable for | | | | DirecTV offers programming in a way that |
| digital satellite TV, I was paying nearly $70 per | | | | makes you pay more to get more than Dish |
| month for 64 channels of basic analogue service | | | | Network. Its minimum package, for example, is |
| to 3 TVs. Now I pay Dish Network only $51 per | | | | for 155 channels, rather than 80 channels, so your |
| month for more than 210 all-digital channels, | | | | cost of entry into satellite TV is higher with |
| including locals and 60 channels of SIRIUS radio. I | | | | DirecTV than with Dish Network, but you get |
| could have gotten similar service from DirecTV | | | | more. Many viewers feel that DirecTV offers |
| for about the same price. | | | | more in the way of sports and special |
| With either Dish Network or DirecTV you receive | | | | programming than Dish Network. |
| free equipment and free professional installation | | | | Due to the fact that details of special offers by |
| for up to 4 rooms. This includes the satellite | | | | both providers are constantly changing, you should |
| dish(es) necessary to bring in the signal, and the | | | | check the links at the end of this article for |
| receivers for each room that connect to your | | | | current information about Dish Network offers |
| TV. | | | | and DirecTV offers. You will be able to see |
| With Dish Network you can get a free dual-room | | | | exactly which channels you can get for a |
| DVR receiver that lets you watch two separate | | | | particular price, including local channels for your |
| TV programs in two separate rooms while | | | | area, and learn more about your DVR and HD |
| recording each program separately. You can also | | | | options if these are important to you. |
| get a free Dish TV High Definition receiver. With | | | | Copyright 2006 by Laval Robillard - All Rights |
| DirecTV you receive DVR and HD upgrades free | | | | Reserved. |
| after the use of a $100 mail-in rebate and the | | | | |