| When it comes to choosing a television provider, it | | | | 200, and 250 channel variety. At the lower end, |
| is important to have plenty of choices. That is | | | | you get the basic channels like ESPN, Comedy |
| why is is so great that there are multiple satellite | | | | Central, CNN, CBS, and TNT. When you subscribe |
| television companies. Once a family decides that it | | | | to the higher end, you also get premium Movies, |
| doesn't want to pay the high prices that cable | | | | and specialty channels like Bloomberg TV and the |
| television demands or continue with the inferior | | | | Movie Channel. The Dishnet DVR Advantage |
| service that most cable companies offer, satellite | | | | package is the America's Top 200 plus the |
| television becomes the obvious choice. However, | | | | addition of DVR access. If you would also like |
| it can be hard to make the decision between Dish | | | | HDTV access, you can add a 31 channel HD |
| TV and Directv. They each have a different way | | | | package to any programming package. 31 |
| of offering channels and can bring different | | | | channels is the largest HDTV package that is |
| programming options to your house. You will also | | | | available at this time through any television service |
| find a difference in the prices they charge for | | | | provider. |
| service. Comparing the two companies before | | | | Direct TV also has three main programming |
| making your decision is a smart way to make | | | | packages, but includes more variations for HDTV |
| sure you get what you are really looking for. | | | | and DVR access. This company starts with 140 |
| Because the price of your television service is | | | | channels in their Total Choice package and |
| probably a very important factor in determining | | | | increases to 250 channels in the Total Choice |
| which service you choose, you'll want to carefully | | | | Premier package. In between is a 185 channel |
| compare the prices of the two satellite television | | | | package that also comes in two variations- one |
| companies. Different specials and the inclusion of | | | | for HDTV access and one for DVR service. In |
| equipment and installation with some packages but | | | | Direct TV's largest package you get over 60 |
| not others makes the comparison less than clear | | | | channels of sports and premium movie access. |
| cut. However, it is easy to compare the price of | | | | High Definition TV (HDTV) programming can be |
| service once you know what type of service you | | | | added individually to programming packages or |
| want. For instance, if you want a mid-level | | | | accessed through one of the special variations on |
| package with DVR service and local channels, you | | | | the regular packages. Directv's HDTV selection is |
| can compare what that would cost through each | | | | not as large as Dish Network's with only about |
| company. However, you will still find that one | | | | one third of the channels. |
| company's mid-level service has a different | | | | You will also find difference between the two |
| number of channels than the other. Overall, | | | | satellite television service providers in terms of |
| though, Dish Network tends to be less expensive | | | | the amount of interactive television, sports |
| for its programming packages and offers less | | | | programming and other specialty programming. |
| expense equipment. Direct TV 's values aren't | | | | Dish Network tends to be stronger in its selection |
| always quite as good, but they do run specials | | | | of specialty programming like foreign language |
| that make them more competitive. | | | | programming, interactive television and On |
| Both satellite television companies have fairly | | | | Demand Movies, but Directv has slightly more |
| similar package selections. You'll find a different | | | | sports programming. |
| number of channels in each package and some | | | | Overall, Dish Network tends to make a great |
| packages will include service like a digital video | | | | choice for most families looking for good values in |
| recorder, but the actual channels are pretty much | | | | satellite entertainment. Direct TV is also a good |
| the same. Dishnetwork TV has chosen to offer | | | | choice, but its values are not quite as strong. It's |
| three main packages called the America's Top | | | | time to get rid of Cable TV. Switch now. |
| Entertainment packages, which come in a 100, | | | | |