| tart --> | | | | Dish Network offers six different programming |
| So you've finally decided to make the switch | | | | packages for prospective customers to choose |
| from cable and go to satellite television, the only | | | | from if they are considering purchasing their |
| problem is you're not sure what the best satellite | | | | services. |
| TV deal currently is, especially with two brand | | | | The first package is the DishFamily package. This |
| name companies competing for your television | | | | package offers a large variety of family style |
| viewing pleasure. Right now the two most popular | | | | programming. It has about 30 channels that are |
| satellite TV companies are DirecTV and Dish | | | | offered. The next plan is referred to as America's |
| Network. Both offer a variety of similar features | | | | Top 60. This plan has up to 60 channels of |
| with enough differences to please almost any | | | | programming that should please most TV |
| consumer, even the hard to please television | | | | viewers. The next higher plan is America's Top 60 |
| watcher. | | | | Plus, which is basically the same as the Top 60 |
| Both satellite television companies offer over 250 | | | | but with the addition of the customer's local |
| channels of programming and are up to date with | | | | Regional Sports Networks. The next plan is |
| the newest technology to include high definition | | | | proclaimed to be Dish Networks most popular plan |
| TV (HDTV), digital video recording (DVR) features | | | | and is called America's Top 120, which as you |
| and other proprietary features specific to that | | | | would expect has 120 different channels of |
| particular satellite TV provider. | | | | entertainment style programming. America's Top |
| Perhaps the biggest difference is noticed in the | | | | 180 is the programming plan that offers 60 |
| programming packages and pricing structure that | | | | additional channels of programming for consumers |
| each company offers its potential customers. | | | | to enjoy. Finally Dish Network offers it's America's |
| DirecTV offers the following three programming | | | | Premium Pak, which is its premium plan offering |
| choices for consumers to choose from if they | | | | many more additions to the Top 180 plan. |
| are considering purchasing their satellite TV | | | | Although it looks like both satellite companies |
| service form the company. | | | | differ greatly the truth is many of the |
| The Total Choice package, which runs about | | | | programming channels are the same between the |
| $44.99 a month and offers over 155 Channels | | | | two satellite TV providers. As someone who has |
| plus 50 XM Satellite Radio Channels. Its next | | | | received programming from both companies I can |
| higher package is the Total Choice Plus package | | | | personally say that both offer fantastic customer |
| for $5 more at $49.99 a month. This plan offers | | | | service, great prices, fast installation and similar |
| over 185 channels, 17 additional XM Satellite Radio | | | | programming. The biggest difference for me was |
| Channels and 30 additional channels of family and | | | | the sports programming that both providers offer. |
| general interest entertainment. Its final | | | | In my opinion DirecTV has an edge in this |
| programming package is the Total Choice Premier | | | | category. Although Dish Network does offer the |
| package, which runs a hefty $99.99 a /month but | | | | opportunity to receive regional sports |
| does provide over 250 channels, more then 30 | | | | programming it unfortunately can't compete with |
| premium movie channels and specialty sports | | | | the sports programming packages that DirecTV |
| networks plus DVR service is included at no extra | | | | offers its customers. |
| charge. | | | | |