Tips on Comparison Shopping for a Satellite TV Provider

When you set out to select a satellite TV programming service provider there is a lot of information that has to be taken into account before you sign on the dotted line. It is imperative that you read up on as much as you can, because they all will require that you sign onto an extended service agreement and once this is done you will not want to have any regrets.

However; all of the top satellite service providers will allow you to upgrade your programming package and receiver with no extra service charge but there are differences in what they have to offer you the viewer. Right now the top two satellite TV programming service providers are DirecTV and Dish Network and while they both have been recognized by J.D. Power and associates for their records in overall customer service, they do have many differences in the way that they market their programming.

For instance, they both feature high definition programming for their viewers if they choose to add it to their programming package. While Dish Network has the most high definition programming channels with over thirty one in some viewing areas to DirecTVs twelve channels, Dish Network requires that you subscribe to them all if you want them.

DirecTV takes a different approach in that they allow their customers to pick and choose through their high definition programming repertoire and select out only the channels that they want and pay for them separately, even if it is only one channel that they want. As far as maximum channels is concerned, they are both equal with around 250 channels of programming available in their largest package.

Another similarity is that DirecTV and Dish Network both offer free Sirius satellite radio programming with their packages. They do differ however in the way that they compile the programming in their packages. Dish Network features their “Americas Top” series of programming packages that contain 100, 200 and 250 channel packages for you to choose from. They all are built on a foundation of basic popular programming such as MTV, CNN, ESPN and QVC just to name a few but as you move up in their packages you get a more varied choice in programming.

Both Dish network and DirecTV also have a budget entry level programming package as well. DirecTV uses a somewhat different marketing approach with their “Americas Top” programming package series. With Americas Top you select from 140, 185 and 250 channel programming packages. Of course they both have a wide selection of add on programming channels if you chose to build on your programming package as well.

They both also have a broad selection of forign language programming. There are some differences in the type of programming that they both specialize in though, that may influence your final decision. DirecTV specializes in sports programming and does carry more premium sports channels than Dish Network but Dish Network has more premium movie channels to offer their viewers.