It is worth asking the following question: How much does Dish TV cost per month?
Dish TV is the second largest Direct-to-Home service provider company in the United States which provides different packages of channel choices and also there are different packages with different price brackets. But a more significant question; how much does Dish TV cost per month on average? What makes up the cost per month? This article will therefore explain the Dish TV pricing and packages to enable you to see the amount of money you should be preparing to pay.
Base Price
The minimum subscription offered by Dish TV is Dish America, which costs the customer $64.99 per month. However, there is a one-time offer of 50% off the first month’s price, which brings the cost down to $44.95 for the first month only; thereafter, it goes up to $89.99 per month. This doesn’t include extra fees such as late fees or taxes which could be an additional $15-$20 monthly.
The base pricing gets you:
- Over 190 channels
- Local broadcast television networks (ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox) in HD.
- 24/7 customer service
However, the base package is the most minimalistic when compared to the other plans available. Just to get some reasonable channel list, you will have to subscribe to better packages or tiers.
Package Upgrades
All packages from Dish are upgradable to the next levels if you wish to have more channels. Pricing for the most popular options is:
- Dish America’s Top 120: $94.99/month for the first year and $132.99/month thereon
- Dish America’s Top 200: $104.99 the first year then $152.99 monthly thereafter
- Dish America’s Top 250: There is a particular offer of $114.99 per month for the first year and then $172.99 per month.
Thus, the base pricing of the service begins at $65 monthly, whereas the average client spends $95-$115 per month after subscribing to upgrade packages.
Included with these upgrades you’ll get:
- Regional sports networks
- Cable systems that provide movie channels that include HBO, Cinemax, Showtime and Starz.
- Cable Television channels which include MTV, Nickelodeon, Discovery, ESPN and many more.
- More services can also be subscribed to by paying extra money to get an additional number of channels every month.
Additional Fees
On top of your base package pricing, Dish charges several additional standard fees:
- Local Channel Fee: Based in San Francisco, it charges $12/month.
- Regional Sports Fee: Most of the stock traders and investors pay about $14.49 monthly for stock trading.
- Broadcast Fee: $2.50/month
Also, state and local taxes – that can range from $5 -$15 per month, depending on location.
I found out that while DISH offers its basic package at $94.99 per month, most of the users, because of the additional packages and fees, pay between $120-$150 per month. Nevertheless, depending on the package and additional services, you might want to pay more or even less.
First-Year Pricing
It is important to note that with Dish TV there is a possibility of different pricing for the different packages whereas the price shown by the company is for the first year only. On average, your bill increases by $20-$25 a month as soon as you complete a year.
Thus, if you come across an ad of Dish America’s Top 120 offering service at $94.99 a month, then it means that’s for the first month only. The rate of renewal after one year is also relatively steep.
Of course, there is always a promotion going on so that you can stay with the first-year price. However, most of the time, you are required to reach Dish customer service and haggle for the services. The special pricing will not automatically renew the offer on the same terms.
Additional Costs
In addition to the normal monthly fees, here are some other Dish TV costs to be aware of:
- Equipment fees: Dish receivers range from $10-$15 per 30 days to lease.
- Installation fees: Most of the Dish packages’ installation services can be availed at the provider’s price range of $49.99-$99.99.
- Early termination fees: Similarly, if you terminate your plan early you will have to pay approximately $15-$20 per remaining month of your contract.
Bundling to Save Money
Dish has attractive deals on monthly packages that you can enjoy if you sign for both TV and internet or other services.
For instance, you can get a Dish + Internet package that can cut your total cost by $10 to $20 per month. You can also add other smart home services offered by Dish’s affiliate firm Vivint.
If you wish to combine Dish top cell phone service, they offer services in affiliation with T-Mobile, Sprint, and AT&T. Some carriers can offer you bundle price plans that would cost you $5-$10 less per each line per month.
The potential savings that Dish TV bundles cut can vary to the last dollar, but it is usually in the region of $10-$30 per month. It can also help generate some of that extra money needed to pay those receiver fees and taxes.
Is Dish TV Worth the Amount That One Is Willing to Spend on It Monthly?
Whether Dish TV is of value to your home based on the monthly fee has been presented to you, and it is up to you as the consumer to make the final decision. The extra fees range from $30-$80 per month, but the basic channel package is roughly $60-$80 per month; therefore, the average cost is around $120-$150 per month.
As expected, streaming Tv is cheaper than satellite, but satellite has some bonuses such as regional sports networks, there are no data limits, and satellite has more channels.
In conclusion, to compare Dish with other TV providers, consider its total monthly rate inclusive of fee, tax, box rental, among other charges. And know that after the 12 initial months the base package often increases to $20+ more than your current price.
However, if all these aspects are explained and one realizes that Dish provides more for the money than, for instance, cable or some streaming services, then it’s justified to pay the monthly fee. However, in order to understand the true impact Dish TV on your household, one must look at a comprehensive bill.
Ready to upgrade your TV experience? Call us now at (877) 471-4808 to find the perfect Dish Network plan for you! Don’t miss out on great entertainment—our team is here to help you choose the best package and get you started today.