DISH is among the largest satellite TV companies in the United States with the company providing its customers with the options for selecting from a range of packages and add-ons. In the availability of services like Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video people who are subscribed to the cable and satellite services like DISH may ask – is there free streaming available on DISH? To answer the question in the shortest form, the answer is both yes and no with an important clarification: Yes, streaming works with a DISH subscription, but no, it does not mean streaming is supported in a generic sense.
What Netflix-Like Streaming Platforms Does DISH Offer?
Some of the streaming apps and channels are pre-installed for DISH subscribers to use. The main streaming services offered by DISH are:
- DISH On Demand: On this network, DISH currently has more than 25,000 titles available On Demand for free with a qualifying package. This could be a full movie, episodes of a TV show, or any other special event.
- Apps: Several streaming apps are pre-installed by DISH and included with the purchase of specific packages, including Netflix, YouTube, Pandora, and more. The included apps differ depending on the base package that you are subscribed to.
- DISH Anywhere: You can watch your DISH channels without any additional cost on your mobile devices or computer through this app.
Thus, the majority of DISH customers can watch On Demand titles and a certain number of streaming applications for free. It will also contain the capability of streaming your live DISH channels on devices having the DISH Anywhere app.
Are You Eligible for Streaming Services with DISH for Free?
DISH does let you have some of the streaming subscriptions this is determined by the base package one chooses. For instance, the packages called America’s Top are offered with additional features such as free Netflix subscription and Americans Top 120+ comes with free EPIX. So overall, if you were going to subscribe to those streaming services anyway, getting them included with your TV service gets you those for free.
But for example, HBO, Showtime, Starz, Cinemax, and others are free only for the first 3 months of subscription if you take a qualifying package. When the promotion period is over, you are required to pay a higher monthly fee to be able to continue accessing those premium channels and watch them via DISH.
Therefore, although there are free streaming and apps now included in the entertainment and app packages offered, the only exception would be the premium movie channels that even if are a part of the bundle, would have a price to be paid after the 3-month gift offer.
It is important to note that DISH does not currently offer a streaming-only package and that its web-based service is only for streaming local channels in certain markets.
DISH does not currently have a streaming-only service, which means that consumers need to have a satellite dish installed to access their TV packages. Even their basic TV packages that contain channels and programming as well as streaming, entail installation of a satellite dish and a receiver.
However, Sling TV is owned by DISH Network, and it offers streaming packages with no need for a dish starting at $40. Well, if you do not wish to have satellite service and the equipment and contracts that go with it, Sling will help you watch TV without a contract.
Unlike Sling TV which primarily streams content to customers, DISH has Dish On Demand titles, apps like Netflix and Pandora, and DISH Anywhere mobile streaming to customers using its Satellite service but does not list any streaming-only package under its brand. However, what sets the Sling service apart is the fact that it is primarily a streaming service.
Summary
Well, to sum up, DISH does provide and proactively adds some specific streaming entertainment for satellite customers free of charge. These are the On Demand that ranges with stations and programs, Dish applications, Dish on the go mobile streaming through DISH Anywhere. However, other additional channels such as HBO, Showtime, and many more attract an extra cost after free gifted promotions. Sling TV is the only platform it operates with no satellite TV service or installation, and DISH has no streaming-only TV package available at the moment.
However, DISH integrates some brilliant streaming features and additions with qualifying programming packages and equipment plans but does not offer a streaming-only plan under the DISH Network brand and offers a price. The add-on streaming features that are included in their Satellite service offer high value-added bonuses that are free of charge except for the premium movie channels that are offered upon subscribing to which after some time they will charge their customers. For other streaming TV solutions from the DISH family of brands without satellite, they have Sling TV which is quite cheap and doesn’t require long-term commitments.
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