Can the Company Be Considered as Worthy the Money Invested in It?
DISH Network Services is one of the leading satellite television companies in the United States which provides television, internet, and telephone services to households. However, given the factor of increasing costs and numerous opportunities, is it still reasonable to get a DISH subscription? Here are some critical elements you need to evaluate to determine whether to invest in the DISH Network or not.
Channel Selection
That has given DISH the advantage of offering a large number of channels in various categories such as news, sports, movies, and so on. DISH has tiered packages with over 190 and extends up to over 380 channels in its America’s Top packages. These include ESPN, HGTV, Discovery, Disney, and Fox News among others This list shows that the company streams popular channels to its clients. So if you are into getting many different channels, DISH has got you covered. However, one should note that the channel list is a little different depending on the location of the viewer.
This also stands to mean that DISH allows you to pick and select the channels according to your preference. For instance, the packages you can subscribe to include a sports package, a movie package, an international package, or even a premium package. This opens a larger choice of programs but costs extra money every month, though some families might find it beneficial. I believe what you need to understand is that the availability of local channels may sometimes be restricted in some areas.
Price
However, if we compare the offered packages with most cable TV prices, then we can notice that the basic packages at DISH are relatively cheap. Monthly packages start from $64.99 for the initial 12 months and cost $15 more than the initial offer on average thereafter. But it will also have other Monthly Service Charges such as the Local Channel Fee ($12), Regional Sports Fee ($17), and equipment charges. However, furthermore one can choose numerous additional services, paid television channels, taxes, and other services that can make the bill to $100 a month and even more.
The good thing is that DISH sometimes has offers where they will give the package for a lower price for the first year or give Visa gift cards and sometimes the package comes with free premium channels. They come with an understanding that you have to use the services for at least 2 years for you to qualify for those introductory rates. That is why while DISH can help you save a few bucks in the beginning, you find yourself paying more in the long run.
So let me present the facts relating to DISH’s real world, its prices, and contracts in comparison to streaming TV. YouTube TV with more than 85 channel offers starts at $64.99 per month on a contract-free basis, and Hulu + Live TV with 75+ channel offers is $69.99 per month, which can be canceled at any time. I did not find any contracts, taxes, or other concealed charges.
Technology and Features
More to it, DISH a satellite TV provider receives programming through dish antennas placed at the clients’ premises. This kind of structure enables DISH to render services in areas that might not have cables all over the country. The disadvantage is that you have to position the satellite dish to face no hindrance plus you have to have a coaxial cable connected to your television set. Satellites are also affected by poor weather since their reliability is also an issue during hurricanes. DISH offers upgrades to its DVR systems; DISH also has an online streaming app, but the streaming ability is behind other streaming services.
However, streaming TV providers rely on the internet to deliver channels. This entails that you can watch your TV anywhere whether with your streaming device or via your mobile applications. For the most part, pictures are relatively sharp and not affected by the weather. And services like cloud DVRs with hundreds of included recording hours are very much available. Well, DISH just cannot offer that convenience and flexibility at all. This technology is effective but has a kind of a late 90s, or early 2000 feel to it as opposed to streaming.
Customer Service
Ways are always bound to arise or arise in which the consumer will need guidance or assistance from the customer care services of the TV service he /she subscribed to. Customers have varying experiences when it comes to rating DISH on its customer service and satisfaction surveys like JD Power support this up. The one downside to using DISH is that the representatives tend to be friendly, but the wait can sometimes be a bit long when calling in with an issue. While attending to billing issues, cancellations, and technical difficulties can sometimes frustrate the customer.
It is also important to note that streaming providers often provide much better quality of customer service. Customer support representatives are very knowledgeable about software and hardware such as apps and streaming devices to solve problems as soon as possible. Most of them offer flexible billing with no contractual terms and all of them enable you to cancel your subscription online without much of a struggle. Hence if quality customer service is a factor of concern that is where streaming providers stand to benefit.
The Bottom Line
DISH offers the conventional satellite TV service and offers channel packages to suit the user’s needs at reasonable prices. However, this comes at a higher cost, where the initial rates are much cheaper than the standard rate that is charged over multiple-year contracts. There is less variation in streaming options besides 720p for videos and average customer support too. In the end, there are streaming TV providers that provide nearly similar channels and internet speeds, superior quality features, technology, and customer service at almost the same per month rates. Hence weigh your budgetary considerations, the programming requirements, and what is most important. But DISH has one function, streaming simply provides most households with an improved offer.
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.