Washington has two major satellite TV providers to choose from: DIRECTV and Dish Network. Satellite TV provides the best solution to cable in Washington due to high-definition channels, specialty programming and competitive price. The following guide will make a comparison between the two satellite television providers, which will help in identifying which one is ideal for you. We will also offer information regarding how one can bargain for the best price to be offered by various selling firms.
DIRECTV
DIRECTV is a popular and leading satellite television service provider in the United States, having more than 16 million customers; it is owned by the AT&T. DIRECTV has several packages, starting with 185 + channels and going up to 330 + channels. Options are local networks, specialty entertainment options such as movie packages, and sports packages such as NFL Sunday ticket. The Genie HD DVR enables the DIRECTV users to record five programs simultaneously while watching a sixth program.
DISH Network
DISH is the second largest satellite company in the United States and has a total of over 8 million subscribers. It is evident that DISH’s package ranges from 60+ to 290+ channel options and the list included the same types of channels as with DIRECTV. The major difference of DISH is that they provide the cheaper 120 channel package, America’s Top 120, for the consumers with limited amount of money to spend. The main DVR of DISH is the Hopper 3, which enables the simultaneous recording of as many as 16 programs.
Programming & Packages
They provide all the most-watched channels that are typically in demand in the households for their daily use. All cable packages here come with local channels and regional sports networks. All the major cable networks could be obtained irrespective of the packages available, and the main difference would be in the number of channels offered. DIRECTV can more than make up for this with specialty channels — they just have more channels all around, especially if you go up the pricing tiers. The NFL Sunday Ticket is exclusive to DIRECTV. DISH counter this by bundling Sling TV streaming of some live television channels with some of their packages.
Technology & Equipment
You require a satellite dish and a receiver from whichever Satellite company you decide to settle for. DIRECTV and DISH also provide top-notch equipment such as voice control remote, Genie and Hopper 4K compatible receivers. It appears that DISH is ahead of the curve when it comes to things like DVR, such as Auto Hop to skip commercials. DIRECTV responds with additional conveniences such as being able to stream on mobile devices with the aid of DIRECTV Everywhere. The only difference in the most advanced user experience that can be observed here is very small.
Installation & Service
In terms of installation, most of the customers have expressed their satisfaction with both DIRECTV and DISH. And both offer completely free standard professional installation. In some cases, additional charges are incurred for non-standard configurations. They also provide a two-year price guarantee for all of their products and services. Telephone or internet service for example, a discount can be offered if a number of services are taken together. DIRECTV may have additional bonuses when bundled, but DISH counteracts this by offering the ability to pick standalone services. Customer services satisfaction is also comparable; however, based on various reviews, DIRECTV rates slightly higher than DISH.
How to get the best out of your deal.
1. New customers’ promotion should be taken to ensure you capture the new customers.
The only effective way of achieving this when subscribing to satellite TV is to consider subscribing during its new subscriber promotions. These often include deep discounts on programming for the first year of service. You will also find promos such as free access to premium channels for three months.
2. Try to combine services to get more for your money.
Introduce additional services of the same nature as internet or phone and grab additional offers that come as a part of your bundle. People found out that when one gets several services in a single bill, he or she can get a discount of about 5% to 25% off the usual charges.
3. Lastly, one may ask about any other special discounts or promotions currently available.
One should always feel free to call a sales representative and ask whether there are any other special offers that are not mentioned but that may suit the customer. Referencing competitors’ offers also entice them to make further concessions in order to lure you into patronizing their business.
4. Compare deals before committing.
Remember to compare the prices for service packages you are interested in with both DIRECTV and DISH. When comparing the two real numbers it helps to have the two-spread side by side to avoid missing out on cheaper prices from one over the other.
5. Be careful with disclosing information to other people and do not sign anything without going through all the terms and conditions written in the contract.
Take note of the early termination fees and the length of contractual obligation when considering any TV provider. You will also want to be able to get out of a service if you are unsatisfied with this by no means is recommended.
The Bottom Line
When it comes to the selection of satellite TV service providers in Washington, programming options are the keyway to make the choice between DIRECTV and DISH. Sports lovers may prefer DIRECTV due to its NFL Sunday Ticket. This is the reason why DISH is also concerned with lower-cost packages and technology conveniences. To get the most of the offers it is recommended to wait for the new customer deals and do not shy away from bargaining with the sales representatives; it is always beneficial to compare all the options carefully.
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.
