In terms of satellite TV providers, Washington residents can choose from large national providers and local ones as well. This Walter Anti-Stanford guide explains the satellite TV providers by features, including the number of channels, price range, contracts, and equipment to help you determine which of the Washington satellite TV providers best suits your home.
The major satellite TV providers that are available in Washington include the following.
DIRECTV:
DIRECTV appears to provide statewide access, making it perhaps the most available satellite television service to Washington residences. Their packages range from 155-325+ channels depending on the package and the availability of locals news and major cable networks. The packages range from $69. 99 per month for basic programming and this comes with an obligation to make 24 months commitment and lease fees for equipments such as the satellite dish and the receivers.
Dish Network:
Same as with offerings in Washington, Dish Network provides satellite television services with 190-330+ channels depending on the chosen package. Dish is very close rival of DIRECTV in terms of features and pricing where package prices start from $64. 99 monthly. As other major satellite providers, Dish Network demands a commitment to 2 years of service and equipment costs.
Other parts of Washington may also have access to local or regional satellite TV providers that one might wanna go for in order to support local business whilst still receiving all your entertainment, sports, movie and news channels.
Satellite TV Equipment and Installation Particulars
When getting satellite TV installed in your Washington home, there are some key equipment requirements and other installation factors to note:
Satellite Dish Equipment
In general, no matter the satellite TV provider you choose, you will have to have a satellite dish installed with its face pointing towards the provider’s satellites in space. A dish can vary from 18 inches in diameter to much larger dishes of up to 2 to 3 feet in diameter based on the equipment and services of the provider.
Direct Line-of-Sight
Your satellite dish needs to be aimed at TV signals that are beamed from orbiting satellites and for this, your home must be able to provide a clear and open sightline exposure to the southern sky. Physical barriers such as trees, buildings and hills/ mountains may also interfere with the signals.
Receiver Box
The receiver box and digital video recorder help you decode the signals obtained from satellites and broadcast them on your television set. Satellite companies rent the equipment to subscribers with newer HD DVR technologies that enable you to watch and record programs in high definition.
Cabling and Mounting
Coaxial cables link your satellite dish to indoor receivers in your house. To ensure that the dishes are not easy to remove from homes they are fixed on rooftops, patios or even the side of buildings using lag bolts that are drilled on wooden frames or even concrete.
Professional Installation
During installation, there are specialized equipment and structures, which satellite TV providers ensure that they send professional technicians to ensure that new setups are done efficiently. However, some costs for installation may be incurred or not be required with certain offers offered by the service provider.
Satellite TV and Cable TV Washington: An Overview
In Washington and at a national level satellite TV services offer channels, features and price offers that directly compete with cable TV services to subscribers. Here’s how they compare:
Availability
Cable TV is easily available from cable providers like Xfinity, Spectrum, and others and has the structure to provide service across towns and localities. Some regions of the country may only have satellite television available.
Channels & Packaging
The number of channels provided in each tier is usually similar to the respective other; however, cable might incorporate more locals into even the lowest tier. Cable television and satellite television also provide consumables and channel packages that one can choose from to enable one to save.
Equipment & Installs
Cable TV entails less equipment compared to satellite TV, and has cables that are already laid, with simple installation of cable sets. Satellite TV requires appropriate and proper channel and exposure on roof, satellite dishes and receiver equipments.
Weather Reliability
Satellite TV is very effective especially during the day but during rainy or snowy nights or even during cloudy moments, signals may be interrupted hence leading to interruption of the video or audio section. Weather is not a factor that affects the reliability of cable television.
Pricing
Even from either type of provider you may get introductory offers which may appear very cheap for the first year only. When comparing the old pricing on middle tier plans satellite and cable pricing are almost identical once equipment costs are included.
In Summary
When deciding between the main satellite TV providers operating across Washington or thinking about switching from satellite to cable, compare the aspects such as their offering, terms of service, stability, equipment costs and what type of bang for the buck you would like to get. It is beneficial in that it helps discover the most suitable entertainment for your household and at the most reasonable price for the long run.
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.
