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DISH Network

The Basics of DISH Network

DISH Network began satellite broadcasts in 1996, and became the first to offer local broadcasts in all 50 states and Washington, DC. DISH Network provides access to over 230 channels that includes continuous music, sports and movie channels and their newly introduced interactive Bingo. Several Latino programming packages are offered, as well as international programming with broadcasts from sixteen countries. There are a wide variety of add-on movie and sports packages, and subscribers gain instant access to new releases and live events on pay-per-view.

The basic package from DISH Network includes over 60 channels, including local broadcasts where available, for $29.99 per month. Subscribers can select from a wide range of sports and movie channels; weather and interactive customer service options are free features available with most receiver models.

Additional Features of DISH Network

DISH Network offers upgrades to dishes and receivers that support high-definition TV (HDTV) and DVR (digital video recording). High definition TV is the newest technology, which gives viewers a “home-theatre” experience, enhancing both audio and visual clarity and crispness.

DISH Network currently offers an HDTV system package that includes not only the receiver and dish, but also a monitor or projection screen. The DISH Network DVR system will allow subscribers the ability to: pause live TV, skip commercials when watching recorded programs, record up to 100 hours of programming, and select programs for recording from 9-day electronic program guide.

DISH Network partners with EarthLink to provide subscribers with digital subscriber line (DSL) broadband internet service at a discount; it allows them to be online and on the phone at the same time, and is much faster than dial-up connections.

DISH Network vs. DIRECTV

Equipment costs and monthly fees are competitive between DIRECTV and DISH Network; both have interactive features, parental controls and electronic programs guides, so decision of which satellite television provider to use becomes a matter of the type and number of programs a subscriber wants to receive. DISH Network is presently behind DIRECTV in HDTV capabilities, but has the most number of satellite bandwidth allocations, and the potential to broadcast close to 500 channels, including more HDTV. Their customer service rankings are higher than DIRECTV, and are the first satellite provider offering broadcasts to local markets in all 50 states.

DIRECTV holds a distinct advantage over DISH Network in the sports department. For die-hard sports fans, DIRECTV features seasonal broadcasts of every game in each of the following professional sports: NFL, NBA, MLB, and NHL.

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