So you want satellite television? The problem is, when it comes down to it, you just want to compare the cost. It’s hard enough to explain away the hours we spend in front of the tube, let alone the amount of money we spend to waste said hours. Well here it is – the satellite TV enthusiast, dish war cost breakdown.
The Cheapest
The cheapest plan on Dish Network is DishFamily at $19.99 per month. On DIRECTV the cheapest plan is Family Choice for $29.99 per month. These two plans give us a close apples-to-apples comparison. With both package you get 40 channels. These channels would certainly satisfy the Flander’s family from the Simpsons, but they are so cheap that you do often find them advertised. Seriously, unless you are just getting the satellite for your young kids, you may want to move up the ladder a bit.
The Popular
Now we come to the popular packages. Dish Network offers what I would call a mid-level package referred to as America’s Top 60. Take your 40 church channels from the cheapest selection and throw on 20 of the most popular channels in America and you have the top 60. This has to be the most popular choice for the budget conscious consumer. This package costs $29.99 per month.
The Hobbyist
Moving up the line, you will find America’s Top 120 on Dish Network. This gives you the channels you will find in the top 60, plus another 60 channels for even more special interests. This package will cost $39.99 per month.
This is where DIRECTV gets into the lower gears and really starts to compete with price. The Total Choice package is the most popular package on DIRECTV. It also runs at $44.99 per month. With DIRECTV’s Total Choice package you will get 155 channels to choose from.
Gotta Have It
Those who really need that special station will look at Dish Network’s America’s Top 180 pack and DIRECTV’s Total Choice Plus pack, both at $49.99 per month.
Snob Hill
People with too much money and too much time on their hands will have to look at America’s Everything Pack on Dish Network for $89.99 per month and DIRECTV’s Total Choice Premier for $99.99 per month. DIRECTV has a bit more to offer with their channel selection which accounts for the greater price.
So there you have it. If you want the cheapest, go with Dish Network. If you want the most, go with DIRECTV.
