Difference between Dish Network and DirectTV

Key Difference: Dish Network and DirectTV are two different kinds of broadcast satellite service providers. Dish Network and DirectTV are both comparable and are direct competitors in the broadcast satellite service industry. However, there are certain differences between the two as regarding services provided, size of the company, number of subscribers, etc.

Dish Dish Network and DirectTV are two different kinds of broadcast satellite service providers. They both cater primarily to American audiences. A broadcast satellite is a type of artificial satellite which usually sends satellite television signals for home reception. The homes are equipped with a receiver, usually in the shaped of a dish, hence the name. The receiver receives the signal and converts it back to audio and video for home viewing.

Broadcast satellite service providers are direct competitors of network cable providers. In fact cable providers are considered to be old technology, with broadcast satellite service over taking it fast. Broadcast satellite service has the advantage as it provides high-definition (HD) channels, with features like commercial skipping, and various bundle packages for satellite-based phone and internet.

Dish Network and DirectTV are both comparable and are direct competitors in the broadcast satellite service industry. However, there are certain differences between the two as regarding services provided, size of the company, number of subscribers, etc.

Dish Network predates DirectTV, which is much newer on the market. DirectTV started services on June 17, 1994, whereas Dish Network, which recently changed its name to Dish, has been on the scene since 1980. However, Dish Network’s first satellite called EchoStar I went up in December 1995.

Of the two, DirecTV is considered to be larger with about 35 million subscribers, as compared to about 14 million subscribers of Dish. Still, depending on the market region, Dish is generally considered to be cheaper and more affordable than DirecTV. Additionally, Dish also offers portable satellite service, unlike DirecTV.

Comparison between Dish Network and DirectTV:

	Dish Network	DirectTV
Type	Direct Broadcast Satellite service provider and broadcaster	Direct Broadcast Satellite service provider and broadcaster
Based in	Meridian, Colorado, U.S.	El Segundo, California, U.S.
Launched on	1980	June 17, 1994
Area	United States	United States, Latin America and the Caribbean
Services	Direct broadcast satellite, Pay television, Pay-per-view, Internet, Phone services	Direct broadcast satellite, Pay television, Pay-per-view, Internet, Phone
Subscribers	About 14 million subscribers	About 35 million subscribers
Channels	330+	285+
HD Channels	200 available HD channels	195 HD channels
Additional Channels	-	Audience Network, an exclusive 3DTV channel called n3D, GSN Game Lounge channel, where users can play games with their remote, and BabyFirstTV, a learning channel.
Packages	Four packages: America’s Top 120, America’s Top 120 Plus, America’s Top 200 and America’s Top 250. Dish’s top package (Premier) does not include premiere channels like HBO and Showtime	Five different packages: Entertainment (140 channels), Choice (105 channels), Xtra (205 channels), Ultimate (225 channels), and Premier (285 channels). The Premier package also includes HBO, Showtime, Starz and Cinemax. In all packages, local channels are included.
DVR	Hopper DVR system	Genie DVR system
No. of Recordings at once	6	5
Recording capacity	2TB	1TB
Portable Satellite	The Tailgater	Not available
Unique Additional Sports Packages	Racetrack Television Network, Outdoor Sports	NFL Sunday Ticket, Men's Majors Golf Tournaments and Grand Slam Tennis Tournaments
Installation	Free professional basic installation as part of the setup package. Also offers additional setup services like mounting a television on a wall or installing home theater systems for an additional fee.	Free professional basic installation as part of the setup package