Best Satellite TV Service Providers 2021

For customers seeking out a satellite TV provider, DISH and DIRECTV provide the strongest offerings. However, these two networks are more different than you might suppose at first glance.

While DISH offers consistent pricing, the service is missing HBO, a major hit for TV lovers and film buffs alike.

On the flip side, DIRECTV offers NFL SUNDAY TICKET, but you’ll need to keep a closer eye on your bill as it goes up in the second year.

If you’re going to install a satellite dish on top of your home, let’s make sure the provider you pick is worthy of your home.

How does DISH’s and DIRECTV’s pricing compare?

DISH has consistent pricing, but DIRECTV has more channels

DISH’s and DIRECTV’s packages look somewhat similar, but if you and your family want loads of channels, you’ll want to spend a bit more with DIRECTV.

DIRECTV could be our number one satellite TV pick, but they choose to keep those second-year price hikes, which nearly double your monthly rate. Trust us when we say this … by the time you finish reading this review, you’ll know if it’s worth the price for you.

As for DISH, this satellite TV provider will give you a consistent monthly price throughout your two-year contract (this is what we like to see).

If you’re interested in bundling DISH TV with internet, check out our best DISH bundles piece. Bundling is convenient so you only have to worry about one bill, and we’ll guide you through finding the best bundle for you and your family’s needs.

DIRECTV offers the most channels between these two satellite TV providers. So if you need more than 330 channels, DIRECTV is at your service.

Do DISH and DIRECTV have a contract?

DIRECTV requires you to sign a two-year contract, but DISH has a no-contract option or a two-year contract option.

If you go the no-contract route with DISH, your monthly bill will be $10–$15 more than advertised. But you won’t have to worry about weaseling your way out of a contract if you decide to cancel.

If you sign a contract, you’ll have to commit to the satellite TV service to avoid the early termination fees (which can get a bit pricey).

Oh, and don’t forget, DIRECTV raises your plan’s monthly price after year one.

DISH early termination fee: 

• $20 for every month left on your contract

DIRECTV early termination fee:

• Up to $20 per month left on your contract

Do DISH and DIRECTV have hidden fees?

DISH and DIRECTV both charge some DVR and equipment fees.

Let’s start with DISH because their receiver fees can get a little confusing. When you order one receiver for your home, you’ll get the Hopper Duo (125 HD hours) with DVR service for $5 per month.

DISH upgrades your main set-top box to the Hopper 2 when you order three DVR’s for your home. And it’s not until you order four receivers for your home will you get the Hopper 3. Both the Hopper 2 and Hopper 3 store 500 HD hours and cost $10 per month.

The additional receiver you order is called a Joey ($5 per month each).

But we don’t like the fact that you can’t get the Hopper 3, one of the best DVRs on the market, unless you basically had a huge family.

DIRECTV includes the Genie DVR (200 HD hours) with your plan, and it’ll cost $7 per month for each additional receiver. But DIRECTV has the audacity to charge a regional sports fee.

^{Data effective 5/20/2021. Offers and availability vary by location and are subject to change.}

Which channels does DISH and DIRECTV have?

With satellite TV, you’ll get a wide variety of popular channels straight to your television

Good news: you’ll get most of your favorite channels with both satellite TV providers, like CNN, Disney Channel, Comedy Central, and NFL Network.

We know you need your daily CNN Newsroom Live, and if you need to distract the little ones, you can turn on Sofia the First.

DISH has the most sports coverage with channels like the NFL Network, SEC Network, and Tennis Channel. But DIRECTV has an NFL SUNDAY TICKET add-on that gives you all out-of-market NFL football games (basically a front-row ticket to lots of games on your couch).

If you’re excited for the 2021 Olympics, rest assured, as both DISH and DIRECTV offer the Olympic channel in select packages.

Compare the channel lineup of both DISH and DIRECTV to figure out which one suits your entertainment, sports, lifestyle, or reality TV needs.

^{Data effective 5/20/2021. Offers and availability vary by location and are subject to change.}

DISH vs. DIRECTV premium channels

Let’s be honest: DISH’s premium channel game is weak. DISH doesn’t offer HBO or CINEMAX. And DIRECTV tosses in these premium channels as bonuses.

Most DIRECTV packages give you a free subscription to SHOWTIME, STARZ, CINEMAX, and EPIX for three months, and HBO Max and HBO channels for one year. Just make sure you cancel them at the end of your free month or you’ll get charged.

But if you already have HBO Max and don’t care for CINEMAX, DISH is still in sight. And DISH includes all of its premium channels for free for three months.

^{Data effective 5/20/2021. Offers and availability vary by location and are subject to change.}

Which sports channels do DISH vs. DIRECTV have?

DIRECTV takes the sports channel championship belt because of one big feature: NFL SUNDAY TICKET.

NFL SUNDAY TICKET lets you watch every out-of-market NFL game—all Sunday games your local broadcasting stations don’t carry. And NFL SUNDAY TICKET is included in the top four DIRECTV packages for your first year. (Now that’s a win.)

Along with NFL SUNDAY TICKET, DIRECTV also has the following sports channels:

But make sure the package you plan on getting has the sports channels you need. Unfortunately, you’ll have to get the most expensive DIRECTV plan if you want ESPN Classic or Fox Deportes.

If you’re not a hardcore, yell-at-the-TV football fan, you’ll be fine with DISH. DISH has a few more sports channels, and you get most of them with the $89.99 per month plan.

This same plan even made our list for the top providers for the NBA season.

DISH has the following sports channels:

How does DISH’s and DIRECTV’s DVR compare?

Both DISH and DIRECTV have some of the best DVRs in the industry, but the Hopper and Genie have their ups and downs.

What we like about DISH’s Hopper DVR is the storage space. What we don’t like is the new confusing pricing.

When you order one set-top box for your home, you’ll get DISH’s Hopper Duo, which gives you 125 HD recording hours for $5 per month (that’s a pretty good deal).

When you order three receivers, you’ll get the Hopper 2 (but it’s unclear as to how many storage hours your get with its DVR). That means you’ll get one Hopper 2 and two Joey’s, making your fee $20 per month.

And finally, when you order four or more receivers for the family, this is when DISH’s checkout will allow you to get the Hopper 3 and three Joeys (a total of $25 for the fee).

This Hopper 3 will give you a whopping 500 recording hours. You’ll be able to record all 201 episodes of The Office, the weekend’s 16 NFL football games, and over 170 movies, and still have room for more.

And DIRECTV so kindly includes the Genie DVR with your plan, giving you 200 HD recording hours. You’ll be able to record all 130 episodes of Brooklyn Nine-Nine and 120 of Saturday Night Live before you even sit on the couch to binge-watch.

Recap: DISH is the winner

DISH has a better value, but DIRECTV has HBO and NFL SUNDAY TICKET

After comparing price, contracts, overall channel count, sports channel availability, and DVR storage, DISH comes out ahead between these two satellite providers.

DIRECTV does offer HBO and NFL SUNDAY TICKET, but DISH has better pricing that stays consistent throughout the contract. It also provides you with lots of popular channels, including great sports coverage.

• Pricing: DISH offers more bang for your buck in the long run because you don’t have to worry about second-year price hikes. You can choose to go the no-contract route or pay $10–$15 less with a 2-year commitment. If you want more than 330+ channels, make sure you budget for DIRECTV’s year two rates.
• Channels: You’ll get most of your favorite live TV channels with both providers, and both give you free memberships for premium channels for a period of time. But if you need HBO, you’ll need DIRECTV.
• Sports Channels: DISH has the most sports channels, but DIRECTV has NFL SUNDAY TICKET for the football families. If you live in Miami but you’re a Seattle Seahawks fan and you want to watch every full Seahawks game, you’ll want the TICKET.
• DVR: DISH’s Hopper 3 can give you loads of storage space with 500 hours, but you’ll have to order four receivers total to get this great set-top box. This might not be a problem for you if you have a full house though. DIRECTV’s DVR only has 200 hours of storage, but the first receiver is free (and 200 hours is still quite a bit).

How much are DISH’s plans?

• America’s Top 120: $64.99/mo., 190 channels
• America’s Top 120+: $79.99/mo., 190+ channels
• America’s Top 200: $89.99/mo., 240+ channels
• America’s Top 250: $99.99/mo., 290+ channels

If you’re still on the fence of which satellite TV provider you should go with, dive into the nitty-gritty details in our full reviews:

• DISH Network Review
• DIRECTV Review

What do you think?

Do you have DISH or DIRECTV? What’s your experience with it been? Or do you like a different provider better? Drop us a comment below!