Dish Network has revolutionized the way we watch TV with its excellent innovations such as the voice command remote and giving customers access to select its own TV package with Flex Pack.
To make matters worse, the website is chockful of pages with information that may be a little difficult to digest for the consumer. However, we've gone ahead and did the heavy lifting for you by compiling the important details of the Dish TV packages and wrapped them into an easy-to-read guide.
Inside this guide, you'll find all the essential information and in-depth analysis on the available Dish TV packages and TV channels, tools and features, bundles, TV channel lineup, service availability, Dish DVR, customer support, and more.
By the end of this guide, we hope you'll discover whether or not Dish Network is right for you.
Compare Dish Network TV Packages
If you are looking for variety as it pertains to satellite TV packages, Dish Network is a great choice. Below is a look at the choices you receive through it:
| Package | Channels | Monthly Price |
|---|---|---|
| America's Top 120 | 190 | $34.99 |
| America's Top 120 Plus | 190 | $39.99 |
| America's Top 200 | 240 | $44.99 |
| America's Top 250 | 290 | $49.99 |
Flex Pack
Dish Network's unique offering encompasses more than 50 channels where you have the choice to pick which ones you want. How this works is you receive a baseline of channels such as the USA Network, TNT, and HGTV.
Next, you select a pack that works well for your needs such as the Locals Pack that includes all your local channels, the News Pack or the National Action Pack which feature ESPN. You can also elect to bypass having an additional pack, saving you $10 off your monthly bill.
America's Top 120+
With this package, you receive more than 190 channels, including popular choices such as the Disney Channel, MTV, and ESPN. What's more, you receive free premium channels like HBO (complete with HBO Go) for free for three months and you have access to over 70 SiriusXM music channels.
America's Top 200
If you require much in the way of entertainment options, this bundling from Dish Network is perfect for you. With this option, you receive access to sport network channels like the NBA Network and the SEC Network; you can watch specialty channels such as Sundance, A&E, and Disney XD as well.
America's Top 250
Dish Network's most comprehensive offering, America's Top 250 features over 290 channels. With this package, you receive TCM and premium channel choices such as Starz Encore. You also have access to channels like DIY, H2, and Nat Geo Wild.
It's important to note each plan offers you the opportunity to lock in your promotional rate for the first two years. Considering you have to have a two-year service agreement with autopay for its TV plans, the fact it offers low pricing throughout your commitment is a great perk you won't find with comparable providers like DirecTV, who only offers promotional pricing for the first year of service.
What is more, with each Dish Network package, you receive the following benefits:
- Free professional installation
- Free HD channel service, which is a perk you won't find with other providers
- Access to over 6,500 selections from Dish Network's extensive on-demand library
- Access to Dish Anywhere
- Free six-month Dish Protection Plan
Overall, when comparing cable vs. satellite providers, what you will find is Dish Network delivers more flexibility in package offerings and won't charge you for items such as HD channel service like many cable companies will.
Tools & Features
Dish Network offers you many tools to enhance your TV watching experience. One of the more unique is the voice command remote control. You can receive this for a one-time charge of $30. This remote allows you to search for shows and movies, surf channels, and more.
Dish also gives you access to its MultiView feature. With this you watch up to four programs concurrently on a single TV screen, making it a perfect option for sports fans wanting to see multiple sport network games simultaneously.
Dish Network also achieves innovation through its lightning fast navigation. Its intention behind this was to create a more intuitive interface, giving customers access to the programming they want quicker.
Read More: Compare Dish Network's packages to its competitors using our buyer's guide to satellite TV providers.
Bundles
If you want to combine your satellite TV service with high-speed internet and/or home phone service, you are in luck, as it partnered with other high-speed internet providers such as Windstream, Frontier, and more. To learn more about internet and TV bundles, take a look at our useful guide.
To find bundled packages with Dish, you want to visit its website. When there, visit its Bundle and Save section. This allows you to enter your address and find out which bundled packages are available in your area.
You can also locate the best package deals by contacting Dish Network via phone or live chat. Either option is a good way for determining the best service options based on your location.
Channel Lineup
When changing TV service, it might be challenging to find the programs you want to watch. With this said, Dish makes it simple for you to have access to your channels.
The first way it accomplishes this is at the time of installation. As part of the equipment you receive, you will also get a channel lineup that shows the choices available in your area and their corresponding numbers.
If for any reason, you lose this guide, Dish has you covered. You can download its channel guide by visiting its website. From there, you can print it out and store it in an area where you have easy access to it whenever you need it. To see all the channels available to you, check out our Dish Channel Guide.
Dish DVR
Dish Network offers innovative equipment to elevate how you watch TV. A great representation of this is its DVR equipment and service. Below is a closer look at some of the equipment options you can receive with Dish:
Hopper 3 HD DVR
Touted as the world's smartest DVR, according to Dish Network, the Hopper 3 HD DVR service gives you the capability to skip commercials even if you are watching primetime programming.
It also allows you to find your lost remote by sending a signal to it to beep and you can record up to 16 programs at the same time. Furthermore, it integrates Netflix.
This is incredible when you consider its competition can only record half that many programs at the same time. Therefore, when comparing Dish vs. DIRECTV, this is one area Dish has a commanding advantage in. DIRECTV Genie just can't compare, even though the DIRECTV Genie HD DVR is quite advanced.
Hopper Go
Another unique innovation from Dish Network, Hopper Go allows you to watch your recorded programs wherever you are. How this works is you connect the device to your DVR via USB, follow the onscreen prompts to download recordings, then plug it into any internet device to watch your favorite shows or movies remotely. You can store up to 100 hours of programming on it and watch from five different devices at the same time.
Moreover, this pocket DVR hard drive won't drain your device's memory nor will it chew up data. It's innovations like this that set Dish ahead of its competitors.
On-Demand
As noted above, when you sign up for any TV package through Dish, you receive access to its on-demand library with more than 6,500 TV shows and movies to choose from. This gives you limitless entertainment options to enjoy.
Service Availability
To see if you are eligible for Dish's satellite TV service, you can visit its website and click on the order now button. This will populate the package offerings available to you.
From there, look for the show local channels section, as there will be a location pin to the right of it followed by the city, state, and zip code of where it detects you live. If this information is incorrect simply click on the pin to change it. Once you do, it will show the programming you are eligible for.
You could also use our handy zip code checker tool.
Of course, you can contact its reps via phone or live chat to see if service is available in your area.
Deals
Finding deals through Dish Network is simple. All you need to do is visit its website then visit its Dish Deals page. This page contains all the current promotions for its TV packages as well as equipment.
Bundling is also another option to consider, especially if you want the internet or home phone. With this, you can opt to have internet service through one of its partners while enjoying the programming and innovative TV equipment offered by Dish for one low monthly price.
Dish Customer Support
Not only does Dish offer innovations you won't find with cable or satellite TV providers, you'll also receive exceptional support from its reps. The American Customer Satisfaction Index scored Dish Network at 67. This is fourth highest among subscription television service providers, trailing behind DirecTV (68), AT&T U-Verse (69) and Verizon Fios (70).
If you have been or are a current Dish customer I would enjoy hearing your experiences with it. At the bottom of this page is a review section you can fill out to share your praises or concerns on Dish.
Recap
Overall, Dish Network offers innovations you won't find with other providers including the ability to choose a part of your TV package, a remote control that responds to voice commands, and a DVR that can record up to 16 shows at once.
Furthermore, Dish offers affordable packages, where you can receive its promotional rate throughout your two-year service commitment. Other perks include free installation, no HD service fees and access to a fast interface to make finding your programs easy.
Overall, Dish Network is a fantastic choice because it offers all these amazing perks at a reasonable price. Check out our buyer's guide to cable TV providers for rankings, comparison, and in-depth analysis of Dish's top competitors like Verizon FiOS and AT&T U-Verse.