Dish network vs Directv

[CantKeepmedown]

I'm paying about $90/month right now for Directv (which admittedly is not a lot) but am looking to cut back. I don't feel like I get that much. One of the smallest packages, 1 HD box, no DVD, and no premium channels.

Dish network is offering some pretty enticing deals for new customers. $30/month for a midsize package, free HD for two years, free hopper upgrade (similar to DVD), and sports pack (which I think includes red zone channel), and free premium channels for 3 months.

Does anybody have experience with dish? I know they have less HD channels than direct, but any other glaring differences. I assume directv will offer to reduce my bill when I call to cancel. Thanks for any input.

 

[Import78]

Back when I had satellite I found Dish to be significantly cheaper and I don't think I have any issues, we almost never lost service, programming seemed fine, I was a happy customer.  This was 4 years ago so I don't know if things have changed.

 

[canderson]

We left DISH four years ago for DirecTV, though mainly for the MLBN and Nat Geo channel. If you're on a real basic package DISH is fine, but DirecTV for us provides many channels DISH wouldn't.
 
We've found DTV's customer service much better too, which isn't just us.

 

[gopats84]

I'm paying about $90/month right now for Directv (which admittedly is not a lot) but am looking to cut back. I don't feel like I get that much. One of the smallest packages, 1 HD box, no DVD, and no premium channels.

Dish network is offering some pretty enticing deals for new customers. $30/month for a midsize package, free HD for two years, free hopper upgrade (similar to DVD), and sports pack (which I think includes red zone channel), and free premium channels for 3 months.

Does anybody have experience with dish? I know they have less HD channels than direct, but any other glaring differences. I assume directv will offer to reduce my bill when I call to cancel. Thanks for any input.

You are correct, Directv will certainly offer to reduce your bill when you call to cancel and you can get some pretty good offers once you get to the retention department. It may be a better option than switching. I was in a similar situation last year when I called to complain. I was around $120 for 3 TVs, HD and DVR. Directv gave me credits to lower my bill to what I would have been paying had I switched to Dish at their offer at that time. It did require a 1-year service contract, which was the same duration as the credits. Those credits expired last month so I called again and received another year's worth of credits to lower my bill by the same amount. Both times I also got Sunday Ticket for free with the Max upgrade, though it took some haggling this time. They also made offers for free premium movie channels and equipment upgrades that I wasn't interested in.
 
The two caveats to all this are you must not be in a current contract (which I assume you are not since you are looking to switch) and you must have a good payment history with Directv. They really seem interested in keeping loyal, paying customers even if it means discounting, sometimes heavily, the monthly programming fees. I would recommending not signing up for anything with Dish until you at least see what Directv will offer. Whenever you call Directv, ask the rep to make a note on your account anything they offer in terms of credits and discounts and tell them you want to think about it. If you call back and still say you want to cancel they will likely up the offer. It takes some time, but I'd estimate I've gotten $700-$800 in programming discounts from Directv each year in terms of the free Sunday Ticket and monthly savings. Good luck!

 

[pk1627]

DISH does not have a contract with MLB for Extra Innings.

 

[Titoschew]

I'm paying about $90/month right now for Directv (which admittedly is not a lot) but am looking to cut back. I don't feel like I get that much. One of the smallest packages, 1 HD box, no DVD, and no premium channels.

Dish network is offering some pretty enticing deals for new customers. $30/month for a midsize package, free HD for two years, free hopper upgrade (similar to DVD), and sports pack (which I think includes red zone channel), and free premium channels for 3 months.

Does anybody have experience with dish? I know they have less HD channels than direct, but any other glaring differences. I assume directv will offer to reduce my bill when I call to cancel. Thanks for any input.

 
You can definitely do better on Directv now.  I have DTV and for about $129/month I have the Choice Xtra package, HBO, 4 HD boxes and whole home DVR.  The key with DTV is working their customer service to your advantage.  Call up the 800 number and ask for the retention division, explain nicely that you're thinking of leaving or don't think you're getting enough bang for your buck and just be persistent.  They'll waive various fees, knock $20/month off your base subscription rate, take $5 off HBO for 6 months, all kinds of stuff.  I have gotten Sunday Ticket at greatly reduced costs for the last three seasons (usually 60 or 70% off).  DTV will usually bend over backwards to keep you if you do it the right way.