Both DISH Network and DirecTV offer 100% digital picture and CD quality sound in all of their programming. So again, they are tied in this important quality. This technology allows for a crystal clear perfect picture that cable tv simply cannot provide.

DISH Network, a subsidiary of EchoStar Communications, was founded in 1996 by Charles Ergan. While not quite as old as DirecTV, DISH Network was fastest satellite provider to reach 100,000 subscriber level doing so in just four short months. Presently, DISH Network has over Nine million satellite tv subscribers in 50 United States and District of Columbia. DISH Network has many 'firsts' to its credit, including being first company to offer a satellite tv reciever that had a built in DVR (digital video recorder).

DirecTV was begun in 1994 and is largest satellite tv provider in United States. When it first launched in 1994, Direct TV was first satellite TV company to offer all digital-quality, multi-channel TV programming through use of direct broadcast satellite (DBS) technology. DBS technology is now standard for satellite tv industry and we have ingenuity of DirecTV engineers to thank for it. While DirecTV does not have as large a bandwidth allocation as DISH Network does, to counter this DirecTV has arranged to have to exclusive deals with programming companies to cater to programming whims of their subscribers.

In all important area of customer care, both DirecTV and DISH Network offer outstanding customer care and support. Both offer online Faqs sections and help sections to their websites. You can also call both toll free to get help with any problem you may be having. Pay-Per-View movies may be ordered either by using your remote control or calling 800 toll free number for either provider.

Both DirecTV and DISH Network offer free professional installation as part of their free satellite tv promotions. One difference is that DirecTV will install your equipment for free in up to five rooms, where DISH Network presently only installs for free in up to four rooms of your home.

Our recommendation is that both DirecTV and DISH Network offer a superior television viewing experience than cable tv. Both are alot cheaper than cable, offer superior picture quality and free equipment and instalation. Both also offer superior customer care service compared to local cable providers. If you're a big sports fan and just have to have that certain premium sports package, then DirecTV is for you; but if you're not a huge sports fan and cost is an issue, then you might want to go with DISH Network and it's entry level America's Top 60 at just $24.99 a month. Also, remember that DirecTV will require a one year commitment, whereas with DISH Network there is no contract to sign, meaning you can cancel your service at anytime and not have to pay a penalty.

Whichever satellite provider you choose, you can't go wrong. As a subscriber of DISH Network and a sales person that has several years experience in satellite tv industry (have sold both DirecTV & DISH Network)I highly recommend that you drop cable, stop feeding pig and switch to satellite tv service today. The vastly superior picture quality alone that DBS satellite technology provides makes it worth change. It's like heaven watching tv with no more squiggly lines running across tv screen!