* Based upon Figures provided by FCC as of
July 1, 2002.
Dish vs. Cable Dish
vs. DirectTV
Leasing vs. Free
Cable companies use equipment "leasing" where you pay few dollars each
month, now compare that with FREE. You get top notch equipment with free
installation.
Interactive Features
Not much interactivity is available at this stage from cable providers, except
for electronic programming guides (EPGs) made to look like satellite guides.
Satellite offers EPGs and a new line of services from DISH Network and
DirecTV. This has also been supplemented by DISH Network's 721 series,
allowing consumers to simultaneously record one program and watch another. These
interactive TV services offer personal video recorders - which pause, record and
rewind live broadcasts -- plus enhanced broadcasting are only offered on
Satellite.
HDTV
Cable still is facing problems delivering HDTV. Both DISH Network and DirecTV
offer HDTV programming. DirecTV, with its single LNB (the receiving end on the
Satellite Dish) will experience bandwidth problems as programming increasingly
switches to HDTV. DISH Network has planned ahead and has launched innumerable
programs to ensure unlimited bandwidth capabilities.
Dish vs. DirectTV
SPORTS
DISH Network offers its highly popular College Game-Day Plan and has several
season-long pro sports packages. However, if you have to have every NFL game the
choice as with the NFL Sunday Ticket DirecTV has it covered. Otherwise, the
sports offerings are similar, focusing on multi-regional collegiate sports
packages, mostly from Fox. Again, consumers should focus on what they want to
watch and what is typically offered by which packages, and for what prices.
MOVIES
Both DISH Network and DirecTV offer the same number of premium movie channels,
such as Starz Encore, Showtime and HBO. Prices may differ slightly, depending
upon the package in favor of DISH Network. DISH Network currently offers a
promotion called DISH PAK, where 8 Starz/Encore channels are received at nearly
half the regular price. The real difference here is in the number of
Pay-Per-View (PPV) movie channels offered, where DISH Network has a slight
advantage for the time being, with up to 60 PPV choices/day versus DirecTV's 55
channels.)
International
Ever thought about watching international channels. Maybe you want to
improve your French, Italian, Greek, Polish, Russian or Arabic. Over
30 international channels only available on Dish Network and only on Dish
Network!
