Satellite TV Service


Your first decision when entering the direct broadcast satellite TV market is to decide which service to choose. In the United States, there are two service providers - DirectTV and Dish Network. In Canada, you can choose from Star Choice or Bell Express-Vu.

There is no appreciable difference between DirectTV and Dish Network anymore. Dish Network used to be the DBS of choice for sports, while DirectTV had an edge on movies and network entertainment. However, today there might be some individual channels carried by one and not other, but they basically offer the same channels.
Satellite TV remains a competitive choice for home entertainment and should carry a less expensive monthly fee than a comparable Digital Cable TV subscription. When shopping for a DBS provider, look at specific programming packages and monthly rates. For a basic subscription similar to basic cable you might pay around $30 a month but it goes up quickly from there as you add movie networks and dedicated sports packages. A super programming package that includes a large assortment of movie channels and every cable network you can think of can cost as much as $100 a month.

Look for special offers constantly being run by satellite TV providers to entice newcomers to their service. Sometimes you can even get a starter kit that includes everything you need for a reasonable price - or free. Just don't expect any special features from the receiver that comes with the free offer!