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DISH review 2024: Is DISH the right choice for you?
This post was written in partnership with DISH.
DISH Network is one of the leading satellite TV providers in today's market. Offering a solid lineup of hundreds of channels, an on-demand library and top-tier DVR, DISH has plenty of content and ways to watch. In this DISH review, we'll look at the content, features and ins and outs of DISH to help you determine if this satellite service aligns with your entertainment needs.
| DISH at-a-glance | |
| Monthly cost |
$84.99 to $114.99 per month |
| Sports channels |
Local and national coverage |
| DVR storage |
Requires extra equipment |
| On-demand library |
Yes |
Dish packages
DISH offers four distinct packages, with monthly prices ranging from $84.99 to $114.99. The entry-level America's Top 120 Plan includes 190 channels, while the premium America's Top 250 Plan extends the offering to over 290 channels. DISH also has add-on options to add even more sports, movies, family content and more to your lineup.
With the main DISH packages, you’ll get a 3-year price guarantee, so you won’t get hit with surprise increases with each year of your contract. Another feature that sets DISH apart is that the service doesn’t come with an installation fee. The company makes it easy to set up an installation appointment with no charge, giving customers a savings of $199.
DISH channels and on-demand content
The four main packages for DISH are America's Top 120, America's Top 120 Plus, America's Top 200 and America's Top 250. Here’s what you’ll get with each.
America's Top 120
- 190 channels
- All-time favorites & locals
- 3-Year TV Price Guarantee
- All-time favorites, including ESPN, Newsmax, CMT, Disney Channel, E!, Paramount, Food Network, and TNT
- Local TV Channels included*
- Over 28,000 free on-demand movies & shows
America's Top 120 Plus
- 190+ channels
- All-time favorites and everything sports
- 3-Year TV Price Guarantee
- Multi-Sport Pack Included
- All of America’s Top 120 and more, including Big Ten Network, Pac-12 Network and NFL Network
- Local TV Channels Included*
- Over 35,000 free on-demand titles
America's Top 200
- 240+ channels
- Everything sports & entertainment
- 3-Year TV Price Guarantee
- Multi-Sport Pack Included
- The best of America’s Top 120 Plus and more including NBA TV, MLB Network, NHL Network, Golf Channel, NewsNation and Bravo.
- Additional channels including Hallmark, Disney XD, Bravo, A&E, Sundance and Turner Classic Movies
- Local TV Channels Included*
- Over 35,000 free on-demand titles
America's Top 250
- 290+ channels
- Everything sports, entertainment, & movies
- 3-Year TV Price Guarantee
- Multi-Sport Pack Included
- The best of America’s Top 200 and 17 movie channels including Turner Classic Movies, STARZ Encore channels, The Movie Channel and more
- Additional top channels like Smithsonian, MTV Classic, MGM+ Drive-In, and Sportsman Channel
- Local TV Channels Included*
- Over 35,000 free on-demand titles
*Due to a carriage dispute, Hearst-owned local channels, including ABC, NBC, CBS, CW, MNT and IND have been removed from the DISH lineup in 27 markets. See the notice from DISH for more information.
DVR and recording options
DISH offers various options for recording live TV and catching up on your favorite shows and sports. There are several versions of DISH’s DVR, The Hopper, to choose from. The most recent is The Hopper 3. It can record up to 16 shows at once and offers 2,000 hours of storage space. The DISH DVR has an AutoHop feature, which allows you to skip commercials and enjoy your recorded content ad-free.
DISH user profiles and personalization
DISH offers options for customizing viewing preferences and setting viewing restrictions for different household members, making it a solid choice for families. Parents can block specific content with a passcode, ensuring controlled access to TVs in the home. Additionally, the Dish Anywhere app allows you to create distinct user profiles with tailored viewing settings.
DISH for sports fans
Sports fans will find plenty of live events to watch on DISH. Upgrading to the America's Top 120 Plus plan gives you more sports channels beyond the basics. The lineup includes ACCN, Big Ten Network, Pac-12, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, FS1, FS2, NFL Network and more. Sports fans will also want to look into the Multi-Sport package which adds even more sports coverage. The package includes a total of 15 sports channels Including NFL Network and NFL RedZone.
How does DISH compare?
|
Streaming service |
Cost per month |
Channel count |
DVR |
Simultaneous Recordings |
|
DISH |
$84.99 |
190–290+ |
2,000 hours |
Up to 16 |
|
DIRECTV |
$79.99 |
75–150+ |
200 hours |
Up to 5 |
|
Spectrum |
$49.99 |
150+ |
80 hours |
Up to 100 with cloud DVR |
|
Verizon Fios |
$75 |
125–425+ |
Varies by equipment |
Up to 12 |
|
Xfinity |
$20 |
10–185+ |
150 hours |
Up to 6 |
|
Cox |
$56 |
75–250+ |
Up to 1,000 hours |
Up to 24 |
How to sign up for DISH
You can easily get started with DISH by signing up online.
- Visit the DISH website and choose the plan that fits your needs.
- Select the equipment and add-ons you’ll need and schedule an installation date.
- Fill out your billing information.
- Create an account login and complete the sign-up process.
Once your account is created, here’s what you can expect from the installation process.
- Your appointment details will be sent to the email address you used to register.
- Review the email and make sure your information is correct.
- The day before your appointment, DISH will contact you via phone, email, and/or text message to remind you of your appointment.
- On the day of your appointment, DISH will provide a time window when your technician will arrive. You can track your technician and appointment details online.
If you’d rather sign up over the phone, you can call 877-322-4429 to talk directly to an agent.
Is DISH the right choice for you?
As far as traditional satellite and cable plans go, DISH is one of the best options on the market. While some channels and features are missing, including some regional sports networks, DISH offers an extensive channel lineup and will meet the needs of many sports lovers.
FAQ
What's the DISH Anywhere app?
The DISH Anywhere app is a mobile app from DISH Network that allows subscribers to access their television content and DVR recordings from anywhere using a compatible smartphone, tablet or computer.
Does DISH have ESPN?
Yes. The four main packages include ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU and ESPNEWS.
Is satellite better than streaming?
The choice between satellite and streaming depends on your priorities. Generally, satellite TV offers more channels and customization options, but streaming provides greater flexibility for on-the-go viewing and the ability to avoid paying for unwanted channels.
