Compare DISH's Satellite TV Packages

Current customers only:
Discontinued plans:

In general, DISH keeps their prices pretty stable but they do change a few times a year. Their prices are locked in for 36 months so whatever price you get at sign-up, you can rest easy it won't change anytime soon. Compared to other TV providers (especially DIRECTV), they're very transparent with how your bill gets computed, including ALL relevant fees. Learn more about DISH's 2023 prices and which plans deliver the most value.

DISH TV carries over 200 channels in crystal clear HD, with about 50 being part-time HD. So, all told, they end up coming in at just about the same number of full-time channels as DIRECTV. Their high def quality is top notch: 1080p, the same you'll get with Blu-Ray and other high resolution technologies. For the last 6 months or so, DISH has been offering HD free for life with nearly every package (including your local channels). It typically costs $10/mo for HD, so it's a deal you definitely want to take full advantage of.

Discontinued plans:

If you'd rather avoid a 2-year contract (which all the plans above require) or don't want to share your personal info for a soft-pull credit check during sign-up, you may want to consider Flex TV. It's DISH's pre-paid option for folks that want a bit more contract and account flexibility. Basically, you purchase your own DISH equipment (receiver + the actual dish for your roof) and pre-pay for the service at the beginning of each month. Of course, the immediate downside is the ~$300 in up-front costs for the equipment, but for some, the extra privacy and flexibility Flex TV affords is well worth it. You can also buy used/refurbished equipment but you'll run a bit of a risk if it breaks down outside a warranty, Either way, once hooked up, plan options and on demand access are identical to the non Flex TV subscriptions.

Local Channels - as long as you're in or close to a metropolitan city (nearly 99% of all residents), DISH will have no problem transmitting every regional channel to you: ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, PBS, etc. Local channels come free of charge with every package.

Add-on Channel Packs - for anywhere from $4 to $12, you can add specialty add-on packs to your current plan. Each add-on pack is themed to a particular brand of taste and most are quite a good value. We'll be adding each of them here as we profile them: Outdoor Pack

Sports Programming - when it comes to the specialty sports packages (NFL Sunday Ticket, NASCAR HOTPASS, etc), DISH comes in at a close second to DIRECTV. For starters, check out their multi-sport package. If you don't need 24-hour coverage or have to catch every game, DISH has more than enough sports coverage by default. Click here to check out our comparison with DIRECTV.

Adult Programming - as with just about any major TV provider, DISH gives you access to all the top adult channels, both subscription and pay-per-view. Most of the channels are broadcast in 1080p and available 24/7. DISH doesn't print the titles or programming channels in your bill (just the channel number), so they do offer a bit of privacy in that regard.

Premium Movies - who doesn't like a thriller or well-made flick? For new customers, they get free access to some of the top movie channels (HBO, Showtime, etc). Thereafter, it's about $13-16 per month for each movie pack (HBO comes in at the top of the heap at $16/mo and $13/mo each for Cinemax, Showtime and STARZ). If you purchase multiple packages, you tend to get a discounted rate so make sure you inquire.