This post was written in partnership with DISH.
DISH Network is one of the top satellite TV providers on the market. The service offers more than 300 channels, and you can watch or record with some of the best DVR equipment available. Although DISH offers discounts for subscribers who lock in a long-term contract, you don’t have to opt into an agreement to enjoy what DISH has to offer.
Does this satellite service have what you’re looking for? Read our DISH review to find out all the pros and cons and find out if it’s right for you.
| DISH specs | |
|---|---|
| Price Range | $84.99 to $114.99 per month |
| Sports Coverage | International, national, some regional |
| DVR Storage | Requires extra equipment |
| On-Demand Movies and TV Shows | Yes |
| 4K Programming | Requires equipment upgrade |
Signing Up for DISH
Signing up for DISH services is pretty straight forward. You have a number of different ways to sign up, making it comfortable and convenient for you.
Plans and contracts
DISH offers four packages, with plan prices starting between $84.99 and $114.99 per month. The America’s Top 120 Plan includes 190 channels, while the top plan — America’s Top 250 — includes more than 290.
Unlike many satellite or cable plans, you don’t necessarily have to sign a contract with DISH. However, a long-term contract will lock you into a better price. You can lock in two years for slightly lower than the advertised price, but the three-year agreement will get you the best deal, saving you over 20%.
DISH doesn’t charge an installation fee, but you’ll have to pay for local channels and equipment. Local channels such as ABC, CBS, Fox, and NBC will cost you $12 a month, and you’ll have to pay $10–$15 per month for your first set-top box, depending on which receiver you choose.
Content offerings
With channel packages ranging from 190 to 290 or more, there’s plenty to enjoy on DISH. The America’s Top 120 plan includes most of your entertainment, news, and family staples, from CNN and CNBC to A&E and the Disney Channel.
There’s a fair amount of sports coverage included, too, with networks like ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, and FS1. Die-hard fans will want to upgrade to at least America’s Top 120 Plus to get the Multi-Sport Channels package, which includes channels like MLB Network, NFL Network, NBA TV, and NHL Network.
Ultimately, DISH’s 290-plus channel offerings put it toward the top of the pack compared to other cable plans. Only Verizon Fios offers more channels in its top plans. Live TV isn’t the only entertainment you’ll find in your DISH plan, either. The service offers more than 80,000 TV shows and movies available to watch on demand.
DVR and recording options
DISH offers several options for viewers who want to record live TV and catch up with their favorite programs and events later. You’ve got several choices for the service’s Hopper DVR receivers. The top option, Hopper 3, allows you to record 16 channels at once and store up to 2,000 hours of content.
If you don’t need that much DVR capacity, you can opt for the Hopper Duo, which allows you to record two shows at once on two TVs, or the basic Hopper DVR, which must be paired with a Joey receiver to record up to eight shows at once.
Viewing experience and video quality
For the most part, DISH offers an excellent viewing experience. As with any satellite plan, you’re subject to potential interference from weather or any obstructions that may interrupt your signal. However, the DISH Anywhere app allows you to watch over the internet from anywhere so that largely mitigates these issues.
If you opt for the Hopper 3 receiver, you can watch and record live sports and other content in 4K, which is a nice bonus. This will cost you an extra $5 a month, though, so keep that in mind.
Personalization and security
DISH offers a few options for customizing viewing preferences and restrictions for different members of your household. Set-top boxes allow you to block certain content with a passcode to limit access to TVs in your house. Online, the Dish Anywhere app allows you to create separate user profiles with viewing restrictions for each.
Sports fans: yay or nay
Sports fans will find plenty of live events to enjoy on DISH, but most will need to start with the America’s Top 120 Plus plan to get the most out of the service. The Regional Action Pack is another option that includes many regional college networks like Big Ten Network and Longhorn Network, and you can add it to the basic plan for $12.00 a month. Unfortunately, DISH doesn’t offer many regional sports networks like Bally Sports.
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 | $69.99 | 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 |
Overall, DISH stands out as one of the best options for a traditional cable TV service. Although its price is one of the highest, you can bring it down significantly by opting into a two- or three-year agreement. Plus, the service offers more channels than most competitors and some of the best DVR receivers on the market.
How to sign up for DISH
Signing up for DISH service is relatively simple, and you can get started in a few steps:
- Head to the DISH website and select your plan.
- Select your equipment and any add-ons, then choose your installation date.
- Fill out your billing information.
- Create an account login and complete the sign-up process.
Once your account is finalized, your installer will come out to set up your satellite dish and receiver so you can start watching. If you’d rather sign up over the phone, you can call 1-855-916-2026.
Final Take: Is DISH worth it?
As far as traditional cable plans go, DISH is one of the best options on the market. You can get more channels with Verizon Fios or pay less for services like Cox and Xfinity, but those aren’t available everywhere. DISH offers an extensive channel lineup and will meet the needs of many sports lovers, but its biggest downside is a lack of many regional sports networks.
FAQ
Does DISH have a senior discount?
DISH offers a deal for subscribers over the age of 55. With this plan, you’ll get your first on-demand rental free every month, free home technician visits, and six months of free Identity Protection Plus.
Is satellite better than streaming?
That depends on your top priorities. Generally, satellite TV offers more channels and customization options than streaming services do. However, streaming offers more freedom to view on the go or avoid paying for channels you don’t want. Many satellite plans require long-term contracts, too, although that’s not the case with DISH.
Is DISH hard to cancel?
If you’ve signed a long-term contract, you’ll have to pay an early termination fee to end your DISH plan. This will cost you $20 per month remaining on your contract.