Best satellite TV providers in 2026

DIRECTV pros & cons

• Decent channel count – DIRECTV offers up to 185+ channels

• Two-year contract for satellite – One downside of satellite TV is that it still requires long-term contracts, unlike streaming TV services

• Price increase – Expect your bill to increase by $20 – $30/mo. after the first 24 months

DISH pros & cons

• Two-year price lock – DISH helps customers save money by locking in their price for two years

• Best low-tier package deal – If you are looking for the best cheap TV package, DISH is a better option than DIRECTV

• Not as high a channel count – DISH does not offer as many channels for its most expensive TV package as DIRECTV

• No HBO – While DIRECTV offers HBO Max for free for three months, DISH does not provide HBO whatsoever

Why we like satellite service

• Availability – Satellite TV is available throughout all 50 states. Cable service and providers vary by location

• Channel selection – Satellite TV typically has more channel variety and package selections than cable. If you’re looking for a basic package with little more than local channels, cable may be your better option

• Picture quality – Satellite TV supports higher bandwidth than cable, which can allow for more 1080p HD channels or even 4K programming

• Customer satisfaction – DISH and DIRECTV had higher American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) ratings than most major cable TV providers in 2025, both scoring a 68 out of 100, respectively

Things to consider

• Service disruptions – Inclement weather such as rain, snow, strong winds and heavy cloud coverage can interfere with your signal and cause a temporary service outage. However, your recorded programming will likely still be available

• Contracts – Both DISH and DIRECTV require a two-year contract

• Dish installation – To get satellite TV, you need a satellite dish, so your installer will need to affix the dish to your roof or another exterior surface on your home