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Best satellite TV providers in 2026

By

Robin Layton

|

Edited By

Anine Sus

Last updated: April 6, 2026

Satellite TV brings services to rural areas. DISH and DIRECTV both have premium packages with high channel counts for your entertainment needs. Our broadband experts break down the best options for you.

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Best satellite TV providers

Satellite TV service is ideal for those living in areas with limited access to other technologies. DIRECTV offers a high channel count and robust premium channel and sports offerings, while DISH is cheaper overall. 

Low cost choice

Plans starting at

$89

99/mo.

TV with up to

185+

Channels

(844) 451-2720
Check plans with DIRECTV
(844) 451-2720 Check plans with DIRECTV
Low cost choice
(844) 451-2720
Check plans with DIRECTV
Best channel options

Plans starting at

$89

99/mo.

TV with up to

290+

Channels

(844) 451-2720
Check plans with DISH
(844) 451-2720 Check plans with DISH
Best channel options
(844) 451-2720
Check plans with DISH

Key takeaways

  • Best value: DISH and DIRECTV have the same starting price, but DISH has a higher channel count
  • Availability: Both providers are widely available to almost 100% of the U.S.
  • Best for premium channels: DIRECTV often offers premium channels for free for a set amount of time during a promotional period

Compare DIRECTV and DISH satellite TV

When it comes to satellite TV companies, DIRECTV and DISH cover nearly 100% of the country, making them your main two options. Either DIRECTV or DISH could be the best satellite TV provider for you, depending on what you’re looking for. Both providers start at $89.99/mo., but DIRECTV is ideal for avid sports watchers and premium channels, while DISH offers superior DVR storage and a higher channel count. 

ProvidersStarting price*ChannelsDVR recordingsContract
DIRECTVDIRECTV$89.99/mo.**90 – 185+200 hoursTwo years for satellite
DISH logoDISH$89.99/mo.190 – 290+2,000 hoursTwo years

*Pricing per month plus taxes for length of contract. Additional fees and terms may apply. Pricing varies by location and availability. All prices subject to change at any time. May or may not be available based on service address. Updated as of 04/06/26.
**New approved residential customers only. Service renews monthly unless you cancel. Cancel anytime by calling 800-531-5000 or online. Add’l fees may apply to non-qualified customers. Device subject to Equipment Lease agmt. Add’l fee(s) may apply if equip. not returned. Credit card req’d. Restr’s apply.

Allconnect’s choice: DIRECTV

Our experts choose DIRECTV over DISH due to its robust sports lineup, high channel count, premium add-on options, deals and consistent two-year pricing. It’s ideal for most households, and even offers a streaming option if you don’t want satellite TV. 

Which satellite TV provider is best for you?

Choose DIRECTV for higher channel counts, robust sports lineups and premium channels. Choose DISH for lower prices and a superior DVR experience.

DIRECTV pros & cons

  • Decent channel count – DIRECTV offers up to 350+ channels

  • Two-year price lock – DIRECTV customers can lock in their price for two years

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

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

The best provider for you will depend on what you’re looking for. If you want the best channel selection, including sports coverage, DIRECTV is the better option. But if a more advanced DVR is your priority, we’d go with DISH.

Both satellite providers lock you into a contract. DISH and DIRECTV also have early contract termination fees.

Which satellite provider offers better premium channels?

If you’re looking to include premium networks like HBO, Paramount+ with Showtime and STARZ in your channel lineup, DIRECTV generally offers lower prices than DISH. The Choice, Ultimate and Premier packages all include one year of Max, and the Premier package ($164.99/mo.) also throws in Cinemax and STARZ.

DISH, on the other hand, doesn’t offer most premium channels. The only ones that are available to add to your package are EPIX and STARZ ENCORE. If you want HBO, Paramount+ with Showtime or STARZ, you’ll have to subscribe to their streaming services separately.

DIRECTV breakdown

DIRECTV offers up to 185+ channels, including premium selections for three months.

  • DIRECTV packages come with 90 – 185+ channels, plus add-on package options and thousands of on-demand titles available
  • All DIRECTV plans include premium channels like HBO Max™, Paramount+ with Showtime, STARZ®, Cinemax® & EPIX® included for three months*
  • Fees: DIRECTV requires a two-year contract. Other fees include a $7.00/mo. equipment fee (per receiver/device) and a deactivation fee, plus a prorated charge of up to $480 if you leave

DIRECTV is ideal for households that want the best sports and premium channel options, but if you want to avoid contracts, you may want to look elsewhere.

*w/eligible pkg. Must select offers. Premiums included for first 3 mos., then auto-renew monthly at then-prevailing rates unless canceled (curr. $18.49/mo. for HBO Max, $13.99/mo. for Paramount+ with SHOWTIME, $10.99/mo. each for STARZ and Cinemax, and $7.99/mo. for MGM+). Cancel anytime. Offer subj. to change. Updated as of 04/06/26.

DISH breakdown

DISH offers up to 290+ channels, several English and Spanish package options and a sports-specific package.

  • DISH offers packages with 190 – 290+ channels, and their Hopper 3 device can record up to 16 shows at once
  • There are four English channel packages and five Spanish packages. You can add premium channels like STARZ and SHOWTIME to any plan, but not HBO
  • DISH offers the Multi-Sport Pack for college and pro games, but it is not as robust as DIRECTV’s sports offerings
  • Fees: DISH also requires a contract and an early termination fee of $20.00 for each month remaining. Additional fees include $3.00 for regional sports, $12.00 for local channels, and $5.00 – $10.00/mo. for the DVR equipment

DISH is ideal for households that want the best DVR experience, lower prices and international programming. 

How does satellite TV work?

For satellite TV service, you’ll need a dish, receiver, coaxial cable and an HDMI cable to connect the receiver to the TV. These will be provided by your ISP and a tech will handle the installation. Your modem will most likely have a rental fee attached. Don’t forget to check with your town or homeowners’ association before installation, just in case there are rules about satellite dish placement.

Bundle satellite TV and internet

You can get high-speed internet with satellite TV service. DISH and DIRECTV both work with internet providers in your area to bring you satellite TV and internet bundles. Depending on which providers are available in your area, you may be able to snag discounts by bundling multiple home services. AT&T internet and DIRECTV bundles, for example.

Can satellite TV provide internet?

While neither satellite TV provider offers internet directly, you can combine their TV packages with an internet plan. Call today to build your satellite TV and internet bundle with providers such as:

Availability, pricing and internet speeds will vary by location and provider. Call to check satellite TV and internet bundle availability and pricing for your address.

See other providers available in your area

Is cable or satellite TV better?

Satellite TV companies will likely give you more channel options and lower introductory pricing, but cable is less likely to be affected by inclement weather. Both satellite and cable TV will give you similar channel packages and picture quality. Take a look at some other differences between the two to find the right TV service for you.

What makes satellite TV services different from cable TV?

  • Satellite TV uses a dish to get the TV signal to a customer’s home instead of cable lines
  • Satellite TV packages deliver all the typical cable TV channels to areas where cable does not reach
  • Satellite TV providers are known for carrying a variety of international and sports programming

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

Our verdict: Satellite service can be a better option for you if you live in a rural area with fewer TV options, want to spend less on TV service or prioritize high customer service ratings. 

Cable can be a better option if you don’t want a TV contract or if a cable provider offers special incentives for bundling TV and internet. Cable is less vulnerable to bad weather, such as heavy rain, which can affect satellite TV service.

Satellite TV FAQs

What’s the difference between cable TV and satellite TV?

The main difference between cable TV and satellite TV is how you receive the channel signal at your home. Cable TV uses a wired connection and receiver box to bring the TV signal into your house. Satellite TV uses a satellite dish to receive the signal and display the channels on your TV.

Yes. Just as you can use a TV antenna to pick up free over-the-air TV broadcasts, there are “Free to air” (FTA) satellite TV channels that are broadcast via satellite. These FTA channels are typically local news or sports channels, or government-sponsored public TV stations such as PBS. To pick up these channels, you’ll have to invest in an FTA receiver box in addition to your satellite dish.

While there are niche satellite companies, such as Christian satellite network Glorystar, the two main satellite TV companies are DIRECTV and DISH. If cable or fiber TV is also available where you live, you may be able to choose from providers such as Cox, Mediacom, Optimum, Spectrum, Verizon or Xfinity.

Yes. Some satellite providers offer a self-installation kit in place of your installation appointment with a technician. The kit price will vary by provider, but you’ll generally save more money by purchasing a kit and DIY-ing it than you would scheduling an appointment with a professional and paying the fee for installation. Self-installation does run some risk as most providers will not fix any errors for free that you make during setup. Video tutorials are typically available online in the provider’s customer support or forums.

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Written by

Robin Layton

Senior Editor, Broadband Content

Robin Layton is a Senior Editor for Allconnect, dedicated to helping consumers navigate the often-co… View profile

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