A flickering screen, a warm glow, a portal to another world.
Since its invention in 1927, broadcast television has entertained, educated, and comforted millions of Americans in their living rooms. By opening a window to the world, TV has offered us a glimpse into the real and the imagined, the joyful and the sorrowful, the ancient and the modern, to give us a 360-degree perspective on life.
There are over 75.5 million pay-TV subscribers in the USA. Among them, satellite and cable TV providers hold the biggest market share. To understand why satellite and cable TV remain popular sources of on-screen entertainment for Americans, we will compare DISH vs Spectrum TV. The former rightly defies the concept “the sky is the limit”. Whereas, the latter promises non-stop entertainment without breaking the bank.
So, continue reading as we highlight key similarities and differences between Spectrum TV vs DISH Network.
DISH Network
DISH Network is a direct-broadcast satellite TV service that was launched in March 1996 under its former name, the EchoStar Corporation. The extraterrestrial TV operator uses a fleet of 15 geosynchronous satellites to transmit live TV programming across the nation. Currently, DISH Network has over 9.75 million pay-tv subscribers, of which 7.42 million are enrolled in DISH TV packages. Whereas, the remaining 2.33 million are using the over-the-top, Sling TV, video streaming service.
DISH Network offers its customers four satellite TV packages with varying numbers of channels and prices. Unlike DIRECTV, DISH TV’s top contender in the satellite pay-tv market, DISH Network has adopted fixed pricing for 3 years. And because of its price guarantees, DISH Network is considered the most affordable, all-digital, nationwide satellite TV service.
DISH Network service starts at $79.99 per month, and you can get up to 330 channels, including HD, local, international, and premium channels, with 500 hours of live TV recording.
Pros
With DISH Network, you get the best of both worlds. It offers the same great programming as cable TV but with the added benefits of satellite TV. Take a look at some of the pros of DISH Network that we have listed in the table below to understand why this combo is a win-win situation for TV lovers.
- Satellite TV service is available throughout the country.
- Plans include 3-year price guarantees.
- More than 290 top-rated TV channels
- Includes Hopper DVR for 500 hours of recording
- Includes voice-activated remote control
- $300 Mastercard gift card
- Free expert installation
- On-the-go streaming through DISH Anywhere App.
- Free access to premium channels for 3 months
- Over 36,000 on-demand movies and shows
Cons
Shopping for the perfect TV package can be a tediously-challenging affair, especially if network providers deliberately withhold unfavorable information to trick customers into believing that all is well. Often, these discouraging terms and conditions are in the fine print that we tend to overlook and are only brought to our attention when the ship has sailed.
So, as part of your responsibility to our readers, we have mentioned some of the drawbacks of DISH Network subscription that we believe might be a deal breaker for you.
- A 2-year contract is compulsory
- Plans are expensive compared to Spectrum TV packages.
- The monthly rental for Hopper DVR is $10.00/mo.
- An early termination fee of $20.00/mo. for the remaining months.
Spectrum TV
Spectrum TV is a standalone cable TV service that was first introduced in 1980 in Barry Country, Michigan, as Charter Communications’ community antenna televisions (CATV) system. In the last four decades, the Charter’s cable TV service has benefited from several mergers and acquisitions to evolve into the nation’s second-largest cable TV network that spans over 41 states. Spectrum TV uses Time Warner Cable Company’s sprawling network to distribute pay-TV service to over 15.48 million subscribers.
Spectrum TV’s® over-the-top (OTT) live TV streaming packages, such as Spectrum TV Essentials and Spectrum TV Choice, are offered exclusively to Spectrum Internet® customers. The video-on-demand Spectrum TV subscribers will require a high-speed internet connection and a compatible device to stream, record, download, and watch TV the desired content. The Spectrum TV App is a free mobile and desktop application that allows Spectrum TV customers to watch live TV and thousands of on-demand titles from anywhere in the country.
The Spectrum TV service starts at $24.99 per month, and you can watch up to 175 TV channels, including all the premium networks, for a small extra fee of up to $15 each month.
Spectrum TV’s® no-contract service includes up to 60 hours of recording time for as low as $4.99 per month.
Pros
Spectrum TV is a comprehensive pay-TV service that combines all the well-loved features of traditional cable TV and new-age video streaming platforms. Scroll through the list of Spectrum TV’s® advantages to see how this reasonably priced, no-contract TV service is redefining on-screen entertainment in the 21st century.
- Cable TV and live TV-streaming packages are available.
- Affordable pricing
- Plans can be customized
- Premium channels are available as add-ons.
- Customers can buy Cloud DVR storage for $4.99/mo.
- Watch live TV anywhere through Spectrum TV App.
- More than 120 channels in HD, including popular networks.
- Over 85,000 most in-demand movies and shows.
Cons
Spectrum TV is continuing to challenge the status quo through its flexible and affordable subscription model. Despite its best efforts, some areas of improvement require immediate attention. Below, we have stated some of the cons of Spectrum TV that may be a downer during the decision-making process.
- Service requires device compatibility
- Limited availability within Spectrum’s 41-state footprint
- The channel count is lower than DISH Network.
- Second-year price hikes and additional fees
- Over-the-top TV streaming packages require a Spectrum Internet® subscription.
DISH Network vs Spectrum TV – How Do They Compare?
DISH Network and Spectrum TV are US-based pay-TV services that use a monthly subscription business model to transmit live TV programming and on-demand streaming content to customers. On a surface level, their service model seems similar, but as we delve deeper into their structures, we realize that the two subscription TV providers are very different from one another.
The following table is a side-by-side comparison of DISH Network vs Spectrum TV to help you comprehend their underlying differences.
| Comparison | DISH Network | Spectrum TV |
|---|---|---|
| Type of Service | Satellite TV | Cable TV and OTT |
| Price Range | $79.99/mo. – $109.99/mo. | $24.99/mo. – $59.99/mo. |
| 2nd-Year Price Hikes | No | Yes |
| No. of Plans | 4 | 4 |
| Max. No. of TV Channels | 290+ | 125+ |
| Popular TV Channels | ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, Paramount, Nickelodeon, etc. | ABC, NBA, NFL, CBS, FOX, Paramount, Nick, etc. |
| Availability | 50 states | 41 states |
| Contract | 2 Years | Not Required |
| Required Equipment | Compatible smart devices | Compatible smart devices |
| DVR Storage | Up to 500 Hours | Up to 60 Hours |
| Mobile App | DISH Anywhere App | Spectrum TV App |
| Installation Fee | Free professional installation | $65.00 (a one-time charge) |
| Additional Fees | Up to $70.00 | Up to $55.00 |
| Customer Rating | 4.0 out of 5 stars | 3.5 out of 5 stars |
| Best For | Remote areas and RVs | Budget-conscious users |
Plans & Pricing
Spectrum TV and DISH Network offer 4 TV packages with varying prices and channel counts. However, there is a marked difference in the starting prices, number of channels, type of service, and price validity of Spectrum TV and DISH Network TV plans.
DISH Network Plans
DISH Network service starts at $79.99 per month. At a glance, DISH Network’s monthly fee seems expensive, but when you take into account the 3-year price guarantees, high channel count, free professional installation, and free equipment provision, then DISH TV packages become more affordable than cable TV service.
| DISH TV Plans | |||
| Plan | Price | Channel Count | On-Demand Titles |
| America’s Top 120 | $79.99/mo. | 190 | 28,000 |
| America’s Top 120+ | $94.99/mo. | 190+ | 28,000 |
| America’s Top 200 | $99.99/mo. | 140+ | 35,000 |
| America’s Top 250 | $109.99/mo. | 290+ | 36,000 |
DISH Network’s America’s Top 200 plan is the ‘Best Value’ plan and includes a $300 DISH Prepaid Promotional Card by Mastercard.
Spectrum TV Packages
Spectrum TV packages start at $24.99 per month, and you can watch over 125 live cable TV channels and 85,000 on-demand movies and shows. Subscribers can add premium channels and language-specific programming for a small additional fee to all four base plans. Unlike DISH TV plans, Spectrum TV plans do not come with price guarantees.
The second-year price hike of Spectrum TV packages ranges between 38 and 50 percent. And when you add installation charges and equipment rentals to the mix, the price becomes the same or more expensive (depending on your monthly plan) compared to the DISH Network packages.
| Spectrum TV Plans | ||
| Plan | Price | Channel Count |
| Spectrum TV Essentials | $24.99/mo. | 65+ |
| Spectrum TV Choice | $29.99/mo. | 15+ |
| Spectrum Mi Plan Latino | $39.99/mo. | 145+ |
| Spectrum TV Select | $59.99/mo. | 125+ |
**All the prices shown in the table above are for the first 12 months of service and exclude taxes and surcharges.
TV Channels
DISH Network and Spectrum TV offer their customers a wide variety of top-rated sports, entertainment, news, lifestyle, and kids networks. DISH Network’s premium plans can carry up to 300 cable TV channels, including the most in-demand HD channels. Compared to that, Spectrum’s TV channel count is limited to around 150 cable TV channels, and some of the most popular sports, entertainment, kids, and international channels will have to be bought separately for an additional fee of up to $29.99 per month.
Here are some of the most-watched American TV channels, included in the DISH Network and Spectrum TV programming. You can find the comprehensive plan-by-plan DISH Network and Spectrum TV channel list on their official websites.
| Popular Networks Category | DISH Network | Spectrum TV |
|---|---|---|
| Sports Channels | Fox Sports, BeIN Sports, NFL, NBA, MLB, CBS, ESPN, AXS TV, etc. | Fox Sports, BeIN Sports, NFL, NBA, MLB, CBS, ESPN, AXS TV, etc. |
| Entertainment Channels | AMC, Hallmark, TCM, Paramount, Lifetime, IFC, Comedy Central, A&E, etc. | AMC, Hallmark, TNT, Paramount, Lifetime, LMN, IFC, TBS, We TV, etc. |
| News Channels | Bloomberg TV, CNN, CNBC, ESPN News, Fox News, Newsmax, etc. | BBC World News, CNN, CNBC, Fox News, News Nation, MSNBC, etc. |
| Lifestyle Channels | HGTV, Magnolia, Cooking HD, BET HER, Jewelry TV, HSN, MTV, OWN, etc. | HGTV, Magnolia, Cooking Channel, BET, Jewelry TV, HSN, MTV, Oxygen, etc. |
| Kids Channels | Baby First, Nick Jr., Cartoon Network, Disney, Nick Toons, Nickelodeon, etc. | Baby TV, Nick Jr., Cartoon Network, Disney, Nick Toons, Nickelodeon, etc. |
| Religious Channels | Daystar, Enlace, Three Angels Broadcasting Network, TBN, Victory, etc. | Daystar, SonLife, TBN Enlace USA, UPtv, Music Choice-Gospel, etc. |
| Educational Channels | American Heroes Channel, Discovery, Nat Geo, Animal Planet, History, etc. | Discovery, History, Nat Geo, Science Channel, Smithsonian Ch., etc. |
Equipment Required
DISH Network is a satellite pay-TV operator. Therefore, it needs a dish antenna (mounted on high ground), a receiver, and a functional TV set. The combined cost of a dish antenna and a receiver can be as high as $500. However, as a DISH Network subscriber, you do not have to worry about this added expense because DISH TV packages come with free professional installation.
In contrast, Spectrum TV uses a wide network of coaxial cables to transmit analog signals to individual homes. More than 73 percent of households in the USA have access to coaxial cable networks and can directly receive live TV programming. As in the case of DISH Network, Spectrum TV subscribers need a receiver (a compact piece of equipment that converts analog signals into digital signals for the best quality of audio-video output).
In the case of Spectrum TV’s® over-the-top TV streaming service, subscribers will need a fast and reliable Spectrum Internet® connection, a set-top box that will convert internet data signals into digital signals for audiovisual display, and a compatible device, such as Apple TV, Roku, Xbox, Samsung Smart TV, and Chromecast.
DVR
DISH Network and Spectrum TV provide digital video recorders (DVR) to their subscribers for recording live-TV programming as an antidote to their ‘fear of missing out’ (FOMO) tendencies. The only difference is the DISH Network’s cutting-edge Hopper 3 DVR is given free of charge with every TV package. But Spectrum TV subscribers have to pay around $12.99 per month for leasing Cloud DVR and getting up to 60 hours of recording space for 90 days.
On the other hand, DISH Network’s Hopper 3 is the best DVR in the market. You can simultaneously record 16 different shows or movies and store up to 500 hours of high-definition content for unlimited days unless it is the recording of a primetime event. In that case, the automatic recording from networks like ABC, NBC, CBS, and FOX will only be available for 8 days. The Hopper 3 DVR includes a voice-activated remote control powered by Google Assistant to help you search for your favorite TV channel, movie, or show in a fraction of a second.
Moreover, Hopper 3 DVR allows you to access thousands of on-demand titles and live TV channels via multiple built-in streaming platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube TV, and Peacock.
So, if the contest was narrowed down to DISH vs Spectrum TV DVR, then DISH Network’s Hopper 3 would have been an indisputable winner.
Mobile App
Customers of DISH Network and Spectrum TV can watch TV on the go via their respective mobile applications that are compatible with smartphones, tablets, and personal computers (laptops and desktops). The DISH Anywhere app was first released in November 2010 for Android and iPhone users to let them watch their recorded programs and live TV from anywhere, anytime. Users can log into the DISH Anywhere app using their DISH credentials (username and password) and instantly turn their iPhones, iPads, and Macs (or Android/ Windows devices) into a portable TV.
Similarly, the Spectrum TV app, which was first released in November 2011, has been downloaded more than 10 million times and allows subscribers to stream live TV, view on-demand content, or watch recorded shows and movies while away from home. The Spectrum TV app can also be used to set parental controls to limit your children’s screen time and block them from watching age-restricted content.
Installation
DISH Network customers enjoy free next-day expert installation upon service subscription. After order confirmation, a technician is sent to the subscriber’s home with all the necessary equipment to install and activate the satellite pay-TV service. This is no less than a miracle because the satellite TV equipment alone costs around $500. But for DISH Network customers, the service is offered free of charge. The technician will mount the dish antenna, preferably on a rooftop, and connect it to a TV receiver inside the house using high-resistance cable cords. A connection will be established with the TV operator and their corresponding satellite to test the radio signals. The receiver will be plugged into the TV set and switched on to decode radio signals into audiovisual output. The technician will brief you on using Hopper 3 DVR to record live programs and show you how to access the stored files to watch later. Your same-day DISH Network installation should not take more than four hours.
Unfortunately, the Spectrum TV installation process will require you to loosen your purse strings. Spectrum TV professional installation costs $65.00, and you will have to rent the receiver (which comes with the remote control) for $9.99 per month. Or, you can order a self-installation kit for $30.00, in which case you will have to follow the guidelines in the instruction manual to set up your Spectrum TV service. Spectrum TV DVR costs an extra $12.99 per month, but the monthly price drops to $19.99 when your order 4 DVRs as a set.
Contract
The “outta the world” satellite TV services are high-end in every way. DISH Network spends around $2 billion per year to lease bandwidth from satellites owned by Intelsat and SES. Moreover, the equipment cost of a satellite TV service is up to $500, which is at least three times more than the equipment costs associated with a cable TV service. DISH Network allows subscribers to use its expensive hardware for free in exchange for a 2-year commitment. It gauges customer loyalty and invests heavily in those deserving of this VIP treatment. But on the downside, customers who breach the 2-year service contract have to pay a fine of $20 per month (for every remaining month on the contract). Therefore, a DISH Network subscription is for serious buyers and long-term residents.
Thankfully the same rules do not apply to Spectrum TV. Spectrum TV offers flexibility through its no-contract service. Customers can upgrade, downgrade or cancel their service anytime they wish without the hassle of waiting or paying an early termination fee. In fact, Spectrum Contract Buyout Program gives new customers a credit of up to $500 for switching TV providers mid-contract. The $500 credit is paid toward your early termination fees to release you from the annual agreement.
Availability
DISH Network’s extraterrestrial capabilities allow it to transmit satellite TV coverage to over 96 percent of the land area in the USA. Satellite TV providers send TV signals in the form of radio waves to geosynchronous satellites in outer space. These orbiting satellites intercept the signals and redirect them back to the Earth. Individual dish antennas mounted on rooftops or raised decks receive these radio frequencies and send them to a TV receiver via cable cords. Inside the receiver, the radio frequencies are converted into digital signals for an exceptional audio-video display. Therefore, the coverage area of DISH Network includes all 50 states, as well as Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
In contrast, Spectrum’s terrestrial and wired mode of service transmission limits its coverage area to 41 states. And even within Spectrum’s 41-state footprint, the availability of Spectrum TV service is spotty because of infrastructure constraints.
| State with Spectrum TV Coverage | |||
| Alabama | Indiana | Missouri | Oregon |
| Arizona | Kansas | Montana | Pennsylvania |
| California | Kentucky | Nebraska | South Carolina |
| Colorado | Louisiana | Nevada | Tennessee |
| Connecticut | Maine | New Hampshire | Texas |
| Florida | Maryland | New Jersey | Vermont |
| Georgia | Massachusetts | New Mexico | Virginia |
| Hawaii | Michigan | New York | Washington |
| Idaho | Minnesota | North Carolina | West Virginia |
| Illinois | Mississippi | Ohio | Wisconsin |
| Wyoming | |||
Customer Service Review – DISH vs Spectrum
In 2022, DISH Network was declared the winner of the National TV Satisfaction Award for 5th year in a row by J.D. Power. The customer satisfaction study was based on 6 key factors, as listed below:
- Performance and reliability
- Features and functionality
- Customer care
- Cost of service
- Billing and payment
- Communications and promotions
DISH Network secured the top position in all these metrics and was given the highest score of 720 on a 1000-point scale.
DISH Network’s Better Business Bureau profile lists it as an A+ business with 75 percent positive customer reviews.
Contrary to that, Spectrum TV was ranked the 5th best national TV provider in the same category with a score of 686 out of 1000 points. Similarly, in the American Customer Satisfaction Index for 2022, Spectrum scored 63 out of 100 points in the Subscription TV Service category. These scores are not “poor” and are at par with the industry average, but when we compare them to DISH Network’s winning streak, it can be said that Spectrum TV’s® customer service needs improvement.
So, the winner of DISH vs Spectrum TV customer service is DISH Network.
Final Verdict – DISH or Spectrum TV?
The debate on DISH vs Spectrum TV boils down to just one thing…your preferences. DISH and Spectrum TV are both great options for pay TV, but they have different strengths and weaknesses. If your priority is more channels, a powerful DVR box, countrywide coverage, award-winning customer service, and price guarantees, then DISH Network is the way to go. However, if you are looking for greater flexibility in pricing, a wide variety of on-demand content, contract-free service, and an industry-renowned mobile application, then Spectrum TV is a better option. Ultimately, the best choice for you will depend on your individual needs.
We hope our detailed Spectrum TV vs DISH Network comparison will help you choose wisely.
