Soccer: Dish vs. DirecTV

I think this topic was covered fairly well in this thread:
https://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=28008

 

###MODERATOR'S NOTE###

Edited to say after a lot of unnecessary foofahrah, this thread is back the way it should be.

We're always up for a spot of friendly Dish-DirecTV discussion, but if it degenerates like the last one did, we'll close it again. Thanks.

 

I've had both

I've had both.

Personally, I prefer Dtv although I have a multi room dish system with the new dual tuner PVR's which I find fantastic for recording evry footy game on and watching at my convenience.

Gadgets aside, you'll not get soem of the international friendlies on Dish (the US vs Canada game a good example) but on the whole you'll get pretty much the same. I think (bt am not sure) that Dish has some advnatages over dtv regarding the MLS shootout package, but I'm sure that others know more about that than me.

Dtv allows you to buy EPL games ala carte while Dish only has a monthly and season package available.

Diish will carry GolTV, Dtv will not (yet). Dish has exellent Sp. language programming but so does dtv.

For complete coverage of every match possibly available, you're probably a little better off with Dtv although I love my dual tuner PVR's and I don;t think that dtv has those yet although I may be wrong.

Nick

 

If I recall the discussion in the last thread, DTV had all the Shootout package games, Dish had only the weekend games- at least that was last year's deal.

Naturally, I just got Direct TV. Don't be surprised if everything flip-flops.

Either that, or my karma payment will come from my wife wanting to throttle me because I didn't explore a seemingly non-existant cable option at our new house... YMMV.

 

Not sure if cost is an issue for you, but it is for me. Be sure and explore in depth the various station line-up packages that Dish and DTV offer. Also, how many receiver boxes do you need/want? Do you want to lease or buy your equipment? Do you think you can install the system yourself (I would recommend you not doing so) and what does installation cost? And, finally, what are your non-soccer veiwing interests.

Frankly, it takes a lot of work to figure out which system is best for you.

Me? I went with Dish, because I needed three boxes, wanted installation, and was happy with the station options and pricing for the America's Top 150 package. Installation was free (though I paid $99 for a PVR upgrade - money very well spent) as were my first three months of programming. Per month fee is $65 (actually it's going up by $2/month for me in April), but I convinced a neighbor to get a Dish system, which got me a $60 credit with Dish and a bunch of PPV movie coupons.

I'm very happy with Dish, but that's just me.

 

According to SoccerTV.com, Dish Network will carry Gol TV effect on Feb 20.

 

As part of their Spanish language broadcast packages (which I don't have).

 

This is true (for last year only). But in years prior, the Dish version of the Shootout package had shown more games than the DirecTV version, so it seems inconsistent which will be better for a given year. Basically, anyone in the market right now would probably do best to wait until the Shootout Package is announced (btw...anyone know when to expect that?).

Also, I have relatives in the Pittsburgh area who have AT&T digital cable, and they are interested in getting the Shootout package. Has anyone heard if that will be an option this year, or should they switch to one of the satellites?

Also: to the moderator.

Could I suggest you start an "official" MLS Shootout thread, heavily moderated, and make it a sticky? The various ones I've been combing through to find out info have all been sidetracked by various tangents/arguments, etc.

 

Your point about DirecTV being much more inclusive last year after having come up very short of Dish the year before is very well taken, and absolutely true.

HOWEVER: the reason why DirecTV was behind two years ago and was ahead last year was because of transponder space. Hughes got another bird in the air and they now have the available slots. Dish has fewer spots and, when forced to make choices during the summer, they chose, and will likely continue to choose, baseball.

DirecTV has no reason to choose because they now have transponder space to spare. They can beam it all. Dish still just can't.

A very simple equation.

 

not too knowledgeable about dish/dtv, but isn't FSW on directTV in the $80/month package whereas FSW on dish is in the $42/$39 a month package, higher priced package includes local channels. Dish's top 150 (really 169 digital channels, including FSW, espn classic, FSR's, galavision, espn and espn2.


So, if FSW is high in your book, i'd suggest dish.

Both satellite systems have PVR options.

 

Not exactly.

FSW on DTV is available as part of the $12/month "Sports Pack," which is available with the purchase of any of the "Total Choice" packages.

If you buy the $82/month premier package, it, and all sports pack channels, are included. But spending $80/month isn't the only way to get FSW on DirecTV.

 

Just sent the following note to Dish today, and then heard back pretty quickly.

MY EMAIL...
Hi,

Do you have any information on the upcoming MLS Shootout package? Any idea when that will be available to purchase? I've purchased it for both of the last two years and plan to again. Also, I was wondering if this year Dish will carry the midweek games. Last year for the first time, Dish (unlike DirecTV and Dig. cable) failed to carry the Wednesday games. I was VERY annoyed by this, as DirecTV subscribers paid the same price we did. In the past, Dish Network had been the better choice for MLS fans, and I'm wondering now if this is still the case. (Last season, it clearly wasn't).

Thanks for any info you can provide.

THEIR RESPONSE (RELEVANT SECTION)

Thank you for your e-mail. We do not have any information regarding the MLS Shootout package at this time, however we appreciate your interest and we will forward your comments to our Programming Department for consideration. Please stay tuned for consumer Charlie Chats that are broadcast monthly on Channel 101, channel 450, and our web site (http://www.dishnetwork.com/content/programming/ppv/sports_events/index.asp) in the coming weeks to for updates.

*******************

So basically, no news yet. The deal must not be finalized. I find it odd that these things aren't done long before the season begins, but then their MLB package also is not available yet...

 

Charlie Chats?

 

"Charlie Chats" = Echostar CEO Charlie Ergen has a monthly live broadcast in which they sometimes announce new channels, packages, etc and take (screened) call-in/e-mail questions. Sometimes they even answer the questions.

 

This is not true.

Dish did NOT have the baseball package (MLB Extra Innings) in the past. It's not known that whether they'll carry Extra Innings in the upcoming season (nothing has been announced yet). At least up to the February 24, 2003, Dish have had virtually no other sports competing against MLS Shootout for transponder space in the dead months of summer, no college football (ESPN GamePlan), no college basketball (ESPN Full Court), no EPL, no Portugese league. The only package that may be competing against MLS was the Copa Libertadores PPV. And that was only last season.

You don't think 1-2 games from South America would rob Echostar their transponder space that they can't carry the Sunday/midweek MLS games, do you?

 

I also want this question answered.



I got Digital Cable for FSW. Now I am being told (not sure if its true) that Comcast bought it and will take off FSW?

so once that happens I will need a Dish or DTV.

I am mainly interested in European leagues but any soccer is better than none. See if you can help me out. Thanks

 

There simply is not an easy answer. Sorry. I'd recommend going to both the DTV and DISH websites and start doing research on the various packages offered by both companies.

"European leagues" doesn't tell me a lot. If you're ga-ga about the Bundesliga, hell, buy a GermanTV set-up, which offers 24 hour a day German television and a Bundesliga package. If by "European" you mean the EPL, well, both DTV and Dish have EPL packages. If you're intertested in other leagues it gets even more complicated.

Luckily, we're far beyond the point where one must settle for "any soccer" being better than "none." With Dish and DTV, FSW, GolTV, ESPN, Spanish language US channels, various league packages (like that EPL package), and national TV network options, you'll never be starved for soccer. For a price, that is.

 

Let me emphasize a very important fact.

If you order the Spanish language package on DISH, you receive Spanish Playboy for free.

You could elect not to receive it, if you have kids or something.

 

DIsh it is, got to tell my dad its for the soccer though.

 

Dish Network in Hawaii

Some of you seem very smart on all this crap. I just orderd Dish Network out here in Hawaii (DIRECTV only offers a very small package).

I will be able to hit the 119 satellite with a regular dish network mini dish.

I will also get the 110 satellite with a second dish (about 30 inches wide).

Which satellite was the MLS Shootout on last season? Anyone know if MLS and Dish have agreed on next season?

Thanks

THe Dish website does not mention this new dish that is available to get the 110 satellite, so if there are any other people stuck out here with me, just drop me a PM and I will let you know how I got this all hooked up.

 

Sorry I'm a little behind the times on Dish's capability. I thought the second satellite was still on the ground.

Fortunately, I've been married a number of years and thus have a lot of experience at being wrong.

I presume I am correct though in assuming that DirecTV is alone in having the THIRD satellite at 101 degrees. Does this mean that Dish is moving HD through the 110 sat? Or does it require different technology?

Bummer about Hawaii, LT; any chance of just bagging the whole thing and putting down a terrestrial dish (you know, those big West Virginia deals)?

 

Re: ###MODERATOR'S NOTE###

Maybe we should make the Directv-Dish thread a sticky to prevent it coming up all the time.