HD Programming Options for your Satellite HDTV

High Definition Satellite TV (2)

The advent of MPEG-4 has brought about a drastic increase in the number of high definition channels available from both DirecTV and DISH Network.

And the greatest impact has been with respect to local HD programming available from these satellite TV service providers.

As of June 2008, DirecTV local satellite HDTV programming covers some 75 percent of all U.S. households. Dish Network's local coverage currently lags behind DirecTV with just over 66 percent of U.S. markets; the company promises 100 local markets and 85 percent coverage by the end of the year.

Note however that neither DirecTV nor DISH Network broadcast all local channels in HD. Dish Network offers the top six networks (ABC, CBS, NBS, Fox, WB, and PBS), while DirecTV offers the top nine networks. However, availability of local HD programming by either satellite TV service provider depends on your area.

In this respect, HD local channel selection is generally better on cable than satellite. Similarly, regional sports networks (RSN) in HD aren't necessarily offered on satellite, whereas most cable providers offer RSNs in their local markets.

On the other hand, both DirecTV and Dish Network offer significantly more national HD channels than just about every cable provider. Excluding RSNs pay-per-view channels and other less-important channels, as of June 2008, DirecTV offers 95 national HD channels and Dish Network has 81 as against the 55 HD channels offered on cable TV.

Available Satellite HDTV Packages and Costs

Thanks to the fierce competition between the two main satellite service providers, it is possible to get a complete satellite HDTV bundle, including installation in multiple rooms in your home for free in exchange for a service subscription.

DISH Network

DISH Network satellite HDTV programming packages start at an extra $10 a month to your basic pack and brings you anything from 28 HD channels up to a total of 39 programs in HD depending on whether you have America's Top 100, Top 200, or Top 250 package; you may increase the number of available HD channels for an additional $10 per month.

Alternatively, you may get Dish Network HD-only package, consisting of up to 45 HD channels (including 5 pay-per-view), for $29.99 per month. This is in our opinion, the best HD bundle on offer from DISH and includes channels like:

		A 24-hour high-definition simulcast service of ESPN that delivers quality sports events, news, information and entertainment. Includes games from Major League Baseball, the National Basketball Association, the National Football League and the National Hockey League.
		Delivers a 24-hour schedule of blockbuster movie titles from Warner Bros., Sony, and other major studios, as well as made-for-TV movies, independent films and shorts.
		A 24hr-by-7 service that delivers high definition programs for the highest quality viewing experience about nature, science and technology, geography, travel and world culture.
		A 24-hour network featuring live sports like NHL® and MLS® games, boxing, drama series, concerts and original news and documentary programming including HDNet, World Report, and Across America.

 

You can also choose to add your local HD channels to one of DISH Network satellite HDTV packages for an extra $5 per month.

Programs include everything for everyone in the family: sports, movies, entertainment, news and variety, and local channels, where available. They also offer pay-per-view movies and events, plus adult programming, and sports packages - football, baseball, basketball, hockey, and ESPN. International programming includes African, Arabic, Armenian, Asian, Chinese, Farsi, French, German, Greek, Israeli, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, South Asian, Spanish, and Urdu channels.

They also offer pay-per-view movies and events, plus adult programming, and sports packages - football, baseball, basketball, hockey, and ESPN, with up to 55 pay-per-view options every day which you can order via your remote control, $3.99 for each movie, live-event prices vary. Furthermore, pay-per-view for adult programming costs $14.99 for three hours of programming (XX and XXX).

International programming includes Caribbean, Chinese, Filipino, Korean, Italian, Russian, South Asian, Spanish, Ukrainian, and Vietnamese channels.

In total, DirecTV channel lineup covers 265 satellite TV channels which include the 31 movie channels already referred to earlier on, 73 XM satellite radio channels, 60 pay-per-view movies a month, 95 national HD channels, and 14 international channels.

DirecTV has also the most sports channels in HD. DirecTV sports pack gives you a total of 36 sports channels for $12 per month - including 25 specialty and regional sports networks, plus NBA.com, Fox Sports World, and The Golf Channel.

The above satellite HDTV programming summary is correct as of June 2008 and attempts to bring out the main features on offer by both DirecTV and DISH Network.

In view of the constant changes in satellite HDTV package deals on offer by both service providers, it is advisable to check with the respective service providers for their latest packages and channel bundles.

Please Note: The High Definition Satellite TV services described under this section are available to customers in the United States only.

Satellite TV Guides 

Surely, there is no better way to remain abreast with the latest movements, channel changes, sports, special events, and entertainment programs on offer from either satellite TV service provider, than to get an appropriate satellite TV magazine. We say appropriate because some of these magazines come edited to cover either DirecTV or DISH Network programming only.

 

		OnSat Considered as Americas #1 satellite guide for all satellite TV owners - C-Band, DISH Network and DirecTV. Provides a complete listing of television entertainment via satellite. Issues: $49.95 for 12 issues/12 months
		Satellite DIRECT Magazine has been the number one guide to DIRECTV programming since 1994. It is a 300-page television guide that delivers an in-depth look at the movies, sports, and entertainment on offer by DirecTV. It has 24-hour grids for all time zones, daily pay-per-view listings and includes programming highlights for each day. Issues: $4.99 a month, or $39.99 a year.
		Satellite Orbit Magazine, formerly Satellite Entertainment Guide Magazine, is the preferred guide among C-band, DISH Network. and 4DTV customers. It offers a most complete source of listings, with an all grid format, adult section and entertaining editorial, while providing updated information on the latest movements. Issues: $49.95 12-issues per year