Ever wondered what the best choice for satellite TV would be? The largest satellite TV providers in the United States are Dish Network and DirecTV. Which of these satellite TV giants provide the best service, customer satisfaction, and value for your dollar? Both offer an excellent product, but which is best? Dish Network Or DirecTV?

According to several online sources, DirecTV outranked Dish Network by a small margin for customer satisfaction in 2005, while both satellite TV providers outranked most cable companies in overall customer satisfaction. In most online poll's, satellite TV is on average around 1 dollar cheaper than cable with Dish Network being the cheapest overall.

DirecTV's basic programming package is around 38 dollars a month for 115 channels, plus an extra 5 dollars if you want to include local channels. Premium channels are about 12 dollars each, with HDTV service being around 11 dollars more. DirecTV's basic satellite TV system includes a model D11 receiver, and triple LNB dish in 1 room, and you can add an HDTV receiver with Tivo for about 5 dollars. In total, one of everything mentioned above would be about 59 dollars a month in one room.

Dish Network's basic programming package is around 32 dollars a month for 60 channels, plus about 6 dollars extra for local channels, with premium channels being about 12 dollars each. HDTV service is an extra 10 dollars, add 5 dollars for Voom. A one room satellite system includes a 311 model receiver and DISH 500 DishPro LNBF satellite. Basic system add on's include DVR 625, and HDTV 811 at no charge for one room. The total on Dish Network would be around 55 dollars a month.

Dish Network is generally cheaper than DirecTV though not by much. For a little extra money DirecTV provides almost double the number of channels on a basic programming package. Keep in mind the details outlined here are current as of January 27, 2006, and do not reflect any promotional offers from the satellite TV companies or vendors.

DirecTV wins when it comes to customer satisfaction, while Dish Network provides the cheapest satellite TV service rates as far as programming. While Dish Network and DirecTV provide similar satellite TV systems and equipment, they each have their advantages and in the end it's up to the consumer. What will you decide? Dish Network or DirecTV?