Best DISH Network Deals & Packages

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Rather than shelling out hundreds of dollars like I did when I first got DISH Network nearly twelve years ago, you can sign up for DISH Network and get all of your DISH TV equipment for free these days. With these kinds of DISH Network deals, you will usually have to sign up for a specified amount of time, but considering that I had to pay about $400 back in the "old days" to buy my own satellite equipment, you can save a lot of money with the deals that are offered today.

As of this writing, DISH Network is offering a very nice deal. Just $24.99 per month for twelve months. This includes over 100 of your favorite channels, including CNN, ESPN, Disney Channel and Discovery Channel. For all the details, click the link at the top of the page.

As a very satisfied DISH Network customer for almost a dozen years myself, it is hard for me to imagine someone not being satisfied with the service, as long as there were no problems with the reception or anything like that. I love my DISH Network, and would not even think of going back to cable.

Unfortunately, I do still have service from my local cable company. It is only for high-speed Internet access since it is the only option where I live, but I am anxiously awaiting another high-speed Internet choice here so I can tell the cable company to take a hike! Currently they are charging me $75 a month just for high-speed Internet service. That's because they penalize me (that's how I see it) for refusing to get my television programming from them as well.

The reception problems I have had with DISH Network over the past 11-plus years are nothing to compare with the problems I used to have with cable TV. All the stuff that the cable companies say about reception problems with satellite TV are exaggerated greatly.

Unlike the deal I got when I bought my equipment, DISH Network retains ownership of the equipment you get with these free DISH Network deals, and you have to return it if you cancel your subscription. This seems like the best DISH offer to me, since I had to buy my own equipment back in 1998, and it would have been useless to me if I had canceled my subscription. I suppose I could have sold it or something, but I'd rather not have to deal with that at all..

It is important to understand that most, if not all, satellite TV deals involve a contract of some type. In other words, when you sign up, you are agreeing to stay with the service for a certain amount of time, and if you cancel the service before that amount of time has passed, you may be subject to a penalty payment. Both DISH Network and DirecTV require these types of contracts to prevent people from switching back and forth between services to get the lowest price as new promotions are introduced.

If you spend enough time looking around the internet for consumer complaints against any big company, you will find plenty. However, a large percentage of those complaints are due to the lack of understanding on the consumer's part because they did not pay attention to all the details when they bought something, or ordered a service, then tried to cancel it for some reason. Then they got angry when they realized they did not take the time to understand what kind of contract they were entering into when they signed up with a particular service.

Here's the best advice I can offer: When you are ordering a new service, like satellite TV, a cell phone or some type of warranty, pay attention to every detail. As the saying goes: "Read the fine print" and do not agree to anything unless you understand exactly what you are agreeing to.

With that in mind, it's my personal opinion that DISH Network is the best free dish option for those that have decided to go with satellite TV service.

DISH Network offers an impressive variety of programming packages, with one that will accommodate just about every budget. Currently, the DISH Network packages being offered include the following:

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America's Top 120: An especially well-priced package that will satisfy every member of the family. It includes the best in entertainment, sports, news and children's programming. $24.99/mo for twelve months.

America's Top 120+: Includes all of the great programming in the America's Top 120 package with the addition of your Local Sports Network(s). $29.99/mo for twelve months.

America's Top 200: This is DISH Network's most popular package and includes over 220 channels of the top entertainment available, including all the programming from America's Top 120 plus a variety of other great channels like Bravo, MSNBC, SPEED, Animal Planet and more! $39.99/mo for twelve months.

America's Top 250: A great package at a great price. Get over 260 channels of the best programming in TV. $49.99/mo for twelve months.

Everything Pak: This is the big one. DISH Network's top-of-the-line programming package. This package provides the ultimate in entertainment for the dedicated TV viewer. This package boasts 31 commercial-free premium movie channels and all the programming in the America's Top 250 package. $84.99/mo for twelve months.

For the very latest on all DISH Network's programming packages,special offers, promotional deals and up-to-date pricing, call 1-866-537-9648 to order today.

24-month commitment and other conditions apply. Call for details.

It's hard to beat satellite TV when it comes to variety. They offer more international programming packages than both Comcast and Verizon FiOS.

As of this writing, FiOS is offering programming in 21 languages, while Comcast seems a little uncertain about what they are offering. The international page on the Comcast website says they offer "various languages including (but not limited to): Arabic, Chinese, Italian, Russian, and Spanish." When I click the link to see what's available in my area, I get a page that reads "We are currently working to provide channel lineup information for your area."

As for DirecTV, they seem to be offering programming that covers about 18 or so languages.

Currently, DISH Network appears to be the leader in international programming with a total of 27 languages represented in various international programming packages, including programming in eight languages from the South Asian market alone.

DISH Network currently offers programming in the following languages: Arabic, Armenian, Chinese (Mandarin, Cantonese and Taiwanese), Filipino, French, German, Greek, Hebrew, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Hindi, Gujarati, Bangla, Kannada, Malayalam, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, Ukrainian, Urdu and Vietnamese.

There's a DISH Network package for a wide variety of people from diverse ethnic backgrounds and is clearly the industry leader in programming for the world's many dialects.

Many of the DISH Network packages regularly offered include DVR systems, in addition to the regular no-frills receivers. A DVR system is kind of like a receiver with a built-in VCR, although it does not use tapes. Instead, DVRs have a built-in hard drive like the one you have in your computer, and it allows you to do all kinds of neat things like recording 100's of hours of programming, pausing "live" TV, and recording one program while you are watching another one.

Around the beginning of 2007 I upgraded my old DISH Network system to a new system (which is owned by DISH Network, so I did not have to buy it like I did with my first system) with an HD-capable DVR called the ViP622, and I am still amazed by the capabilities of this thing.

I waited for a few years before I finally decided to upgrade to HDTV, and I don't think I could go back to standard-definition television ever again! I love my HDTV and I say it so often that I think my wife is getting sick of hearing me talk about it!

The DISH Network DVR systems have incredibly useful features like allowing you to watch one program while recording another, watch a program you have recorded before it is done recording, record all your favorite shows automatically, and the ability to pause live TV, so I strongly suggest you select a DVR system if you are planning on ordering a new satellite TV system.

If you can afford it and you have not yet upgraded to HDTV, I strongly suggest you do that also. The difference between HDTV and standard-definition TV is just amazing. Programs like Planet Earth are just stunning in HD and I cannot bring myself to delete them from my DVR, even though I recorded them well over a year ago!

With the addition of the new DISH Remote Access features, you can now access your DVR from anywhere you have an internet connection. Even from your iPhone or other web-enabled mobile device. Now it is even more unlikely that you'll ever miss your favorite programs.

If you are seriously considering a DISH Network system for your home or business, my best advice is to check out all the latest and best DISH Network packages and deals and find the one that's best for you and your budget.

* May, 2010 University of Michigan American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) survey