What Channels Do You Get on Dish Network

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DISH Network Review: Packages & Prices 2021

The excellent DVR, channel lineups, and competitive pricing make DISH one of the best TV services

Data effective 11/19/18. Offers and availability vary by location and are subject to change.

* for 24. months. Everyday Price $94.99/mo. New customers only. All offers require 2-year commitment with early termination fee and eAutopay. Price includes Hopper Duo for qualifying customers.

† for 24. months. Everyday Price $99.99/mo. New customers only. All offers require 2-year commitment with early termination fee and eAutopay. Price includes Hopper Duo for qualifying customers.

‡ for 24. months. Everyday Price $109.99/mo. New customers only. All offers require 2-year commitment with early termination fee and eAutopay. Price includes Hopper Duo for qualifying customers.

^ for 24. months. Everyday Price $119.99/mo. New customers only. All offers require 2-year commitment with early termination fee and eAutopay. Price includes Hopper Duo for qualifying customers.

Published on November 01, 2021

Last Updated: 1 month ago

DISH Network is currently in a dispute with media company, Tenga, causing the network to lose access to 64 major channels, including ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, and The CW. We hope the dispute will be resolved shortly, as it affects nearly 3-million subscribers nationwide.

DISH Network is one of the major players in the satellite television space, offering a handful of popular programming, sports channels, and top-notch movie options at a reasonable price.

With DISH, you have the option to sign a contract for a lower monthly bill. Additionally, the service offers The Hopper, which we found to be the best DVR service in the industry.

If you're looking for the sweet spot between sports and entertainment, you'll need to check out DISH's American's Top 200 package, which gives you, and the family, plenty to watch.

Pros

• You'll get straight-up pricing (looking at you)

• There's lots of sports coverage with DISH

• DISH has Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant compatibility

Cons

• DISH doesn't have NFL SUNDAY TICKET like DIRECTV does

Let's see if DISH is available in your area.

How much does DISH TV cost?

No second-year price hikes here, so your monthly bill should always stay the same

We can all agree that price hikes are easily in the top five worst things about TV subscriptions.

But with DISH, price hikes aren't a thing. Phew.

You'll have the same monthly price throughout your contract (or no contract) with DISH, unlike other satellite providers (*cough* DIRECTV). So you'll save money in the long run.

How much are DISH TV's packages?

Data effective 11/19/18. Offers and availability vary by location and are subject to change.

* for 24. months. Everyday Price $94.99/mo. New customers only. All offers require 2-year commitment with early termination fee and eAutopay. Price includes Hopper Duo for qualifying customers.

† for 24. months. Everyday Price $99.99/mo. New customers only. All offers require 2-year commitment with early termination fee and eAutopay. Price includes Hopper Duo for qualifying customers.

‡ for 24. months. Everyday Price $109.99/mo. New customers only. All offers require 2-year commitment with early termination fee and eAutopay. Price includes Hopper Duo for qualifying customers.

^ for 24. months. Everyday Price $119.99/mo. New customers only. All offers require 2-year commitment with early termination fee and eAutopay. Price includes Hopper Duo for qualifying customers.

You can relax knowing that every DISH package comes with your local networks (ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC), plus ESPN, Disney Channel, HGTV, and Food Network. Don't you feel better knowing you'll get your First Take, Flip or Flop, and Chopped fix with even the most basic channel package? We feel better.

To find out what truly sets each DISH channel package apart, you'll want to take a quick look at the full channel lineup, or check out our sneak peek below.

Dish Network has already begun notifying customers that prices will see an increase starting November 2021. The change will likely cause a $5/mo. increase, but you should keep a close eye on your bill, and reach out to Dish with any additional questions.

Does DISH have a contract?

As is the case with most TV providers, you gotta sign up for a contract to get the best deal with DISH.

Signing for a two-year term will save you $10–15 per month, which adds up to $240–$360 over the length of the contract. Big money!

DISH does give you the option to live without a contract so you have the freedom to cancel your service anytime. If you're not into that long-term commitment, you'll just have to pay that $10–$15 more month to month.

Does DISH have fees?

Yes, but they're not too bad.

Compared to DIRECTV, you won't have to pay an installation fee or regional sports fee. The number one cable TV provider, Xfinity TV, also charges an HD technology and broadcast fee.

You don't have to worry about any of those with DISH.

DISH's installation team will mount your satellite dish and set up your DVR system free of charge for up to six rooms. You can just sit back and let the DISH team do the hard work.

And if you want out of your contract early, we suggest checking out our guide on how to avoid cancellation fees.

How much are DISH's fees?

Fee	Monthly price
Installation fee	Included
Set-top box fee	$5.00–$10.00/mo.
Additional set-top box fee	$5.00/mo.
Late payment fee	$7.00
Early termination fee	$20.00 for every month left on your contract

*Data effective 6/22/2021.

Is DIRECTV cheaper than DISH?

DISH offers you more bang for your buck because DIRECTV has second-year price hikes (gasp!).

If you were to compare DIRECTV's CHOICE package and DISH's America's Top 120 plan, both of which have about 190 channels, DIRECTV is $10 less per month (for year one).

For your second year of service, DIRECTV's CHOICE $70 per month plan changes to about a $115 per month bill (depending on when you buy the service, so we urge you to read the package details on DIRECTV's site).

But if you're a TV fan and want 330+ channels or NFL SUNDAY TICKET, DIRECTV is the service for you.

Want the latest TV & streaming reviews, top picks, and deals?

Which DISH TV package should you get?

How much do DISH's plans cost?

Data effective 11/19/18. Offers and availability vary by location and are subject to change.

* for 24. months. Everyday Price $94.99/mo. New customers only. All offers require 2-year commitment with early termination fee and eAutopay. Price includes Hopper Duo for qualifying customers.

† for 24. months. Everyday Price $99.99/mo. New customers only. All offers require 2-year commitment with early termination fee and eAutopay. Price includes Hopper Duo for qualifying customers.

‡ for 24. months. Everyday Price $109.99/mo. New customers only. All offers require 2-year commitment with early termination fee and eAutopay. Price includes Hopper Duo for qualifying customers.

^ for 24. months. Everyday Price $119.99/mo. New customers only. All offers require 2-year commitment with early termination fee and eAutopay. Price includes Hopper Duo for qualifying customers.

Maybe you just prefer popular channels. Maybe you need professional and college sports channels. Or maybe you want the most channels because you are a fan of every genre and you don't want to feel limited. Check out our list and find the option for you.

• America's Top 120: This is perfect for families who want a variety of popular channels everyone in the house will enjoy. You'll find channels such as CNN, Disney Channel, HGTV, Food Network, and Lifetime.
• America's Top 120+: If you want more sports channels, this package will give you NFL Network, PAC-12 Network, and the SEC Network. If you're an avid sports fan, it'll be worth the extra $15 per month.
• America's Top 200: America's Top 120+ makes you look like a cute sports fan, but if you're a huge sports fan, you need this package. On top of the three sports channels mentioned above, you'll get CBS Sports Network, Golf Channel, MLB Network, NBA TV, NHL Network, and the Tennis Channel.
• America's Top 250: Alright, movie lovers. Here's your package. Have a movie night with FX Movie Channel, MoviePlex, EPIX Drive-In, STARZ Encore, STARZ Encore Action, STARZ Encore Family, and The Movie Channel.

Want more information? Just scroll down a little.

How much are DISH's bundles?

Bundle TV and the internet to save a few bucks and pay one bill

DISH doesn't provide internet directly, but DISH can hook you up with one of two internet providers and three different options that are available across most of the country.

You get to choose from the following internet connections: broadband/wired, fiber, and satellite. If you'd like to dig into more details, check out our review on Frontier and Viasat.

Here's a breakdown of why you might want one type of internet connection over the other:

• Frontier's broadband: This internet connection is ideal for one or maybe two users in the house. Although, this plan isn't ideal for those who work from home, game, or stream a lot.
• Frontier FiberOptic: We like Frontier's FiberOptic because you and your family won't have to worry about the internet slowing down when you have a family of five using the internet. We also like that it's only $30 per month when you bundle, because normally it's $80 per month alone.
• Viasat Satellite: Satellite internet is available nationwide and is great for homes that don't have access to broadband internet. Download speeds of 100 Mbps is enough for working from home and streaming movies.

Does DISH offer internet plans?

Data effective 11/19/18. Offers and availability vary by location and are subject to change.

° for 24 months with 2-year agreement. Actual speeds may vary. Installation, equipment fees, Internet Infrastructure Surcharge, early term, taxes & other fees apply. Services subject to availability and all applicable terms and conditions.

** For the first 3 months.

*Data effective 6/22/2021.

If you need help making a decision of which bundle to get, our favorite bundle for most families is America's Top 200 and Frontier FiberOptic.

You'll get the best variety of channels to entertain everyone in the family, along with fast download speeds for uninterrupted streaming and a smooth work-from-home internet connection.

Per month for 36 mos. Max wired speed 940/880 Mbps. One-time charges apply.

You can learn more about DISH deals here.

Which channels does DISH TV have?

DISH leads the way for college sports content

As it stands right now, DISH has the most college sports coverage. It carries the ACCN, SEC, Pac-12, Longhorn, and Big Ten Network. If you want to know exactly which sports channels you'll be getting, scroll a little further down.

But make sure to double-check the DISH channel lineup and make sure all of your favorite channels are in the package you're considering. But whether you're a sports, lifestyle, reality, or general entertainment fan, you should find basically everything you need with DISH.

America's Top 120 package includes the following channels:

• ABC
• Animal Planet
• Cartoon Network
• CBS
• CNN
• Discovery Channel
• Disney Channel
• ESPN
• Food Network

• FOX
• FX
• HGTV
• Investigation Discovery
• Lifetime
• MSNBC
• National Geographic
• Nickelodeon
• TBS

America's Top 120+ package includes the channels above and the following:

• Big Ten Network
• Longhorn Network
• NFL Network
• PAC-12 Network
• SEC Network
• World Fishing Network

America's Top 200 package includes the channels above and the following:

• BBC America
• BET
• Cooking Channel
• Disney Jr.
• Estrella TV
• Galavision
• Hallmark Channel

• Lifetime Movie Network
• MLB Network
• NBA TV
• Nick Jr.
• OWN
• Turner Classic Movies
• Univision

America's Top 250 package includes the following channels:

• Bloomberg Television
• Destination America
• DISH Music Channels
• EPIX Drive-In
• FX Movie Channel
• MoviePlex
• Nicktoons

• STARZ Encore Action
• STARZ Encore Español
• STARZ Encore Family
• STARZ Encore Suspense
• STARZ Encore Westerns
• The Movie Channel
• Universo

Which premium channels does DISH have?

Let's be honest—DISH's premium channel game is about as good as the Lakers without LeBron James. In other words, it's pretty weak.

HBO and CINEMAX aren't available as traditional channels through DISH, but the company now allows easy access for subscribing to both HBO and CINEMAX's internet streaming services. So even with DISH, you can ensure you're always watching the latest episodes ofWestworld andThe Knick.

It would be nice to get your premium channels all in one place. At least DISH gives youall of its premium channels forfree for your first three months.

But don't forget, when your three months are up, make sure you cancel your subscription before you get charged.

How much are DISH's premium channels?

*Data effective 4/7/2021.

Which DISH package is best for sports?

Data effective 11/16/2021. Offers and availability vary by location and are subject to change.

DISH has a wide variety of sports channels, and you get a decent amount with the first two packages. But if you're a huge sports fan and just want satellite TV for all of its sports channels, get America's Top 200 package.

You won't get more sports channels with America's Top 250 package, but take the plunge if you want all of the extra movie channels for all of the entertainment.

America's Top 120 package includes the following sports channels:

• ESPN, ESPN2
• ESPNews
• ESPNU
• FS1
• NBC Sports Network

America's Top 120+ package includes the following sports channels:

• ACC Network (ACCN)
• Big Ten Network
• ESPN, ESPN2
• ESPNews
• ESPNU
• FS1, FS2

• Longhorn Network
• NBC Sports Network
• NFL Network
• PAC-12 Network
• SEC Network
• Tennis Channel

America's Top 200 and 250 package includes the following sports channels:

• ACCN
• Big Ten Network
• CBS Sports Network
• ESPN, ESPN2
• ESPNews
• ESPNU
• FS1, FS2
• Golf Channel
• Longhorn Network
• MLB Network

• NBA TV
• NBC Sports Network
• NFL Network
• NHL Network
• PAC-12 Network
• SEC Network
• Tennis Channel
• TUDN
• TUDNxtra 1–11
• Zona Fútbol

If you want even more sports channels, DISH has a Multi-Sports Pack for $13 per month. It will give you channels like MLB Network Strike Zone, NFL RedZone, ESPN Goal Line, and ESPN Buzzer Beater.

DISH also offers MLB Extra Innings, which gives you all MLB games straight to your TV for the regular season.

Does DISH have on-demand content?

Gone are the days of checking the TV guide to see when the next episode of Survivor is on. Most of your DISH channels come with tons of on-demand content so you can watch any of the shows you may have missed—no need to plan your schedule around the TV guide.

DISH serves up on-demand content in a similar fashion to Netflix. You can enjoy 80,000 movies and TV shows when you get America's Top 120+ or higher.

Does DISH have the best DVR?

DISH has the best DVR in the business, and it's decently priced

How much storage space does DISH's DVR have?

DVR	DVR price	Storage hours (HD)	Simultaneous recordings	Automatic commercial skipping
Hopper Duo	$5.00/mo.	125 hrs.	2	Yes
Hopper 2 or 3	$10.00/mo.	500 hrs.	16	Yes

The Hopper 3 is the best DVR on the market right now.

Let's put those 500 recording hours in context—it would take 134 hours to watch all nine seasons of Suits. It would take about 100 hours to watch The Office from start to finish. It takes 880 hours to watch all five decades of Saturday Night Live.

In other words, you'll have time to record basically everything, and it will take you a long, long time to run out of space.

We like the Hopper's DVR storage space, but we don't like how you aren't eligible to get one unless you orderfour or more receivers for the family. This is when DISH's checkout will allow you to get theHopper 3 and three Joeys (a total of $25 for the fee).

If you order one set-top box for your home, you'll get DISH'sHopper Duo, which gives you 125 HD recording hours for $5 per month (which is still a pretty good deal).

You'll get theHopper 2 when you order three receivers. That means you'll get one Hopper 2 and two Joey's, making your fee $20 per month.

Can you connect multiple TVs to your Hopper DVR?

So by now, you've probably picked up on the kangaroo theme. Can you guess what the little DVRs are called that connect to the bigger DVR? Did you guess Joeys? You're right—they're called Joeys.

For every extra TV you have in your house, you'll want to get a Joey to connect it to your DVR. It'll cost you an extra $5 per month per Joey. But is it worth it to help your family stop fighting over a single DVR? Yes. Yes, it is.

What's the DISH Anywhere app?

The DISH Anywhere app works exactly how it sounds—if you already have DISH service, you can watch TV on your phone, tablet, or computer wherever you are.

For example, let's say you're on a family trip to Disneyland, and your daughter desperately wants to meet Elsa. The only problem—it's a three-hour wait. Fortunately, you can just watch the football game while you wait. Sure, you're paying $100+ to wait in line, but at least you're watching good TV.

The DISH Anywhere app also lets you watch recorded content offline. There's no need to worry about streaming with data or watching while in airplane mode. Just make sure to download your recorded content with Wi-Fi before you go out in the world.

DISH supports 4K, but it doesn't currently have dedicated 4K channels. It does offer Netflix compatibility, though, so you can watch Netflix original shows in 4K through the Hopper.

Want a more in-depth 4K comparison? Check out our review of the best TV services for 4K.

Recap: Is DISH worth it?

Data effective 04/28/2021. Offers and availability vary by location and are subject to change.

We named DISH our best satellite TV provider for a reason.

Over a two-year contract, DISH usually ends up being the more affordable option out of the two major satellite TV services. DISH also offers more college sports content than DIRECTV and has the best DVR in town.

If you decide to go with satellite over cable TV, DISH is a smart choice.

We recommend the America's Top 200 package for the best DISH experience since you'll get access to lots of sports. And we recommend bundling with Frontier FiberOptic for an extra $30 for the simplicity of one bill.

DISH Network TV plans and pricing recap

• America's Top 120: $64.99/month* for 190 channels
• America's Top 120+: $79.99/month* for 190+ channels
• America's Top 200: $89.99/month* for 240+ channels
• America's Top 250: $99.99/month* for 290+ channels

Data effective 6/22/2021. Offers and availability vary by location and are subject to change.
* For the first 24 months with a 2-year agreement

FAQs

How reliable is DISH TV?

DISH is very reliable, even during snow or rain. DISH says you'll get 99% reception reliability, according to a nationwide study. Oh, and you'll also get great picture quality for your football games, remodeling home shows, and HD movies.

Does DISH have CBS?

DISH currently has CBS, and you'll want this channel for the Super Bowl.

Does DISH have ESPN?

DISH has ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNews, and ESPNU.

Does DISH offer discounts for existing customers?

Yes, DISH offers the Olympic channel within it's America's Everything Pack, America's Top 200, and America's Top 250 packages.

DISH offers select discounts for those aged 55+, teachers, healthcare workers, first responders, and military personnel. Discounts include free movie rentals, upgraded channel packages, and free technician visits.

What do you think?

Do you have DISH? What's your experience with it been? Or do you like a different provider better? Drop us a comment below!

Now that you know, here are your next steps.

Enter your ZIP code to see if DISH is available in your area.

Learn how DISH compares to DIRECTV.

Written by

Chantel Buchi

Chantel is all about finding the best tv or streaming service to watch as many football games as possible to keep her Fantasy Football team in check. Prior to being a TV and Streaming Tech Reporter for Reviews.org, she worked for NFL Network and The Alliance of American Football. Before that, she received a B.A. of Communication at the University of Utah and an M.S. in Sports Journalism at USC. Go Utes and Fight On. Contact her at chantel@reviews.org

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What Channels Do You Get on Dish Network

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