Anyone here have dish network? I was thinking of saving some money and changing to dish but I have not heard very good things about them recently. What are other peoples experiences?
Dish Network is the only option for those who want international programming (Prime TV etc) or those who want the option to watch cricket on PPV. Even Direct TV does not offer such programming.
Having said that, America's Top-50 + local channels cost $29.99/month on Dish Network. In our area, Digital Cable (Comcast) is $44/mo (regular price). For dish the equipment is free. There is no interruption in service and customer service is good. No billing problems either. Many options for movie channels and PPV events. Programming guide is reliable and they offer DVR (TiVo like) at great prices (special bundles are offered to new customers).
Not sure how Dish holds up in areas with blizzards or snow storms etc. We don't have those things here, so check from people in that area. But if there are no such problems, then Dish is a good choice. In our neighborhood, more and more houses are sporting satellite dishes (in many instances there are 2 of them - one for regular American fare and the other for international programming).
As a subscriber, I am very satisfied with Dish Network.
Thats what I thought but my cable company rep was trying to scare me when I said I wanted to close their account. My big fear is that the trees about a 100 feet from my aparment balcony may prevent a clear sight of line from occuring.
Before switching, ask a dish installer to check the place out and make sure you can get all the programming you need. For satellite dish you need permission from the landlord/HOA etc too. So keep that in mind as well.
A friend of mine wanted Dish both for regular programming and Prime TV (requires two dishes). He lives in an apartment so the choices were kinds limited. Turns out that the trees, prevent the dish to face the direction of the satellite for Prime TV. Poor dude got stuck with just the regular American fare. He is now thinking of moving to a different apartment in the same complex, just so he can get Prime. This time he is making sure a dish installer checks out the place before he signs on the rental agreement. Just FYI.
I second Faisal's opinion. I was paying about $50 for basic channels on cable (no IO even) and now with all the above, plus 8 HBO and 6 MAX plus 12-15 audio music channels I'm paying the same money. Plus as Faisa pointed out you can get international channels via Dish only (e.g. Z-TV, B4U etc) and cricket matches. And to top it off its all digital and picture and sound is just so much clearer. I know digital cable would do that too but for $10 extra, i'd rather go with Dish.
I am with Dish and I can't be any happier!!
Not only international channels but they have great educational channels. I only have the top-50, but it includes the PBS-U, along with University of Washington TV, University of Cali. TV, Free Speech TV .. and a few more.
In my area, if I didn't have the PTV, they were giving 29.99 + Tax for top-50 + local channels.
With our deal (which has been going on for quiet some time) we got 3-dish receivers for free and both the satellite dishes. We do have to pay 4.99 for the extra receivers every month but that way we can watch three different channels on all the three TVs.
I use dish. I like it overall, except when it rains heavily, then it goes on and off. But others I know that have dish in other states don't experience this.
hmcq
I was a cable subscriber for years and only moved to dish because the damn comcast ppl could nto keep their appointment system correct and pissed me off.
I too had seeked teh advise of ppl here including funguy and faisal. I have had dish since august and have had no problems, chicago has had overcast skies, snow, high winds, we lost some channels for a few minutes once. thats it.
Yup Dishnetwork is the best!
Here in Canada,desis and I'm sure many others "steal" the signal so they get to watch ALL the channels without paying a cent. Eternal Bliss! :)
I had called my cable company and told them I was moving to Dish so they disconnected my cable and mistakenly disconnected my internet as well. And when they reconnected the internet, I got the basic cable free which i was thinking about getting through dish. So for now the dish thing is off. I am trying to get a used dish and reciever for cheap so that I can set it up just for Prime TV and some of the sports PPV.
btw anyone know of a Tivo like device that doesnt require a phone line?