DIRECTV vs. DISH

We had Dish Network for 10 years, and switched to DirecTV after many people told us it was better.
WHAT A DISAPPOINTMENT!
DirecTV has fewer HD channels than Dish, especially old movie channels like AMC and TCM. Also, the picture quality is much worse with DirecTV on standard definition programming. It seems like they cut the bandwidth and compress the heck out the the picture.
The HD that they do have on DirecTV is fine, and their DVR is pretty nice.
Even so, since some of our favorite channels are NOT in HD on DirecTV and the SD is lousy, we are actually thinking about paying our $450 penalty to ditch DirecTV and go back to Dish. Yes, it is that much of a difference, and that important not to have to watch fuzzy TV for two years.
Also, while both services have DVR systems that let you watch recorded programs from anywhere (using internet, basically) DirecTV’s is only for their own HD tuners and Windows PCs (and newer PCs at that) while Dish Network’s is truly multi-platform.
Regarding customer service, which DirecTV brags about, DirecTV has an F grade from the Better Business Bureau. Dish is a low C— not great, but at least bearable.

Any complaints you may have about DirecTV will more than double with Dish. DirecTV has superior customer service, more channels, and far better reception. Dish goes out at least once a day. I’ve had both. DirecTV is superior. FACT!

I have been a DIRECTV customer since 1995. I was on the phone with them for over 2 hours tonight and they would not give me free upgrades even though their equipment would not work. I was told I was full of crap and that I did not have a clue of what I was talking about. I make 120,000 per year how much does a customer service rep make for Directv, pretty uneducated?? I than asked for a supervisor that promised the world that came back and said that he was wrong he could not give me free equipment. Even though a brand new customer today could get more than he promised!! UNREPUTABLE DO NOT DO BUSINESSWITHTHEMTHEYARE UNPROFESSIONAL!! NO ONEWOULDSINK TO THEIRLEVEL. THAT IS WHATYOUGETFORBEING A LOYALCUSTOMERTHEAGENTSAID HE HADNEVERSEE AN ACCOUNTWITHHISCOMPANY SO LONG!!

I have been a Directv customer for 8 years, and it’s not fair how they treat their loyal customer, I can’t even get an upgrade on my equipment, and they are still charging me 10.00 a month for HD,new customers get it for free, old equipment, no HD, 2 receivers, no premium channels, my bill is 85.00 per month, it seems like every 6 months or so they raise it a few dollars, I’m going to cancel and get dish.

We have been on DirecTV for about 11 years now. For the better part it has been pretty good. Can’t say that I care much for the loss of signal during bad weather to the south (when we need it most). Took years to get the local channels added. Now they’re free. Advertised prices are a joke as what I pay is twice what is advertised. Getting upgraded 5 years ago was terrible. The installer did a shoddy job. The cable run was redicules. He also convinced my wife to pay him for the “extra rooms” as they weren’t included in the “basic installation” even though we are paying DirecTV for the extra equipment @ $6 + tax a room. Up from the promised $5. Don’t even get the Primary reciever free. Existing customers cant get special deals on upgrades like the new customers can just for joining. This is the wrong way to retain customers. Thinking about Dish Network so I can bundle with my internet provider.

Was promised a stable price for 12 months – to increase in year 2 by $15. Was given free 3 month HBO... premium channel package. After 3 months there would be a charge if I kept the premium package. When cancelling the premium package today I was told there will be a $5 increase in my bill ($5 more to now not receive the premium channels – makes sense huh?)I was never told they were giving me a credit to bring the cost to where they wanted it to be to get me to be a customer. Now they are raising the cost and breaking the “no increase” promise. I feel this was deceptive on their part as I specifically asked what the monthly cost was going to be for 12 months and they now changed it. I’m only following their rules in cancelling the premium package. I’m disappointed as they were great until now. Very poor way to get increases. I will now need to mention how dissatisfied I am with this to others.

I’ve had Directv for 8 years. Love the service and have always been treated well when issue arises.

My only pet peeves would be the absolute standstill in adding non-PPV HD channels over the past year…. still missing TCM-HD, Epix-HD, and others. Also they don’t upgrade equipment easily, my DVR is 5 yrs old and I’d love one of the new HR-24 models.

I called DirectTV in December to see if they had any special offers for existing customers that would reduce my bill. They said they could give me a $10 credit for 12 months. So I said yes. My January bill did not reflect the credit. My February bill was $76.83 including the credit. My March bill is $91.19 including the credit. They increased the price of the package $2.00 and instead of charging $5.00 per tuner they are now charging me $6.00 per tuner. What a crock of mess. So we will be switching!!!!!!!!

Everything I hear says that DTV has better television experience than Dish. However, DTV customer service is p-poor. One of our receivers slowly died on us about 6 years ago. After a lot of troubleshooting, they would not tell us if it was the box or something else. I got tired of trying to get a solution and unplugged it. Eventually, we tried it again – got a smoky smell and nothing on the TV. Tried recently to see if they would give us a new box, and they sent me to tech support who wanted to go through all the usual reset, etc. Finally, I just canceled the second box, and that took about 10 minutes on the phone. It cannot be done online. If it was up to me, I’d cancel entirely, but the family likes to watch certain channels.

Called to have the service moved. I had a regular definition box. Cost me $100 to upgrade to HD, not including the record/pause feature. Confirmed I wanted local channels. ALL of it was FUBAR when the tech showed up to install it! Paying the same price as with Dish but NO DVR, and the local channels are NOT included in my package! We will see how the reception is-if it is not hands down better, I’m going back to Dish! Already so not impressed with their service!