Should I go with Dish or Direct TV? What are the down sides?

[JOEO]

Directv. I have had it for over ten years and no problems.

[RJLou]

Dish for me. Switched from comcast about 4 years ago and have been very happy... except on heavy snow days. Plus directv (along with comcast) made the 15 most Disliked companies list this year.

"The most common complaints for DirectTV are related to billing issues. On the Consumer Affairs forum, thousands of customers complain about how the company changes contract details without notifying customers and therefore, hiking prices without authorization. "

[sniper7]

Direct TV is the way to go. I haven't lost signal in the 3 years i have had it. price has always been consistent and I will call and complain and they will give me a discount and free hbo and starz for a while.

[Byte Stryke]

Dish has more HD channels, has better plans and better prices.
Their DVR and rewind and fast forward functions are easier to use then DirecTV. I have the older system,, not the Hopper so I have ne experience with that.

I have Dish and I obviously had DirecTV in the field and couldnt stand swithcing back and forth between the two. Dish is better IMHO.
I have had very little interruptions with Dish and all the damn time in the field,
DirecTV would lose signal and there was no weather or obstructions for south facing etc.

Peak and pole

[Bowtie]

Dish has these disruptions in service for certain channels because they are negotiating prices with suppliers. They do this to keep their prices lower than other signal providers. Its the free market. I used to work for Dish/Echostar and still have them as my provider due to cost. With directtv after your initial contract is up you will have to call and complain to get a cheaper service. Also Dish is a Colorado company and was started in Englewood.

[gnihcraes]

put the dish down low on the side of the house, you'll be glad when the snow has filled it up. Most people complain when it's on top of the roof and full.

I've had both dish and direct, currently on direct tv, no issues really with either.

[UncleDave]

I've had both, and I agree with most of what has been said. If you are primarily driven by price go with Dish. If reliability and level of service is your priority go with DirectTV.

[car-15]

as much as I like directv this morning when I turned the tv on they are fighting with viacom and around 10 or more channels are pulled including spike, tvland, (mtv who cares) and several others.
http://directvpromise.com/?CMP=KNC|8|78904224|139067167|Exact

[ray1970]

I've had DirecTV for probably 14 or 15 years. Everyone I know who has had Dish Network has always had issues in one form or another. Both of my kids worked for Dish for a while in the customer service department and can tell you how crappy they treat their customers.

[sniper7]

as much as I like directv this morning when I turned the tv on they are fighting with viacom and around 10 or more channels are pulled including spike, tvland, (mtv who cares) and several others.
http://directvpromise.com/?CMP=KNC|8|78904224|139067167|Exact

yes, I was upset about comedy central and spike. I watch those two quite a bit. Supposedly it is a scare tactic. I view it as a way to get a discount on my bill