Comparing DISH Network And Direct TV Satellite Systems
Direct broadcast satellite (DBS) or direct-to-home (DTH) signals refer to the broadcast of satellite TV signals in a residence of a home television viewer. With the growing popularity and convenience of having satellite TV, a quantity of satellite TV providers had emerged in the market. In the United States, the satellite TV industry is being dominated by two major satellite TV systems provider, DISH Network and Direct TV satellite systems. Both companies present similar services and have employed numerous marketing strategies to outperform each other. Aside from competing with each other, they also contend with cable television providers for a larger chunk of the market. Direct TV satellite systems is managed and distributed by THE DirecTV Group. This business conglomerate is comprised of four business units, which are: DirecTV U.S., DirecTV Latin America, PanAmSat and Hughes Network Systems (HNS). The first two business units distribute Direct TV satellite systems to the US and the Latin American market. PanAmSat, on the other hand, operates 25 satellites that provide satellite transmissions to clients worldwide. Finally, the Hughes Network Systems manage Direcway, a home-based broadband Internet access provider. Another advantage of Direct TV satellite systems is that the company has formed partnerships with other industry leaders like Microsoft, AOL and TiVO. Moreover, it has been in the market longer than its nearest competitor, DISH Network. It is therefore, not surprising to find out that Direct TV is the largest satellite television provider in the United States. DISH Network, on the other hand, is the second largest satellite TV provider in the country. Compared to Direct TV, it offers more television channels to its subscribers. Officialy launched in March of 2006, the company has already gained 12 million subscribers after ten years of operation.
To further motivate new subscribers to avail of their services, Direct TV satellite systems and DISH Network offer special introductory packages. While they may offer different product specifications, both offer the following for new customers: 1. Free satellite TV dish and stand 2. Maximum of four free satellite TV receivers with universal remote controls 3. Optional high definition TV (HDTV) receiver 4. Free system installation for up to a maximum of four rooms in a household 5. Free digital video recording (DVR) receiver 6. Gift items like DVD player and home theater system for special promotions In terms of price per channel in 2005, Direct TV satellite systems offer the more affordable package. Their Total Choice Package, for example, has a monthly fee of $41.99 and provides 135 television channels for its subscribers. If computed, price per channel would be at $0.31. In terms of package price, DISH Network satellite TV systems offer cheaper entertainment packages. Its cheapest package in 2005 has a monthly subscription fee of $31.99, which provides 60 satellite TV channels to its customers. Prices for entertainment packages for both satellite providers may have already changed presently, but it is helpful for would-be subscribers to consider the package price and the per channel price of their services. |