Both DISH Network and Direct TV have multiple basic packages to choose from. If you want to figure out what the advertised prices are and what you’re actually paying, take a look.

Regular DISH Network prices:

$19.99/month for 40 digital channels on 1 or 2 TVs

$24.99/mo for 3 or 4 TVs.

Add $5 for local channels on this package.

$39.99/mo for 115 digital channels on 1 or 2 TVs with DVR on both TVs. (Digital Video Recorders/ TiVo) Local channels are included in this package

$44.99/month for the same configuration, but on 3 or 4 TVs

$49.99/mo for 215 digital channels on 1 or 2 TVs with DVR on both TVs with local channels

$54.99/month for the same configuration, but on 3 or 4 TVs

$59.99/mo for 265 digital channels on 1 or 2 TVs with DVR on both TVs with local channels

$64.99/month for the same configuration, but on 3 or 4 TVs

Regular DirecTV prices:

$29.99/month for 40 digital channels on 1 TV with local channels

$34.99/month ” ” 2 TVs

$39.99/month ” ” 3 TVs

$44.99/month ” ” 4 TVs

$52.99/month for 150 digital channels on 1 TV with local channels

$57.99/month ” ” 2 TVs

$62.99/month ” ” 3 TVs

$67.99/month ” ” 4 TVs

(No FREE DVR or HD upgrades available in this package)

$57.99/month for 200 digital channels on 1 TV with local channels

$62.99/month ” ” 2 TVs

$67.99/month ” ” 3 TVs

$72.99/month ” ” 4 TVs

Upgrade to DVR on 1 TV FREE. Add $5.98/mo. for the DVR service fee.

These are the most popular packages for each Satellite TV service. So when you see the fancy deals and prices, you now know how much they REALLY cost. I hope this helps. We’ve all been burned by the cable company before when we THOUGHT our cable would cost “x”, and then the “promotion” ran out, and then it seems to double. Remember this, since both DISH Network and DirecTv require a 24-month commitment, if you see a price advertised for a certain period of time, just remember that you’re locked in when those prices are “regular.” At least with cable, when rates skyrocket, you can jump to satellite. Just ask, ask, ask, what are the regular prices. But, now that you’ve read this article, you already know.