Dish Review
Is it blasphemous to have a page for DISH on The Streamable? For a site that recommends streaming, we do understand that DISH presents itself as a robust alternative, particularly appealing to those who value a seamless and traditional TV viewing experience. Unlike live TV streaming services, DISH operates independently of internet bandwidth, ensuring a reliable service even in areas where internet connectivity may falter. This sets the stage for uninterrupted access to a plethora of channels, bringing a blend of local, national, and sports programming right to your living room. But Dish isn’t just satellite – it offers a streaming companion with it called Dish Anywhere which we’ll cover more in detail below.
The charm of holding a physical remote with buttons, surfing through a standard guide with channel numbers, and stumbling upon live broadcasts adds a nostalgic touch that streaming platforms can’t replicate. Moreover, when it comes to talking to a human about your TV viewing needs and not having to bundle it with internet or phone is something you won’t get from other providers. And good luck with helpful customer service and set up with a video-on-demand platform like Disney+ or Netflix.
But another major factor of us providing DISH as a realistic option for people who want to watch live TV is price. Yes, going with a satellite provider does mean that you’ll have a long-term contract, but the other side of that coin is that you won’t see a monthly price increase whenever the service wants to raise prices. [DIRECTV STREAM], for example, raised its monthly price twice in 2023, Disney’s streaming packages all increased, as well as Netflix. When inflation is on the rise, a contract can work in your favor.
Tiers
The pricing structure of DISH Network is crafted to cater to a variety of viewing preferences, offering a spectrum of channel selections across different pricing tiers. Viewers can step into the world of satellite TV with a modest yet diverse channel lineup, all of which include local broadcast channels. As viewers ascend the pricing ladder, the channel count grows, offering a richer viewing experience for more niche content.
Below is a table illustrating the pricing tiers and what each tier offers:
| Package Name | Monthly Price | Channel Count |
|---|---|---|
| America’s Top 120 | $91.99 | 190 Channels |
| America’s Top 120+ | $106.99 | 190+ Channels |
| America’s Top 200 | $111.99 | 240+ Channels |
| America’s Top 250 | $121.99 | 290+ Channels |
The pricing is structured with a two-year price guarantee, ensuring that the price you start with is the price you’ll pay throughout the term, providing a sense of financial certainty in a market where prices often fluctuate. Moreover, each of these packages comes with a Smart HD DVR included, allowing you to record up to 2,000 hours of content, a feature that’s pivotal for those who don’t want to miss out on their favorite shows and movies.
In our analysis, the tiered pricing structure of DISH Network brings a blend of affordability and variety, making the live TV service accessible for different budget ranges. The channel count increases with each tier, providing more viewing options for those willing to invest a bit more in their TV service for more sports, movies, or entertainment channels.
Review
We tested Dish and other live TV streaming services for more than 100 hours. Dish is compatible with Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Google Chromecast, Roku, Android TV, iPhone/iPad, Android Phone/Tablet, Mac, Windows, LG Smart TV, Samsung Smart TV, Sony Smart TV, and VIZIO Smart TV.
Features
2000 hours Cloud DVR
Dish’s DVR receivers range from the Hopper Duo, designed to support one or two TVs, to the Hopper 3, which supports up to seven TVs and lets you record up to 16 shows at once — and even skip commercials!
The average space that Dish states is 2 terabytes of storage (or roughly 500 hours of saved content) per DVR receiver.
With Dish, you can record individual episodes, all episodes of a series, or only new episodes of a series. You can also protect recordings to keep them indefinitely. If you cancel your service, Dish will keep your recording for up to 30 days in case you decide to return to the service.
Up to 4 Devices
You can watch on as many TVs as you want as long as you have a receiver connected to the TV. However, with the Dish Anywhere streaming platform, you can simultaneously stream up to five devices.
20 TV Everywhere Apps
Dish gives you access to 20 different TV Everywhere apps.
On Demand
A majority of channels offer on demand content, but you can’t skip or fast-forward through the content.
Parental Controls
In Dish settings, you can restrict content playback based on content ratings.
DIRECTV STREAM, Hulu Live TV, and Sling TV also have parental control features.
International Channels & Languages Feature
DISH offers channels in over 20 languages from all over the world. The channels are packaged into an “international pack” which is focused on a region (like Germany or Brazil). The packs range from $19.99 per month to $29.99 per month.
Premium Sports Feature
Dish offers a Multi-Sport Pack which includes [NFL Redzone], NBA TV, NHL Network, NFL Network, MLB Network, and college channels such as Big 10, PAC-12, SEC Network, Longhorn Network and others. There are 15 channels in total that come with this pack and it is included in the Top 120+ and above.
Compatible Devices
Dish is compatible with these devices:
- Amazon Fire TV
- Apple TV
- Google Chromecast (Google Cast)
- Roku
- Android TV (5.0+)
- iPhone/iPad (iOS 12+)
- Android Phone/Tablet (6.0+)
- Mac
- Windows
- LG Smart TV (AirPlay)
- Samsung Smart TV (AirPlay)
- Sony Smart TV
- VIZIO Smart TV (AirPlay/Google Cast)
Dish is not compatible with PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo, or onn devices.
TV App
On television devices, the Dish Anywhere apps have a home screen that shows your favorite channels, saved recordings, and favorited/recent shows.
Fire TV and Roku devices have a standard channel guide, but we expect Dish will add it to other devices like Apple TV soon. When you select a channel, it shows what’s currently on and what’s upcoming.
While you are watching a show, you can swipe up to browse what’s on other channels.
Phone & Tablet Apps
The Dish smartphone and tablet apps are almost identical to the TV app.
Android has a standard channel guide, but we expect it to be added to iOS soon.
Computer
You can watch Dish on Mac or Windows computers with Chrome or by downloading the native Dish Anywhere app.
Channels
Local Channels
Dish carries all of the major broadcasters (ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC, The CW) and their local affiliates in nearly every market in the country.
Local Channel Restrictions
You can only access local channels and regional sports networks when you are in your home city. For example, if you live in San Francisco and travel to New York, you won’t be able to stream any local channels in New York.
Top Cable Channels
-
A&E -
AMC -
BET -
Bravo -
Cartoon Network -
CNN -
Comedy Central -
Discovery -
Disney Channel -
Disney Junior -
E! -
ESPN -
Food Network -
Fox News -
Freeform -
FX -
FXX -
Hallmark Channel -
HGTV -
History -
Investigation Discovery -
Lifetime -
MSNBC -
MTV -
Nickelodeon -
Paramount Network -
Syfy -
TBS -
TLC -
TNT -
Travel Channel -
truTV -
USA Network -
VH1 -
WE tv
-
A&E -
AMC -
BET -
Bravo -
Cartoon Network -
CNN -
Comedy Central -
Discovery -
Disney Channel -
Disney Junior -
E! -
ESPN -
Food Network -
Fox News -
Freeform -
FX -
FXX -
Hallmark Channel -
HGTV -
History -
Investigation Discovery -
Lifetime -
MSNBC -
MTV -
Nickelodeon -
Paramount Network -
Syfy -
TBS -
TLC -
TNT -
Travel Channel -
truTV -
USA Network -
VH1 -
WE tv
-
A&E -
AMC -
BET -
Bravo -
Cartoon Network -
CNN -
Comedy Central -
Discovery -
Disney Channel -
Disney Junior -
E! -
ESPN -
Food Network -
Fox News -
Freeform -
FX -
FXX -
Hallmark Channel -
HGTV -
History -
Investigation Discovery -
Lifetime -
MSNBC -
MTV -
Nickelodeon -
Paramount Network -
Syfy -
TBS -
TLC -
TNT -
Travel Channel -
truTV -
USA Network -
VH1 -
WE tv
-
A&E -
AMC -
BET -
Bravo -
Cartoon Network -
CNN -
Comedy Central -
Discovery -
Disney Channel -
Disney Junior -
E! -
ESPN -
Food Network -
Fox News -
Freeform -
FX -
FXX -
Hallmark Channel -
HGTV -
History -
Investigation Discovery -
Lifetime -
MSNBC -
MTV -
Nickelodeon -
Paramount Network -
Syfy -
TBS -
TLC -
TNT -
Travel Channel -
truTV -
USA Network -
VH1 -
WE tv
Sports Channels
Dish’s sports coverage is great for the average sports fan. And if you want to go for more specific channels, Multi-Sport Pack comes as an add-on which includes channels like MLB Network, NFL Network, NBA TV, SEC Network, and others.
National Sports Channels
Dish carries all the major broadcasters (ABC, Fox, NBC, CBS) so you won’t have any issues watching any sports that are played on the national level. You will also get access to ESPN and FS1 at no extra cost to watch games that may not hit the major broadcasters.
Regional Sports Networks (RSNs)
In 2021, Dish dropped NESN - making it completely free of any Regional Sports Network. You cannot watch Bally Sports, SportsNet, MASN, or others with Dish.
RSNs in Other Markets
-
Altitude -
Arizona's Family Sports -
SportsNet Pittsburgh -
Chicago Sports Network -
FanDuel Sports Network Detroit -
FanDuel Sports Network Florida -
FanDuel Sports Network Great Lakes -
FanDuel Sports Network Indiana -
FanDuel Sports Network Kansas City -
FanDuel Sports Network Midwest -
FanDuel Sports Network North -
FanDuel Sports Network Ohio -
FanDuel Sports Network Oklahoma -
FanDuel Sports Network SoCal -
FanDuel Sports Network South -
FanDuel Sports Network Southeast -
FanDuel Sports Network Southwest -
FanDuel Sports Network Sun -
FanDuel Sports Network West -
FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin -
Marquee Sports Network -
MASN -
MASN2 -
Monumental Sports Network -
MSG -
MSG Sportsnet -
NBC Sports Bay Area -
NBC Sports Boston -
NBC Sports California -
NBC Sports Philadelphia -
NBC Sports Philadelphia+ -
NESN -
Rockies.TV Channel -
Root Sports Northwest -
Space City Home Network -
Spectrum SportsNet -
Spectrum SportsNet LA -
SportsNet NY -
Utah 16 (KUPX) -
YES Network
-
Altitude -
Arizona's Family Sports -
SportsNet Pittsburgh -
Chicago Sports Network -
FanDuel Sports Network Detroit -
FanDuel Sports Network Florida -
FanDuel Sports Network Great Lakes -
FanDuel Sports Network Indiana -
FanDuel Sports Network Kansas City -
FanDuel Sports Network Midwest -
FanDuel Sports Network North -
FanDuel Sports Network Ohio -
FanDuel Sports Network Oklahoma -
FanDuel Sports Network SoCal -
FanDuel Sports Network South -
FanDuel Sports Network Southeast -
FanDuel Sports Network Southwest -
FanDuel Sports Network Sun -
FanDuel Sports Network West -
FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin -
Marquee Sports Network -
MASN -
MASN2 -
Monumental Sports Network -
MSG -
MSG Sportsnet -
NBC Sports Bay Area -
NBC Sports Boston -
NBC Sports California -
NBC Sports Philadelphia -
NBC Sports Philadelphia+ -
NESN -
Rockies.TV Channel -
Root Sports Northwest -
Space City Home Network -
Spectrum SportsNet -
Spectrum SportsNet LA -
SportsNet NY -
Utah 16 (KUPX) -
YES Network
-
Altitude -
Arizona's Family Sports -
SportsNet Pittsburgh -
Chicago Sports Network -
FanDuel Sports Network Detroit -
FanDuel Sports Network Florida -
FanDuel Sports Network Great Lakes -
FanDuel Sports Network Indiana -
FanDuel Sports Network Kansas City -
FanDuel Sports Network Midwest -
FanDuel Sports Network North -
FanDuel Sports Network Ohio -
FanDuel Sports Network Oklahoma -
FanDuel Sports Network SoCal -
FanDuel Sports Network South -
FanDuel Sports Network Southeast -
FanDuel Sports Network Southwest -
FanDuel Sports Network Sun -
FanDuel Sports Network West -
FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin -
Marquee Sports Network -
MASN -
MASN2 -
Monumental Sports Network -
MSG -
MSG Sportsnet -
NBC Sports Bay Area -
NBC Sports Boston -
NBC Sports California -
NBC Sports Philadelphia -
NBC Sports Philadelphia+ -
NESN -
Rockies.TV Channel -
Root Sports Northwest -
Space City Home Network -
Spectrum SportsNet -
Spectrum SportsNet LA -
SportsNet NY -
Utah 16 (KUPX) -
YES Network
-
Altitude -
Arizona's Family Sports -
SportsNet Pittsburgh -
Chicago Sports Network -
FanDuel Sports Network Detroit -
FanDuel Sports Network Florida -
FanDuel Sports Network Great Lakes -
FanDuel Sports Network Indiana -
FanDuel Sports Network Kansas City -
FanDuel Sports Network Midwest -
FanDuel Sports Network North -
FanDuel Sports Network Ohio -
FanDuel Sports Network Oklahoma -
FanDuel Sports Network SoCal -
FanDuel Sports Network South -
FanDuel Sports Network Southeast -
FanDuel Sports Network Southwest -
FanDuel Sports Network Sun -
FanDuel Sports Network West -
FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin -
Marquee Sports Network -
MASN -
MASN2 -
Monumental Sports Network -
MSG -
MSG Sportsnet -
NBC Sports Bay Area -
NBC Sports Boston -
NBC Sports California -
NBC Sports Philadelphia -
NBC Sports Philadelphia+ -
NESN -
Rockies.TV Channel -
Root Sports Northwest -
Space City Home Network -
Spectrum SportsNet -
Spectrum SportsNet LA -
SportsNet NY -
Utah 16 (KUPX) -
YES Network
Pro Sports
With Dish, you can watch all of the nationally televised games. Plus you can upgrade to various sports packages for specific seasonal leagues, such as NHL Center Ice or NBA League Pass, which gives you 40 out-of-market games per week.
College Sports
On the college sports front, Dish has ESPN and FS1 baked into its base package. If you want to get conference specific, upgrade to the Mutli-Sport Pack, which gives you SEC Network, Big 10 Network, Longhorn Network, Pac-12 Network, and ACCN.
Other Sports Channels
Premium Channels
As you would expect with any live TV service these days, Dish offers premium channels for all your entertainment needs. You can add specific channels like Showtime and Starz or add services like [Max], MGM+, and Cinemax.
Add-Ons
Tech Specs
- High definition video is similar to other streaming services, but only offers 60 FPS on select channels
- Live streaming works well, with occasional issues switching channels.
- Live content is about 55 seconds behind cable TV, which is longest delay of any of the streaming services.
- Long lag when switching channels, so don’t expect to channel surf.
720p HD
(Up to 1080p HD)
Streams are at least 720p and most are at 30 fps.
To reduce playback interruptions, Dish will adapt the stream quality to match your network connection.
4K is available for some events, but generally not available.
30/60 FPS
Dish recently added 60 fps on most national sports channels, Showtime, and EPIX.
Stereo Sound
All live TV content has standard stereo audio. Some on demand content has Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround.
Reliability
Dish recommends at least 3 Mbps for mobile devices and 5 Mbps for television devices.
We rarely had issues once a channel was showing.
Live Delay
Live Delay
Live content is about 18 seconds behind cable TV, which is the longest delay of all the streaming services.
Channel Switching
Channel Switching
It takes about 4.2 seconds to switch between channels based on our tests.
User Experience
Home Screen
Dish’s home screen includes horizontal lists of live channels, your recent recordings, shows you recently watched, and your favorited shows.
TV Guide
The Dish TV Guide is similar to cable guides if you have ever used those. There’s a long list of channels, ranked by channel number. Fortunately, you can save your favorite channels into a list so that you don’t need to scroll to find the ones you usually look for.
Search
If you are on a tablet or phone, the search icon appears in the top right corner. You can search for channels this way to jump you to the correct channel number much quicker.
Show Details
The show details page is where you can record specific episodes. It also groups episodes into seasons and shows you which ones are on demand. This is where you will find rating information and how old the episode is compared to the airing date.
Playback
Most live TV channels don’t allow you pause, rewind, or fast-forward; but some channels let you rewind to the beginning of a show if you start late.
For recorded content, you can skip forward by 30-second increments or you can scrub through the show timeline. While scrubbing, the current frame is shown, so it’s easy to to find the part you want to watch.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How much does Dish cost?
Dish is available starting at $91.99 / month. See the full list: Dish Pricing & Plans
Does Dish have a free trial?
Dish does not have a free trial.
Does Dish have a DVR?
Dish includes 2000 hours of Cloud DVR storage.
What channels are on Dish?
Dish includes 190 channels including No top cable channels. See the full list: Dish Channels.
How many streams are allowed at once on Dish?
Dish allows up to 4 devices at the same time. See more details: Dish Simultaneous Streams
Does Dish have local channels?
Does Dish have live sports?
Dish includes live sports from No Channels. See the full list: Dish Sports Channels.
Does Dish offer premium channels?
Dish offers premium channels like Cinemax, HBO, MGM+, Parmount+ with SHOWTIME, and Starz for an additional fee. See the full list: Dish Premium Channels.
Does Dish offer on demand content?
Dish includes on demand content from most of the channels they offer. Unlike content on your DVR, you won’t be able to skip ads.
Does Dish support TV Everywhere apps?
Dish includes access to many TV Eveywhere Apps with your Dish credentials. See the full list: Dish TV Everywhere Apps.
Does Dish have a TV Guide?
Dish includes a TV Guide similar to what you would get with your cable or satellite set-top box.
Does Dish have ads?
Dish includes ads during live viewing of shows, as well on all on-demand content. You can skip ads when you watch shows recorded to your DVR.
Does Dish offer 4K streaming?
Dish does not include 4K content as part of the service.
Does Dish offer Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound?
Dish does not include Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound as part of the service.