DISH Review
DISH offers satellite packages with a wide variety of channels and on-demand titles, plus a three-year price lock.
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DISH is a highly popular, nationwide satellite TV provider. Though many people are choosing to “cut the cord” and ditch their traditional TV packages these days, satellite remains one of the most dependable options, especially in rural areas. Many people, including older adults in populated towns and cities, may prefer DISH satellite TV because of the many channels and extra features they provide.
That said, DISH is not the cheapest option on the market. Satellite TV tends to be more expensive than cable TV, and DISH is no exception. This is one of the main reasons that DISH and other satellite TV providers offer upfront incentives, such as gift cards, to justify the higher subscription price. Our tech experts spent over 50 hours testing and researching DISH TV for this review. We also connected with SeniorLiving.org staffers who have been DISH customers for years to get their insights on the service. Below, we will examine how well DISH compares to other TV options for seniors.
Browsing channels with our DISH TV package
Pros About DISH
- Free add-ons and discounts for adults aged 55+
- Four TV packages to choose from
- As many as 290+ channels and 36,000 On Demand titles
- Multiple devices included, like the Hopper Smart DVR and Voice Remote
- Next-day, free installation
- Outdoor bundles designed for RV travel, tailgating, and pool parties are available
Cons About DISH
- Prices start at $91.99 per month, far more than some basic cable packages
- DISH TV is susceptible to weather-related outages
- Two-year commitment required on all plans
- DISH may remove channels from your package without warning
DISH Packages at a Glance
DISH offers four standard TV packages based on the number of channels and On Demand titles provided. Below are the details:
| Package | Number of channels | Highlights | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| America’s Top 120 | 190 | Local channels and all-time favorites | Seniors on a budget |
| America’s Top 120+ | 190+ | Local channels, all-time favorites, plus sports channels and added On Demand titles | Seniors who enjoy sports and tons of movie options |
| America’s Top 200 | 240+ | America’s Top 120, plus additional sports and entertainment | Seniors who want to watch live sports |
| America’s Top 250 | 290+ | America’s Top 200, plus top movie channels | Seniors who enjoy plenty of TV and movie options |
You can opt into DISH’s 55+ Deal with any package. This deal gives you an ongoing price break on DISH’s warranty package, plus one free On Demand movie per month. DISH offers other deals which may include additional benefits and programming, such as the Military discount, First Responder’s discount, and Teacher’s deal.
Prices on DISH”s packages range between $91.99 and $121.99 per month, excluding taxes and additional fees. While these costs may seem high, they are on par with many satellite and top cable TV providers. As of 2021, roughly 54 percent of consumers paid at least $80 for their cable or satellite TV plan.1 However, DISH still hasn’t beat out its biggest competitor—DIRECTV, which offers satellite TV plans starting as low as $89.99 per month.
DISH plans require a two-year commitment (contract). If you cancel early, you’ll be charged a cancellation fee penalty of $20 a month. Keep in mind, these penalty fees are often absorbed and paid by new TV providers, but make sure you know what your new provider will cover before you cancel your DISH service.
DISH TV packages also come with access to DISH Everywhere, which lets you watch content on the go on your phone, tablet, or laptop.
Customers can watch content on the go with DISH Everywhere
A Closer Look at DISH TV Packages
You have four DISH packages to choose from. Your budget and viewing preferences will most likely determine the package that’s best for you. Below, we will highlight the prices and key features of each DISH TV package to help you make the right decision.
America’s Top 120
America’s Top 120 is DISH’s basic TV package. The plan starts at $91.99 per month with a two-year commitment and price guarantee. After two years, your cost is likely to increase.
With America’s Top 120, you get 190 channels featuring many all-time favorites, such as the Disney Channel, NewsMax, ESPN, and more. You also get more than 28,000 free On Demand titles that include classic movies and new favorites.
FYI: Qualifying new subscribers may be offered sign-up incentives, like $200 prepaid cards. All DISH TV packages include local channels available, so you can catch up on your neighborhood news plus other local programming. DISH packages (including America’s Top 120) also come with a Google Assistant voice remote, a Hopper Smart HD DVR, plus at least 28,000+ On Demand titles.
America’s Top 120+
If you’re a budget-conscious sports enthusiast, this package may be a good fit. It includes everything that you get with the standard Top 120 package, plus extra channels including the NFL Network and the Big Ten Network. You also get over 35,000 free On Demand titles.
Browsing on demand content with Dish Anywhere
America’s Top 200
America’s Top 200 is labeled by DISH as their best value plan. The plan costs $119.99 per month with a two-year price guarantee. It includes over 240 channels, plus additional top channels like Sundance, Hallmark, and A&E.
This plan is great for older adults who are willing to spend a little bit more to watch live sports. The extra movie channels are also a big plus, as they greatly increase the amount of content available with your plan.
America’s Top 250
America’s Top 250 is the most comprehensive and expensive DISH plan available. It costs $121.99 per month with a two-year price guarantee. The package includes everything available with America’s Top 200 plus 50 more channels, including Turner Classic Movies, STARZ Encore channels, The Movie Channel, Smithsonian, Bloomberg, Nicktoons, and Great American Country. America’s Top 250 also offers a whopping 36,000+ On Demand titles.
This plan is ideal for seniors who want a ton of movie options and are willing to pay a bit more. $121.99 per month is certainly not cheap, but it does come with hundreds of unique channels. Additionally, the thousands of On Demand titles make this plan comparable to multiple streaming services in terms of the amount of available content at your fingertips.
DISH DVR Equipment and On-Demand Content
The voice-activated Hopper Duo Smart HD DVR is available with all four DISH plans for $5 a month. It can record and save up to 125 hours of high-definition content. It can also record up to six different shows or movies simultaneously. The On Demand feature gives you access to thousands of titles with the click of a button. If you download the DISH app you can also watch recorded or On Demand titles on your phone, tablet, or computer. The Hopper Duo has other special features that might interest you, including free Pandora radio.
DISH offers more advanced DVR receivers for $10-$15 a month. At $15 a month, the Hopper 3 records up to 16 shows simultaneously, and can support up to seven TVs.
Did You Know? By pairing the Hopper Duo with DISH’s Joey device, you can use your DVR on multiple TVs, allowing you to start a show or movie on one TV and finish it on another.DISH’s Joey device costs $7 a month.
One of the best features for seniors is the DISH voice remote. Rather than clicking lots of buttons or scrolling through endless menus, you can simply speak into your remote to find what you want via the Hopper device. The Hopper also has a “find remote” button so that you can quickly find your remote if it goes missing. Though DISH does not offer much in the way of streaming bundles, you can access services like Netflix or Amazon Prime directly from the Hopper menu (as long as you have a separate plan for these streaming services).
DISH partners with dozens of internet providers across the country, including CenturyLink, AT&T, Frontier, and Viasat. For as little as $19.99 per month, you can add an internet plan with your DISH TV package. Though availability will vary by location, you can use your DISH TV with DSL, satellite, cable, or fiber internet.
Even if you choose to drop your DISH TV plan, you can still keep your internet once it has been activated. With download speeds of up to 5 Gbps from certain providers in select areas, DISH partners with some of the best internet providers on the market.
Does DISH Offer a Senior Discount?
DISH’s 55+ Plan offers some senior discounts for new customers. If you’re a new subscriber aged 55 or older, you can get six months of Dish Project Plus protection for free. This service usually costs $11.99 per month and provides all of the following:
- Free technician visits
- Advanced agent access
- 10 percent Smart Home Services discount
- Free shipping on replacement equipment
Senior subscribers also qualify for one free On Demand movie each month. Just remember that the Dish Project Plus discount only lasts for the first six months. After this period ends, you will automatically be charged $11.99 per month unless you cancel the service in advance.
Our Experience With DISH
One of our staffers has DISH and is happy with the quantity of channels and On Demand content offered. They also mentioned that setup was easy and fast. They have often found customer service to be lacking, although many users say that DISH’s customer service has improved over the years. During our research, we spoke to several reps who were knowledgeable and patient.
Using the TV guide in the DISH Everywhere app
One of DISH’s downfalls is that they choose when channels will be added or removed. That can be jarring to customers if you lose a channel you enjoy.
The Fine Print With DISH
As with any provider, it is important to read the fine print before signing up for a DISH TV plan. With all DISH plans, you’ll need to commit to a minimum of two years and agree to a credit qualification check. If you have poor credit, DISH reserves the right to refuse service or charge you more for the same plans. Upfront activation fees are also contingent on your credit, so you may have to pay additional fees from the start.
You might also have to pay extra fees and taxes based on the service you want. For example, each additional TV on your plan will cost somewhere between $5 to $7 per month. If you cancel your plan early, you’ll be charged an early termination fee equal to $20 for each month remaining in your contract. This means that if you cancel a two-year DISH TV plan one year into your contract, you’ll pay $240.
DISH vs. The Competition
Wondering how DISH compares to other satellite TV options? Here’s how DISH stacks up against DIRECTV:
| Features | DISH | DIRECTV |
|---|---|---|
| Number of plans | 4 | 3 |
| Cost range per month | $91.99-$121.99 | $89.99-$197.98 |
| Deals for seniors | 55+ Plan | None |
| Contact needed | Two-year minimum commitment | Two-year minimum commitment |
Visit our 2025 DIRECTV review to learn more.
Our Methodology
We connected with staffers who are DISH customers to get their opinion on quality, reliability, customer service, and viewing selection. We also researched DISH extensively online and spoke to their customer service representatives multiple times.
We compared DISH to the competition to gauge important attributes like cost and availability. Here are some of the most important criteria we considered:
- Cost: DISH plans are expensive, especially when compared with cable TV providers. However, the cost may be worth it for seniors who live in areas where cable is not readily available. We also appreciate that DISH offers a senior discount, as many cable providers don’t offer one.
- Customer service: DISH’s customer service may be somewhat uneven. It seems to be a question of who you get on the phone when you call. But in general, we’ve found that DISH is on par with other providers.
- Selection: DISH offers enough channels and On Demand titles to keep you occupied for hundreds of hours. You can also get Netflix, Hulu, and other streaming services through DISH’s Hopper DVR service.
- Contracts: We don’t love DISH’s two-year minimum commitment policy or their penalty fees for early cancellation. But these are fairly common among TV providers, including DIRECTV.
The Bottom Line on DISH
DISH offers a lot of channels and additional perks for seniors. While the prices are comparable to many other cable and satellite TV providers, there are less expensive options out there. Fortunately, DISH offers several plans to choose from, including plans designed for sports fans and movie lovers. If you’re looking to bundle your TV with an affordable internet plan, DISH partners with providers across the nation.
>> Compare Brands: Optimum TV Review
Frequently Asked Questions About DISH
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Is Netflix free for DISH customers?
No, Netflix is not free for DISH customers. While the Netflix app is available by default in the Hopper menu, you will need to pay for a Netflix subscription and sign in to use the streaming service. Netflix is available as an add-on to your DISH service for $15.49 a month (standard) or for $22.9 a month (premium).
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How do I get DISH to lower my bill?
To lower your DISH bill, you will need to speak with customer service. There is no guarantee that they will agree to lower your bill, but you can reach them through the DISH app or by calling the helpline at 1-800-531-5000. If you tell them that you want to cancel your service, they may redirect you to a Customer Retention specialist who can lower your bill for you.
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Is DVR free with DISH?
No. The Hopper Duo Smart HD DVR was once free but now costs $5 per month.