| Comparison |
Dish Network |
Direct TV |
| Basic Offers |
| Free installation |
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| Free shipping |
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| Digital video and audio quality |
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| Customer satisfaction |
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| Free package |
| Free DVR |
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| Free HD upgrades |
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| Free Lifetime warranty |
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| HDTV |
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| HD channels |
25 channels of HD:
Packages include ESPN HD, Discovery HD TheaterTM, TNT HD, HDNet and HDNet Movies.
Premium channels like HD HBO and Showtime plus local channels with HD broadcasts. |
Total of 8 HDTV channels plus all NFL Sunday Ticket games:
$9.99/month includes ESPN HD, ESPN2 HD, Discovery HD Theater™, HDNet, HDNet Movies and Universal HD.
Premium channels like HD HBO and Showtime plus local channels with HD broadcasts. |
| Pricing |
$9.99 per month
Free for 6 months*
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$10.99 per month |
| Receiver |
Free HD 811 Receivers |
$299.00 HD Receiver (up to 4 rooms) |
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| TV programming channels |
Dish Family |
Dish 100 |
Dish 200 |
Dish 250 |
Direct Family |
Direct Choice |
Direct Xtra |
| A&E: Biography, mystery and documentary for discerning viewers |
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| ABC Family Channel: Contemporary entertainment for ages 18-49 |
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| America's Store: Clearance items of Home Shopping Network |
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| American Movie Classics: Dedicated to the American movie fan. |
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| Angel One: Spreading the word of Christ |
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| Animal Planet: Wildlife, pet care and nature from around the globe |
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| BBC America: British comedy, drama, news and movies |
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| Beauty & Fashion: Shopping related to health, beauty & fashion. |
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| BET J: Jazz music & related; also features Caribbean programs |
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| Biography Channel: Life and times of exceptional people |
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| Black Entertainment TV: Highlighting African-American culture |
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| Bloomberg TV: 24 hour business and financial channel |
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| Boomerang: 24-hour classic animated entertainment |
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| Bravo: Art programming and films; "Queer Eye" |
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| BYU TV: Public interest channel focusing on families |
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| C-SPAN: Political programming, including live debate from U.S. House |
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| C-SPAN2: Political programming, including live debate from U.S. Senate |
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| Cartoon Network: 24 hour animated entertainment |
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| CCTV-9: English-language channel focused on Chinese news & culture |
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| CCTV-E&F: News & education in Spanish & French |
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| Church Channel: Relgious services from a variety of faiths |
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| Classic Arts Showcase: Video clips of the arts, from past to present |
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| CNBC: Live stock/bond market coverage and personal finance info |
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| CNBC World: Global business, focused on Asia & European markets |
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| CNN: 24 hour global news and information network |
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| CNN Headline News: CNN news, presented in concise segments |
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| Colours TV: Issues of International & Native American Cultures |
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| Comedy Central: The 24 hour comedy network |
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| Country Music TV: Music videos - focused on current country music |
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| Court TV: Live trials and legal drama |
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| CSTV: College sports programming |
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| Current TV: Indpendent programming & content for 18-34 year olds |
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| Daystar: Christian network offering ministry, music and family programs |
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| Discovery Channel: Nature, the environment, technology and history |
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| Discovery Health: Latest news and info on health, medicine & wellness |
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| Discovery Home: 24 hour channel dedicated to lifestyle & better living |
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| Discovery Kids: Family programming targeting ages 7-14 |
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| Discovery Times: Focuses on civilization, culture, and our world |
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| Disney Channel: Family entertainment including original movies |
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| Disney Channel West: Family entertainment including original movies |
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| DIY Network: Programming for the handyman in all of us |
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| Documentary Channel: Works of independent documentary filmmakers |
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| E! Entertainment TV: The 24 hour Hollywood news & celebrity network |
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| Encore (West): Commercial free movie channel |
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| Encore Action: Movies, focusing on action and adventure films |
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| Encore Drama: Movies, focusing on non-fiction films |
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| Encore Love: Movies, focusing on love and romance films |
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| Encore Mystery: Movies, focusing on mystery and suspense films |
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| Encore WAM: Entertainment for teens |
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| Encore Westerns: Movies, focusing on Westerns |
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| ESPN: Games & events of pro and college leagues; sports news & talk |
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| ESPN Classic: The most memorable games and people in sports history |
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| ESPN2: Games & events of pro and college leagues; sports news & talk |
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| ESPNews: 24 hour sports news network |
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| ESPNU: College sports programming from ESPN |
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| Eternal Word Television: 24 hour religious network |
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| Fine Living: Lifestyle programming for better living |
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| Fit TV: Get and stay in shape with exercise and fitness related programs |
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| Food Network: 24 hour food network - cooking, recipes, restaurants |
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| Fox Movie Channel: Movies from the 20th Century Fox film library |
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| Fox News Channel: 24 hour news, information, talk and opinion |
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| Fox Reality: Old reality TV favorites and original programming |
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| FOX Soccer: Comprehensive coverage of soccer worldwide |
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| Free Speech: Working for progressive social change |
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| Fuel: 24 hour network dedicated to extreme sports |
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| Fuse: Music TV with an interactive bent, targeting a 12-34 age range |
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| FX: Films, original programming, and syndicated shows |
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| G4 - Video Game Television: Games, Gear, Gadgets and Gigabytes |
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| Galavision: Spanish language variety programming |
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| GemsTV: Colored gemstone jewelry for sale; gemstone documentaries |
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| GOD TV: Christian music, events, ministries |
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| Gol TV: Spanish language programming dedicated to soccer (futbol) |
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| Golf Channel: 24 hour network devoted to golf programming |
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| Good Samaritan: Public interest programming targeting non-profits |
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| Great American Country: 24 hour music country music video network |
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| GSN: Formerly Game Show Network; classic & original shows |
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| Hallmark Channel: Varied entertainment suitable for the entire family |
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| Hallmark Movie Channel: Family-friendly movie experience |
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| Health & Human Services: High quality medical, health & wellness; commercial-free |
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| Healthy Living: Merchandise for those pursuing a healthy lifestyle |
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| History Channel: 24 hour educational network exploring history |
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| History Channel Int'l: A look at history from international viewpoints |
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| HITN: First Hispanic Public Television network |
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| Home & Garden TV: Educational home & garden programming |
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| Home Shopping Network: A wide mix of merchandise at good prices |
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| HorseRacing TV: Live horse racing. Remote betting allowed (where legal) |
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| i Independent TV: Formerly PAX. Family-oriented programming |
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| iDRIVE TV: Cars, boats and bikes |
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| Independent Film Channel: Indy films, including original programming |
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| International Music Feed: Music from the U.S. and around the world |
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| iShop: Home shopping focusing on a full line of home & family products |
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| Jewelry Television: Home shopping focusing on jewelry and collectibles |
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| KBS World: Korean-language channel with news & entertainment |
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| Lifetime Movie Network: Movies from a woman's perspective |
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| Lifetime Real Women: Relationships, romance & work - TV for women |
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| LIME: For those leading a healthy, green balanced life |
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| Link TV: Provides a global perspective on issues that affect Americans |
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| Local Channels: Looking for broadcast networks like NBC, ABC, CBS, FOX, PBS, WB or UPN? Select "Local Channels" at the top of this page to check availability in your area, and see what locals are available in HD. |
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| Logo: Programming for a gay and lesbian audience; from MTV Networks |
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| Men's Channel: Programming for a male audience |
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| Military Channel: The human & technological faces of military history |
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| Movie Channel (West): 24 hour movie channel |
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| Movie Channel Extra (West): 24 hour movie channel |
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| Movie Channels: Looking for more movies? HBO, Cinemax, Showtime, Starz packages are available. Select "Movie Packages" at top of this page for more information. |
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| MSNBC: 24 hour news, information, talk and opinion network |
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| MTV: Videos & original programming from the first music video network |
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| MTV2: Sister station to MTV, providing a diverse mix of music videos |
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| Mun2: Bilingual entertainment network targeting young U.S. Latinos |
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| Music Channels (Audio): Audio only music channels from SIRIUS and XM satellite radio offered in basic packages. |
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| NASA: Live mission coverage and space-related educational shows |
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| National Geographic Channel: Exploring the natural world around us |
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| NFL Network: 24 hour National Football League news and information |
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| NFL Sunday Ticket: Only Available on DIRECTV again in 2007. |
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| Nickelodeon Games & Sports: Sports and games for children |
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| Nickelodeon/Nick at Nite: Kids programming by day, classic TV by night |
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| Nickelodeon/Nick at Nite (West): Kids programming & classic TV |
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| Nicktoons: Original animated series (Sponge Bob, Animaniacs, etc.) |
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| Noggin/N: Preschool content by day, teen programming at night |
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| NRB Network: Bringing a greater understanding of Christian faith |
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| Once Mexico: Political issues, culture, tourism and children's series |
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| Outdoor Channel: Outdoor activities including fishing & hunting |
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| Oxygen Network: For women. Includes original and diverse programming |
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| PBS KIDS: Children's programming from Public Broadcasting |
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| QVC Shopping Network: Home shopping focusing on good deals on brand name merchandise across a wide number of categories |
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| Reelz: Shows about movies: Interviews, news, behind-the-scenes |
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| Regional Sports Network(s): The regional sports network(s) for your area |
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| Research Channel: Research from university and corporations |
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| RFD-TV: 24 hour network dedicated to rural news and programming |
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| Sci-Fi Channel: Variety focused on science fiction and fantasy |
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| Science Channel: Focuses on technology and the world around us |
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| Shop NBC: Home shopping --good deals on wide variety of merchandise |
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| Si TV: Latino programming, in English, for 18-34 year olds |
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| Sleuth: Mystery & crime programming from NBC Universal |
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| SOAPNet: 24 hour soap opera network, both same-day and classic |
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| Speed Channel: NASCAR, CART, F1 and other races covered |
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| SpikeTV: Variety programming targeting men |
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| SportSouth (regional): Formerly Turner South; live Atlanta pro sports |
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| Style: 24 hours of fashion, beauty, home and entertaining |
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| TBS: Variety with focus on comedy; Atlanta Braves baseball |
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| TCT Network: Christian educational, news & entertainment programming |
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| Telefutura Este: A variety of Spanish langugage programming |
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| Telefutura Oeste: A variety of Spanish langugage programming |
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| Tennis Channel: Dedicated to tennis & the active tennis lifestyle |
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| The 101: Exclusive DIRECTV programming |
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| The Learning Channel: Educates through entertaining programs |
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| TNT: Original movies, NFL & NBA, and varied entertainment |
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| Toon Disney: 24 hour animated entertainment |
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| Travel Channel: Showcases exotic locations and travel advice |
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| Trinity Broadcasting Network: Original faith & inspirational programming |
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| Turner Classic Movies: Classic movies dating from the 1920s to 1980s |
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| TV Games Network: Interactive horse racing network |
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| TV Guide Channel: TV listings and more |
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| TV Land: Dramas, Westerns, sitcoms, and variety from early TV to 1980s |
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| TV One: Entertainment channel focusing on African-American themes |
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| Univision: Varied Spanish language programming |
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| Univision Oeste: Varied Spanish language programming |
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| USA Network: General entertainment network; some original programs |
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| VERSUS: Formerly OLN. Shows for the outdoor enthusiast; NHL games |
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| VH1: Music videos & concerts, targeting an upscale audience |
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| VH1 Classic: Music videos and concerts from the 60's to 80's |
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| Water Channel: Everything in, on, around, and under the water |
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| We: Women's Entertainment: Women's interest variety programming |
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| Weather Channel: 24 hour live weather, including original programming |
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| WGN Superstation: Featuring Chicago sports & news, movies & series |
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| Word Network: Urban ministries and gospel music |
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| World Harvest TV: Christian programming, sports and family shows |
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| Other Features/Benefit |
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| Local Channels |
95% coverage |
92% coverage |
| International languages |
19 languages:
(African, Arabic, Armenian, French, German, Japanese, Russian, Chinese, Greek, Korean, South Asian, Italian, Polish, Spanish, Urdu, Farsi, Israeli, Portuguese, Tagalog) |
9 languages:
(Cantonese, Filipino, Gujarati, Hindi, Italian, Mandarin, Spanish, Tamil, and Vietnamese) |
| Intention Parent Lock |
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| 24 hours7 day per week live support |
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| Pay per view movies |
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