Compare DIRECTV vs. Comcast Cable TV
When you do the math, the benefits of DIRECTV really add up! Compare Comcast Cable TV Service with the benefits of DIRECTV, then GIVE US A CALL TO SWITCH TODAY!
| Feature |
DIRECTV |
Comcast |
Digital quality
|
100% digital quality on every channel,
all the time |
channels 2-99 in analog, higher channels digital quality |
Picture quality
|
Excellent and reliable |
Frequently poor and grainy |
Outages
|
Signal 99.96% of the time |
Longer-lasting and more frequent service outages |
| Sound Quality |
Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound |
Some Dolby Digital available with HDTV options |
Largest # of channels
|
Over 265 channels |
Over 275 channels |
Comparative # of channels
|
Most packages offer more channels for lower prices
» view all packages |
Fewer channels in comparably priced packages |
Premium networks
|
HBO, Showtime, Star, Cinemax
» view all premium networks |
HBO, Showtime, Starz & Cinemax |
Customer service
|
Superior customer service; free installation |
mixed customer reviews |
High Definition (HD)
|
HD service included with Plus HD DVR & Premier packages; free first HD receiver, $4.99/mo. for each additional; over 130 channels in HD, including national networks and local channels |
Monthly fee for first and each additional HD receiver and service; HD only for limited channels and some movies on demand |
Digital Video Recording (DVR)
|
DVR service included with Plus DVR, Plus HD DVR & Premier packages; free first receiver, $4.90/mo. each additional; 100 hours of recording; built-in dual tuner |
Monthly fee for first and all additional receivers, extra cost for DVR service, built in dual-tuner. |
Sports programming
|
Variety of exclusive sports programming
» view all sports packages |
Some major sports events; lacking exclusive programming |
International programming
|
Over 30 different languages available
» view all international channels |
limited to Spanish, French, Chinese & Filipino programming |
Music channels
|
Up to 67 XM radio stations and exceptional variety |
45+ channels of digital music |
Parental controls
|
Yes |
Yes |
Interactive features
|
Interactive Mix Channels and more |
On Demand Programming only |
| Bundled with phone & internet |
No; Expert WildBlue internet service available separately |
Yes; packages available |
What's the use of having that amazing new HDTV, if your cable provider doesn't offer the HD channels you really want to watch? DIRECTV has made a commitment to being the leader in HD programming.
By year's end, DIRECTV promises OVER 150 HD CHANNELS. » find out more about HD on DIRECTV!
Here's just a sampling of some of the National HD channels not available with Comcast...
| Channel |
DIRECTV |
Comcast |
| Animal Planet HD |
available |
not available |
| Big Ten Network HD |
available |
not available |
| Bravo HD |
available |
not available |
| Cartoon Network |
available |
not available |
| CNBC HD+ |
available |
not available |
| Fox Business Network HD |
available |
not available |
| FUEL TV HD |
available |
not available |
| FX HD |
available |
not available |
| HDNet |
available |
not available |
| MGM HD |
available |
not available |
| Sci-Fi Channel HD |
available |
not available |
| Smithsonian Channel HD |
available |
not available |
| Speed Channel HD |
available |
not available |
| Starz Kids & Family HD |
available |
not available |
| The Learning Channel HD |
available |
not available |
| The Movie Channel HD |
available |
not available |
| The Science Channel HD |
available |
not available |
| Weather Channel HD |
available |
not available |
Don't forget, these are national DIRECTV HD channels, available to all DIRECTV subscribers, no matter where you live. DIRECTV also features many HD Local Channels such as ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox, as well as HD Regional Sports Channels. To check local channel availability in your area, click here.
DIRECTV Has a Package to Suit Every Customer and Every Budget!
Changes in Comcast On Demand Offerings
The On Demand Library offered by Comcast, their equivalent of Pay Per View programming, is being downsized. Once over 100 channels were available to Comcast customers, but now that access has recently been changed to a tiered system, so that only subscribers with the most expensive monthly service packages will have access to the full library of programming. For instance, customers who do not subscribe to the Comcast Sports Entertainment Pack
will no longer be able to watch the NFL Network.
DIRECTV Offers Exclusive Programming You Won't Find Anywhere Else!
Catch the latest FX series before it airs; if you're a sports fanatic, DIRECTV brings you more than 25 regional and speciality sports networks with amazing programming from the
NFL,
NBA,
MLB,
NHL, and
MLS, and
MUCH MORE. Football fans can get
NFL Network, as well as the DIRECTV exclusive
NFL Sunday Ticket, with up to 14 NFL games per week, including HD games with
SuperFan! While Comcast does offer coverage of major games for most sports organizations, they can't touch the exclusive and varied sports programming available to DIRECTV subscribers.
SWITCHING TO DIRECTV IS EASY
CALL
800-250-8709
TO ORDER NOW!
» return to DIRECTV vs. Cable
*Among the largest national cable and satellite TV providers. 2008 American Customer Satisfaction Index,
University of Michigan Business School
† Eligibility based on service address.