What Is Dish Network’s Least Expensive Plan? Are They Overcharging?

By Phillip Swann
The TV Answer Man – Follow me on X.

TV Answer Man, I know Dish is having financial issues. Do you know what their cheapest programming package cost?  Maybe that’s part of the problem, don’t you think? They are not giving us poor people a break. – Dish subscriber, name and town withheld.

Dish subscriber, the nation’s second largest satellite TV service is undoubtedly undergoing financial problems with Wall Street analysts speculating the company may have to declare bankruptcy at some point. The financial issues stem from a combination of declining satellite subscribers due to cord-cutting and Dish/Echostar’s plan to offer 5G service. Company chief and co-founder Charlie Ergen hopes that the wireless initiative will provide a path to profitability, but it has had issues generating sufficient funding to make it a go.  (Dish is technically owned by Echostar. The sister companies merged last year.)

What Is the Cost of Dish’s Least Expensive Plan?

As for Dish’s satellite programming plans, I wouldn’t say their cost is the only reason for the company’s ill fortune, or that the company is charging too much. Dish’s least expensive plan is the 190-channel America’s Top 120 which costs $91.99 a month. In addition to the base cost, there’s also a $5-15 a month receiver rental fee as well as taxes and other surcharges. When you get the final bill, it could be pushing $110 a month.

Is Dish’s Price Competitive With DIRECTV?

Yes, that’s expensive but there is a two-year price guarantee if you agree to the two-year contract. Plus, DIRECTV, Dish’s satellite rival, charges $84.99 a month for its least expensive standard plan with similar equipment, taxes and other surcharges. With programmers charging escalating fees to carry their channels, pay TV operators have little choice but to pass along the costs to their customers. YouTube TV, the leading multichannel live streaming service, now charges $82.99 a month for its base plan so no one is immune to rising programming acquisition costs. DIRECTV has tried to alleviate this issue by offering ‘genre packs,’ which include fewer channels at lower prices.

One more thing about Dish – The satcaster doesn’t charge a regional sports fee because it doesn’t carry any regional sports networks. That’s one expense you don’t have to worry about.

Will Dish Ever Merge With DIRECTV?

The 600-pound gorilla in this story is whether Dish and DIRECTV will ever successfully merge, creating one satellite service and reducing competition and expenses. The companies agreed to a merger last year but it fell apart when DIRECTV got cold feet over Dish’s debt which is in the billions. Perhaps the companies will return to the negotiating table this year; it might be the only way to prevent Dish from going out of business.

I hope that answers your question. Happy viewing and stay safe.

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Phillip Swann

Who Is The TV Answer Man?
The TV Answer Man is veteran journalist Phillip Swann who has covered television for more than three decades. He will report on the latest news and answer your questions regarding new devices and services that are changing the way you watch TV. See the bio for Phillip Swann here.