DISH offers consistent value for its products, with clearly priced channel plans, diverse sports coverage, and a discount plan specifically for seniors. This plan offers DISH Protect services to protect your identity, free visits from one of DISH’s many technicians, and other monthly bonuses.
With competitive prices as low as $62.99 per month, DISH Network is a great choice for most seniors, provided they don’t need an NFL Sunday Ticket package.
FYI: To learn more about our favorite TV providers, read our guide to the best TV providers for seniors.
DISH Network Pros and Cons
Pros
- Competitive prices: With plans as low as $62.99, DISH offers significant value for its channel packages with a lot of options to customize.
- Senior discount: DISH offers a robust senior discount for customers age 55 and older that includes equipment protection, free in-person maintenance, and options for package add-ons.
- Transparency: DISH is open about its pricing structure. While users can sign a long-term contract for a discounted rate, this is not required.
Cons
- No NFL Sunday Ticket: Unlike DIRECTV, DISH does not offer the NFL Sunday Ticket package, which could be a deal-breaker for some users.
- Network fees: DISH requires monthly network fees that you should keep in mind, though they list them clearly on their website.
- Price increases: Like many major network providers, DISH increases its monthly price after two years of service.
DISH Network Plans and Pricing
DISH currently offers three different plans, ranging from $62.99 to $114.99 in price. As with most television providers, subscribers can add on premium channels for additional monthly fees.
| Plan | Starting Monthly Price | Channels | Features |
| Flex Pack | $62.99 | 50+ |
|
| America’s Top 120 | $84.99 | 190+ |
|
| America’s Top 200 | $104.99 | 240+ |
|
| America’s Top 250 | $114.99 | 290+ |
|
The DISH Network 55-Plus Deal
The DISH senior discount is available for customers 55 and up, and gives senior customers the chance to take advantage of several monthly services. These include a free rental movie each month, as well as free in-person technical assistance and equipment replacement at your home, which normally cost $95 per visit.
Additionally, the 55-plus plan gives customers access to the DISH Protect Plus service for the first six months, which comes with identity protection for their DISH accounts. Those on the senior discount plan can also add a Stars & Stripes package to their base subscription for an additional $10 per month. This exclusive package deal gives users access to nine premium channels, including Smithsonian, STARZ Encore, Destination America, and Great American Country.
Considering that most cable providers don’t offer discounts for older adults, we appreciated this extra deal.
How to Purchase DISH
The easiest way to purchase DISH is to visit their website, but they also have in-person retailers. Their plans are positioned clearly on their home page. After selecting one, you will be taken to an order summary page. From here, you can select a Hopper 2 DVR upgrade, select an installation date, and use your special offer. This is important if you want to get your 55-plus exclusive offer.
Click on the plus sign next to “special offers” to view the three that DISH has available. In addition to the 55-plus offer, they also have an offer for active duty and veteran military personnel, as well as an offer for healthcare workers. Below that, you can input a promo code if you have one.
Finally, click “continue to account information” to make or log into your DISH account. You will need to create this account to activate your DISH service.
DISH Network Pricing
DISH Network services are priced on a monthly basis, ranging from $62.99 to $109.99. You can select discounts at checkout which can lower your rates. You can also select add-ons, such as the Stars & Stripes package, which will run you extra fees every month.
The service offers a two-year contract that locks you into the network but gives you a lower price per month. This contract is not required, however, so customers have the option to sign up for longer or keep their pay-by-month plan. Note that, as with many networks, the price per month will increase after two years of service.
DISH Network does have some fees, but it doesn’t keep them hidden. They are all listed on a page on my.dish.com labeled “Fees” and include the major service charges. Receiver installation has a unique fee depending on the receiver model, ranging from $7 to $17. Program changes, such as removing DISH Protect or removing adult programming, also come with a fee of $20 to $40. Late payments result in a standard $10 charge.
The largest fee is the account cancellation fee, which can be $480 for new customers, plus any unreturned equipment. Be sure to review DISH network’s service offerings before committing to their network to avoid these fees.
DISH Network vs. DIRECTV
DIRECTV is likely DISH network’s biggest competitor, offering similar channel packages that include an essentials package, sports package, and family package. The base prices for their plans are a little cheaper and often go on sale. At the time of this writing, their essential plan can be purchased for $64.99 for the first year.
Like DISH, DIRECTV does have price increases, however, and a contract requirement of two years, which will include a price increase in the second year. One major difference is that DIRECTV includes NFL Sunday Ticket by default while DISH does not. This could be a deal-breaker for some.
| DISH Network | DIRECTV | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $62.99 | $74.99 |
| Price Increases | Yes | Yes |
| Contract Requirement | Yes | Yes |
| Special Features | Senior Discount | NFL Sunday Ticket |
Bottom Line
The DISH network is a major service provider of TV and internet that includes a discount plan tailored specifically to seniors. Their 55-plus discount includes a better rate, some free content each month, free in-person maintenance, and the chance to get some premium add-ons at a discount.
Unlike some other providers, DISH doesn’t offer NFL Sunday Ticket as part of their package. They also have some network and service fees, but they are displayed on their website for you to review. All things considered, we recommend keeping DISH Network on your list of options for TV service, especially if you qualify for any of their discount packages.
To learn more about our favorite cable providers, be sure to check out our helpful guides:
- Spectrum Cable for Seniors
- Cox Cable for Seniors
- Xfinity Cable for Seniors
DISH Frequently Asked Questions
- Where is DISH Network available?
DISH network has nationwide availability. They offer a service availability tool on their website if you would like to check your ZIP code.
- Do I need a satellite dish to use DISH Network?
DISH requires a satellite installation to use its network.
- Does DISH Network have a plan for seniors?
DISH offers a 55-plus discount plan for seniors that comes with many benefits, including free technical service, identity protection, and a discounted rate.
- How do DISH Network price increases work?
DISH network increases its monthly cost after two years of service. Speak with your local provider to learn how this increase will affect your bill.
