Comcast XFINITY vs. DISH (comparison)

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Updated Jun 27, 2022 11:14 PM

Looking to switch from cable to satellite TV or vice versa? Let our XFINITY® vs DISH ® review (similar to our DIRECTV vs DISH review) help you make that decision.

You can also check out our dish versus directv article.

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Comcast® is a Multi-system operator (MSO), offering XFINITY® branded TV, Internet and phone service in 40 states as well as the District of Columbia. The company is the largest cable TV provider in the US, with approximately 22.7 million subscribers reported in January, 2015. XFINITY offers several different TV packages under the XFINITY TV-brand including Limited Basic, Digital Economy, Digital Starter, Digital Preferred, and Digital Premiere. The XFINITY TV service includes options to watch television away from your main TV.

Dish Vs Comcast
DISH Vs Comcast

DISH has been providing satellite TV service since 1996 after the company put its first satellite, EchoStar 1, into orbit and now includes a large DISH channel guide. As of February, 2015, DISH had about 14-million subscribers across the US. The company also offers satellite Internet service via their dishNET product launched in October, 2012. The dishNET service starts at $39.99 per month, with data plans ranging from 5GB to 15GB per month. You can also get DISH TV bundled with phone service through partnering companies.

Both companies also offer streaming products. XFINITY offers XFINITY Streampix® ($4.99 per month) providing unlimited access to the content you’re subscribed to or whatever they are offering for free. DISH Movie Pack® offers access to movies and TV shows a la carte on PCs, Macs, Android and iOS devices, the Roku 3, and supporting HDTVs and Blu-ray players. While it’s clear both companies offer more than just TV packages, with DISH offering DISH Anywhere, for the sake of this article we’ll only compare each provider’s television service.


 

1. Installation

Comcast XFINITY lets you choose between self-install and professional install. Those fees may vary between service provider, but a typical professional install fee paid by new customers is at least $50, and may vary according to how much equipment is installed.

DISH provides free installation (with a 2-year contract).

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2. HD Channels

To see what channels Comcast’s XFINITY offers, we used the zip code 98629 in La Center, WA. XFINITY listed 100 HD channels numbering in the 700 to 800 guide range. The list also included local HD channels, so the number of national channels in the area is closer to around 90. The lineup is made up of popular networks such as Discovery HD, Disney HD, and CNN HD, but also includes niche channels such as G4techTV HD, ROOT SPORTS NW HD, PAC-12 Oregon HD, and 3D Events HD — networks not found with every provider.

DISH currently lists 116 HD channels on their website, as well as local HD channels (which vary according to market but at the bare minimum include ABC, FOX, NBC, CBS and PBS). The company says they have the most HD channels in the industry, and we found 116 listed under All Packages on their website.


 

3. Special Features

XFINITY offers the cloud-enabled X1 Entertainment Operating System® platform in select areas (available in 27 markets as of this review, and scheduled to reach all markets by the end of the year), letting you watch live and recorded programming on multiple devices throughout your home. With X1 you can utilize the X1 Remote App to turn your mobile device into a remote control, and also use voice commands to interact with your TV. User recommendations, your last 9 shows watched, and on-screen apps are also part of the X1 platform. The service also lets you search and schedule DVR recordings while you’re away from your home via the XFINITY TV App.

DISH offers the Hopper® Whole-Home HD DVR, an innovative product (winning Best of Show at CES 2013) that lets you watch live TV and recorded programs via the DISH Anywhere mobile app. The Hopper system integrates the controversial ad-skipping software, allowing you to skip commercials during certain prime-time programs. The Hopper Whole-Home HD DVR service allows you to connect up to 4 HDTVs in your home using added Joey set-top box receivers.

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4. Equipment

XFINITY offers a standard HD DVR with 500GB hard drive to store up to 300 hours of SD or 60 hours of HD programming. But, you can also get their top-of-the-line X1 HD DVR and X1 Platform (not available in all markets) can record up to four shows simultaneously, while watching a fifth program at the same time. (XFINITY’s next-gen X2 platform promises to move recorded programming to the cloud.)

The Hopper from DISH allows you to connect up to 4 HDTVs using Joey set-top box receivers. The 2TB Hopper provides storage for up to 500 hours of HD or 2,000 hours of SD. Three tuners allow recording any two channels and the third tuner can be used to record 4 additional primetime shows.

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5. Service Contract Periods

XFINITY from Comcast offers better monthly rates for customers who sign 2-year contracts, but a long term agreement is not required. For example, Digital Premiere with a 2-year contract is $84.99 for the first 12 months, but with no term agreement you only get that price for 6 months.

DISH does provide services at regular pricing without a contract but installation fees are not waived without the contract.


6. Value Packages

XFINITY offers a local-only TV service with at least 10 channels for $30.15 per month, but aren’t those channels already free over-the-air? Instead, let’s look at the next level TV service called Digital Economy that offers over 45 channels . That service costs $34.95 per month for new customers. (Equipment and premium channels are extra.)

The Welcome Pack from DISH is their least expensive package priced at $19.99 per month with 40+ channels. They also have a Smart Pack with 55+ channels currently offered for $19.99 per month for 12 months (normally $34.99 per month). Neither package is eligible for the Hopper upgrade, or gives you HD channels. (Equipment and premium channels are extra.)

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7. Top-tier Packages

Comcast XFINITY Digital Premier provides customers with over 200 digital channels including premium channels from HBO®, Cinemax®, SHOWTIME®. The package also includes the Sports Entertainment Package with NFL RedZone. Digital Premier costs $84.99. per month for the first 12 months in a 2-year agreement. After first year it goes up to normal rates (ranging from $128.99 to $148.99 depending on area).

The top-tier DISH package, America’s Everything Pak, gives 330 channels with a free Hopper Whole-Home HD DVR Upgrade (new customers only), and premium channels HBO®, Cinemax®, SHOWTIME® and. The ‘Everything Pak’ costs $86.99 for the first 12 months, and $131.99 per month after (before taxes).


Conclusion

Comcast XFINITY TV service has a lot to offer, especially for those markets that have been converted to all digital and are eligible for the X1 Platform. XFINITY also offers some good deals on triple-play service, that can turn out to be more economical than when DISH partners with phone and Internet providers to bundle services. (You might say, the more parties involved the more you’ll pay.) And, the upcoming X2 Platform, which puts your TV experience in the cloud, looks more than promising. But until then, the Hopper from DISH, 2TB Whole-Home DVR, and larger selection of HD channels puts them at an advantage.

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– or –

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