Here’s something we haven’t tried yet. Let’s compare a satellite TV provider with a cable TV provider and see who offers the most value in their service packages. We already compared DISH vs DIRECTV, and DISH won. To be fair, because DISH is a satellite TV company and needs to partner with Internet and phone providers to offer bundled packages, we will only be comparing each company’s TV services. TWC does offer triple service packages that combine TV, Internet and Home Phone. And, we recently compared those services with Comcast’s XFINITY bundled services in a recent article.
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As far as subscribers, DISH had about 14-million customers as of December, 2014. The company services all 50 states and its headquarters are located in Meridian, CO. Time Warner Cable reported approximately 15-million subscribers in March, with 12 million paying for television services. Time Warner is the second largest cable company in the US (behind XFINITY). The company serves 29 states and is headquartered in Midtown Manhattan, NYC.
In terms of innovation, DISH has some interesting products that really seem to sell themselves, namely, the Tailgater portable satellite antenna system and the Hopper® Whole-Home HD DVR. The Hopper, introduced in 2012, is a DVR that lets you watch TV and recorded programs online or on mobile devices via the DISH Anywhere™ mobile app. The Hopper even won Best of Show at CES 2013. (Although, if you remember, CNET actually disqualified the Hopper because of ongoing litigations with the sponsor’s parent company, CBS. The award was eventually given back to DISH, and CNET removed from judging the award in the future.)
1. Installation
DISH provides free standard installation in up to six rooms (with two year agreement). Time Warner Cable would charge a total of $50 for installation at an address specified in Santa Monica, CA. Time Warner also charges $19.99 for any additional cable box outlets at time of installation (the first outlet is free).
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2. HD Channels
Who knows why service providers still force standard-definition programming onto customers who pay for HD services. Anyone who cares about image quality probably skips right over shows in SD, choosing instead from the available HD options. But if we have to compare HD channel options between to the two companies, the winner would be DISH.
DISH offers the most HD channels in the industry. However, that argument has forever been contested by rival satellite company DIRECTV. DISH currently lists over 200 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).
When doing a search for Time Warner Cable channels in the company’s Albion, WA market we came up 106 HD channels including locals. The number of DISH HD channels was at least 115 if you include locals, edging out TWC in the selection.
3. On Demand
DISH gives you access to over 15,000 On Demand titles. Time Warner Cable says their On Demand library consists of 18,000 TV shows and movies, and 10,000 of them are free.
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4. Equipment & Special Features
DISH has the Hopper Whole-Home HD DVR setup that lets you connect up to 4 HD TVs in your home with the addition of 3 Joey receivers. Although, monthly service rates apply and will jack your bill up quite a bit. The 2TB Hopper lets you record up to 500 hours of HD (2,000 hours of SD), record 6 shows during primetime (4 locals and 2 others), watch live and recorded shows anywhere (even away from home) with the DISH Anywhere app, and skip commercials on certain primetime shows.
Time Warner Cable‘s Whole House HD DVR box and service gives you up to 75 hours of HD (or 200 hours of SD). But, their Whole House HD-DVR service only lets you watch one live show and record another at the same time. Or, record two shows at once. Their TWC TV® product lets you watch live TV on your tablet, PC, or smartphone anywhere with your TWC ID even away from home.
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– OR –
Call Time Warner Cable to Speak to a Representative Directly: 855-361-2777
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5. Special Offers – 2015
DISH has a current two year TV price lock offer with prices starting at $49.99 with no hidden fees. They also have a sign-up offer that includes HBO®, Cinemax®, SHOWTIME® and DISH Movie Pack free for 3 months (valued up to $165), HD FREE for Life!* (which DISH values at $10 per month while you have DISH service), and the DISH Protection Plan (priority warranty service free for 4 months).
In contrast, Time Warner Cable changes special offers often. Premiums are offered along with no Installation charges with qualifying packages right now.
6. Service Contract Periods
The DISH promotions require a 24-month service contract. Time Warner Cable does not require any long-term contract, and there are no penalties if you cancel service. That said, you can get DISH services without a contract, but you cannot enjoy any of their promotional offers.
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7. Value Packages
The most economical package DISH has is called the Welcome Pak™ and is priced at $19.99 per month, and you get 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). However, neither package gives you HD channels and neither are eligible for the Hopper offer.
The cheapest TV service you can get from Time Warner is their Starter TV package that gives you over 20 channels as well as free local HD channels. With TWC’s Starter TV you can get an HD-DVR or HD Box, or opt not to use a box at all. The Starter TV package costs $19.99 per month for 12 months (no agreement necessary).
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– OR –
Call Time Warner Cable to Speak to a Representative Directly: 855-361-2777
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8. Top Tier Packages
DISH has the America’s Everything Pak™ which gives you over 330 channels with free Hopper Whole-Home HD DVR Upgrade (for new customers) and HBO®, Cinemax®, SHOWTIME®. The service costs $86.99 for the first 12 months, and $131.99 per month after (before taxes).
Time Warner Cable offers over 200 channels, TWC TV® (for watching live TV on your PC, tablet or smartphone while in home), Look Back® (which lets you watch primetime shows up to 72 hours after they have aired), and Start Over® (which lets you start over a program). The Digital TV service at base costs $49.99 per mo. for 12 months, but when you add Whole House HD-DVR and HD Box service for $34.95 per month it brings you up to $84.94 (before taxes).
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– OR –
Call Time Warner Cable to Speak to a Representative Directly: 855-361-2777
[ft_button url=”http://www.buytimewarnercable.com/?cpid=55696″ rel=nofollow target=”_blank” background=”orange” type=”round” size=”small”] GET TIME WARNER [/ft_button]
DISH vs. Time Warner Cable Score Chart
| Winner | Why | |
|---|---|---|
| Installation | Tie | TWC has a free installation special most of the time. DISH installation is free for one box. |
| HD Channels | DISH | DISH has over 200 in addition to local channels. |
| On Demand selections | TWC | Time Warner claims 18,000 titles over Dish’s 15,000. |
| Equipment & Special Features | DISH | Because the HOPPER from DISH lets you record up to 500 hours of HD and 6 shows during primetime. TWC’s solution only gives you 75 hours of HD. |
| Special Offers | Tie | Both have all kinds of special offers for new customers. |
| Contract Period | TWC | Time Warner Cable does not require a 12-month commitment. DISH’s contracts are 24 months (No contract is possible, but no promotions). |
| Value Packages | TWC | Both DISH and TWC have basic $19.99 TV service. And although Dish offers 40+ channels, TWC’s 20+ channels at least give you some HD options. |
| Top Tier Packages | DISH | America’s Everything Pak™ from DISH just gives you more options than TWC’s top tier pack. New customers get a free Hopper Whole-Home HD DVR Upgrade too. |
| Overall Winner | 3-3 | TIE |
