Dish Network Classic Gold 250

Update: Classic Gold 250 has been re-titled Americas Top 250

Picking a satellite TV package can be a difficult decision.  Between channel counts, HD access and  DVR devices, the customer sometimes doesn’t know what is true when claims are being made by satellite and cable television companies.  That is why we provide you comprehensive reviews of different packages, such as the DIRECTV Premier package and the Turbo HD Gold offer from Dish Network.  In this article, we will review the Classic Gold 250 package which is also a Dish Network offering.

The Dish Network Classic Gold 250 was formerly the America’s Top 250 package before Dish Network renamed their programming packages last year.  As the name implies, it contains 250 plus audio and video networks.  When you subscribe to a package like this from Dish TV, you can expect 100% digital and audio quality, free installation in up to four different areas of your home, and access to one of the best DVR units out there today, the Dish ViP722 device.

Now if you are either a cable TV or DIRECTV customer and are thinking of switching over to Dish Network, you might wonder where the Classic Gold 250 package falls as far as comparing it to your current provider.   When comparing this with DIRECTV, it probably falls closest to the Choice Xtra package.  That package offers 200+ channels and the regular price is $60.99 a month, while the Classic Gold 250 package is $57.99 per month.   When comparing it to your cable company, it is probably comparable to a Premium Digital cable package, though what is offered in these can vary depending on providers.  For example, the Comcast Digitial Preferred runs $72.94 per month in the Denver, Colorado area and includes 150 audio and video channels.  It also includes Comcast HD, which is not included in the Classic Gold 250 and will cost you an additional $10 per month.

Now the Dish Classic Gold 250 currently runs $57.99 per month.  But because Dish TV prices things on an a la carte basis, you should be aware of the extras that will bring you bill up a bit.  Local channels like CBS, NBC and ABC in addition to this package will cost an extra $5.00 per month.  As mentioned earlier, to receive the Dish Network HD feeds that are available will also cost another $10 per month.

Another monthly charge to be aware of is for the DVR that is provided when your Dish Network satellite service is installed.  While DishNetwork will provide you with a new, top of the line ViP 722 DVR when you set up service, you do have to pay monthly for the DVR to be operational.  Current pricing is $5.98 per month for each DVR that you have in use in your home.

So what can you expect when it comes to programming content with the Dish Classic Gold package?  Of course all of the major cable network are to be found here like ESPN, CNN, TBS and TNT.  Quite a few movie channels are also in this package, such as the Encore lineup, and the Lifetime Movie Network and Turner Classic Movies.

Unfortunately, you won’t find any premium movie channels beyond the Encore channels in this bundle.  To get these, you will either have to go with the America’s Everything package, or add on the premiums that you want individually.   Here is a listing of the channels in the Classic Gold package up and above the Dish Network Classic Silver 200 package.   Channels in the Silver Package can be viewed here.

Biography Channel
Bloomberg Television
Boomerang
CNBC World
Discovery Home
Discovery Kids
Discovery Times
DIY
Encore (West)
Encore Action
Encore Drama
Encore Love
Encore Mystery
Encore WAM
Encore Westerns
ESPNU
Fine Living
Fox Movie Channel
Fox Reality
Fox Soccer
The Golf Channel
GolTV
Great American Country
Hallmark Channel
History International
Lifetime Movie Network
LIME
Military Channel
Mun2
National Geographic
Nickelodeon Games & Sports
Nicktoons Network
The Outdoor Channel
The Science Channel
Sleuth
Style
The Tennis Channel
The Movie Channel (West)
TMC xtra (West)
Versus

So now that you know all the channels available in the Classic Gold 250 package, what kind of Dish Network deals are out there on this bundle.  Promotions are always changing, so its a good idea to check with both satellite TV companies to find out what they are offering.   Currently, the Classic Gold deal gives you a $25 dollar discount on the monthly rate for 6 months, bringing the price down from $57.99 to $32.99 per month.  In addition, you can also get free access to the Turbo HD Gold channels.  As mentioned earlier, free professional installation and one HD DVR box is also included to you can watch everything in crystal clear HD.

Of course with the NFL season starting soon, the  Dish Network Classic 250 may not fit your needs as there is no NFL Sunday Ticket availability here.  Our recommended alternative if you are looking to try out the Sunday Ticket package is the Choice Xtra package or the DIRECTV Plus HD DVR offer with a $21 discount for the first year.