It is back to the future this year for Dish Network, as they are leaving their 2009 package names behind, and returning to the America’s Top series. No longer will they refer to their packages as the Bronze, Silver, and Gold, instead returning to numbers which reflect the approximate number of channels in the lineup. In this article, we will review a mid-tier package, the America’s Top 200.
The Dish Network America’s Top 200 package provides the subscriber quite a bit of content for the monthly fee. Overall, you and your family will enjoy more than 120 digital video channels, and more than 80 digital audio channels. Quite a few Sirius satellite radio stations are found in this package which are not found in the America’s Top 120.
One nice feature with looking at the Americas Top 200 for 2010 is that Dish Network has held the line on the package pricing. The regular price for this package is $52.99 a month, and that price includes local channels and regional sports networks in your area. If you are considering Dish Network as a new subscriber, you can get a $15 a month reduction on that price, dropping it down to $37.99 a month for the first year of service.
To get an idea of all of the channels available in this bundle, check our Classic Silver 200 review for everything included.
As far as comparing the America’s Top 200 with DIRECTV, this package aligns most closely with the Choice Xtra package. That bundle from DIRECTV satellite includes around 200 channels total, and is regularly priced at $63.99 for 2010. Discounts for new customers drop that package into the same range as the America’s Top 200 for the first year, but you will pay more with DIRECTV starting in year two.
Additional offers on the Dish Network America’s Top 200 for 2010 include free HBO and Showtime for three months, free installation in four rooms, and 6 months free of the Dish Network service plan. If you want to continue with the DishHome protection plan after the six month promotion, is is $5.99 per month.
Additional fees to consider with this Dish Network package include HD access and digital video recorder charges. For $10 a month, you will get access to 55 full time HD channels with the America’s Top 200, as well as plenty of PPV high definition channels. If you want a Dish Network DVR, that will cost $6 a month for the first unit. While Dish Network did not raise package prices in 2010, they did add some hefty charges on additional DVR units, which can range from $10 to $17 a month depending on the unit you select. Be sure you have an accurate quote from either Dish Network or an authorized retailer if you need more than one DVR so there won’t be any surprises.
