So you've finally decided to make the switch from cable and go to satellite television, the only problem is you're not sure what the best satellite TV deal currently is, especially with two brand name companies competing for your television viewing pleasure. Right now the two most popular satellite TV companies are DirecTV and Dish Network. Both offer a variety of similar features with enough differences to please almost any consumer, even the hard to please television watcher.

Both satellite television companies offer over 250 channels of programming and are up to date with the newest technology to include high definition TV (HDTV), digital video recording (DVR) features and other proprietary features specific to that particular satellite TV provider.

Perhaps the biggest difference is noticed in the programming packages and pricing structure that each company offers its potential customers.

DirecTV offers the following three programming choices for consumers to choose from if they are considering purchasing their satellite TV service form the company.

The Total Choice package, which runs about $44.99 a month and offers over 155 Channels plus 50 XM Satellite Radio Channels. Its next higher package is the Total Choice Plus package for $5 more at $49.99 a month. This plan offers over 185 channels, 17 additional XM Satellite Radio Channels and 30 additional channels of family and general interest entertainment. Its final programming package is the Total Choice Premier package, which runs a hefty $99.99 a /month but does provide over 250 channels, more then 30 premium movie channels and specialty sports networks plus DVR service is included at no extra charge.

Dish Network offers six different programming packages for prospective customers to choose from if they are considering purchasing their services.

The first package is the DishFamily package. This package offers a large variety of family style programming. It has about 30 channels that are offered. The next plan is referred to as America's Top 60. This plan has up to 60 channels of programming that should please most TV viewers. The next higher plan is America's Top 60 Plus, which is basically the same as the Top 60 but with the addition of the customer's local Regional Sports Networks. The next plan is proclaimed to be Dish Networks most popular plan and is called America's Top 120, which as you would expect has 120 different channels of entertainment style programming. America's Top 180 is the programming plan that offers 60 additional channels of programming for consumers to enjoy. Finally Dish Network offers it's America's Premium Pak, which is its premium plan offering many more additions to the Top 180 plan.

Although it looks like both satellite companies differ greatly the truth is many of the programming channels are the same between the two satellite TV providers. As someone who has received programming from both companies I can personally say that both offer fantastic customer service, great prices, fast installation and similar programming. The biggest difference for me was the sports programming that both providers offer.

In my opinion DirecTV has an edge in this category. Although Dish Network does offer the opportunity to receive regional sports programming it unfortunately cant compete with the sports programming packages that DirecTV offers its customers. The NFL Sunday Ticket is by far one of the premier draws for DirecTV customers and although Dish Network does offer more movie programming plans it simply doesn't have the programming to match the many different sports related channels offered by Direct TV.