I have had both. Used DirectTV to get a plasma TV for $200 off when they first came out. When discount was over monthly bill sky rocketed. Now have Dish and love it. Get blockbuster by mail with dish network and have fewer outages than when I was with DirectTV. Also got 1 receiver but works on 2 tv's and free HD programming. I like Dishnetwork better. Monthly bill cheaper and more channels. When I have outage, I can watch DVR. Don't know if DirectTV has a receiver that can control more than 1 T.V. at a time.