Soccer fans, before making a decision whether to sign up with DirecTV or DISH as your satellite provider, read through the following comparison to see which service is a better fit for you.
Both satellite providers offer a wide range of networks that carry soccer, as well as access to streaming services such as the NBC Sports App, beIN SPORTS Connect and FOX Sports GO. Plus there are overflow channels available if you’re interested in watching games that may not be available on regular channels.
Is DirecTV or DISH better for soccer fans?
| DirecTV | DISH | |
|---|---|---|
| Advantages | Offers beIN SPORTS and beIN SPORTS en Español. | |
| Offers GolTV. | Hopper 3 DVR picture quality is equal to if not better than DirecTV receiver. | |
| DISH’s GameFinder App helps you schedule recordings and reminders for your favorite teams/leagues, as well as track scores. | ||
| DISH’s Multi-View lets you watch up to 4 channels at once, splitting the screen into 4 quadrants. | ||
| Pricing for DISH’s Multi-Sport Pack starts at $13 per month. | ||
| Only DISH lets you watch 100% of your live and recorded shows anywhere on your phone, tablet or laptop. | ||
| Disadvantages | beIN SPORTS and beIN SPORTS en Español not available. | |
| Cost can be more expensive than DISH. | ||
| Allows access to NBC Sports App | Yes | Yes |
| Allows access to beIN SPORTS Connect | No | Yes |
| Allows access to FOX Sports GO | Yes | Yes |
| Latest special offer | Up to $200 in AT&T Visa reward cards for new DIRECTV or U-verse TV when ordered online. | |
| Toll-free phone number | Unavailable | 855-389-9730 |
| SIGN-UP | SIGN UP TODAY | SIGN UP TODAY |
Plus, we’ve compiled a listing of what soccer-related channels are carried by each satellite company, as well as which ones are in HD (High-Definition) or SD (Standard-Definition).
Soccer networks available on DirecTV and DISH
| Sports network | DirecTV | DISH |
|---|---|---|
| Altitude Sports | 681 HD | 413 HD |
| beIN SPORTS | NOT AVAILABLE | 392, 871 HD |
| beIN SPORTS Español | 467 HD | 873 HD |
| CBSSN | 221 HD | 158 HD |
| Comcast SportsNet (regional) | 630, 642, 665, 696, 698 HD | 412, 419, 424, 429, 438 |
| ESPN | 206 HD | 140 HD |
| ESPN 2 | 209 HD | 143 HD |
| ESPN Deportes | 466 | 854 HD |
| ESPNEWS | 207 HD | 142 SD |
| ESPNU | 208 HD | 141 HD |
| FOX | 398 | 5737, 8103, 8203, 8303, 8493 |
| FOX Deportes | 465 | 855 HD |
| FOX Sports 1 | 219 HD | 150 HD |
| FOX Sports 2 | 618 HD | 397 HD |
| FOX Soccer Plus | 621-1 HD | 406 HD |
| FSN (regional) | 646, 654, 660, 661, 663, 668, 671, 676, 686, 692, 694 HD | 418, 423, 425, 427, 436 |
| Galavision | 404 HD | 273 HD |
| GolTV | 468 | Not available |
| MLS Direct Kick | 471-477 | 566-570 |
| NBC | 392 | 5731, 5732, 8002, 8102, 8402, 8492 |
| NBCSN | 220 HD | 159 HD |
| NBC Universo | 410 HD | 838 SD |
| Premiere FC (PFC) | 2135 SD | 9801 SD |
| Premier League Extra Time | 491-495 HD | 875-880 SD |
| ROOT Sports (regional) | 659, 674, 683, 687 HD | 414 |
| Telemundo | 406 | 835 SD |
| Time Warner SportsNet | 691 HD | Not available |
| TyC Sports | 469 | Not available |
| UniMas | 408 HD | 830 HD |
| Univision | 402 HD | 827 HD |
| Univision Deportes | 464 HD | 869 HD |
| USA | 242 HD | 105 HD |
| YES | 631 HD | Not available |
| SIGN-UP | DirecTV | DISH |
|---|---|---|
| Toll-free sign-up | Unavailable | 855-389-9730 |
| SIGN-UP | SIGN UP TODAY | SIGN UP TODAY |
Shouldn’t you clarify that you are earning a commission on signups? I don’t think anyone would care that you are, but it is standard disclosure to do so.
Hi Jack, great question. The answer is yes. We’re currently in the middle of a redesign where we have some exciting announcements to make — one of which touches on commissions.
Thanks for bringing it up.
I can confirm that Directv DOES offer access to beIN Connect. Your list is wrong. Also, beIN Spanish on ch 467 IS in HD
Awesome feedback. The comparison guide has been updated accordingly. Thank you!
Contrary to the information listed in the table above, Fox Sports 2 IS available in HD on Dish Network. We watch it regularly.
Long time DirectTV subscriber and recently switched to Dish with the new Hopper 3: A few add’l points:
– as mentioned by GW, Fox Sports 2 is definitely available in HD on dish.
– The Extra Time overflow channels are NOT availalble in HD on dish – they are in HD on direct
– The Hopper 3 picture quality is equal to if not better than my previous Directv receiver.
– Directv has a nice ‘latin’ sports package for just $5 that includes GOL, TYC, Fox Deportes, ESPN Deportes, etc. which is a nice soccer add-on.
– Dish anywhere ap is great and allows you to record programs (such as MOTD) and watch remote from anywhere. Great portability feature to watch programming on demand when and where you want.
– The Sports Bar mode on the Dish Hopper 3 for me gives it the edge over directv. You can simultaneously watch 4 matches at once from any set of channels – all in great HD quality.
Thanks for the feedback. I’ve updated the comparison guide accordingly!
Actually DishLATINO, with English and Spanish channels, prices start at $34.99 with 2 year price guarantee and have all the Soccer that Dish offers. For the Soccer fan this might be the best bet.
Do any of these networks cover Argentina’s First Division Games, now that it has changed format for 2017-2018? (Superliga)
You can watch the Primera Division from Argentina on TyC Sports on DirecTV.
The Univision Channels are back on Dish now.
I have Dish and am looking to change. Not happy with lots of things one being the loss of multiple channels, most recently local channels 11 and 13.