Dish Network, DirecTV, or Mediacom

[Let's Go State]

** I know that this has been discussed before, but those threads are a little out of date **

I've had Dish Network for 16 years, and have been a fan. Lately, they have really been messing up my billing, and today my receiver crashed. So before I submit a ticket to get it changed out... I'm considering a total switch. I've heard mediacom issues.... is it really that bad?

Mediacom: For those that live a ways from Des Moines (like by Council Bluffs, Quad Cities) do you still get cyclones.tv? Do you get all the Des Moines news stations?

Dish Network: Is the hopper worth the extra $21 per month. Will my current tailgater work with it?

DirecTV: Probably at the bottom of my list, but open to considerations.

I have little kids, and frankly they are good with Netflix. But for me, I want royals games, Big12 sports, and the wife likes some reality shows... Deadliest Catch, etc... so we're not ready to jump the wave of cutting the cord yet...

 

[tay2015]

I've had Direct TV, and Mediacom. When I lived at my parents house they have Dish.

I know this sounds weird but DTV has the best picture. I know a TV had a lot to do with it but everything looks so much more crisp on DTV I thought I was crazy until I read an article (unbiased) about how they do provide the best picture. DTV however is expensive, NFL Sunday ticket is so worth it though.. My #1 pick.

Mediacom-I have to have this due to being in an apartment and them not allowing dishes. I would rather make checks out to Satan himself, my picture goes out more than I have ever experienced on Sat. Dishes, it's expensive, customer service is the worse, CYTV is cool but not worth it at all.

Dish-Don't know a ton other than they are the cheapest but it comes with a price, my parents lose stations due to them being in contract negotiations a lot I remember we tried to watch a game on Fox or ABC or something like that and we couldn't, really killed the party.

I'm not ready to cut the cord yet either, but each cable bill is a kick to the stones.

 

[twojman]

I used to bash on mediacom until now. WE got Directv and centurylink about 6 months ago. Once their specials are up they will cost more than mediacom. Also I cannot stand how directv goes out with heavy rain and thunderstorms. centurylink is by far the worst customer service I have ever dealt with for anything. Directv is actually the best customer service I have dealth with. Mediacom is not available where I live right now. I hope they will come out and lay lines so we can switch as soon as our 2 year agreement is up with directv. If I can avoid it, I will never have a satellite again.

 

[CarlHungus]

I hate mediacom with a passion, however bundled with their internet, they were the cheapest option for me around here. It is nice to get cyclones.tv (I would assume you'd get this too)

 

[JP4CY]

I live in the metro and have DTV and love it. Sure the signal may go out if it's a really heavy thunderstorm but we can catch up on the DVR then or switch over to the antenna. Only have this problem 3 to 4 times a year and it doesn't last long.

Mediacom historically ranks low on every consumer survey.

 

[DollaDollaBill]

Just canceled Directv and use slingtv now. So far it's been good. We get pretty much all the channels we actually watched on directv but it's only $20/mo and $5 extra for sports pack

 

[ripvdub]

Directv and will never have anything else, unless we cut the chord all together. The genie is great, can record up to 5 shows at the same time, and not just certain channels like dish. I maybe lose signal 2 times a year, it has to be really, really bad out.

 

[Me State]

I have had Dish for over 10 years and had no problems with it. Get the Hopper and you will not regret it.
The Hopper also has a Netflix app so you can watch with the press of a button.

 

[CyFan61]

Just canceled Directv and use slingtv now. So far it's been good. We get pretty much all the channels we actually watched on directv but it's only $20/mo and $5 extra for sports pack

I love Sling but probably not good for Royals games. For anyone else out there considering Sling it's great for basic cable and the major sports channels you can get are ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPN U, ESPN News, and SEC Network. You don't get FSN, FS1, NBC Sports Network, and you also have to be able to get the OTA networks separately (ABC, FOX, NBC, CBS). But I love it for what I'm looking for

 

[Clonehomer]

I've been happy with Dish and the Hopper. I agree with the above poster about the channel disagreements getting old. Thankfully those are typically locals and available OTA. As far as sports, the only thing you miss is Sunday Ticket, but they do have the red zone channel which is what I mostly prefer anyway.

To me, its worth the savings to stay with Dish, but I can see where DTV may be the better option for some.

Mediacom can go to hell. IMO

 

[NorthCyd]

If you have a tailgater why are you even considering switching? It will be worthless with anything but dish.

 

[IcSyU]

Doesn't really matter who you have because you'll hate paying the bill everything month.

 

[Dr.bannedman]

Roku with a time warner logon that will never end (thanks former $516/mo apt)

 

[Let's Go State]

All - thank you for your help. Summary - Mediacom still sucks (the first comment about rather write checks to Satan cracked me up!)

Why leave Dish? - billing issues, equipment issues (may be fixed with the Hopper), and 'new' customer treatment elsewhere (basically about $20 less for a year of a 2 yr contract). 'Kinda tired of this girlfriend and want to play the field...'

DirecTV love has me exploring it - thanks a ton for the input.

I will check out SlingTV and Roku as well... I may be able to live without the royals... maybe....

 

[Let's Go State]

If you have a tailgater why are you even considering switching? It will be worthless with anything but dish.

I know - my biggest reason to hold on thus far. 2 games in and I really haven't used it. But we did put it on the camper for the state fair.... thus its still my biggest hold right now.

 

[CloneinWDSM]

If you get Directtv I can refer you and save us some money

 

[ISUFAN80]

All - thank you for your help. Summary - Mediacom still sucks (the first comment about rather write checks to Satan cracked me up!)

Why leave Dish? - billing issues, equipment issues (may be fixed with the Hopper), and 'new' customer treatment elsewhere (basically about $20 less for a year of a 2 yr contract). 'Kinda tired of this girlfriend and want to play the field...'

DirecTV love has me exploring it - thanks a ton for the input.

I will check out SlingTV and Roku as well... I may be able to live without the royals... maybe....

We cut the cord about 3 1/2 years ago and have not looked back. I ran ethernet wire to all rooms of the house and used a 6 point switch to hook it all together. We have a roku in two rooms and my ps3 in the basement hooked up too. We use netflix and I have a 30 foot antenna mast up to get the local channels in stunning hd signal.

Never regretted it .

 

[SerenityNow]

I've stayed in galena, IL for golf outings and the condo we use has mediacom. And it has cyclones tv. So, you should have no trouble getting it anywhere mediacom is in Iowa.

i know a lot of people hate mediacom, and I've had my share of issues over the years. But, I bundle everything and can't beat their internet speed, nor their overall cost.

 

[nfrine]

Live in the country so I am forced to use Dish or Direct. Currently have Direct. It is very expensive and continues to rise in price. If the dog pees in the yard I lose the signal. (Worthless in any bad weather situation). I think Dish has been pricing at locked pricing for 3 years so I am looking to change.

 

[Shawker]

I have DirecTV and love it. It rarely goes out. As someone else said maybe 3 or 4 times a year and only for a short while. They will always negotiate with you even after your initial agreement is up. You can literally call and ask for a discount and they'll give you some arbitrary $10 off per month credit just because you asked. I've had NFL Sunday Ticket the past 3 years and always gotten a discount, and this year I called to see what I could get and they gave it to me for free just because I've been with them for several years. I had to deal with Mediacom in college and while their internet is great their customer service is terrible, and they will not negotiate with you at all. I've never had Dish.