I have had Dish Network, DirecTV and Cable. I like cable the best. I guess it depends on where you live and what you want. DirecTV and Dish do not always offer local channels in HD, that is the main reason I switched to Cable. I do miss the NFL package of Directv. Most carriers will provide the dish and HD reciever (make sure to check on the reciever), but the dish companies will require you to buy a reciever if you want HD and DVR (a must). Cable will provide you with the equipment. From what I have found, although prices are advertised differently, they all end up being in the same ball park with similar programming - one isn't going to save you much money over the other.