Dish Network offers an affordable alternative to cable TV and an extensive range of programming options to suit every taste and budget. Specialty packages include those aimed at families, the Hispanic population - and the viewer who simply wants the most channels – up to 250 of them. Dish Network is the country’s leading satellite TV provider with over 12 million subscribers.

Almost as easy as choosing your programming package is choosing a Dish Network dealer – many of whom offer various extras or discount packages. Both Dish Network – as well as their main competitor DirecTV - use authorized retail agents to sell their product and the prices are regulated.

You can order the service directly from the company itself, or from one of the many authorized dealers. Although the product is basically the same - it’s worth taking the time to compare programming packages, services and prices. What you get and how much you pay depends on what kind of package the dealers are able to secure from the parent company of Dish Network - Echostar.

So how do you find a dealer? A quick search in the yellow pages or online will give you a list of dealers. Many of them are local companies and make a point of saying so on their web site. If you are installing Dish Network in a large facility such as a school or hotel, try to deal with a commercial dealer – they have had extensive training, and are qualified to deal with a large or commercial order.

There are actual dealers – and there are online dealers. Ordering products and services online has become commonplace – and satellite TV is no exception. Ordering online tends to be easier and cheaper than walking into a store. Online transactions are secure and you can order at any time of day. The dealer usually has minimal overheads - and you are often able to enjoy service a lot faster.

AllSat is one of the most respected online Dish Network dealers. The company is also one of the oldest – they have been selling Dish Network programming since the company was created in 1996. Since then, they have continually been one of the country’s top Dish Network retailers in terms of volume.

AllSat has an excellent reputation for both their customer service and online support, as well as offering some of the best deals around. AllSat also offers a feature called DISH designer – a sort of online tutorial that attempts to guide you through the several different programming options and choose the one that’s best for you.

Apart from AllSat, two other online dealers are recommended. Dish Pronto offers some of the lowest prices – they also have a reputation for offering incentives to first time customers. iDishnetwork may be one of the newest online retailers, but they also usually have various special offers such as free HBO or a free DVR.

VMC Satellite is one of the largest online dealers – they are also the only company that’s authorized to install satellite television in the US Capitol building. VMC has their headquarters near Washington, DC; they also support a huge network of over 100,000 affiliate dealers throughout the world.

So once you have found a Dish Network dealer, what kind of deal can you expect? Before you even consider the programming options and prices, look for such bonuses as free installation – often in several rooms - and no charge for equipment, such as receivers and the dish itself.

If you are in a hurry to watch television, you might want to consider how quickly they can install it for you. And check to see how easy it is to reach that company if you have a question or a problem – are they available at a 24 hour toll free number or are you only able to communicate with them by email?

Some dealers offer reduced monthly payments or your first few payments for free, in an effort to attract new customers. Watch for limited time offers and temporary specials – a typical offer is a rebate if you persuade a friend to purchase the service.

Compare the free or discounted extras that are often offered and decide whether you actually need them – the most popular freebies tend to be a digital video recorder (DVR) or an upgrade to high definition (HD) TV.

A digital video recorder offers the capability to record many hours of programming – and you can sometimes even record two shows at once. It’s also easy to operate - a blessing for those of us who still have trouble trying to program conventional video recorders.

HD TV uses an aspect ratio of 16:9 which is the same as at your local movie theater. For those of us who aren’t technically minded, it simply means a clearer and sharper picture on your TV screen. HD television also offers sharper sound.

Dish Network offers the largest selection of channels available in high definition, including something for everyone – movies, sports and children’s programming. The company also boasts the most commercial-free HD programming as well as the chance to watch local channels in HD.

Your monthly cost for programming will depend on which package you choose from your Dish Network dealer. Packages generally start at around $20 per month; for this price you can enjoy a Family Package which includes such channels as Discovery Kids, Nickelodeon and Animal Planet.

Expect to pay around $70 per month for Dish Network’s Everything Package, which includes everything from sports and cartoons to specialty movies. This package also includes over 50 Sirius music channels and premium movie channels, including HBO and Cinemax. Expect to pay a little bit more to include local TV channels.

So, if you have made the choice to switch from cable to satellite – go ahead and choose the dealer and the package that seems right for you. You’ll soon be enjoying some of the best that satellite TV has to offer.