Frontier TV vs Dish Networks: Premium and HD TV Comparison

Frontier has strong TV options in their Fiber “FiberOptic” service areas. If you aren't in one of those areas, Dish TV beats out their DSL offers in terms of price and premium channel count. It also comes with an industry-leading DVR with 2 TB of storage.

What sort of TV package are you looking for? Or do you need TV and internet together? Today I take a look at both Frontier and Dish, two TV providers that can also hook you up with internet.

Frontier offers 3 types of TV services: FiberOptic TV (available in California, Florida and Texas), Vantage TV (in Connecticut, Illinois, Minnesota, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, and South Carolina), and also Dish TV, as a partner with Dish satellite television in various location.

Dish TV themselves offer only satellite TV without internet, but pair with other providers like Frontier and HughesNet satellite for customers wanting to bundle internet services. In some cases, customers combine Dish with Frontier Internet to get the best of both worlds.

Frontier Pros and Cons

Pros

• Different internet technologies and speeds offered
• Save money on double and triple play deals

Cons

• Difficult to find out charges upfront
• May not be available in all areas

Dish Pros and Cons

Pros

• Available all over the country
• Simple packages with less additional fees

Cons

• No internet service of their own
• Satellite TV may be flakier than internet TV

Coverage Areas

Dish has Universal TV Coverage

Dish is available anywhere that you can install a dish pointed south, so long as there are no major obstacles in the way (trees, buildings, etc).

Weather can be a concern and the broadcast isn't always as “snappy” as fiber, but so long as you can access the dish to brush off snow after winter storms you probably won't have any issues.

Frontier vs Dish Internet Options

Network Comparison

Frontier FiberOptic TV runs over Frontier’s own fiber optic and DSL networks, whereas Vantage runs complete fiber to the home.

Dish TV doesn’t own any internet networks. You can choose Frontier’s FiberOptic network if you have Dish, or other options like satellite from HughesNet.

Frontier offer bundled internet and phone services like Double Play and Triple Play through both their FiberOptic and Vantage networks. Prices and packages vary in price, depending on whereabouts you’re living.

Dish bundle TV with internet through providers like Frontier and HughesNet, but availability and pricing depends entirely on what area you live in. Contact a Dish sales agent for more info about their bundle partner services.

Frontier vs Dish TV Service

Frontier vs Dish Sports Packages

Frontier offers the standard base sports channels on their packages, however, you can choose to add on their sports package which includes beIN, CBS Sports, ESPN Goal Line, Fox College Sports. Pac-12, and more. You can also add on an NBA League Pass or ESPN College Extra.

Whether you’re with Frontier’s FiberOptic or Vantage networks, you have the option of the Prime package, with 190+ channels, Extreme, with 220+ channels, or Ultimate, with 290+ channels. Dish’s channel selections include their base America’s Top 120 package, with 190 channels, through to their America’s Top 250 package, which gives you 290+ channels.

At the moment, Dish is offering the Multi-Sport pack free to customers on all plan their lowest plan. This includes 25 sports networks including NFL Network and NFL RedZone. Other add-on packs include MLB Extra Innings, NBA League Pass, and NHL Center Ice.

In terms of the channels provided and the number of channels, Frontier and Dish are neck and neck – however, Vantage’s TV packages are pricier on their own (without a bundle) than Dish’s.

Frontier vs Dish DVRs: Quantum vs Whole Home

Frontier FiberOptic has available for customers the FiberOptic Quantum DVR — a DVR that can record up to 12 shows at once, and stores around 300 hours of programming. The Vantage Whole Home DVR offers a 4-channel recording capability and can store up to 600 hours of programming. Both come with attached monthly rental fees.

Dish has the Hopper 3 DVR, a top of the line piece that will record up to 16 channels at once and offers storage space for up to 200 hours of programming. This will also set you back a monthly fee.

Frontier Key Advantage: Options Galore

Frontier has a large number of network options, speeds, and bundles available for customers so that you’re able to pick and choose what works best for you.

Dish Key Advantage: Available in Your Area

Dish, as a satellite operator, offer their TV services nationwide – their service isn’t limited to certain areas.

Frontier vs Dish Equipment and Installation Considerations

Depending on the package or bundle that you choose with Frontier, as well as the area that you live in, you may or may not be charged installation fees to set up your TV service. Their monthly rental charges for equipment are comparable to other providers.

Installation with Dish is currently free, and satellite Dish hire is included in your package already. The Hopper 3 attracts a similar hire fee to other companies’ equipment.

Our Pick: Frontier, for its Network Options

Dish might be a good choice if you only want TV. But – if you’re looking for a bundle with fast internet, then Frontier is the winner. Check out their speeds in your area and you might just be experiencing Gigabit internet soon.