Cable and satellite article: Directv Satellite TV Service Guide

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DIRECTV is one of the three satellite TV service providers in the U.S. They service the continental United States, Hawaii, Alaska, and Puerto Rico, and are the largest satellite TV provider with more than 14.5 million customers.

DIRECTV services consist of the following:

DIRECTV Satellite TV Programming Service

DIRECTV offers the following program packages:

* Total Choice: 155 program channels, 50 XM satellite radio channels, plus three months of HBO, Showtime, and Starz, for *$29.99 a month.
* Total Choice Plus: 185 program channels and 67 XM satellite radio channels for $46.99 a month.
* Total Choice Premier: 250 program channels, 67 XM satellite radio channels, plus HBO, Showtime, and Starz for $96.99 a month.

* Note: Total Choice is $29.99 a month for three months, then $41.99 thereafter. Local channels are $3 a month extra.

DIRECTV HDTV Satellite TV Service

DIRECTV offers the following channels in HD (high definition) for $9.99 a month:

ESPN HD, ESPN2 HD, Discovery HD Theater, HDNet, HDNet Movies, TNT HD, and Universal HD (HBO and Showtime HDTV are included in HBO and Showtime programming).

Other DIRECTV Satellite TV Programming Services

In addition to the above programming services, DIRECTV also provides the following:

* Up to 55 pay-per-view programs per day.
* International programming that includes Caribbean, Chinese, Korean, Filipino, Italian, South Asian, Russian, Spanish, Ukrainian, and Vietnamese program channels.

DIRECTV Satellite TV Equipment Service

DIRECTV will give you a free satellite TV system when you sign up for one of their program packages. This systems consists of the following:

* A free satellite TV dish
* Up to four free receivers
* A free digital video receiver (DVR)
* A free high definition (HD) receiver

A DIRECTV installer will install your system free of charge and explain how to operate the various components. Installation time is usually one to five days after you place your order, and you can place your order online or by telephone (toll free), day or night, seven days a week.

Visit http://www.thesatellitetvguide.com/free-directv.htm for more DIRECTV satellite TV service information, ordering information, and the latest special offers from DIRECTV. Click on this link for a side-by-side comparison of DIRECTV vs. DISH Network.

The author, Brian Stevens, is the senior editor for TheSatelliteTVGuide.com and has written a number of articles on DIRECTV satellite TV service.