Ever notice there are more satellite TV deals than satellite television providers? How can there be so many different satellite TV offers when there are only two major providers? Dish Network and DirecTV are the major players in satellite TV service, yet there seems to be an entire army of satellite TV promotions, offers, and deals. Why is that?

It's almost laughable as I imagine someone googling the search engines for the cheapest satellite TV service, or best satellite TV packages, etc. All Dish Network offers say programming is 19 dollars a month, yet one offers a free home theater system, another offers money back, and still another offers a free DVD player. One begs, "buy my dish".

The same logic applies to DirecTV deal hunters. The price is always 29 dollars, but then you might see free TIVO on one offer, money back on another, and a couple are spelled wrong. I thought we were looking for DirecTV not Direct TV or DircTV! Oh, and let's not forget free satellite TV offers. I don't know about you, but I love freebies.

There are some seriously frugal folks out there chasing down the pot of gold at the end of the digital television spectrum. In high definition no doubt. There are enough satellite TV deals to keep you bouncing from web page to web page for hours! The truth of the matter is the bottom line offers don't ever change. It's true, and I'll tell you why.

This we know, there are only two satellite television providers we need to be concerned about, Dish Network and DirecTV. Both satellite television companies offer a free four room satellite TV system including the satellite dish, receivers, plus free DVR and HDTV equipment. This variable is not going to change among the satellite TV providers.

Satellite TV programming packages won't change either. Dish Network's cheapest programming package starts at about 19 dollars, while DirecTV's cheapest service starts at around 29 dollars. Both sometimes offer special rates on premium movie channels and HD programming, but the base price and programming is always constant.

The only variable that changes in these satellite TV offers is the vendor, or reseller promotions. What I mean is, while the Dish Network or DirecTV bottom line offer remains constant, the satellite TV vendor may offer something extra as an incentive for you to buy from them. This is often times a freebie or cash back offer.

There is nothing wrong with this. In fact, it is to your benefit there is so much competition out there. If you were to go directly to Dish Network or DirecTV you would get the exact same satellite TV package, minus all the goodies. If you're going to buy anyway, you want all the freebies you can get right? Take cable television for example.

When was the last time you saw a reseller for cable television offer you some money back or cool free offers just to get you to buy from their agency? Never, right? That's because they don't have to. Cable TV has you over a barrel and there is no competition. The only competition cable has is satellite TV, and they deal with that by running negative ads.

Competition is good, and you make out like a bandit! So what are the best deals in satellite TV? In the end, that is really going to be up to you, but I'll tell you what I think. Anyone who's surprised, raise your hand. OK, seriously though, here's what I know. My cable company used to charge 50 bucks a month for 60 channels. Sound about right?

Dish Network now offers satellite TV programming at 19.99 a month for 40 channels. This is the regular price, not a promotion. Local channels are 5 dollars extra. You'll end up with about 60 channels for around 25 bucks a month. according to my calculations, that's about half the price of cable. Now just tack on the freebie from your vendor of choice, and there you have it. Your best Dish Network deal.

Now let's take a look at DirecTV who currently offers 155 channels for 29.99 a month. Add 3 dollars for locals, and this is still about 17 dollars cheaper than what my cable company charges for basic service alone. Now that I think about it, my old cable company didn't even give me a DVR with that! Anyway, pick a freebie and there's your best DirecTV deal. Now I remember why I disabled the cable!

From time to time, both Dish Network and DirecTV will change their bottom line satellite TV packages. Just remember when they do, those stay the same from vendor to vendor. What changes is the promotional offer. Promotional offers are why it's better go through a vendor rather than the actual satellite television providers for the best satellite deals.

Daymon Hoag is the Editor for Cheapest Service and provisioner of quality Satellite TV Service.