Streaming services like Netflix have several 4K titles, and satellite TV providers like the DISH Network corporation have not lagged. Although there are only a few 4K channels on DISH, it is not an internal issue. There’s not enough content being shot live in 4K.
However, the satellite TV company has innovative solutions to help customers get the best picture quality when using their service.
We will look at the available 4K channels on DISH and show what you need to enjoy the high-resolution content on your TV. Let’s get right into it!
Table of Contents
- What Is 4K Resolution?
- How To Watch 4K Content on DISH
- Required Hardware for Satellite DISH 4K Content Viewing
- DISH Pricing
- Other Ways to Access 4K Content on Dish
- Wrap Up
What Is 4K Resolution?
4K or Ultra HD (Ultra-High Definition) is a screen resolution measuring 3840 x 2160 pixels. It is four times larger than 1080p HD (High Definition), which measures 1920 x 1080 pixels, hence the name 4K.
4K resolution vs. full HD and standard HD
However, a 4K TV or display is a waste of money if you don’t have 4K content. 4K titles have a crispier amount of detail due to the massive pixel addition, both in length and width. So you’ll only get a more immersive viewing experience with extra color handling and image depth if using a large 4K display.
How To Watch 4K Content on DISH
As explained earlier, you need a 4K TV to enjoy 4K content. So if you have the TV, you can get 4K content on DISH. The satellite TV service offers a few live and on-demand programs in Ultra HD, which include live sports and documentaries like Planet Earth II.
You can access major sporting events in 4K and 4K HDR on channel 540. But If there aren’t any sporting events in 4K at the time, you won’t find anything to watch on the channel.
The difference between 4K and full HD when watching an animal documentary
If that is the case, switch to channel 300 to get thousands of on-demand content (movies and TV shows).
DISH has a massive on-demand library boasting 80,000 titles, where you’ll get the latest TV shows & movies, classics, and blockbuster hits at the touch of a button.
An ultra HD TV with several 4K titles ready for viewing
Another option to view 4K content is through pay-per-view, which requires you to pick the programming you want and order it with the touch of a button.
Required Hardware for Satellite DISH 4K Content Viewing
Besides the 4K TV, you need the following hardware to watch 4K content on the DISH Network.
Dish Hopper 3 HD DVR
The Hopper 3 is part of a line of multi-tuner set-top boxes with DVRs. This device can record up to 16 shows at once and has a capacity of over 2,000 hours of storage, enabling you to watch, rewind, and pause live TV.
Additionally, it has a multi-channel view feature that allows you to split the screen and watch four games concurrently.
A digital video recorder
The device also has an AutoHop feature that lets you skip commercials at the push of a button. So you can watch all your favorite content non-stop.
Dish Hopper Plus
But perhaps the best feature of the Hopper 3 HD DVR is that it can double up as a smart TV box with 4K viewing capabilities if you get the DISH Hopper Plus add-on.
This add-on comes with several built-in streaming apps like Netflix, YouTube, and Amazon Prime Video, enabling you to access more ultra-HD content.
A multimedia TV box with a remote controller
However, you must pay for the services to access the content. And the streaming platform recommends an internet connection speed of 25 Mbps minimum to stream 4K content.
You can access Netflix via the app or channel 370 on the DISH programming guide. With this Netflix integration into the Hopper 3 search results, the device will populate all the 4K content accessible via the Premium streaming membership to the DISH’s episode list.
Also, DISH Hopper Plus gives you access to over 6,000 apps from the Google Play Store. So you get live TV, streaming apps, DVR recordings, and on-demand programs from a single device.
Since it is a smart TV box, you can use the add-on device to convert your dumb TV to a smart one.
Plus, it includes Google Assistant integration to bring on board extra functions like light dimming, calendar viewing, and voice control to start, pause, or stop movies.
4K Joey
The Joey 4K is one of the devices in a family of set-top boxes used for multi-room access to content and DVR recordings. Other include:
- Original Joey
- Super Joey
- Wireless Joey
The 4K Joey works like these other receivers but supports ultra HD content, while others can only handle HD channels. So you should buy it if you have a 4K TV.
However, the device also supports HD programming, so you can use it with HD-resolution TVs and DVRs before upgrading to an ultra HD TV.
A TV set-top box
4K Joey works with the Hopper 3 to expand your viewing experience using Bluetooth. You can pair it with the Hopper 3 to watch Netflix content from several rooms without unsightly wires and a complex installation process.
The device costs $5 monthly, and one Hopper 3 can support up to seven TVs through the 4K Joey.
DISH Pricing
One of the best advantages of subscribing to DISH is you get 4K content with any of the following packages.
America’s Top 120
America’s top 120 lists 190 channels of the all-time favorite and local content for $79.99 monthly. However, these channels broadcast in HD resolution.
So you’ll enjoy 4K content from the over 28,000 titles available on-demand for this plan. Also, the package has a few sports channels, one being ESPN.
A soccer match going on a sports channel
4K Channels On DISH: America’s Top 200
If you want everything sports and entertainment, consider subscribing to this channel. It includes the NBA, NHL, NFL, and golf channel HD options, local programming, and over 35,000 on-demand titles. The plan costs $99.99 monthly.
4K Channels On DISH: America’s Top 250
The top-tier package adds premium movie channels to the Top 200 plan, plus over 36,000 on-demand titles for only $109.99 monthly.
All three options come with a 3-year TV price guarantee that eliminates any surprise subscription cost hikes for this period, a signal reliability money-back guarantee covering even rural America, and free installation.
A woman streaming content at home
Plus, you can include premium content from HBO Max, MGM+, Cinemax, BET+, adult, and international channels at an extra monthly fee.
But consider the additional costs like monthly equipment fees, service fees, and termination fees before subscribing to the service. But DISH lists them clearly on its website to avoid cases of hidden costs.
4K Channels On DISH: Latino Packages
The DISH Network offers four other Latino subscription plans without ultra HD content. These include:
- DishLATINO Clasico – $64.99 monthly
- DishLATINO Plus – $66.99 monthly
- DishLATINO Dos – $91.99 monthly
- DishLATINO Max – $106.99 monthly
These four come with the same benefits as the ones provided above (a 3-year price guarantee, free installation, and signal reliability guarantee). And you can add other channels (add-ons) for a small extra cost.
Other Ways to Access 4K Content on Dish
You can use an internet-connected Hopper or Wally to subscribe to more networks available on the on-demand platform. This setup will give you access to thousands of ad-free movies and shows.
Since you won’t be home all the time, you can use DISH anywhere to access on-demand programming to stream all the content provided in your subscription plan on the go.
The platform acts as an extension of your set-top box, giving you access to the same entertainment options you’d get at home on your laptop or mobile device from anywhere.
A person using a live-streaming app on the go
This streaming covers 4K content, which you can enjoy if you have a high-end phone, tablet, or laptop with a high picture resolution display.
Wrap Up
As you can see, DISH does not have that many 4K channels but tries to make up for it by providing on-demand content plus access to 4K streaming platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.
And it’s not that they cannot offer ultra-HD streaming.
There is not enough live TV content in 4K. So the satellite TV service might provide more UHD live TV channels. That’s it for this article. Thank you!
