We’re going to look at the best of the best DIRECTV and DISH apps for iOS to help you make the most informed decision about which satellite service to choose. We’d help by simply deciding for you ourselves if we could, but, as hard as it may be to believe, there just isn’t an app for that…yet. It’s not a stretch to say that it’s an essential download for anyone with DIRECTV. The app allows users to watch content on their mobile devices, including live broadcasting and on-demand content, but that just scratches the surface. The app also offers a wide range of functionality, from setting recordings remotely to using your device as a remote.
Viewing: As stated above, it’s easy to stream content from your satellite service to your device. The app also offers the ability to switch seamlessly from one device to another. Start watching something on your TV, and then want to watch it on your iPad, or vice versa? Not a problem with this app. Information: The app also makes it easy to explore show details, like cast and crew lists, parental guidelines, and recommendations for similar programming. It’s like having IMDB built into the device. Recording: If you’re away from home and realize you forgot to set a recording, the app has you covered. Users can access DVR settings remotely to make sure you never miss a program. The app also allows you to add extra time to the beginning or end of a set recording time—no more being foiled by those funky 7:04 PM start times for your favorite programming. Control: Apple Watch users get a special treat with this app: they can use their watches as remote controls, even accessing their DVRs through the watch. The Voice Search function finds programming without a single tap on the touch screen.
Content: First of all, the app allows users to view every minute of every out-of-market game on their devices every Sunday afternoon, but the app offers so much more. For example, the app provides instant highlights to relive the big moments from every game. The app also makes it easy to keep track of the season, offering scores and stats for completed and in-progress games. Fantasy Football: For fantasy football fans, NFL SUNDAY TICKET MAX users get content via DIRECTV’s FANTASY ZONE channel, which offers live game-to-game fantasy analysis and real-time stats powered by NFL.com Fantasy. Regular users playing fantasy football on the NFL Fantasy League can also manage teams and view player stats in their leagues while watching games without missing a moment of the live action. Social: Have a favorite player—or several? You’ll want to keep tabs on what they’re up to. Sign up for alerts and add players to your Favorites list to get instant alerts every time they make a big play. And if you can’t control yourself and just need to brag about that big play, that’s simple too. The app offers integration with social networks, making it easy to show that hometown team pride with the touch of a button.
Honorable mention: The DIRECTV Sports Bar Finder app allows users to quickly locate the nearest sports bar broadcasting DIRECTV sports content. Perfect for celebrating that glorious win or mourn that devastating loss. Please note: Wings and beer extra. DIRECTV STREAM is the streamable version of DIRECTV and it will give you a much better streaming experience. There’s one catch when it comes to viewing mobile content on a device via DISH: it requires purchasing and using a Sling adapter to convert the satellite signal to one that’s viewable on mobile devices.
Watch programs without an internet connection: The main feature is enjoying live and recorded content via this app. The app offers the ability to stream your DISH service to your device and watch the content already on your Hopper/DVR. One convenient feature is that you can transfer content on a DVR to the device itself, allowing you to watch shows offline. Manage your DVRs remotely: The DISH Anywhere app offers the ability to control and schedule DVR recordings remotely. You can view the program schedule seven days in advance, and it’s searchable via program titles, keywords, genre, and cast. You can also manage the content on your DVR, deleting programs remotely to make room for new shows. Find the best sports: While not as robust as NFL SUNDAY TICKET (though what app is, really?), the DISH Anywhere Sports app is no slouch. The app allows users to access updated scores and game info for the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, NCAAB, and NCAAF. Not sure what event you feel like watching today? The app allows users to find the best games to watch by following the “excitement rating,” a service that ranks the excitement of sporting events by the action taking place on the field. Like NFL SUNDAY TICKET, the sports functionality allows users to set up and get score notifications about their favorite leagues and teams.
This app allows iPhone or iPad users to program their “digital remote” to their smart TV, so you’ll never have to worry about misplacing your remote again. The Smart TV Remote Control Plus app connects to the following smart TVs: (We understand you need to stream that Tampa Bay Buccaneers game as you’re waiting for your kid to finish with gymnastics practice.) Best DIRECTV apps: The DIRECTV App allows its customers to watch live TV and on-demand content while you’re on a lunch break and set a recording. When you’re a subscriber to NFL SUNDAY TICKET, download the app to watch every minute of every out-of-market football game on Sunday afternoons. Best DISH TV apps: DISH’s official app, DISH Anywhere, lets users watch live TV and your recordings, schedule DVR recordings, and find the best sporting events for the day. The DISH Anywhere app doesn’t have a feature to use your phone as your digital remote, but the Smart TV Remote Control Plus app will help in that area.
