Everything’s Bigger in Texas, Including Dish Network

The second largest state in the United States in area and by population, Texas is an amazingly diverse state with many thriving and energetic cities, towns, and metropolitan areas. The Lone Star State has a rich history and a bustling economy that includes a mix of traditional industries, like oil, livestock production, and car manufacturing, and rapidly growing healthcare and high-tech fields. Texans also have access to plenty of home-based entertainment opportunities thanks to easy access to satellite TV providers like Dish Network.

Living in Texas means not being too far from action-packed entertainment scenes, sprawling parks, and robust waterways perfect for everything from fishing and swimming to paddle boarding, canoeing, and water-skiing. Whether you call Houston, the Dallas-Fort Worth area, Austin, or San Antonio home, you won’t be far from awesome BBQ joints, five-star steakhouses, perfectly prepared seafood delights, or prime shopping hubs.

As for sports, Texans proudly cheer for a variety of local, amateur, and professional teams. With the “big four” pro leagues alone, Texas has two NFL teams (Dallas Cowboys, Houston Texans), two MLB teams (Houston Astros, Texas Rangers), three NBA teams (Dallas Mavericks, San Antonio Spurs, and Houston Rockets), and an NHL team (Dallas Stars). You’re also welcome to root for the Dallas Wings, the state’s WNBA team, show some love for the Houston Dynamo or FC Dallas, the two major league soccer teams that play here.

An affordable way to enjoy all of the big sports action in Texas is to become a Dish Network customer. But before we get into the many wonderful benefits of taking advantage of all that Dish has to offer, take a moment to learn more about the equally awesome state of Texas.

Houston, Texas

The forth-largest city in the U.S. by population, Houston is the center of the Greater Houston metro area. If you’re looking to spend the day at a water park, you might head to nearby League City. Pasadena is home to nearly 50 parks and 14 miles of trails. And if you drive about
30 minutes from Houston, you’ll find yourself in Sugar Land, so-named because it’s where the headquarters of Imperial Sugar is located.

The Houston metropolitan area has consistently ranked high on lists of the best places for business and careers in the United States. The City of Houston is bolstered by a solid and diverse economy, which makes it a great place to work and live. It’s also a city with the largest concentration of healthcare facilities, including the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. It serves as both a cancer treatment and research center that treats more than 100,000 patients annually and an academic facility.

For out of this world experience in Houston, become one of the million-plus visitors who annually stop by Space Center Houston. Located on NASA Parkway, it’s one the world’s leading science and space learning centers. It also houses the NASA Johnson Space Center and a Smithsonian Affiliate museum. Do some exploring here and you’ll see more than 400 space artifacts coupled with an assortment of live shows and numerous traveling and permanent exhibits.

Treat yourself to some culture in Houston by enjoying award-winning performances at the Houston Grand Opera on Preston Street. Additionally, it’s home to the only opera company in the world to have earned Tony, Grammy, and Emmy awards.

A favorite destination for visitors, newcomers, and long-term residents is Houston’s Historic District. Nestled along the northern edge of downtown, it’s a place that feels more like a cozy neighborhood thanks to its many residential, restored, and well-preserved buildings. Frequently visited spots here include:

• Allen’s Landing at Buffalo Bayou
• Small nightclubs and historic bars
• The Sunset Coffee Building
• Authentic Greek and American cafes

Smack dab in the middle of the historic building facades here you’ll find Market Square Park, a popular local spot with lush green spaces perfect for dog walking. It’s also where live music is performed, and movies are shown throughout the summer.

Houston is regularly lauded for its low cost of living, often ranking among the cities with lowest cost of living in the United States. Because your paycheck can go further here than just about any other major city, cable is more affordable.

Dish Network is an equally budget-friendly option if you prefer direct-broadcast satellite TV. And if you’re a new customer, you’ll save even more since you’ll get HBO®, Cinemax®, and Showtime® free for 3 months. This is one of several special offers available from Dish. You’ll also have convenient access to plenty of Astros, Rockets, Texans, Dynamo, Comets, Outlaws, and Rice Owls games.

Austin, Texas

The eleventh-largest city in the United States, Austin is the capital of Texas. The people who call Austin or surrounding cities like Cedar Creek, Lockhart, San Marcos, or Driftwood home have populations that are a mix of college students attending schools like the University of Texas at Austin (the flagship of the University of Texas System), government employees, musicians, blue-collar workers, and millennials working in high-tech fields.

The City of Austin has a strong and resilient economy backed by many Fortune 500 companies that have chosen to have their headquarters here. Also known as being the “Clean Air City” because of its strict no-smoking rules, it’s a place that has consistently ranked as one of the top places to live in the United States. What’s even more comforting to know is that has also been ranked as one of the safest major cities in the U.S.

There is no shortage of things to do when living in Austin or nearby communities. With museums alone, you can visit The George Washington Carver Museum and Cultural Center on Angelina Street, the Texas Memorial Museum at UT Austin, or the Blanton Museum of Art. With nearly 200,000 square feet solely devoted to temporary exhibits, it’s one of the largest university art museums in the United States.

Music is big part of the entertainment scene here for Austinites, especially in a city that proudly proclaims itself to be The Live Music Capital of the World. Many well-known and up-and-coming bands play throughout the year here are various concert venues, neighborhood bars, and festivals.

The region’s park system covers nearly 30,000 acres and includes plenty of prime destinations for mountain biking, hiking, swimming, rock climbing, and exploring. Make a short trip to nearby McKinney Falls State Park about 10 miles from Austin and you’ll discover more than 80 campsites. The outdoor scene in Austin also includes opportunities to:

• Traverse through underground springs
• Participate in marathons and cycling events
• Watch the sunset at Mount Bonnell
• Swim at Barton Springs Pool
• Run, jog, walk, or bike along the 10-mile Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail
• Row or kayak at Red Bud isle

Austin’s food and restaurant scene is equally impressive. The city boasts dining destinations with menus prepared by many top chefs. Many of the cafes, diners, sports bars, and restaurants here remain true to the city’s roots with an assortment of popular local fare. Eating on the go is equally easy here, as evidenced by the many taco shops and food trucks sprinkled throughout the city’s bustling hot spots. If you’re into something more casual to kick off your weekend, Austin has a pub crawl and club scene that should appeal to you.

After you’ve enjoyed all that Austin has to offer, it’s understandable to want to go home and rest. But doing so doesn’t have to mean not having access to entertainment. All you’ll have to do is become a Dish Network subscriber. While Austin doesn’t have any major league sports teams, many minor league teams play here. You can also catch Texas Longhorns games on Dish Network when college football seasons kicks into high gear. You’ll also appreciate the fact that Dish offers TV and high-speed internet bundles available for one convenient payment.

San Antonio

Spanish for “Saint Anthony,” San Antonio is seventh-largest city in the United States by population. While boasting a long, rich history, the city has seen sustained growth and development that has continued into the 21st century. Whether you call the Cowboy Capital of the World home, or you live in Alamo Heights, Olmos Park, New Braunfels, or any of the other charming towns and communities peppered throughout the Greater San Antonio metropolitan area, you’ll never run of things to put on your to-do list.

Home to the South Texas Medical Center and six Fortune 500 companies, the City of San Antonio has a diversified economy primarily centered on military, financial, government, oil, hospitality, manufacturing, and tourism occupations. The city’s tourism industry is largely driven by The Alamo and River Walk. San Antonio also has one of the largest concentrations of military bases in the country, which has earned it to nickname, “Military City, USA.”

Located in Downtown San Antonio, Alamo Mission (“The Alamo”) is the number one tourist attraction in the entire state of Texas. Originally a Roman Catholic mission and fortress, the site is best-known as the location of the Battle of the Alamo in 1836. Today, The Alamo is a museum visited by more than 4 million people each year.

The beautifully restored mission and its adjacent museum hosts several events throughout the year. When visiting here, you’ll be able to take a guided tour or witness living history demonstrations. The site is open year-round and free for school groups, families, and anyone else who wishes to visit and “remember the Alamo.”

The go-to city park complex in San Antonio is River Walk (Paseo del Rio), a sprawling network of 15 miles of paths and sidewalks nestled along the banks of the San Antonio River. Physically located a story below the city’s streets, River Walk is a frequently visited destination because of the many activities and attractions and sights found here, including five historic missions and public artwork.

As you stroll along the largest urban ecosystem in the United States on cypress-lined paved paths, you’ll see lush landscapes and sidewalks lined with an assortment of restaurants, bistros, and cafes serving up classic Tex-Mex dishes, traditional Italian favorites, tender Texas barbecue, and other culinary delights and shops.

Often referred to as “the heart of the city,” River Walk provides convenient access to many of San Antonio’s cultural hot spots, historic locations, and other popular attractions. You’re welcome to walk, or you can rent a bike or comfortably ride in a river cruiser.

In addition to enjoying River Walk, San Antonio residents also take part in many recurring events, such as Fiesta Noche del Rio and Fiesta San Antonio. Every summer, the city also hosts the SAFILM-San Antonio Film Festival. Getting regular exercise isn’t a problem here, especially with over a hundred miles of bike lanes, routes, or off-road paths.

Sure, there are plenty of sports bars in San Antonio where you can watch local teams like the Spurs, Missions, Stars, Rampage, or Scorpions play. But many of the popular places can quickly get crowded, especially on weekends. The solution is to treat yourself to game day in the comfort of your own San Antonio home with Dish Network’s 24/7 sports coverage with the Multi-Sport Pack.

As far as population goes, more than 60 percent of Greater San Antonio area residents are of Hispanic or Latino origin. Dish Network proudly serves Hispanic and Latino TV viewers in San Antonio with Dish LATINO, which has the best of Spanish and English language programming. With Dish LATINO, you’ll also have access to:

• Soccer and other sports (both locally in San Antonio and nationally and internationally)
• Novellas and movies
• News, music, and entertainment (in Spanish and English)

Dallas, Texas

The main hub of the forth-largest metropolitan area in the United States by population, Dallas is far more than just rodeos, although there are plenty of events of this nature to enjoy throughout the year for anyone living here. The Dallas-Fort Worth Arlington Metropolitan Statistical Area includes 12 counties and cities and towns that can be
equally great places to call home, including Fort Worth, which has a thriving economy and cultural scene stimulated by numerous university communities, Arlington, Plano, Irving, and Garland. Hundreds of smaller towns and communities are also scattered throughout the region.

The place where the frozen margarita machine was invented, Dallas has a strong economy largely boosted by financial, healthcare, energy, manufacturing, and technology-based industries. And nearly two dozen Fortune 500 companies are headquartered in the area.

Dining in the City of Dallas, particularly in Downtown Dallas around Main and Elm Streets, means restaurants, pubs, and bistros serving up perfectly prepared barbecue delights along with authentic Mexican and Tex-Mex cuisine. Once known mostly for its steakhouses and Southwestern cuisine dining destinations, the city’s food scene has diversified to include a mix of super-stuffed burgers, sophisticated French and Italian fare, and even top-notch ice cream.

As far as culture goes, there’s always something enticing and entertaining to enjoy at the Dallas Center for the Performing Arts, the Winspear Opera House, and the Dee and Charles Wyly Theatre. The nearby Deep Ellum neighborhood is a hub for artists who operate many studios and galleries here. The Dallas Arts District is considered the largest urban arts district in the country. The city that gave the world the first integrated circuit computer chip is home to several frequently visited and highly regarded museums. Some of these include:

• Dallas Museum of Art: Accessible via the long Woodall Rodgers Freeway, DMA is award-winning museum with collections that include 24,000 objects from prehistoric times to the present. A non-circulating research library located here holds 50k-plus volumes.
• Nasher Sculpture Center: Home to the Patsy and Raymond Nasher collection of modern and contemporary sculpture, this center is adjacent to the Dallas Museum of Art. The center also welcomes numerous guest
  speakers throughout the year.
• Perot Museum of Nature and Science: There are two campuses where you can check out what’s offered: the main campus in Victory Park and a secondary location in Fair park. Museum highlights include extensive solar system exhibits, one of the largest gold nuggets in the world, and dinosaur skeletons in the Life Then and Now hall.

For the times when you want to take a little break from all of your Dish Network viewing, why not make your way to the State Fair of Texas. Held nearly every year since 1886, the historic fair and signature Dallas event takes place annually at the Fair Park. Festivities typically kick off with a parade that rolls through the streets of Downtown Dallas. Other common and recurring fair highlights include:

• An on-site college football game
• A full auto show
• A BMX bike show
• Puppet shows for children
• Children’s Medical Center Barnyard
• Fried banana splits and many other fair food favorites

Should there be any shows or live events you don’t want to miss while at the fair, simply take advantage of Dish Network’s award-winning HD DVR technology. With Dish’s whole-home HD DVR, Hopper, you’ll be able to record up to 2,000 hours’ worth of television, all of which can be conveniently watched back on your own time.

There can’t be a discussion about Dallas without mentioning sports! The city is a perfect place to live if you’re a sports fan. Of course, you can always cheer for the legendary Dallas Cowboys. If you’re a hockey fan, check out the Dallas Stars in person, or catch a game from the comfort of your own home on Dish Network.

If basketball is your thing, you might treat yourself to a Dallas Mavericks or Dallas Wings game. Or you could just sign for Dish’s sports package to ensure you’ll never miss a game! With Dish, you also won’t have to worry about missing Texas Rangers games when baseball season rolls around or FC Dallas games when it’s time for soccer season. Don’t forget to show your love for the city’s newest sports team, the Dallas Rattlers, if you happen to be a fan of lacrosse.

American Airlines Center is the major sports stadium in the area. And while you’ll definitely enjoying mingling with fellow sports fans in person here, you can easily create a similar scene in the privacy and comfort of your own home. With Dish’s 24/7 sports coverage, you can also turn your Dallas home into a perfect spot for cheering on college sports teams from around the DFW area.

The Gruesome Heat

Ask the question, “What’s the weather like?” in certain parts of Texas, especially in the summer, and you’re likely to get responses that include comments about the heat. Texas tends to have an arid climate in the west and a climate that’s more consistently humid in the east. The panhandle region is usually cooler than other regions in the state.

The eastern region of Texas is one of the pars of the Texas where the humidity can really amplify high summer temperatures. Summers in the South Texas region are typically hot and dry, although winds from the Gulf of Mexico sometimes contribute to a spike in humidity.

Seymour is the Texas city that has the record for the highest temperature ever recorded in the state — 120 degrees in August of 1936. Even actual temperatures aren’t quite this high, the “feels like” temperature (heat index) can make it seems hotter than the actual
temperature.

It shouldn’t be much of a surprise to learn that many of the cities with records for most consecutive 100 degree days are in Texas. Dallas, for instance, had 40-plus consecutive days of heat in 1980 and 2011. Also in 2011, Houston broke a 31-year record and posted nearly 60 days of consecutive 100 degree days.

As the heat index rises, the more difficult it becomes to enjoy the many outdoor activities to be enjoyed throughout Texas. Fortunately, most resourceful Texans are perfectly capable of finding creative ways to beat the heat. Swimming and anything else involving water can definitely help maintain comfort when the heat becomes a distraction.

Another option to consider when Texas heat gets to be too much is to spend some time relaxing indoors. If you are a Dish Network subscriber, one indoor activity you’ll surely appreciate on hot days is watching TV. If you’re a sports fan, you’ll be even happier about being “stuck” indoors on hot Texas days thanks to sports packages that provide access to just about any type of professional or amateur sport you can imagine. New to Dish? Check out the latest Dish deals for an added incentive to become a subscriber.

Services in Texas

The “everything’s bigger in Texas” adage also applies to the services available in this diverse and all-encompassing state. Some of the services available here, such as home catering and food delivery, can come in handy if you’re looking to make your Dish Network viewing experience even more festive. You’ll also appreciate knowing that Texas is the place where you’ll have access to the following services:

Google Fiber Internet

Formally launched in early 2010, Google Fiber is a TV service provided by Google. It offers plans that range from a respectable 5Mbps to super-fast speeds at 1,000Mbps, or 1Gpps. Part of the Access division of Alphabet Inc., the broadband internet and cable television provider prides itself on offering access to television service that includes a home phone option.

In 2013, Austin became a “Google Fiber City” for both residential and business customers wishing to use this service. Google Fiber features include DVR access to record up to eight TV shows at once and live program streaming to Android tablets and iPads.

Note: Google Fiber’s Gigabit Internet and Basic Internet plans do not include TV service.

TXU Energy

Headquartered in Irving, TXU Energy is a Texas-based residential and commercial energy provider. A subsidiary of Vistra Energy, one of the largest energy suppliers in the state, the company serves various deregulated areas of Texas. TXU is a service provider with a reputation for supporting various community-centered conservation and environmental programs. The company, which offers fixed rate energy plans and a free nights program, serves more than 2 million customers throughout the state.

Dish Network

Dish Network is a direct-broadcast satellite service provider that proudly serves more than 13 million subscribers. The company leads the pay-TV industry with 24/7 customer support that’s coupled with state-of-the-art equipment and technology.

In addition to award-winning HD and DVR technology, Dish Network also offers many other appealing perks for anybody living in Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, Austin, or any other community in Texas. Some of these extra perks include:

• Irresistible Dish TV offers
• Top-quality Dish products that include Dish Hopper, Dish Apps, Dish HD, and Dish Internet
• No long-term contracts
• Easily accessible customer service

Conclusion

As you can see, Texas is a wonderful place to call home. It’s also a place where there’s always something to do, no matter what city or town you prefer to call home. For times when you’re not strolling along the San Antonio River Walk, saying hello to exotic animals at Dallas World Aquarium, or treating yourself to a hotdog at an Astros game, take comfort in knowing you’ll have just as many things to do indoors.

On days when the high temps and humidity are keeping you from spending some time in Zilker Metropolitan Park or biking along the White Rock Creek Trail, get comfy and enjoy Dish Network. You’ll have access to a line-up that includes more than 200 national HD channels, international channels.

For those times when you have other things to do in Dallas, San Antonio, Austin, or Houston that keep your from finishing an episode of your favorite show, simply take advantage of Dish’s Hopper whole-home HD DVR. It’s an easy to pick up viewing right where you left off.

What’s more, you won’t have to stress out if you miss an awesome goal, home run, or slam dunk while watching your favorite Texas sports team! With Hopper, you can pause, rewind, and record live TV in any room with up to 2,000 hours of recording space. It can even be paired with any Amazon Alex-enabled device for even more recording and viewing options.

Ranked number one nationally in customer service by J.D. Power, Dish Network can definitely make your home in Texas a prime spot for sports and entertainment. Whether it’s super-sized, mouth-watering burgers dripping with award-winning barbecue sauce, the nearly 100-mile Lone Star Hiking Trail, or access to an On-Demand library that allows you to choose from over 20,000 TV shows and movies, everything is bigger in Texas!

We offer all of DISH’s promotions, and our $75 Cash Back rebate in Texas, the Lone Star State. On this page you should be able to find your city, or zip code, and check out the local deals we have for you. If you don’t see your exact area: don’t worry. Just give us a call, or a chat, and we’ll get you taken care of. We probably just haven’t built that web page yet.

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