At one point there were things that attracted me to DISH more than DTV. In my middle-of-nowhere existence cable was OK, but I needed something more. At first DISH seemed to be the way. I figured I would pick up some Distant Networks (DNS) and Superstations(SS) for more local programming and sports from different areas. DISH had DNS from Atlanta, Chicago, Denver, New York, and Los Angeles where DTV only had NY and LA. DISH had 5 different SS from I think NY, LA, Boston, and Denver carrying at the time WB and UPN, now CW and MyN. DTV did not offer SS packages. DISH had Sirius radio and DTV had XM....I preferred Sirius. DISH includes a few non-commercial movie channels in the top 180 package where DTV doesn't have any unless you subscribe to a movie package. Finally, DISH had more HD channels than DTV.
I have had E* for 8 years and am having D* installed tomorrow and will drop E*. I will miss the Superstations, Sirius and the extra HD. I already have XM in my home but have trouble with the signal for Sirius so having it on E* has been great. I am hoping D* comes up with the new HD channels soon. 
Now that is all the good I could find from DISH over DTV. There have since been some things that make me glad I picked DTV instead of DISH. Here is why:
1) DISH has more fees and charges that are unneccessary in my opinion like charging extra for a receiver to NOT be connected to a phone line.
This is true. They are also hitting their top tier customers with a big jump. If I stayed with E* it would cost me $13 more a month.
2) DISH seems to have issues with channels coming up missing due to incomplete contract negotiations. In the last few years there have been Court TV and Lifetime (I think). There was also a thing where a group of channels disappeared for a time from DISH due to contract issues.
They have had trouble with the Viacom stations, Lifetime and Court TV in recent years. There seems to be some issue now with Cinemax/HBO.
3) There is talk about many HD channels being added to DTV when the new satellites are launched. I do not know of any details which networks will become HD, but it should be considered.
I hope we see some soon.
4) Exlusivity sucks when it comes to paying the piper and in the end it is the consumer who pays. DISH cannot claim exclusivity for any sports packages where DTV can with 2 or 3 sports. That means DTV can attract more customers just by the sports offerings. So if you ever decide a sports package is for you then having DTV makes it as easy as calling to set it up.
This is the main reason I am switching with MLB going to D*. I don't like this at all and hurts not just E* subsribers, but those that can't get satellite. !sadroll
5) DISH seems to have issues with following programming guidelines. Remember how DISH had 5 cities to choose from for DNS??? Now they have none. There is a company that provides San Francisco and Atlanta DNS for DISH customers since DISH couldn't follow guidelines. They do work with DISH's equipment just fine, but require a separate bill from that of DISH. DTV follow guidelines for the most part so they can still supply you with DNS where eligible from NY and LA.
This is not always bad. E* pushed this too far and it bit them. E* has tried to push for some things that help the consumer.
6) I have had DTV for almost a year now. I think I lost signal 3 times for about 10 minutes a shot. There was a thick thunderstorm cloud each time. Cable outtages seemed to be a norm. I cannot comment on DISH's signal quality.
My experience with E* is similar to what you have had with D*.
At one time I thought DISH may have been the way to go. Even after the research on both DISH and DTV I thought DISH looked a little better. After seeing the stupid things happening to DISH and the future of DTV I am glad that I went with DTV.
