I really don't see any of the other providers being any less expensive than Dish, and I have done the comparisons. Of course, each situation and household is different. I can say that Verizon Fios is still MORE than $20 more expensive per month for what we have on Dish. I think it is probably fair to say that Dish has been losing it "lowest price" claim for quite some time. The cost of the alternatives now seem "competitive" but NOT any better than Dish. Charter in our area still has no whole home DVR system and only provides for 4 DVR's and it pricing AFTER the discounts go away are still higher than Dish, AND I would have to triple play in order to get that pricing. For me, there is just no less expensive MVPD out there today, and I know of those who have just sworn off Uverse, despite its decent pricing because the system just doesn't work. They can't watch TV. And DirecTV, for us, is still, bottom line, just more expensive than Dish, even if that difference is not nearly as wide as it once was, (in fact, it may be itty bitty difference in some situations), but IMHO, the Hopper is superior to the Genie, so even with a slight difference in price and the money Direct and cable are willing to stuff into our pockets to switch, Dish still comes out ahead for us. For what amounts to almost identical pricing, we would dearly miss the Hopper.
The ONLY truly compelling thing now keeping me with Dish is the Hopper and overall satisfied with what we are getting as far as channels and PQ, etc. and having been treated very well by Dish, including some FREE upgrades. No great motivation to change to a different MVPD who MAY not be any less or more expensive, but just does not have the Hopper and its particular advantages that we like, such as TWO Hoppers and the ability to playback from EITHER Hopper. However, at some point, even Dish may just force me to move on. We shall have to see.