New DirecTV Pricing Starts 2/6

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I'm in the same situation, TC+ and HD pkg. We'll have to wait and see but I'm assuming we'll be grandfathered and won't be paying $10+ more.

 

Playing the wait and see game, will check my statement on 02/07, depending on the price increase I have already looked at alternatives for D*, I could care less about the TIVO unit, the sports packages, etc so that is not a deciding factor.

I still want to know what D* considers a new customer, since any upgrade in your equipment commits you to a new 2 year requirement

 

Current customers are NOT affected whether you upgrade or not. You pricing and channels stay the same. I am still on the channels since 2000 even with price changing and my package only went up $2-3 on that time. I still have the TC+ with local line-up that was offered in 2000.

I called CSR and spoke to CR. You channels and pricing will stay the same, EVEN if you get nnew HD equipment and a 2yr contract.

Now there wording seems like double talk here:

PLUS HD $69.99/mo. plus tax HD Access and DVR service included over 185 channels

Then: New customers activating HD equipment on or after February 6, regardless of the programming they choose, will pay for access to DIRECTV® HD technology at a flat fee of $10.99 per month (i.e., the “HD Access Fee”). This fee will be required anytime an HD receiver is activated on a customer’s account.

This looks like you are paying TWICE for the same damn service. Maybe this is a typo and not per month but a ONE TIME fee which seems more reasonable.

They will have to change the wording or they might get some type of lawsuit or piss off and lose ANY new customer looking for new service. How can you say one package includes it, but then we will charge you twice for it?

I can see someone how has the Family, Choice or CX and what's HD locals or another HD channel like HBO/Show, so they will be charged that fee for $10.99 a month.

Now THAT makes sense.

 

It would be nice to know for sure what's going to happen with "upgrades" and pricing as I know at some point in the future I will get an HR20 but I want to keep my HR10 as long as possible until they get the bugs worked out...but if my package would go up when adding an HR20 after 2/6, I would get it now to keep my current package price...

 

The new rates don't go into affect for existing customers until March 1. I ordered an HR20 two days ago, and was told due to backed-up installations (I need the 5 LNB dish), I won't get it until May. This means because I activate AFTER the new prices go into affect, even though I ordered it BEFORE, I will be penalized because they are behind schedule?

 

It'll take until MAY to get your HR20 installed? That's insane...

On another note, does this mean that if I want the HD package at some point soon I should order it now if I want to keep the existing rates?

 

As a customer since 1997 I can tell you both prices and packages change along with everyone elses. Recently, if you haven't noticed, the FOX Movie Channel moved off of total choice and up to TC plus. One day a couple of months ago it was just gone. Call customer service the screen stated.

I 'll see how it shakes out. I love my D* and my local cable company "Charter" is terrible so D* will have to get really bad or really expensive for me to move.

Bobby

 

So when they add new HD channels we will have to change our package if we have the current HD package?

 

I'm still a little miffed at the wording as well...

It looks to me that if you have an HD receiver of any model, you will get HD. Just because it is an HD receiver. There will be no customer such as my self, who will have an HD receiver, but not have the so called HD package. Thus you do not have a choice of getting HD if you have an HD receiver. You will pay the "HD access fee" just for owning an HD receiver. Please correct me if I'm wrong, or just come over and role another one for me.

That's just what I see......

 

Having been a long time subscriber that has went through a number of their "pricing restructures" I will believe this when I see it, anytime a cost was increased it was passed on. Like I said, wait and see, if my billing structure increases to what I am guesstimating then it is buh-buh D*

 

If you are a new customer (after 2/6) or activate a new piece of HD equipment (H20 or HR20), you appear correct - you will be charged $10.99 no matter what package you have (although there's a chance the "Plus HD" package includes the "HD Access fee").

However, it appears that existing customers, even those with a H20, HR20 or H10, will not get charged this fee, and will not lose the Showtime/HBO or OTA HD channels -- as long as they don't activate any new equipment. If you pay $9.99 for the HD package, you would basically pay $1 more to continue to get those channels. But if you don't pay that $9.99, you wouldn't start being charged $10.99.

 

Do I understand the new rates correctly concerning the hr10-250 and old customers? Been a customer for years. If I add a hr10 before 2/6 I will not be required to subscribe to HD? If I add a hr10 after 2/6, I will be required to subscribe to the HD package but will not be able to get the new HD channels? Quandry!

 

Gee, all the suck of the cable company without the wire.

Comcast is looking better all the time. I can also consolidate my internet service as well.

It is approaching decision time and I'm thinking I want out.

 

I'm just curious about the HD package part of this...I have an HR10 activated but currently do not have the HD package...I will want the HD package for when baseball season starts (ESPN) so if I add the HD package after 2/6 will I be switched to the new pricing?

 

It sounds like the HD package will be a dollar more than it is now. Whether that will change your status I don't know. We are all getting a price increase anyway so I'm not sure that it matters that much.

 

This may be the straw that broke the camels back.

I was sticking it out till later this year to see what the HD channel offerings will be but if my bill goes up by $10 (maybe $5) a month for the same channel lineup and there's no improvement in content, TiVo Series 3 HD box and TWC here I come.

My reasons:

1. They dropped TiVo.
2. They dropped Music Choice (XM sucks).
3. HD channel offerings are a joke.
4. Cost is getting close to double since Murdock took over (milking it as a cash cow).
5. And now they want me to pay more for the same thing?

Nada.

 

I had just decided to go OTA-only via a Series3. We are paying a premium as it is for a couple channels in the TC package. TC + DVR + extra receiver = too much for the occasional viewing of a few channels.

I know my rate won't go up as an existing subscriber, but their lack of new TiVos, lack of TiVo 'extras', and now a rate increase is confirming the fact that I don't need DirecTV.