direct tv...

[dainerra]

Viacom isn't targeting anyone. They are a business and businesses exist to make money. The fact that there are so many people who want the programing shows that they are successful at producing quality shows. Therefore, they are entitled to be paid for that.

They didn't just call up DirecTv and say "we want more money. pay by tomorrow or else" The contract was up; these discussions start months in advance. The 2 companies negotiated. Viacom didn't lower their price enough so DTv tried to use the power of their customers to put pressure on Viacom to relent. Plus, it always helps to paint the other side as the bad guy just in case things don't go your way.

These situations happen with all cable and satellite providers all the time. Sometimes they are handled quietly and other times it's more public. I believe that it was Time Warner and AMC that were recently renegotiated. There were little tickers and commercials for several weeks of "let them know you don't want a rate increase!" "AMC is trying to take advantage of our loyal customers" and so on. *YAWN* Either way the company is going to raise rates sooner or later. I would rather it be because they are keeping services I want instead of the usual "cost goes up, services go down" thing that we usually get.

 

[TurkeyOutlaw]

HA! We ditched DirectTV!

I feel free.

 

[hemet dennis]

HA! We ditched DirectTV!

I feel free.

So what are you getting or are you just going without ?

 

[hdowden]

dish network actually doesnt have amc anymore due to what happened. i dont know what other channels went with amc but i would be lost without amc as thats one of my fav. channels lol...targeting kids with nick channels is what i think most are saying as its the younger people (kids) that watch most of their channels. im 25 and i watch spike and cmt for the most part and my kids (1,4, and 5) watch the nick channels. in total we have lost 16 or 17 channels (dont remember how many it is but its not 26 or whatever that number is because they are also counting hd channels) and are still waiting to see what happens.

 

[rowlow]

I've got Direct TV. It's expensive and my contract has
been out a long time.

But I hate to change mainly because I hate to have another
system installed. Had the other satalite tv system before. A
real lame "install" with wires everywhere. It went out every time
the sky was overcast. Repair service was even worse.

If it was just up to me, I wouldn't have a tv at all. Much rather
read a book.

But the tv here has to be something simple to use and reliable
in almost any weather for my wife and parents.

And to that goal, I have to give it to Direct TV as being the better
satalite tv system.

Here's what I did. I have been a Direct TV subscriber for 17 yrs. I called them and the first thing I said was " I want to speak to your retention dept. " They instantly gave me $35 a month off my bill for a year and I feel if I argued a bit and threatened to cancel I could have gotten a little more. For those who haven tried it, give them a call. It cant hurt!

 

[bakerjw]

I've had Dish for almost 2 years. Originally I picked up the highest package with all of the HD channels. I scaled it back a bit but still have over 100 HD channels. And you know what? I only watch about 6 or 7 of them ever. Our 2 year contract is up in November and we're going to cancel and go all streaming. Between Netflix and our Roku boxes, there's more than enough for us to watch. Even if there isn't, we can find better things to do than sit in front of the TV all the time.

 

[EweSheep]

We had DirectTV for 8 years and good all around except when it storms, no reception or very heavy snow.

Now if we can pick and choose the channels without paying for all those channels we never watch, that would be gooooooood!

 

[TurkeyOutlaw]

Hemet Dennis wrote:
Quote:
We are not going without, but we are still deciding on our options. We have apple TV, so we can purchase a certain amount of programming through iTunes.

I'm going to keep track of what we spend on visual entertainment so we don't wind up spending even more that the $90/mo. we spent on Direct TV. (I can't imagine doing that).

We will probably purchase some season passes shows like David Letterman & Chelsea Lately.

I like the idea of only paying for the programming I actually watch. It forces to be more deliberate about how I spend my time.

 

[Spookwriter]

Just called Direct TV. They offered me 10.00 a month off for six months.
I pay enough that 10.00 isn't going to excite me.

Called Dish TV. They can offer a similar package for 60.00 a month less
for the first 12 months. But I know their service is not quite as good.

10.00 doesn't matter. 60.00 a month...I'll think on that a minute.

Spook

 

[rowlow]

Just called Direct TV. They offered me 10.00 a month off for six months.
I pay enough that 10.00 isn't going to excite me.

Called Dish TV. They can offer a similar package for 60.00 a month less
for the first 12 months. But I know their service is not quite as good.

10.00 doesn't matter. 60.00 a month...I'll think on that a minute.

Spook

Did you speak to their retention dept? I bet if you tell them you want to cancel they will sweeten the deal.