View Full Version : Hd Access/extra Pack Info!!
Just a little FYI in regards to the D* access/extra pack going into effect on 12/15/07:
For those of you who have been D* customers before they started adding all of the new HD channels this year should be grandfathered in for the original HD channels that were going to be added to the extra/access pack. I spoke to D* today and they told me that HDNET, HDNET MOVIES, UNIVERSAL HD, AND DISCOVERY HD THEATRE ( HDTH ) will be grandfathered in and will NOT cost any extra money. Only the new channels SMITHSONIAN HD, MUSIC HD ( MHD ), AND MGM HD will be part of the access/extra pack for me since I have been a customer with them for years now. I was all concerned about the Mark Cuban lawsuit but now, not so much!! I make no guarantees for any other customer so you may want to call them yourself to confirm but this is what I was told today by D*. I hope that I was able to help.
This is new. It does also contradict what Earl said yesterday, so given that the news comes from CSR ... well ...
Grydlok
12-04-07, 05:17 AM
Just a little FYI in regards to the D* access/extra pack going into effect on 12/15/07:
For those of you who have been D* customers before they started adding all of the new HD channels this year should be grandfathered in for the original HD channels that were going to be added to the extra/access pack. I spoke to D* today and they told me that HDNET, HDNET MOVIES, UNIVERSAL HD, AND DISCOVERY HD THEATRE ( HDTH ) will be grandfathered in and will NOT cost any extra money. Only the new channels SMITHSONIAN HD, MUSIC HD ( MHD ), AND MGM HD will be part of the access/extra pack for me since I have been a customer with them for years now. I was all concerned about the Mark Cuban lawsuit but now, not so much!! I make no guarantees for any other customer so you may want to call them yourself to confirm but this is what I was told today by D*. I hope that I was able to help.
hahahaha so you playing 5 dollars for 3 channels.:D
hahahaha so you playing 5 dollars for 3 channels.:D
Seriously, just grandfather us into the whole package for crying out loud.
vollmey
12-04-07, 07:10 AM
Seriously, just grandfather us into the whole package for crying out loud.
Agreed, all the channels or rethink what your doing. Like Drew says, info coming from a CSR has its risks
Stuart Sweet
12-04-07, 07:11 AM
I think that the whole thing will become more clear very soon, with the lawsuit moving to a new phase.
Earl Bonovich
12-04-07, 07:39 AM
As of about a week ago... when I asked people for what the facts were.
I was told specifically: HD Extra Pack will NOT be automatically added to anyone's account...
If you want to continue with HD Extra Pack you MUST add it to your package.
IMHO... the only thing the suit will have an effect on is HDNet and HDMovies the other 3 channels will probably remain in the Extra Pack..
warriorking
12-04-07, 07:53 AM
:nono2: Best Bet is to continue to let your complaints be heard now or later if it comes to pass....I have learned never to trust what most CSR reps have to say, they are never held accountable for anything they say or promise....
msmith198025
12-04-07, 08:01 AM
Interesting, however a front line CSR isnt the best bet for accurate info. Thanks though:)
So Earl...in regards to what I said here, do you think that 2 different csr's gave me wrong information? It does make sense you know?! They both knew nothing of the lawsuit but it would be regardless since I should not lose Mark Cuban's channels. I tell you, I would give them such **** if those 3 channels I mentioned I wind up losing!! I value your input..............Russell
Just a little FYI in regards to the D* access/extra pack going into effect on 12/15/07:
For those of you who have been D* customers before they started adding all of the new HD channels this year should be grandfathered in for the original HD channels that were going to be added to the extra/access pack. I spoke to D* today and they told me that HDNET, HDNET MOVIES, UNIVERSAL HD, AND DISCOVERY HD THEATRE ( HDTH ) will be grandfathered in and will NOT cost any extra money. Only the new channels SMITHSONIAN HD, MUSIC HD ( MHD ), AND MGM HD will be part of the access/extra pack for me since I have been a customer with them for years now. I was all concerned about the Mark Cuban lawsuit but now, not so much!! I make no guarantees for any other customer so you may want to call them yourself to confirm but this is what I was told today by D*. I hope that I was able to help.
As of about a week ago... when I asked people for what the facts were.
I was told specifically: HD Extra Pack will NOT be automatically added to anyone's account...
If you want to continue with HD Extra Pack you MUST add it to your package.
IMHO... the only thing the suit will have an effect on is HDNet and HDMovies the other 3 channels will probably remain in the Extra Pack..
That's the point, I wouldn't pay for those 3 other channels. I am satisifed to keep the one's that they mentioned I would keep. I can care less about the other 3. I probably wouldn't pay an extra $5 even if they weren't grandfathered in. They just better hope and pray that they weren't lying to me.
hahahaha so you playing 5 dollars for 3 channels.:D
sean10780
12-04-07, 08:09 AM
I also talked to a CSR rep yesterday in retention about a billing issue and I asked about the extra pack and they also stated that it will have to be an add on feature.
It is definitely an add-on feature. I am saying that I would only have to add-on 3 channels and not the 7 that are going to the extra pack on 12/15/07.
I also talked to a CSR rep yesterday in retention about a billing issue and I asked about the extra pack and they also stated that it will have to be an add on feature.
Let's wait and see if Cuban wins in court on Friday...
Earl Bonovich
12-04-07, 08:32 AM
So Earl...in regards to what I said here, do you think that 2 different csr's gave me wrong information?
Yes... I do think the 2 csr's gave you the wrong information.
There is 100% no dobut, they probably have no idea about any law suit...
As until there is something definitive, or changes that affects the 12/15 date... not surprising.
I have asked numerous times... and I consistantly get the same information that you WILL have to add the HD-Extra Pack.
Now... the ???? is what about HDNet and HDMovies...
We won't know ANYTHING about that until after the court date on the 11th (IIRC that is the date).
Yes... I do think the 2 csr's gave you the wrong information.
There is 100% no dobut, they probably have no idea about any law suit...
As until there is something definitive, or changes that affects the 12/15 date... not surprising.
I have asked numerous times... and I consistantly get the same information that you WILL have to add the HD-Extra Pack.
Now... the ???? is what about HDNet and HDMovies...
We won't know ANYTHING about that until after the court date on the 11th (IIRC that is the date).Earl, I thought I read that Cuban goes to court on the 7th.
Earl Bonovich
12-04-07, 10:01 AM
Maybe the injunction expires on the 11th, and the court date is the 7th...
Thanks for the correction
jgriffin7
12-04-07, 10:56 AM
FWIW, I called yesterday about another issue, and while I had them on the phone, asked about the extra pack. Said it would be 4.99 per month. So I played the "I've been an HD subscriber for years, shouldn't you give us loyal customers a break on this?" card. They gave me a year of $5/month credit without batting an eye.
Yes... I do think the 2 csr's gave you the wrong information.
There is 100% no dobut, they probably have no idea about any law suit...
As until there is something definitive, or changes that affects the 12/15 date... not surprising.
I have asked numerous times... and I consistantly get the same information that you WILL have to add the HD-Extra Pack.
Now... the ???? is what about HDNet and HDMovies...
We won't know ANYTHING about that until after the court date on the 11th (IIRC that is the date).
Earl,
I don't see OP said anything contradict to your info. According to his post, the CSR did say that HD Extra Pack will have to be added. Only that long time HD package subcribers will continue get current accessbile channels.
For the record, I am not saying I believe in info from CSR.
msmith198025
12-04-07, 01:18 PM
Earl,
I don't see OP said anything contradict to your info. According to his post, the CSR did say that HD Extra Pack will have to be added. Only that long time HD package subcribers will continue get current accessbile channels.
For the record, I am not saying I believe in info from CSR.
He did say that older subs would be grandfathered in, Earl has said that looks like a no go
A while ago there was a thread about people getting emails telling them about this extra pack and charges. I never got an email, which I thought strange. Certainly, if the channels dissapear on 12/15 and I get no notice that they will I will express my displeasure.
I agree with a lot of people that the whole thing is stupid for DirecTV and for the relatively little bit of money they will collect they just should have waited until the March (?) price increases and just increase the HD fee another $5. I think people would have said yes, I hate to pay more, but going from 7 to 100 channels is worth more money. They proabably would have gotten a bigger payback and better feeling.
Of course they probably will still up the price next year and a lot more than $5.
If the grandfathering is a no go, then how many orders does D* think they'll get for 3 channels @ $5 a month? Heck, I've been with D* for 10 years and order 2 sports packages every year.
Sirshagg
12-04-07, 02:49 PM
I seriously doubt all old subs will be grandfathered. I'm still holding out a slim bit of hope that HR10 owners will be, but doubt that too.
I seriously doubt all old subs will be grandfathered. I'm still holding out a slim bit of hope that HR10 owners will be, but doubt that too.I suspect HR10 owners might be because they don't have squat for HD anyway.
Milominderbinder2
12-04-07, 03:55 PM
We may hear more on Friday...
Oakwcj told us he was a retired judge and explained it this way:
The requirements for a TRO are quite strict. HDNET had to establish that it is likely to prevail on the merits at trial, that it will suffer irreparable injury if the relief is not granted, and that it has no adequate remedy at law. The judge had to decide that all of these elements of the case had been met BEFORE it sent DirecTV to its room. Basically, the issuance of a TRO is the equivalent of Game Over. The legal analogy for sending your son to his room is called an order to show cause. We're far beyond that in this case.TRO's are generally for emergency situations and can be granted an an ex parte basis, which means that the defendant may not even be present when the judge reviews the application. That didn't happen here. DirecTV filed a written response and, I assume, was present at whatever informal hearing the judge held. The second stage is a preliminary [or temporary] injunction. This is generally in the same form as the TRO, but continues in effect until the end of the proceeding. Finally, a permanent injunction can be issued.
In a case like this, the dispute is relatively straightforward. Both parties are relying on the same provision of the contract. The judge would not have issued the TRO had she not been convinced that DirecTV's actions constituted a breach of the agreement. I don't see how that's going to change. The terms of the contract are clear enough that I doubt a judge would be interested in, or need, to hear testimony to help in her interpretation. So, even though the TRO is temporary, the legal analysis is complete. The only thing that surprised me was that the judge found irreparable injury and lack of an adequate remedy at law. [Injunctive relief is equitable in nature. There used to be separate law and equity courts. Law courts were for damages and equity courts for non-monetary relief.]
Once a preliminary injunction is entered, HDNET may well move for summary judgment, which is appropriate where there a no disputed issues of material fact. Here, the parties agree about what the contract says. They just disagree about what it means. Which is why we have courts and lawyers with BMWs.
But a TRO is far different from separating two kids who are fighting and then figuring out who started it. The judge has already made that determination.
- Craig
There is nothing on HDNet, HDNet Movies, MGMHD, MHD, UniversalHD, and SmithsonianHD I can’t live without for a few days. And frankly, of the EXTRA PACK channels the only one that I have really watched a lot of programming on since July was UniversalHD during the US Tennis Open when it carried virtually non-stop HD coverage, and I must admit it was great.
Most of the entertainment type TV I watch is on ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, TNT, Food, SciFi, USA, A&E & the Premium Movie Channels. For Sports, besides the major networks I watch the ESPNs and NFL Network and occasionally one of the FSN channels that has something of interest. My wife watches WE, Lifetime and IFC--none of which are in HD. So beyond those, I could loose a dozen channels and probably never even notice.
So if I get cut off in mid December, I think I’ll live with it a while and see if I really miss those channels. Come Fall and the US Tennis Open, maybe I’ll fire up the 5 bucks if UniversalHD is still carrying wall-to-wall tennis.
If the grandfathering is a no go, then how many orders does D* think they'll get for 3 channels @ $5 a month? Heck, I've been with D* for 10 years and order 2 sports packages every year.
For a couple of years, many of us paid $10 a month for 3 channels: DiscoveryHD Theater, HDNet, and ESPN (a simulcast).
Now we're being asked to pay $15 a month for almost 100. Sure, most of them are simulcast but it's still HD.
It all comes down too how important we view the channels in the HD Extra pack. We have a choice.
Yes... I do think the 2 csr's gave you the wrong information.
There is 100% no dobut, they probably have no idea about any law suit...
As until there is something definitive, or changes that affects the 12/15 date... not surprising.
I have asked numerous times... and I consistantly get the same information that you WILL have to add the HD-Extra Pack.
Now... the ???? is what about HDNet and HDMovies...
We won't know ANYTHING about that until after the court date on the 11th (IIRC that is the date).
Further strengthening the point that you can't believe anything that a CSR tells you. When it comes to D*'s CSRs, "don't-trust, and do verify".
I was told by CSRs a month or so ago that the HD-Extra package was most certainly going to be added automatically, unless you communicated with D* and told them you didn't want them. (Opt-out).
I believe Earl. Time to make a phone call.:)
My dropping NFL-ST will more than make up for the additional five bucks a month, and MGM alone is worth some money (to our household), as the movie selections have some exceptional titles.
richlife
12-05-07, 09:21 AM
If the grandfathering is a no go, then how many orders does D* think they'll get for 3 channels @ $5 a month? Heck, I've been with D* for 10 years and order 2 sports packages every year.
I think it's foolish to assume we talking about 3 or 5 or 7 channels in HD Xtra. There a number of channels still not in HD (for example, DIY) that could be added later. Also, there is nothing to say that DirecTV can't realign their HD channels and put any number of their channels in a new HD Choice package while moving the rest to HD Xtra. This is why I favor just eliminating any Xtra package in favor of an across the board increase of $2 or $3 for everything. Of course, that doesn't eliminate a further change to split up the offerings... "DirecTV reserves the right..."
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