Premier no longer exists!

[Steve Rhodes]

Once upon a time, D* had a great idea and a great package to match. They would call their top tier package Premier.

Whenever a customer said that they wanted ALL of the channels (except of course sports, locals and adult, all of which had to be handled differently), the rep told them that there was something called Premier. Once they signed up for Premier, they'd get EVERYthing.

Sure, along the way, channels would be added and various D* costs would be increased, causing an increase in the pricing of the Premier packge. But the beauty of signing up for Premier was that the customer not longer had to call D* every time they wanted to add some channels. It was automatic, which was what the customer wanted in the first place. If they wanted to save money, they could always choose a lesser package than Premier.

If you've been a D* customer for very long, you know that the last thing you want to have to do is to change your progamming in any way. The odds are high that your package and/or your billing will be messed up. Correctly this will likely take hours and in many cases days of your time. For some, they may never get back what they had, since they may have a old configuration that no longer exists. This is the beauty of Premier is no more worrying about the hassle of adding channels ever again.

But D* could not leave well enough alone. They decided that Premier would no longer include everything, as customers were originally told. (Again, the price is NOT the issue. Premier's prices have regularly been increased.)

Premier meant you get everything, so this concept no longer exists, even if the name Premier is still used -- one might say misused.

Ah, the stupity of it all. Grrr.

[jal]

I agree. Premier is no longer "Premier." HDAcess only provides "access" to "some" HD channels. To get real access, you need "HDExtra." I encourage everyone to email Directv about this new bogus package and voice their concern.

[twistedT]

Yes, D* santa we need the "All Access Package" to become a real!! :biggrin:

[dodge boy]

Search package: "Titanium"

[rrrick8]

Search package: "Titanium"

Search: "Taking out 2nd mortgages"



:D

[csgo]

Search package: "Titanium"

The Titanium package is no longer available.

[Stuart Sweet]

I know the package is still listed on DIRECTV's site but it says limited availability. I'd love something like that but honestly that's more like a house payment.

[Crypter]

New Premeir = Old Premier + HD Accesss + HD Extra Pack + DVR Fee = $119.96 (before taxes)

[bsand2007]

New Premeir = Old Premier + HD Accesss + HD Extra Pack + DVR Fee = $119.96 (before taxes)

And throw in unlimited receivers with no mirroring fee and voila! All Access! I would guess that a lot of folks who don't subscribe to Premier today (like myself), but who have more than a few receivers in the house (like my 7!) would jump all over this!

PLEASE! PLEASE! PLEASE! :grin:

[MIAMI1683]

Or my 8 boxes and $200 this month...whew im thinking of cutting back some programming

[Earl Bonovich]

The Titanium package is no longer available.

It is still available... however it is currently "sold out".
As they are limiting the number of subscriptions due to the service guarantee aspects that come along with Titanium.

There is a pretty good sized waiting list to get Titanium

[Earl Bonovich]

Given the "Premier" plan has changed names numerous times over the years...
It has never included "everything"...

It never included extended sports packages.
It never included the international programming
It never included the adult programming

It is still the cheapest option if you want "all" the HD channels...
All that is changed is that the "add-ons"
-) DVR Service
-) HD access

Are not included in the base rate any longer... as there are customers to that package that don't want those features.

These are the beginning steps of the Ala-Carte options that a lot of people, and industry experts are begging for. More and More slicing and dicing and ability to customize.

[tonyd79]

I never thought of Premier (or whatever it was called at the time) as "all the channels." I thought of it as the base package plus the movie package plus the sports package.

It never was "all the channels" even though that may be an easy way to think of it.

Nor did it ever include HD Access. Nor did it include mirroring fees.

They have added more a la carte channels over time.

The only thing that is missing now that was in it was the DVR fee.

The sky is falling!

[jwd45244]

There was an indication that a new tier would be available next year. The details are sketchy and it may not even happen but when we discussed it here it included:


Premier
HD Access
HD Extra


Plus "unlimited" number of active receivers.

I am sure I will get corrected. At the time people we calling it "All Access"

We may still see that.

[shmengie]

they should split off premier into three packages: premier total, premier sports and premier movies. price it something like PT for $120, PS and PM for $99 each.

[lightprism]

Given the "Premier" plan has changed names numerous times over the years...
It has never included "everything"...

It never included extended sports packages.
It never included the international programming
It never included the adult programming

It is still the cheapest option if you want "all" the HD channels...
All that is changed is that the "add-ons"
-) DVR Service
-) HD access

Are not included in the base rate any longer... as there are customers to that package that don't want those features.

These are the beginning steps of the Ala-Carte options that a lot of people, and industry experts are begging for. More and More slicing and dicing and ability to customize.

Appreciate all the effort you give these forums, but this is mincing/parsing the change that has taken place as of 12/15. Simply put, the Premiere package contained a certain set of channels and options. Those channels and options were reduced by the change. Many here have noted their dissatisfaction that instead of a price increase to maintain the same Premiere package as in the past, the Premiere package was reduced.

It's really not a big deal to me - just add the HDExtra and pay the upcoming price increase; or take the option of maintaining the same price and reduced channels.
But it is a change in the way business was done that some here don't like.

In the end, whenever there is change or price increases - none of the customers will favor it - but it's a necessary part of business.

[Earl Bonovich]

Appreciate all the effort you give these forums, but this is mincing/parsing the change that has taken place as of 12/15. Simply put, the Premiere package contained a certain set of channels and options. Those channels and options were reduced by the change. Many here have noted their dissatisfaction that instead of a price increase to maintain the same Premiere package as in the past, the Premiere package was reduced.

It's really not a big deal to me - just add the HDExtra and pay the upcoming price increase; or take the option of maintaining the same price and reduced channels.
But it is a change in the way business was done that some here don't like.

In the end, whenever there is change or price increases - none of the customers will favor it - but it's a necessary part of business.

Premier never included HD in the first place..

So even if you had Premier... you had to add the HD to it as an optional add on.

So other then the removal of the DVR Fee some 9 months ago...
Permier is still the same.

[Xaa]

Get this guy some cheese.

You misunderstood what Premier is/was and you misunderstand marketing in general. you do get points for the fancy colors in your post though.

[lightprism]

Get this guy some cheese.

You misunderstood what Premier is/was and you misunderstand marketing in general. you do get points for the fancy colors in your post though.

That was an intelligent response.:nono2:

Marketing is exactly what this discussion is all about. The plethora of threads and posts regarding this issue would seem to indicate a good deal of disatisfaction with the marketing decision made on this price increase.

As Earl pointed out, it's actually a benefit splitting the price increase out of the previous package set - making it an option you can opt in or out of.

But clearly the volume of postings on this issue indicate a perceived change by many of the market's customers who are not happy with how the price increase was brought to market.

Personally, I opted in as I liked the value of the channels that would have been lost. It's not a big deal to me. D* is still the best choice by far.

[Redlinetire]

Premier never included HD in the first place..

So even if you had Premier... you had to add the HD to it as an optional add on.

So other then the removal of the DVR Fee some 9 months ago...
Permier is still the same.

I thought for sure, back when I first signed up in 2000, that Premier did at least include the HD channels as well. Of course at the time there were like 4?

In fact, my little brochure I still have dated July 2003 says "The TOTAL CHOICE PREMIER package includes all channels (excluding Adult Programming, Spanish-language channels, Sports Subscriptions and Pay Per View channels)."

[Earl Bonovich]

July 2003 says "The TOTAL CHOICE PREMIER package includes all channels (excluding Adult Programming, Spanish-language channels, Sports Subscriptions and Pay Per View channels)."

At lot has changed since 2003...
There wasn't even an HD-DVR at that point... ;)

[Redlinetire]

At lot has changed since 2003...
There wasn't even an HD-DVR at that point... ;)


No, but they did have Tanya Memme doing the Customer News channel!

Ah, those were the good ole' days... :lol:

[tonyd79]

they should split off premier into three packages: premier total, premier sports and premier movies. price it something like PT for $120, PS and PM for $99 each.

Those basically already exist.

They just don't name them that way.

[Mike D-CO5]

So can you sub to the hd dvr plus pack with say 3 dvrs and add all the 5 premium packs and have no dvr fees? OR do you have to only say add 4 premium packs and you escape the dvr fees? I would think if you added all 5 premium packs you would be back at the premier pack price + hd access?

[Smthkd]

Well I for one agree with the OP Earl. I have had D* largest package since 2001 and I can say I have watched my monthly fee go from $99 per month to over $130 per month and I have the same number of receivers (3, two H20 and 1 HR20). This is rediculous! Now I have to pay another $5 for the HD extra package. My bill's new total will be $135 next year! This is nothing more than a scam now and what really makes me mad is the package before "prenot" has HD included! What gives!!!!

[shmengie]

Those basically already exist.

They just don't name them that way.
i can't find any info on that on the dtv site. so what do i order if i want premier movies (basically the premier package minus the sports pack)?

[spartanstew]

Well I for one agree with the OP Earl. I have had D* largest package since 2001 and I can say I have watched my monthly fee go from $99 per month to over $130 per month and I have the same number of receivers (3, two H20 and 1 HR20). This is rediculous!

How is it ridiculous? Prices go up due to inflation on every product. Generally around 5% per year.

You started out at $100 in 2001. Based on a yearly 5% increase, you should be paying the following:

2001- $100
2002- $105
2003- $110
2004- $116
2005- $122
2006- $128
2007- $134
2008- $141

Even if you add the Extra Pack and pay $135, you'll be paying less than expected. So, when D* raised their overall prices again sometimes next year, don't complain cause you'll still be paying what's fair.

[msmith198025]

i can't find any info on that on the dtv site. so what do i order if i want premier movies (basically the premier package minus the sports pack)?

You can get the Plus HD DVR package and add the premiums that you choose, same difference.

[mikepax]

No, but they did have Tanya Memme doing the Customer News channel!

Ah, those were the good ole' days... :lol:

I looked forwarded each month just to watch her, not that I needed the info on how to use the equipment.

[jwd45244]

I looked forwarded each month just to watch her, not that I needed the info on how to use the equipment.

Tanya and Margaret Easley (The DirecWay Girl on channel 206, now the HughesNet Girl).

[shmengie]

Tanya and Margaret Easley (The DirecWay Girl on channel 206, now the HughesNet Girl).

we like-a da redheads!

[kaminsco]

How is it ridiculous? Prices go up due to inflation on every product. Generally around 5% per year.

You started out at $100 in 2001. Based on a yearly 5% increase, you should be paying the following:

2001- $100
2002- $105
2003- $110
2004- $116
2005- $122
2006- $128
2007- $134
2008- $141

Even if you add the Extra Pack and pay $135, you'll be paying less than expected. So, when D* raised their overall prices again sometimes next year, don't complain cause you'll still be paying what's fair.


5%?, not sure what country you are living in?

2001 2.83% $99.00
2002 1.59% $101.80
2003 2.27% $103.42
2004 2.68% $105.77
2005 3.39% $108.60
2006 3.24% $112.28
2007 2.74% $115.92
2008 $119.10



Year Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Ave
2007 2.08% 2.42% 2.78% 2.57% 2.69% 2.69% 2.36% 1.97% 2.76% 3.54% 4.31%
2006 3.99% 3.60% 3.36% 3.55% 4.17% 4.32% 4.15% 3.82% 2.06% 1.31% 1.97% 2.54% 3.24%
2005 2.97% 3.01% 3.15% 3.51% 2.80% 2.53% 3.17% 3.64% 4.69% 4.35% 3.46% 3.42% 3.39%
2004 1.93% 1.69% 1.74% 2.29% 3.05% 3.27% 2.99% 2.65% 2.54% 3.19% 3.52% 3.26% 2.68%
2003 2.60% 2.98% 3.02% 2.22% 2.06% 2.11% 2.11% 2.16% 2.32% 2.04% 1.77% 1.88% 2.27%
2002 1.14% 1.14% 1.48% 1.64% 1.18% 1.07% 1.46% 1.80% 1.51% 2.03% 2.20% 2.38% 1.59%
2001 3.73% 3.53% 2.92% 3.27% 3.62% 3.25% 2.72% 2.72% 2.65% 2.13% 1.90% 1.55% 2.83%
2000 2.74% 3.22% 3.76% 3.07% 3.19% 3.73% 3.66% 3.41% 3.45% 3.45% 3.45% 3.39% 3.38%
Get more Historical Data from InflationData.com

[Steve Rhodes]

Given the "Premier" plan has changed names numerous times over the years...
It has never included "everything"...

It never included extended sports packages.
It never included the international programming
It never included the adult programming

Once upon a time, D* had a great idea and a great package to match. They would call their top tier package Premier.

Whenever a customer said that they wanted ALL of the channels (except of course sports, locals and adult, all of which had to be handled differently), the rep told them that there was something called Premier. Once they signed up for Premier, they'd get EVERYthing.

Guess you didn't read my original post. Of course there are a few broad categories not included, but the IDEA of Premier, and again I have NO problem with whatever they want to charge for it, is that once you sign up for it, you do get everything.

No more hassles with failed attempts to add things properly in the future. No more frustrations. No more repeated called to D* to get things fixed up. It was simple and it was a great idea. We lost it through marketing stupidity.

[Steve Rhodes]

It's really not a big deal to me - just add the HDExtra and pay the upcoming price increase; or take the option of maintaining the same price and reduced channels.

I wish it was "just add." Many of us have long horror stories with D* that started off with we tried to "just add."

That -- and again, I no problem with D* charging whatever they want -- was the beauty of Premier. No more going through the hassle of trying to add anything.

[ben arnold]

[QUOTE=MIAMI1683;1340308]Or my 8 boxes and $200 this month...whew im thinking of cutting back some programming[/QUOTE

I'm curious. As a residential user, what dynamic would require you to need 8 receivers? Do you have more then one receiver hooked up to the same TV or, do you really have 8 televisions? Please don't take this the wrong way, I'm by no means judging I'm just curious.

[GeorgeLV]

5%?, not sure what country you are living in?


Must have lived through the Carter administration. :P

[General Custer]

When did the dvr fee get pulled out of premier. I just checked my account and its included in the last bill for premier.

[wolfs_darkshadow]

I just want to point out one thing to the complainers here about the changes, please if you want you can read this for yourself but I will include the relevent section here... DIRECTV Customer Agreement (http://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/global/contentPageNR.jsp?assetId=P400042).

This is from section 1. OUR SERVICE subsection (d) Our Programming Changes.

Many changing considerations affect the availability, cost and quality of programming and customer demand for it. Accordingly, we must reserve the unrestricted right to change, rearrange, add or delete our programming packages, the selections in those packages, our prices, and any other Service we offer, at any time. We will endeavor to notify you of any change that is within our reasonable control and its effective date. In most cases, this notice will be about one month in advance. You always have the right to cancel your Service, in whole or in part, if you do not accept the change (see Section 5). If you cancel your Service, a deactivation fee (described in Sections 2 & 5(b)) or other charges may apply. Credits, if any, to your account will be posted as described in Section 5. If you do not cancel, your continued receipt of our Service will constitute acceptance.

[Steve Rhodes]

I just want to point out one thing to the complainers here about the changes, please if you want you can read this for yourself but I will include the relevent section here... DIRECTV Customer Agreement (http://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/global/contentPageNR.jsp?assetId=P400042).

This is from section 1. OUR SERVICE subsection (d) Our Programming Changes.

Many changing considerations affect the availability, cost and quality of programming and customer demand for it. Accordingly, we must reserve the unrestricted right to change, rearrange, add or delete our programming packages, the selections in those packages, our prices, and any other Service we offer, at any time. We will endeavor to notify you of any change that is within our reasonable control and its effective date. In most cases, this notice will be about one month in advance. You always have the right to cancel your Service, in whole or in part, if you do not accept the change (see Section 5). If you cancel your Service, a deactivation fee (described in Sections 2 & 5(b)) or other charges may apply. Credits, if any, to your account will be posted as described in Section 5. If you do not cancel, your continued receipt of our Service will constitute acceptance.


I don't care if D* continues, like every business, to raise its prices, and I don't care that D* has the legal right to do whatever they want based on the fine of the contract.

What I do care about is that we used to have a package named Premier that included everything and did require us to go through the hassle of attemping to add individual channels later. I want Premier back, in concept, not just in name.

[spartanstew]

5%?, not sure what country you are living in?

2001 2.83% $99.00
2002 1.59% $101.80
2003 2.27% $103.42
2004 2.68% $105.77
2005 3.39% $108.60
2006 3.24% $112.28
2007 2.74% $115.92
2008 $119.10



Well, it's a bit easier to use an even number instead of wasting my time calculating the numbers you did.

Even using those numbers, however, his bill should be roughly $120 per month and it's $130. He think it's ridiculous that over an 8 year span, the monthly bill is $10 more than average inflation?

That's ridicuous.

[rotohead]

No, but they did have Tanya Memme doing the Customer News channel!

Ah, those were the good ole' days... :lol:

I would addon to the "Tanya Memme HD Channel" in a second....I don't even care what she's doing.

[heisman]

Given the "Premier" plan has changed names numerous times over the years...
It has never included "everything"...

It never included extended sports packages.
It never included the international programming
It never included the adult programming



It doesn't include BabyTv either. My 1 year old is really ticked! :eek2:

[Mocco71]

No, but they did have Tanya Memme doing the Customer News channel!

Ah, those were the good ole' days... :lol:

Yes they did. Now we have to watch her painting and throwing out old carpet on Sell this House. Tanya with a paint brush or Tanya with a remote control showing us what the volume up button does... hmm, I can go either way on that one.

[Mocco71]

Well I for one agree with the OP Earl. I have had D* largest package since 2001 and I can say I have watched my monthly fee go from $99 per month to over $130 per month and I have the same number of receivers (3, two H20 and 1 HR20). This is rediculous! Now I have to pay another $5 for the HD extra package. My bill's new total will be $135 next year! This is nothing more than a scam now and what really makes me mad is the package before "prenot" has HD included! What gives!!!!

The increases sound like what cable does... and what forced me away from cable. I remember the the salesman telling me in 2001 that D* hadn't changed their rates in a long time and that they'd be staying relatively the same going forward. Shortly after the total choice, total choice plus crap came out and $5 here, $2 there... before you know it, it looks like a comcast bill.

For the record though, I don't mind paying a little more and seeing a difference (all the HD channels). With cable, you'd pay more every month but the picture quality would be no better.

[Newshawk]

I agree. Premier is no longer "Premier." HDAcess only provides "access" to "some" HD channels. To get real access, you need "HDExtra." I encourage everyone to email Directv about this new bogus package and voice their concern.

Funny... I don't think that (by my count) 61 full time channels, 13 HD PPV channels, 20 part time RSN channels and either your locals in HD or the possibility of getting HD DNS channels can be considered "some" channels, especially when you are comparing that overwhelming majority of HD channels available in Premier to the five HD Extra channels.

Besides, I've seen many people advocating ala carte at a dollar a channel, so $4.99 for five channels fits right in to the ala carte mentality.

IOW, get a grip!

[CJTE]

Well I for one agree with the OP Earl. I have had D* largest package since 2001 and I can say I have watched my monthly fee go from $99 per month to over $130 per month and I have the same number of receivers (3, two H20 and 1 HR20). This is rediculous! Now I have to pay another $5 for the HD extra package. My bill's new total will be $135 next year! This is nothing more than a scam now and what really makes me mad is the package before "prenot" has HD included! What gives!!!!

Plus (DVR) = 59.99
Plus (HDDVR) = 69.99
Yea, its included, at the exact same price.
Plus (HDDVR) + Premium Movie Channels, not inlcuding sports pack = Premier + HD Access, Plus HDDVR + Movie Channels + Sports Pack = $10 more

and neither of those packages include the HD Extra pack



--The current Premier Package includes:
-"All" The channels minus:
BabyFirst TV
Int'l Programming
HD Extra Pack
HD Counterparts
PPV's
Adult Programming.
Pro Sports Packs
-This means you GET:
Local Channels if they are available in your area
HBO/CMAX/SHOW/STARZ/SPORTS (RSN'S) (Fox Sports Nets and what-not)
Any other channel offered by DirecTV that isnt in a special Tier/a la carte

The Premier Package doesnt include SERVICES like HD Access Pass, which allows you to get the available HD counterparts of SD channels, or the DVR Service, which allows your Tivo/DVR functions to work, or the Protection Plan, which is the extended warranty
OR any Pro Sports packages (NFLST, ESPN GP, NHL: CI, MLB Whatever, etc)

Now, we're going to forget about the Int'l programming, BabyFirst, and the Pro sports packs.
There are no programming packages that offer Protection Plan, so, we'll drop that too.

We're going to say this is an HDDVR family, so we need both those services.
The next lowest tier, being Plus HDDVR (which is actually the 'DVR Plus' package, and the HD Access Pass rolled into one package), is 69.99. This is $10 more than the Plus DVR package. This $10 comes from the HD Access pass. Remove it.
Plus DVR. This is all the channels of premier, MINUS HBO/SHO/CMAX/STARZ and SPORTS. And I think there are like 3 other channels that are only in the premier package, which cant be added a la carte or any other way.
The Plus DVR Package includes the DVR service, where the Premier package doesnt.
Now we'll hike back up to the Plus HDDVR package, because I said we're compaing using a family with an HDDVR.

Premier + HD Access + DVR Service = $115, remember, this does not include the HD Extra pack, neither does Plus HDDVR.
Plus HDDVR, + HBO (12.99), SHO (11.99), CMAX (10.99), STARZ (9.99), and SPORTS (11.99 I think) = $128
Remove the sports pack from Plus HDDVR, and it still comes out to $116. So, with premier, you get the sports pack and still save a buck.

BTW, for quick reference... HBO is always 12.99, each premium after is a dollar less. So, if you add HBO and Starz, its 12.99, then 11.99, if you add Starz and Showtime its 11.99, then 10.99, if you add Cinemax than Starz, its 11.99, then 10.99. If you add HBO than Showtime, its 12.99 then 11.99. I think you get my point.
the only cool thing about Plus DVR/HDDVR is that the DVR service doesnt stick out like a sore thumb. Its a smooth $59/$69 instead of being $65/$75.

For those people who want "all" the channels, minus the premiums and sports, it'd be cool if there was a straight "plus" package, that didnt have the DVR service... But, subtract $5 from the Plus DVR package, you'd get 54.99, which is a big no can do, because thats the current cost of Choice XTRA, and Choice XTRA has some 20/so (+/-) fewer channels than Plus *. So, instead, they would raise Plus DVR to 64.99, and Plus HDDVR to 74.99, and make "Plus" 59.99

[CJTE]

[QUOTE=MIAMI1683;1340308]Or my 8 boxes and $200 this month...whew im thinking of cutting back some programming[/QUOTE

I'm curious. As a residential user, what dynamic would require you to need 8 receivers? Do you have more then one receiver hooked up to the same TV or, do you really have 8 televisions? Please don't take this the wrong way, I'm by no means judging I'm just curious.

Weve had this convo a few times. Its sometimes referred to as a 'sickness' or disease' or even mental disorder... (Mostly involving DVR units).

Here's a theoretical breakdown, doing 1 receiver per room.
Living Room
Master Bed
Second Bed
Third Bed
Office
Garage
Game Room/Den
Kitchen/Family Room/something
Then consider
Boat
RV (Bedroom and Living Room)

My setup isnt listen in my signature because I've been adjusting it for the last few weeks now...
But essentially, I've got/will have

R15 in the living room
HR10-250 in the master bed
HR10-250 in the lab
D11 in the lab
D11 in the garage
D11 in the RV Master Bed
D11 in the RV Living Room
D11 in the RV Garage (Mehbe...)
D11 in the teens room
D11 in the kids room
HR20/21 in the Game/Pool/Bar room
D11 in the guest bed

Right now I only actually have the R15, 1 HR10-250, and 6 D11's. 2 of the D11's arent in service

[DBSNewbie]

[QUOTE=MIAMI1683;1340308]Or my 8 boxes and $200 this month...whew im thinking of cutting back some programming[/QUOTE

I'm curious. As a residential user, what dynamic would require you to need 8 receivers? Do you have more then one receiver hooked up to the same TV or, do you really have 8 televisions? Please don't take this the wrong way, I'm by no means judging I'm just curious.

Perhaps he is a sports fan and likes to watch multiple games at the same time, like me.

I currently have 11 D* receivers active. 10 HD & 1 SD broken down as follows:

6 H20-600s in the DEN (5 40" Sony LCDs and 1 60" Sony RP LCD, Controlled by a URC MX-850 and MX-3000 with 2 RF Bases)
1 H20-100 in the Living Room (42" Sony Plasma XBR)
1 H20-600 in the Master Bedroom (40" Sony LCD)
1 H20-600 in my 3 yr. Old's Bedroom (40" Sony LCD)
1 H20-600 in the Patio (20" Sharp LCD)
1 Hughes HNS in the Kitchen (20" Sharp LCD and also controlled by MX-850 and MX-3000 with its own RF Base)

I also plan to swap out, in the near future, the 6 HD receivers in the den with 6 HD DVRs so that I can pause and rewind live games (I guess that's my solution to the "no DLB" problem that some here have complained about) ;)

[pbg]

[QUOTE=ben arnold;1341128]

Perhaps he is a sports fan and likes to watch multiple games at the same time, like me.

I currently have 11 D* receivers active. 10 HD & 1 SD broken down as follows:

6 H20-600s in the DEN (5 40" Sony LCDs and 1 60" Sony RP LCD, Controlled by a URC MX-850 and MX-3000 with 2 RF Bases)
1 H20-100 in the Living Room (42" Sony Plasma XBR)
1 H20-600 in the Master Bedroom (40" Sony LCD)
1 H20-600 in my 3 yr. Old's Bedroom (40" Sony LCD)
1 H20-600 in the Patio (20" Sharp LCD)
1 Hughes HNS in the Kitchen (20" Sharp LCD and also controlled by MX-850 and MX-3000 with its own RF Base)


No doubt he/she has the coolest parents on the block ...I'm petty sure when I was 3 all I had was some blocks and a hand-me-down stuffed fish

[Steve Rhodes]

I don't care if D* continues, like every business, to raise its prices, and I don't care that D* has the legal right to do whatever they want based on the fine of the contract.

What I do care about is that we used to have a package named Premier that included everything and did require us to go through the hassle of attemping to add individual channels later. I want Premier back, in concept, not just in name.

I don't think some of you are quite getting my point about the demise of Premier, a package designed to include everything, as being very important.

Let's consider an analogy.

You are a long-time Costco member -- think of this as having the Premier package. Whenever you shop there, you can buy whatever you want with your membership card.

One day, you are about to checkout but aren't allowed to purchase 4 items because you have to sign up for a high level of membership to buy them. You are told that all you need to do is pay $4.98 per month additional -- with the first 3 months free -- and you can again buy everything in store. At this you're probably livid, but the clerk points you to the long customer service line where you can sign up for the Costco Extra Pack service, so that you buy those 4 items, thus again being able to purchase everything.

After getting in the customer service line, you ask how long it will be. You are told that it probably takes just minutes, but for a significant number of the people there, they been waiting for hours and some for days to get their account fixed up correctly after trying to make a change.

Shaking your head, you walk out, thinking that getting just 4 items isn't worth your time. Besides, there will probably be a Costco Super Duper Extra pack in the future that you'll to purchase in order to be able to buy 3 other items. You are now really wishing for the good old days when a membership allowed you to purchase anything in the store.

[CJTE]

Ahhh. So your complaint is HD Extra Pack.
And I actually liked this thread when it began.

The HD channels were never included in your base package. Get pissed off that they got moved out of the "hd access pass", which technically isnt a package anyway.

K THX BYE

[Steve Rhodes]

Ahhh. So your complaint is HD Extra Pack.
And I actually liked this thread when it began.

The HD channels were never included in your base package. Get pissed off that they got moved out of the "hd access pass", which technically isnt a package anyway.

K THX BYE

My complaint is HAVING to call in and attempt to make changes. I originally got Premier so I would NOT have to ever go through those hassles again. Read these forums if you don't believe the horror stories about trying to make a change to your package, which frequently results in lots of lost time on the customer's part.

[Xaa]

My complaint is HAVING to call in and attempt to make changes. I originally got Premier so I would NOT have to ever go through those hassles again. Read these forums if you don't believe the horror stories about trying to make a change to your package, which frequently results in lots of lost time on the customer's part.

Don't you mean Premier? Now even you're giving less in your Premier. When will it end? :nono2:

[jwd45244]

I am very confused as to this thread. Premier has always had all the SD content (not including adult, foreign and PPV). It still does. adding HD Access got you the HD channels that DirecTV offers as they line up with your Tier. What they have done is put 3 new HD channels (MGM, MHD, and Smithsonian) and 2 former HD channels (UD and HD Movies) into a new tier (HD Extra) and to get it your have to pay 17 cents per day.

Premier has not changed at all.

[Steve Rhodes]

I am very confused as to this thread. Premier has always had all the SD content (not including adult, foreign and PPV). It still does. adding HD Access got you the HD channels that DirecTV offers as they line up with your Tier. What they have done is put 3 new HD channels (MGM, MHD, and Smithsonian) and 2 former HD channels (UD and HD Movies) into a new tier (HD Extra) and to get it your have to pay 17 cents per day.

Premier has not changed at all.

Premier was designed to have ALL of the channels and that was the idea of Premier in the first place. Because D* now can broadcast some channels at a high resolution is not the issue. When HD was installed, they automatically added an HD access fee, which is fine.

Premier should still include all of the channels and not force customers to TRY to add an extra package. Again, if you have a lesser package than Premier, you to have to keep making choices and calling in or going on-line if you want to ATTEMPT to change your service.

Why is the concept so hard to grasp? Premier included everything. That's very simple. It was a great idea and now the idea is gone. They should rename the package Not Quite So Premier Anymore.

[SDizzle]

[QUOTE=DBSNewbie;1342351]

No doubt he/she has the coolest parents on the block ...I'm petty sure when I was 3 all I had was some blocks and a hand-me-down stuffed fish

:lol: :lol: My son, now 8, has hed a receiver since......well.....before he was born, as I had his room setup ready for the birth. And now he has an R15 and a 32" JVC wall mounted LCD. :lol: :lol: And no, I never had anything like that growing up!!:nono2:

[Xaa]

Why is the concept so hard to grasp? Premier included everything. That's very simple. It was a great idea and now the idea is gone. They should rename the package Not Quite So Premier Anymore.

Or you could adjust your definition of Premier and accept that it's a marketing term and just because you thought it meant one thing doesn't mean it really did ever mean that even if there was a previous coincidental alignment with what they meant and what you created it to mean.

If you can't do that, maybe you could work on just getting over it.

[Steve Rhodes]

Or you could adjust your definition of Premier and accept that it's a marketing term and just because you thought it meant one thing doesn't mean it really did ever mean that even if there was a previous coincidental alignment with what they meant and what you created it to mean.

If you can't do that, maybe you could work on just getting over it.

And I wish that D* would "get over" its propensity to screw up make "just adding" some new channels work.

Read the forums and see how many people had a terrible time trying to add HD Extra Pack. If Premier still existed in its original meaning, it would eliminate the need to call to add anything.

[Xaa]

And I wish that D* would "get over" its propensity to screw up make "just adding" some new channels work.

Read the forums and see how many people had a terrible time trying to add HD Extra Pack. If Premier still existed in its original meaning, it would eliminate the need to call to add anything.

I'll get serious here for a second.

We have common ground that I think there should be some kind of all you can eat package out there below titanium, but you must admit that titanium is what you are describing, just a higher level than you desire.

Also, you should in fairness admit that you assigned this meaning to Premier, they never promised that it is what you have redefined it to mean even if what you want and redefined it as is a good idea.

I think, from their POV, there are fewer folks like yourself that care more about the convenience than the added fees. Unfortunately, the majority would and will complain over a few extra bucks like you punched their mother. Reading the same HD Pack threads to which you allude uncovers that as well.

Even though we share some common ground, I believe it's you that will need to get over it, I doubt they'll change for you. That's not to say I'm certain you will change for them, but it is more likely.

[REDSKINSFAN47]

I never thought of Premier (or whatever it was called at the time) as "all the channels." I thought of it as the base package plus the movie package plus the sports package.

It never was "all the channels" even though that may be an easy way to think of it.

Nor did it ever include HD Access. Nor did it include mirroring fees.

They have added more a la carte channels over time.

The only thing that is missing now that was in it was the DVR fee.

The sky is falling!

nor did it include neiboring locals:lol:

[wolfs_darkshadow]

Read the forums and see how many people had a terrible time trying to add HD Extra Pack.

I am sorry but people had a hard time adding HD Extra Pack? The CSR might have to click the mouse seven times to add any service and of course since your online I expect you could have used your browser to log into your account at DIRECTV.com and add it yourself. Oh wait then you would have spent Less time adding it to your accout then sitting here complaining that it isn't in your Premier package... but let's just continue to :beatdeadhorse: just for fun...

[CJTE]

Im not saying things do/dont get ****ered up by the CSR when changing programming. But what you get are 2 or 3 cases in a week out of thousands of accounts per week.
And honestly, at 2/3 to every... 2500....
I dont mind D*'s odds.

And yes. Ive had to spend 10 minutes on the phone, so that I could be transferred 3 seperate times (each call being 5-10 minutes long while I explain it to the CSR, and then they fiddle around trying to fiugre out what to do), in order to get an account straightened out (which took about 20 minutes reviewing, then modifying, then crediting, and waiting for the computer/whatever...).
The funny part is, at the end of it all, I was back in the same department I had started in (Billing/Programming, which is what some people refer to as the "First line of defense"/whatever)