Will You Scale Back Programming Due To Recession?

[jimmyv2000]

As the title says.
Times are tough all around for everyone these days.
Just wondering if you will scale back on programming.

[Earl Bonovich]

No plans to

[tcusta00]

What recession?

[SPACEMAKER]

I'd make cuts in other areas rather than scale back my DirecTV package. One less family meal at a restaurant would do the trick.

[armophob]

I will eat cat food for dinner and bathe in the lake behind the house first.

[SPACEMAKER]

What recession?

:lol:

[tcusta00]

:lol:

:scratchin Just wonderin'!

:D

[HDTVsportsfan]

Naw.....I'm good to go for now. Everything can change quickly however.

[bonscott87]

My job is safe. Recession is only effecting my weekly gas fillup and some other things going up. I just eat out less and balance it out. Having said that I have cut back from Premier to just the standard package plus a couple movie channels and we may even cut back the movie channels simply because we don't seem to be watching that many movies for whatever reason. No sense paying for stuff we don't watch.

[DCSholtis]

I'm retired and keeping all my current programming. No cut down here.

[Greg Alsobrook]

I'd make cuts in other areas rather than scale back my DirecTV package. One less family meal at a restaurant would do the trick.

+1

[JACKIEGAGA]

Got to keep what I got

[Eksynyt]

I'll be staying the same too, maybe drop the premium channels since I don't watch 'em all that much.

[dmurphy]

I already switched from 'traditional' voice phone service at home to Optimum Voice from cablevision.... saving $55/month in the process. More than I could possibly save by reducing my DirecTV spend.

Start a new job in a week making a bunch more money, and a company car ... can't argue with that.

What recession? :)

[Jimmy 440]

I dropped all the premiums except the sports pack,If there's a movie I have to see.I'll watch it on DVD.

[Grentz]

Cut down my cell phone bill, home phone bill, and working on using less power.

Then added HD to my Directv Account :D

[Skooz]

A recession is defined as two consecutive quarters of negative economic growth.

Since we have not had two consecutive quarters of negative economic growth, we are NOT in a recession.

Words mean things.

[Phil T]

I am cutting back on driving and trips. My wife and I decided to buy a new 52" LCD HDTV and sound system rather then take a road trip vacation this year.

Also living in Colorado, I don't have to go very far for a nice getaway. :D

I have no plans on cutting back on programming. I may even add some.

[mightythor88]

The tough times are affecting me personally, but I am a big believer in the fact that TV is actually a money saver.

As an example - the baseball package with Superfan is $225 which seems steep on the surface, but with money being tight now I already know I will not be going to any ballgames live this year.

In the past if I went to a dodger game I would get tickets from a broker and it would be about $200 for a pair of seats near tha dugout at Dodger stadium......
food, beers, parking etc take the cost over $300 for 1 baseball game. For $225 - I get 40!! HD games a week in the comfort of my home with cheap (store bought) food and drinks.

When I used to have Laker season seats it was $150 a ticket or $300 a pair face value so that became close to a $400 night for an outing after parking food etc.

For me cutting out live sports is the way to save money when times get tough.

I have the same theory for video games, a game like GTA IV is $60 for my xbox 360 - but I know it will keep me busy for a good month/month and a half. Staying home is always cheaper than going out and a way to save money.

[phatmatt1215]

I won't be changing a thing.

[statik]

like someone else said. we are not in a recession.

[tsantanni]

I dropped HD Extra Pack and will not be renewing Sunday Ticket. So I have TC+, HD access, DVR, and HBO. Plenty enough TV for me.

[arwlin777]

I dropped HD Extra Pack and will not be renewing Sunday Ticket. So I have TC+, HD access, DVR, and HBO. Plenty enough TV for me.

I too may cut back on Sunday Ticket. The out of market teams I want to watch are usually on nationally 4-5 times anyway, I'll get by...

[armophob]

like someone else said. we are not in a recession.

:lol:

[mightythor88]

I believe the saying is:

If your neighbor loses his job we are in a recession, if you lose yours it is a Depression. By that standard - I am in a depression.


But it is definitely a personal thing so to those of you who can say "what recession?" I say congrats and hope you continue your good fortune.

[armophob]

I believe the saying is:

If your neighbor loses his job we are in a recession, if you lose yours it is a Depression. By that standard - I am in a depression.


But it is definitely a personal thing so to those of who that say "what recession?" I say congrats and hope you continue your good fortune.

But can your neighbor get treated for his recession? Or does your counseling for depression help his feelings of recession? :)
The nation is in a moment of pause, economy wise, this is what is called a recession.

[21hawk]

A recession is defined as two consecutive quarters of negative economic growth.

Since we have not had two consecutive quarters of negative economic growth, we are NOT in a recession.

Words mean things.

+1

[davring]

Showtime, HBO and Starz combined cost less than a half a tank of gas, I'll drive a little less and keep the entertainment.

[mightythor88]

data means things too -

per cnbc:

The data Friday (4.4.08) may finally be irrefutable, even for the optimists. The jobless rate jumped from 4.8 percent to 5.1 percent, topping the previous high of 5.0 percent in January. Either level, however, qualifies as a recession indicator, because they are more than half a point higher than the jobless rate low of 4.4 percent set during the economic expansion.

Payroll data were equally depressing. The economy shed 80,000 jobs in January, more than expected, and job losses in the previous two months were revised higher by a combined 67,000. In the past three months, the economy has lost 232,000 jobs. The economy just does not come back after three consecutive months of declining payroll jobs.

Breath, depth and duration are all key qualities to a recession. And though it is too soon to say anything about the duration, there’s data enough to support the view that every sector but exports is struggling. Exports may fuel economic growth, but not employment growth, as seen in the perpetual declines in manufacturing jobs.

Bernanke himself isn’t expecting much out of the economy in 2008, telling Congress that the Fed doesn’t “expect economic activity to strengthen in the second half of the year”

[rkunces]

A recession is defined as two consecutive quarters of negative economic growth.

Since we have not had two consecutive quarters of negative economic growth, we are NOT in a recession.

Words mean things.


Diminshing returns, US is not reaching its normal economic growth rate thus reaching a dminishing growth. Not negative, but not good. Especially with an increasing population.

I will be hopefully adding another HD DVR to keep up with my sports packages. Never had premiums but I always wanted to get HBO.

[Steve615]

No plans to change anything in the near future.

[ronsanjim]

First thing to drop was the Extra Innings. I'm not THAT big a fan....

[JDubbs413]

I make more money now than ever before and I am working more hours than never before. I am thinking about adding programming not deleting it.

[CrazyforYeshua]

I already switched from 'traditional' voice phone service at home to Optimum Voice from cablevision.... saving $55/month in the process.

You could switch to magicjack, if you have high speed internet, and only spend $39.95 for your first year, and $19.95 for every year thereafter, unlimited long distance.
That's what I did, and it works fine.

[DirecTV3049]

A recession is defined as two consecutive quarters of negative economic growth.

Since we have not had two consecutive quarters of negative economic growth, we are NOT in a recession.

Words mean things.

Yes, words DO mean things.

And the word "in" is the operative word here. Since, technically, a "recession" can only be determined by what has happened IN THE PAST, it is quite possible - even mandatory - that you be IN a "recession" BEFORE you can determine that there WAS a recession.

[Nick]

I'm retired, drawing SS and state retirement. What recession? :shrug:

There's a recession only if people believe there is. I choose the
more positive belief that the glass is half full. One thing each of
you can do to support the economy is send money to me and I,
in turn, will spend it as fast as I can. Getting your hard-earned
dollars back in circulation will be my contribution to the cause.

[scott72]

I'm retired, drawing SS and state retirement. What recession? :shrug:

There's a recession only if people believe there is. I choose the
more positive belief that the glass is half full. One thing each of
you can do to support the economy is send money to me and I,
in turn, will spend it as fast as I can. Getting your hard-earned
dollars back in circulation will be my contribution to the cause.

Wow tough to pass that up..What's your address? :rolleyes:

[armophob]

It could be partly my fault. I have been taking all the pennies out of circulation and storing them in jars all over the house as bookends. I think I have 2-3 hundred pounds of them worth around $47.50.

[DirecTV3049]

I'm retired, drawing SS and state retirement. What recession? :shrug:

There's a recession only if people believe there is. I choose the
more positive belief that the glass is half full. One thing each of
you can do to support the economy is send money to me and I,
in turn, will spend it as fast as I can. Getting your hard-earned
dollars back in circulation will be my contribution to the cause.

Getting harder and harder to either send YOU money, Nick, or to pump money into the economy.

I know several people who have had their Home Equity Lines of Credit (HELOC) "suspended" because the value of their homes has declined and, even though they have 100% perfect repayment of their HELOC loans, the bank no longer feels that they have sufficient equity in the house to support the amount of the credit line (previously) extended. This is in the Midwest - not some previously overheated real estate boom market. Every "for sale" home in our subdivision is at 90+ days on the market.

Am I personally planning on *cutting back* on DirecTV? No. But I've definitely put off buying another HR20/21. My job's secure and stable - am even due for a pay raise this month - my own job is more or less "recession proof." But, the wife's school district is "realigning" and closing several older schools (100 year old buildings with no a/c) - which makes her employment situation a little uncertain.

Cash is (always) king . . . but more so now as the credit "squeeze" is working its way through the economy . . . kind of a reverse "multiplier effect" at work right now. People are having a harder time getting credit to spend money . . . and, from what I see, people are using whatever cash they have to pay down their current debts.

[Artwood]

What's going to last longer--the recession or the compression?

[Mike500]

As a retired DISASTER RELIEF planner for the govenment, I've always planned for the worst case senario.

Unfortunately, we are our own worse enemy. 1/3 of this country's GDP is "debt." We are no longer the MANUFACTURER OF GOODS to be sold to the rest of the world. We are no longer the FINANCIERS to the rest of the world. We have become the DEBTORS to the rest of the world.

Sure, I won't cut back. I don't need to. I've always had Dish AT50, 60 or now 100(paid yearly with one month FREE), with good old FREE OTA locals.

Contrary to what the Chase Credit Card Commercials says, Credit is not FREEDOM. It is the NEW slavery.

Being DEBT FREE and NOT living "from paycheck to paycheck" and "prespending the future" is TRUE FREEDOM.

Unfortunately, the US economy has switched from producing goods to creating debt.

Creating DEBT is NOT creating wealth.

Basically, you can't spend yourself out of debt.

The guy next door, who you might envy for having everything, is heavily into debt trying to impress everyone else, who despises him.

In Texas, we used to call them wannabe ranchers with BIG HATS and NO CATTLE.

[Brian Hanasky]

I'll stay the same. Try to take less trips to save gas and eat out less.

[Tahoe41]

A recession is defined as two consecutive quarters of negative economic growth.

Since we have not had two consecutive quarters of negative economic growth, we are NOT in a recession.

Words mean things.

Don't tell Chandu.....I would be surprised if he is still reading anything online these days...trying to keep his electricity bill to a minimum and filling his basement with freeze dried food and water - getting ready for the downfall of civilization as we know it (said tongue-in-cheek....sorta)..

[richlife]

Well said!

Despite the media hype, we are not in a reccession, but certainly times are tough for many. Being retired this concerns me (those investments are what I live on), but because I've always followed the advice in this post, I was able to retire (early) and I don't have to cut back on my service. If we ever do determine that there is a recession (2 consecutive quarters of lower GDP), then I'll watch closely. But my 40-year budget assumes DirecTV at current rate plus inflation (my "working" definition of inflation is 3.5 percent -- not the lies propagated by the Feds).

As a retired DISASTER RELIEF planner for the govenment, I've always planned for the worst case senario.

Unfortunately, we are our own worse enemy. 1/3 of this country's GDP is "debt." We are no longer the MANUFACTURER OF GOODS to be sold to the rest of the world. We are no longer the FINANCIERS to the rest of the world. We have become the DEBTORS to the rest of the world.

Sure, I won't cut back. I don't need to. I've always had Dish AT50, 60 or now 100(paid yearly with one month FREE), with good old FREE OTA locals.

Contrary to what the Chase Credit Card Commercials says, Credit is not FREEDOM. It is the NEW slavery.

Being DEBT FREE and NOT living "from paycheck to paycheck" and "prespending the future" is TRUE FREEDOM.

Unfortunately, the US economy has switched from producing goods to creating debt.

Creating DEBT is NOT creating wealth.

Basically, you can't spend yourself out of debt.

The guy next door, who you might envy for having everything, is heavily into debt trying to impress everyone else, who despises him.

In Texas, we used to call them wannabe ranchers with BIG HATS and NO CATTLE.

[jimmyv2000]

I got rid of Sports pack in December and just 2 weeks ago i gave NFL-ST the boot when i put in a service call.The price of ST and Superfan has gotten out of hand for me.Plus with Me being a December Birthday and alot of My important professonial certificates expiring this year that i need to renew to keep my job, I had to cut back some where.
I rarely eat out anymore,I bring my lunch to work.(Them lunch trucks are outrageous)
I may be cancelling XM for the car when that sub runs out soon.
Plus THE WIFE FACTOR:D lets not go there:hurah:
I wish i could give up the land phone but i need that for internet and to keep in with D*'s TOS.
So its gonna be a rough go at least me the next several months.:(
Another poster here said he was cutting down on electricity use.
Last month I replaced 5 bulbs with them new Sprial ones that are out there.
and when summer hits running the A/C will be a factor also.:(

[Shield]

A recession is defined as two consecutive quarters of negative economic growth.

Since we have not had two consecutive quarters of negative economic growth, we are NOT in a recession.

Words mean things.

Thank you, I was about to post the same thing.

[PPW]

NFLST & SF are gone...just can't justify the cost of it anymore.

[BubblePuppy]

I just paid my DTV bill: $123.00..yikes:eek2: ...up $6.00 from last month! That is almost $1500 a year just for tv. I have the premier package with the protection plan ( which has been worth it). I have been thinking about changing to the plan below it but then I lose the movie VOD and yet I rarely watch anything on Showtime et al. I don't have any of the sports packages since I don't watch sports.
I wish I could drop all of the xm channels to lower the cost ( do we really need all of those xm channels to be bundled ?) but something is going to have to go.
These cost are getting out of hand...cell phone costs, internet costs. :nono2:

[cbeckner80]

They tell us to cut back on our driveing to conserve gas, so if I have to cut back on driving the only choice is to stay home. If I stay home, I want some decent TV to watch, therefore, I don't plan on cutting back on my Dirrect TV package,(nor my driving at this time).

[tonyd79]

I'd scale back if I lost my job or lost money for some reason.

But since I just got a raise, I think I have a job.

Otherwise, the recession doesn't affect my pocket book.

[luckydob]

ALERT** ALERT**

There is no recession.

Definition: A recession is defined to be a period of two quarters of negative GDP growth

last time I checked we haven't even had one quarter of negative GDP growth...although last Quarter could be one...I'm pretty sure the last time I checked 1 does not equal 2.

[Vid58]

I'm thinking of adding on service, but I didn't see that as a vote selection.

[pdxBeav]

Maybe the title of this thread should be changed to "Will You Scale Back Programming Due To Pending Recession?" or "Will You Scale Back Programming Due To Current Economic Conditions?" It's obvious what the intent was of the original question.

[luckydob]

The worst thing that can ever be said is that something is "obvious". It may be to you, but it may not be to others.

As a previous post suggested:

Words mean things.


Back to topic; I will not be changing anything. If 25.00 or so is the breaking point to my daily life, I have bigger issues than worring about how to slim down a TV bill.

[ansky]

I cancelled the HD Extra pack a few months ago, but it had nothing to do with the economy. Just no point in spending money on something I don't need.

[pdxBeav]

The worst thing that can ever be said is that something is "obvious".
As a previous post suggested:

Words mean things.

Really? This is the worst thing that can ever be said? Your words, not mine. ;)

[PlinytheWelder]

Here in Florida it's so bad that even the Mexicans left.....

[ironwood]

I have every possible channel available on DirecTV so my bill is high and I try to cut my bill by eliminating some channels or receivers or services. But every time I go through this I end up with the same question asking my wife: Can we get rid of the Baby Channel?
Sad. Baby channel is 4.99 a month. My total bill is way over 100 dollars.

[Skooz]

ALERT** ALERT**

There is no recession.

Definition: A recession is defined to be a period of two quarters of negative GDP growth

last time I checked we haven't even had one quarter of negative GDP growth...although last Quarter could be one...I'm pretty sure the last time I checked 1 does not equal 2.

You are, of course, absolutely correct. But, good luck getting that point across to people whose entire economic education comes from Oprah.

The media last pulled this trick in 1992 (what a coincidence) and I remember USA Today running stories on "How People Are Dealing With The Recession" when the economy was still expanding. The third quarter experienced a small slow down, but the fourth quarter was one of robust growth. No recession in 1992. Not even close.

But, to this day many still believe the USA had a recession in 1992.

We didn't then and we are not in one now. The USA has not had a recession since 1982.

[Ken S]

There are many definitions of "recession". The National Bureau of Economic Research defines it as:

A recession is a significant decline in economic activity spread across the economy, lasting more than a few months, normally visible in real GDP, real income, employment, industrial production, and wholesale-retail sales. A recession begins just after the economy reaches a peak of activity and ends as the economy reaches its trough. Between trough and peak, the economy is in an expansion. Expansion is the normal state of the economy; most recessions are brief and they have been rare in recent decades.

Other than a few out of touch people most would agree the United States' economy isn't doing particularly well at the present time. The overall stock market has declined by about 10% in recent months, unemployment has increased, foreclosures are extremely high and higher fuel prices are causing inflation on many products. We currently have close to 40 million people receiving food stamps in the US.

This is a time of economic hardship for many Americans. I don't think it's all that hard to understand that the Original Poster was asking if people would be cutting back on their DirecTV service during this period.

[rbl61]

It's still the cheapest entertainment around and you don't have to pay $3.25 a gallon to get there.

[JcT21]

I got rid of Sports pack in December and just 2 weeks ago i gave NFL-ST the boot when i put in a service call.The price of ST and Superfan has gotten out of hand for me.Plus with Me being a December Birthday and alot of My important professonial certificates expiring this year that i need to renew to keep my job, I had to cut back some where.
I rarely eat out anymore,I bring my lunch to work.(Them lunch trucks are outrageous)
I may be cancelling XM for the car when that sub runs out soon.
Plus THE WIFE FACTOR:D lets not go there:hurah:
I wish i could give up the land phone but i need that for internet and to keep in with D*'s TOS.
So its gonna be a rough go at least me the next several months.:(
Another poster here said he was cutting down on electricity use.
Last month I replaced 5 bulbs with them new Sprial ones that are out there.
and when summer hits running the A/C will be a factor also.:(

i replaced nearly all of my lightbulbs with those spiral ones, been taking the thermostat back a notch here and there, and other little things like that to save some on my power bill. however my electicity bill hasnt changed a bit, its just as high as it ever was. now i didnt expect major savings but something would be better than nothing :-(

[hdtvfan0001]

While it is obvious that some folks are having issues with the economy, and I feel badly for them, most people have still not felt any such impact.

You are right in your assumption, however, that things like sat service would be one of the first signs of cutbacks to conserve cashflow....the poll seems to indicate that this is not yet impacting most of the DBSTalk crowd (yet). It may not be reflective of the general population though.

[Ken S]

While it is obvious that some folks are having issues with the economy, and I feel badly for them, most people have still not felt any such impact.

You are right in your assumption, however, that things like sat service would be one of the first signs of cutbacks to conserve cashflow....the poll seems to indicate that this is not yet impacting most of the DBSTalk crowd (yet). It may not be reflective of the general population though.

Hey, if 35% of the dbstalk crowd is scaling back that COULD be fairly significant indicator to DirecTV.

I would guess that the percentage of advanced service users (DVR/HD) that participate in dbstalk is higher than the overall DirecTV audience. The advanced service users are DirecTV's most lucrative customers.

[Artwood]

If we have over two consecutive quarters of increasing compression of HD channels does that mean that we're in an official Compression?

[celticpride]

Im returning 2 receivers mainly because we just dont use them anymore, what worries me about that is directv gave them to me for free to replace 2 of my hd tivos, and with my luck i''ll need them later and have to buy them after i already had them for free, I'll also be canceling HBO at least until big love returns.

[hdtvfan0001]

Hey, if 35% of the dbstalk crowd is scaling back that COULD be fairly significant indicator to DirecTV.

I would guess that the percentage of advanced service users (DVR/HD) that participate in dbstalk is higher than the overall DirecTV audience. The advanced service users are DirecTV's most lucrative customers.
I would agree that if 1/3 of DBSTalk folks are scaling back their services, it is something of note. Whether that reflects the mainstream DirecTV population is another thing altogether.

In any case, I suspect any such poll or response is as much a reflection of price-points as it is the OP contention of a response to a "recession".

All providers use "what the market will bear" pricing to some degree, and then adjust accordingly when customers respond negatively to a particular service and its corresponding prices.

All of this is interesting indeed, but I suspect not any real measurement of the marketplace as a whole. That said, it's always nice to see what folks are thinking.

[Paul Secic]

I got rid of Sports pack in December and just 2 weeks ago i gave NFL-ST the boot when i put in a service call.The price of ST and Superfan has gotten out of hand for me.Plus with Me being a December Birthday and alot of My important professonial certificates expiring this year that i need to renew to keep my job, I had to cut back some where.
I rarely eat out anymore,I bring my lunch to work.(Them lunch trucks are outrageous)
I may be cancelling XM for the car when that sub runs out soon.
Plus THE WIFE FACTOR:D lets not go there:hurah:
I wish i could give up the land phone but i need that for internet and to keep in with D*'s TOS.
So its gonna be a rough go at least me the next several months.:(
Another poster here said he was cutting down on electricity use.
Last month I replaced 5 bulbs with them new Sprial ones that are out there.
and when summer hits running the A/C will be a factor also.:(

I've had those new light bulbs since 2001. I can't say they same $S. But they last a long time!

[Paul Secic]

i replaced nearly all of my lightbulbs with those spiral ones, been taking the thermostat back a notch here and there, and other little things like that to save some on my power bill. however my electicity bill hasnt changed a bit, its just as high as it ever was. now i didnt expect major savings but something would be better than nothing :-(

I hate to say this but your HDTV (all models) eats up electricity fast.

[wilbur_the_goose]

Yes - I'll be cutting back. A portion of my compensation is based on sales and stock price - neither of which looks too good right now. And I work for a company in the top 20 worldwide on the Forbes index.

At work, we've been told to cut expenses as much as possible, and budgets are being cut.

My opinion is that we're headed for an extended period of stagflation, much like the early 1970s. The deficit spending and war costs are going to really kill the USA economy in the coming decade.

[RunnerFL]

What recession?

Exactly!

[smokes20]

After being with Directv for over six years, trying to cut down on bills, I cancelled my service and went to Cox cable. That lasted 16 long, long months. Service was horrible. I switched phone and internet to Fios and TV back to Directv. So regardless of what the economy does in the next few years, I won't go back to cable. I might go to FIOS if Hotpass censoring isn't fixed this season because Hotpass was the only reason I came back to Directv.

[DirecTV3049]

You are, of course, absolutely correct. But, good luck getting that point across to people whose entire economic education comes from Oprah.

I didn't get my "economic education from Oprah." I got mine from the University of Missouri. From guys like Donald Phares. In fact, I have a "minor" in Economics - done my fair share of supply/demand graphs and can tell you what the terms in MV=PQ mean. I also read a LOT of Coase and Posner.

This parsing of the word "recession" by you (and others) is quite hysterical.

You ignore this simple fact. You MUST be "in" a recession BEFORE an "official" recession can be declared.

IF GDP is negative for Q1 2008 (Jan., Feb. & March) and Q2 2008 (Apr., May, & June) . . . then you (and others) are saying that we're not IN a recession until July 1, 2008 because that is the earliest date an official "recession" can be declared (it would actually be declared a bit later than July 1, 2008, because GDP data takes a few weeks to be compiled).

Of course, GDP for Q3 2008 (July, Aug. & Sep.) could be POSITIVE . . . as such, the recession would be OVER almost as soon as it is was officially "declared."

Therefore, the economy is IN a "recession" when the contraction in GDP is occurring, even though it may not be officially *recognized* until some later time.

In the example above, the economy is IN a "recession" during Q1 2008 and Q2 2008. Furthermore, the economy is NOT IN a "recession" for Q3 2008 . . . even though the "recession" was not declared until the beginning of Q3 2008 (such declaration being based on backwards looking economic data from Q1 2008 and Q2 2008).

[turey22]

I will eat cat food for dinner and bathe in the lake behind the house first.

Man i already do that with my wife and kids and still i cant afford dtv:lol:

[turey22]

I'm retired, drawing SS and state retirement. What recession? :shrug:

There's a recession only if people believe there is. I choose the
more positive belief that the glass is half full. One thing each of
you can do to support the economy is send money to me and I,
in turn, will spend it as fast as I can. Getting your hard-earned
dollars back in circulation will be my contribution to the cause.

Okay, Do you take credit cards?

[tcusta00]

I didn't get my "economic education from Oprah." I got mine from the University of Missouri. From guys like Donald Phares. In fact, I have a "minor" in Economics - done my fair share of supply/demand graphs and can tell you what the terms in MV=PQ mean. I also read a LOT of Coase and Posner.

This parsing of the word "recession" by you (and others) is quite hysterical.

You ignore this simple fact. You MUST be "in" a recession BEFORE an "official" recession can be declared.

IF GDP is negative for Q1 2008 (Jan., Feb. & March) and Q2 2008 (Apr., May, & June) . . . then you (and others) are saying that we're not IN a recession until July 1, 2008 because that is the earliest date an official "recession" can be declared (it would actually be declared a bit later than July 1, 2008, because GDP data takes a few weeks to be compiled).

Of course, GDP for Q3 2008 (July, Aug. & Sep.) could be POSITIVE . . . as such, the recession would be OVER almost as soon as it is was officially "declared."

Therefore, the economy is IN a "recession" when the contraction in GDP is occurring, even though it may not be officially *recognized* until some later time.

In the example above, the economy is IN a "recession" during Q1 2008 and Q2 2008. Furthermore, the economy is NOT IN a "recession" for Q3 2008 . . . even though the "recession" was not declared until the beginning of Q3 2008 (such declaration being based on backwards looking economic data from Q1 2008 and Q2 2008).

You make good points, and I don't think it was necessary to share your resume to make those points, however the fact still remains that we cannot definitively say that we're in a recession right now or not - I think that's the point that most have been trying to make. The title of the thread is based on an assumption that could turn out to be false.

[RarefiedAir24]

There's many other areas I can scale back from first, sneakers, eating out, etc, etc...

If I made any DirecTV cuts, the money I'd save from the cuts would be wasted on the above mentioned or not mentioned arts of money wastage..

[slaz55]

Cut back on somethings, ST is one of them....not worth it anymore it'll pay for my increase in gas.

[DirecTV3049]

You make good points, and I don't think it was necessary to share your resume to make those points, however the fact still remains that we cannot definitively say that we're in a recession right now or not - I think that's the point that most have been trying to make. The title of the thread is based on an assumption that could turn out to be false.

I'm not the one who impugned the "education" of other people. To rebut that "slight," I simply presented my "bona fides" to discuss - in a rational way - economics.

Furthermore, the "point" being made by the others is a pedantic one.

It's like driving in the dark without headlights and waiting until you get out at the very end to say "that was a tunnel." Waiting until the end to say "that was tunnel" does you no good WHILE you're in that dark place without headlights.

People in policy positions - such as members of the Federal Reserve's Open Market Committee - shouldn't wait until we're OUT of the tunnel to take action. And people who are struggling in that dark place shouldn't be told to whistle "Don't Worry Be Happy" JUST because we're not 100% positive that it is a tunnel . . . even though it looks like, tastes like, and smells like one.

[johnp37]

I'm retired and keeping all my current programming. No cut down here.
I planned ahead well before retirement, am in excellent shape financially, no plans to cut back here, either. By the way, I am just a retired auto worker who also went through some very tough times in the past just as some of you may be/are now. Do what you have to do. Keeping a roof over your and your family's head and food on the table are your priorities.

[tcusta00]

I'm not the one who impugned the "education" of other people.

Who did that? At no point has anyone here called your educational credentials into question. I just said it wasn't necessary to recant line items from your resume to convince us that you've made a good point. Specific citiations or a bibliography would be best if that's your goal.



To rebut that "slight," I simply presented my "bona fides" to discuss - in a rational way - economics.

Furthermore, the "point" being made by the others is a pedantic one.

It's like driving in the dark without headlights and waiting until you get out at the very end to say "that was a tunnel." Waiting until the end to say "that was tunnel" does you no good WHILE you're in that dark place without headlights.

People in policy positions - such as members of the Federal Reserve's Open Market Committee - shouldn't wait until we're OUT of the tunnel to take action. And people who are struggling in that dark place shouldn't be told to whistle "Don't Worry Be Happy" JUST because we're not 100% positive that it is a tunnel . . . even though it looks like, tastes like, and smells like one.

Everyone has personal choices to make in life. The fact that we may be in a recession shouldn't be affecting anyone here unless their wage or job was cut and if so, I feel for those people. Otherwise all this pedestrian talk about "a recession making me cut my services from $50 to $40 a month" etc, etc, is a cop out. Sure, oil prices have risen, but not because of a recession. Look to OPEC for the cause of that problem.

People in policy positions aren't waiting until we're out of the tunnel to make decisions, as you already know. Likewise, individuals shouldn't wait until they're out of a job to build up a savings account to tide them over.

[durl]

- I won't change my spending.

- We're not in a recession. It doesn't matter what people "think" or "feel" about it. All that matters is the true definition.

- It helps to check on the cause of problems before assuming the cure. Sometimes what you think will help is actually what caused the problem in the first place. A couple of areas blamed for the sluggish economy (oil prices and credit crunch) can be traced directly to a source in the eastern U.S., housed in a big building with a dome. But I'm not being political...

[DirecTV3049]

Who did that? At no point has anyone here called your educational credentials into question.

BS. I posted THIS from Skooz in my prior post: "But, good luck getting that point across to people whose entire economic education comes from Oprah."

Skooz didn't mean that as a compliment.

I just said it wasn't necessary to recant line items from your resume to convince us that you've made a good point.

Also nonsense. The internet is great because it allows everyone to express their opinion. Unfortunately, not all opinions are equally well informed.

Holiday Inn ran a whole advertising campaign poking fun at people whose only qualification for offering advice to people ended with the tag line: "No, I'm not [fill in profession], but I did stay at a Holiday Inn last night."

Good points raised by people who are qualified *ought* to be taken more seriously. That they are not, is ONE problem with US today.

And, btw, what I wrote before wasn't JUST a "good point." It's a truism.

You must be *IN* a recession BEFORE a "recession" is officially declared as such. So for people to say, to act, to discuss the current situation as being a "recession" is certainly valid. And it's pure pedantry for others to post that, technically, no recession has been declared.

But if you're "put off" by my resume, let me offer you this clue: if you don't want to READ the biographical part of my post, then don't read it.

"Otherwise all this pedestrian talk about "a recession making me cut my services from $50 to $40 a month" etc, etc, is a cop out. "

Since Fed Chief Ben Bernanke himself has stated a recession for the first half (Q1 and Q2) of 2008 is "possible" - and here's your source: http://www.reuters.com/article/businessNews/idUSWAT00923320080402?feedType=RSS&feedName=businessNews - I'd hardly call talk about a recession "pedestrian."

Nor is it a cop out for people to use the likelihood of a recession to reduce their expenses wherever possible. It's great that it hasn't caused you to do so . . . but it is and will cause a lot of people to do so . . . whether they do so out of a pure economic necessity (i.e., they have negative cash flow) or out of a FEAR that it may become an economic necessity (i.e., currently have neutral or slight positive cash flow) is irrelevant.

Sure, oil prices have risen, but not because of a recession. Look to OPEC for the cause of that problem.

Where did anyone suggest that a RECESSION is CAUSING oil price increases? Indeed, it's the opposite. Increased oil prices are helping to cause the recession.

At a minimum (and it IS more complicated than this), oil is a component of many products (key ingredient in plastics, used to fuel manufacturing plants, increased transportion costs) it's hard NOT to figure that such cost increases won't eventually be passed along to the end consumer. It's basic fundamental economics that as costs of goods sold (COGS) increase, prices almost invariably must increase . . and as prices increase, demand decreases.

People in policy positions aren't waiting until we're out of the tunnel to make decisions, as you already know. Likewise, individuals shouldn't wait until they're out of a job to build up a savings account to tide them over.

Yes and . . . ???

One wonders how - exactly - you want people to "build up a savings account to tide them over?"

It is a fact that the US economy has been driven by CONSUMER spending. It is a fact that consumer spending has been driven by the consumer use of consumer debt (credit cards, home equity, etc.). It is a fact that the recent "credit crisis" is likely to reduce consumer spending because consumers will no longer (at least in the short term) have access to the types and amounts of credit they have been using for the past umpteen years.

On the one hand, you castigate consumers for getting themselves into this corner. On the other hand, you seem to suggest that it's silly (your words: "a cop out") for people to reduce their consumer spending by $10 here; and $20 there as a way for getting themselves out of the corner. Far from being a "cop out" it is both predictable and rational for consumers to do so.

[Greg Alsobrook]

Seriously... there's no need to argue whether or not we're in a recession... some people think we are... some think we aren't... but there are plenty of other places on the web to argue that...

Maybe the OP shouldn't have used the word recession... but I think we can all agree that times are getting tougher... maybe not for you... but maybe for somebody you know... or maybe you've heard about it on the news... gas prices are up... people losing their jobs... foreclosures are increasing... car repos are increasing... etc etc...

So just ignore the word recession and just take the question for what it's worth... Will you scale back your programming in an effort to save some money?

[tcusta00]

Skooz didn't mean that as a compliment.

I don't think he was talking to/about you ... He was making a generalization.




Good points raised by people who are qualified *ought* to be taken more seriously. That they are not, is ONE problem with US today.

And, btw, what I wrote before wasn't JUST a "good point." It's a truism.

You must be *IN* a recession BEFORE a "recession" is officially declared as such. So for people to say, to act, to discuss the current situation as being a "recession" is certainly valid. And it's pure pedantry for others to post that, technically, no recession has been declared.

But if you're "put off" by my resume, let me offer you this clue: if you don't want to READ the biographical part of my post, then don't read it.



You misunderstand me. Anyone can come into a forum and offer themselves up as an "expert" and then spout off something that's not true and have people believe it. Even if I was a Harvard educated businessman that still doesn't mean that what I'm saying should be taken as a truth.




Since Fed Chief Ben Bernanke himself has stated a recession for the first half (Q1 and Q2) of 2008 is "possible" - and here's your source: http://www.reuters.com/article/businessNews/idUSWAT00923320080402?feedType=RSS&feedName=businessNews - I'd hardly call talk about a recession "pedestrian."

Nor is it a cop out for people to use the likelihood of a recession to reduce their expenses wherever possible. It's great that it hasn't caused you to do so . . . but it is and will cause a lot of people to do so . . . whether they do so out of a pure economic necessity (i.e., they have negative cash flow) or out of a FEAR that it may become an economic necessity (i.e., currently have neutral or slight positive cash flow) is irrelevant.




Great, and a depression is possible. And a nuclear bomb going on in America is possible. And a category 5 hurricane hitting the east coast next year is possible. No one here is arguing your points, so I don't know why you're dwelling on it. The point that everyone is making is that it's impossible to tell right now that we're in a recession so why belabor the point? If we are, we are. If we aren't we aren't. We're talking about freaking satellite TV here!



Where did anyone suggest that a RECESSION is CAUSING oil price increases? Indeed, it's the opposite. Increased oil prices are helping to cause the recession.

It's been said in this forum a few times recently. And most recently in the post just after mine. http://dbstalk.com/showpost.php?p=1539753&postcount=96



Yes and . . . ???

One wonders how - exactly - you want people to "build up a savings account to tide them over?"


It's not up to me to balance people's personal budgets.



On the one hand, you castigate consumers for getting themselves into this corner. On the other hand, you seem to suggest that it's silly (your words: "a cop out") for people to reduce their consumer spending by $10 here; and $20 there as a way for getting themselves out of the corner. Far from being a "cop out" it is both predictable and rational for consumers to do so.

I "castigate[d] consumers for getting themselves into a corner"? I "suggest[ed] that it's silly for people to reduce their consumer spending"? No, I said that there's no reason to reduce spending unless you've lost your job or had your wage reduced. To suggest I said otherwise is incorrect. I also said that people should have savings accounts.

[tcusta00]

So just ignore the word recession and just take the question for what it's worth... Will you scale back your programming in an effort to save some money?

Good point, let's do that and call it a day, because that's really what the conversation is about. We're really getting far off topic and diluting the point of the thread. I think we've all made our cases about whether we're in a recession or not.

[dodge boy]

Well not to argue but to answer the OPs' original question, I will not cut back on service. If I have to do more B&E's or whatever I'm OK with that.... :)

[DirecTV3049]

I don't think he was talking to/about you ... He was making a generalization.

Sorry, you can't have it BOTH ways. Because it WAS a "generalization," then - by definition - it did apply TO me.

You misunderstand me. Anyone can come into a forum and offer themselves up as an "expert" and then spout off something that's not true and have people believe it. Even if I was a Harvard educated businessman that still doesn't mean that what I'm saying should be taken as a truth.

Sorry, but that's fuzzy thinking.

I've seen LOTS of threads here where people have stated that they ARE DirecTV CSRs. No one says in those threads that stating such is "irrelevant" to their posts ABOUT DirecTV policy.

I've seen lot of discussions here about the technical capabilities/requirements of DirecTV equipment or, say, coax cable runs, where people claim to be engineers. No one says in those threads that posting their "credentials" is irrelevant.

So why - when the discussion is the economy - do YOU have this objection to ME posting my "credentials" to discuss the economy?

You're right, you can CLAIM to be anything you want on the internet - especially when we use psuedonymns. And, in most cases, it will be impossible to verify anyone's particular claim to be 100% true or not.

BUT, while I may not be able to verify 100% that you ARE what you may claim to be - e.g. "a Harvard educated busnessman," I can almost certainly tell whether your claim is likely (or unlikely) to be true from what you post.

Great, and a depression is possible. And a nuclear bomb going on in America is possible. And a category 5 hurricane hitting the east coast next year is possible.

Are you really this obtuse? When the Chairman of the Federal Reserve - who avoids speaking the word "recession" like it was death itsself - says a recession is "possible" for the first half of 2008, he's suggesting something MORE than just a mathematical chance or "one of many things that may happen."

It's "fed speak" for "probable." If you read FOMC statements regularly (or, even, the WSJ) you would know this.

I suspect you DO know this . . . and that you ARE being purposefully obtuse. Why you're being obtuse is unclear.

The point that everyone is making is that it's impossible to tell right now that we're in a recession

Nope, sorry. SEVERAL posters have written that a "recession is, at least, 2 consecutive quarters of negative GDP growth" and, therefore, we are not IN a recession and - more impliedly - people should stop using the term "recession" to describe the current situation.

That's a LOT different than saying it's "impossible to know" whether we are IN a recession.

More pointedly, while it may be "impossible to know" whether we are in a recession - there are lot of indications that we ARE, indeed, in a recession.

Even if we are NOT in a technical recession, then the evidence suggests that we certainly are in a period of very low, GDP growth. Either way - technical recession or very low GDP growth - it is not a good situation. And - technical recession or very low growth GDP - the available "remedies" are the same: (1) cut interest rates; and (2) attempt to stimulate the economy.

No, I said that there's no reason to reduce spending unless you've lost your job or had your wage reduced.

On the basis of this statement alone, I would doubt that you are graduate of the Harvard Business School.

[tcusta00]

Are you really this obtuse?

...

On the basis of this statement alone, I would doubt that you are graduate of the Harvard Business School.

Nice way to get me to exit a conversation.

BTW, I never claimed to be a graduate of Harvard. Reading is fundamental.

[Nightfall]

Last year in November, I made the decision to invest in HD and a nice new TV. I got a 52 inch Samsung and got the HD service through Directv. I also got 3 of the movie packages: HBO, Starz, and Showtime. There is always something on to watch in addition to my NHL Center Ice package. When there are no hockey games on, I will have plenty to watch on the movie channels.

Will I downgrade my package? Probably not. The cost of HBO, Starz, Showtime, HD access, and HD Extra package is under $60 a month. By cutting out non-essential trips in the car, and cutting back going out to eat by 1 time a week, and going out to get take out food instead of eating in when we do go out really cuts down on the expenses. Another thing that helps is bringing my lunch to work 1 additional time a week. I now eat at work 3 times a week minimum. Just doing all those things save me more money than my entire satellite bill per month.

Posters here are right. When you have things to do at home, you save money in the long run.

[Nightfall]

The tough times are affecting me personally, but I am a big believer in the fact that TV is actually a money saver.

As an example - the baseball package with Superfan is $225 which seems steep on the surface, but with money being tight now I already know I will not be going to any ballgames live this year.

In the past if I went to a dodger game I would get tickets from a broker and it would be about $200 for a pair of seats near tha dugout at Dodger stadium......
food, beers, parking etc take the cost over $300 for 1 baseball game. For $225 - I get 40!! HD games a week in the comfort of my home with cheap (store bought) food and drinks.

When I used to have Laker season seats it was $150 a ticket or $300 a pair face value so that became close to a $400 night for an outing after parking food etc.

For me cutting out live sports is the way to save money when times get tough.

I have the same theory for video games, a game like GTA IV is $60 for my xbox 360 - but I know it will keep me busy for a good month/month and a half. Staying home is always cheaper than going out and a way to save money.

That is so true.

I am a hockey fan and the price of NHL Center Ice is about $155. The price of going to a red wings game, if I pay face value, is around $100 for a pair. Then I have driving to Detroit and back which eats up a full tank of gas and 5 hours of my time round trip. Parking and a snack or eating fast food on the way there added in, and I am spending AT LEAST $155. If I eat somewhere nicer, its much more expensive.

I play many games so I am in the same boat with you as well. :)

[gfrang]

I don't plan on changing anything,every time i try to save money it ends costing
more in the long run.But if it comes to eating and watching tv the tv will be the first i will cut.

[DirecTV3049]

Nice way to get me to exit a conversation.

A case of "addition by subtraction."

Reading is fundamental.

So is sarcasm.

[tcusta00]

A case of "addition by subtraction."





More insults. Nice.

[DirecTV3049]

More insults. Nice.

Sooo, you haven't left this "conversation?"

But, to make sure I understand your double-standard: it's "ok" by you for Skooz to insult everyone who disagrees with him by stating "that they must get their economic education from Oprah" - heck, you'll even carry his water by suggesting it was NOT an insult - but it's not "ok" for me to note that this conversation might improve from your absence - which you voluntarily and publicly announced?

Ya know . . . for the guy who posted the first "what recession?" comment (post #3) which helped to get this thread off track. . . that's pretty gutsy.

[mightythor88]

it's funny after watching John Adams on HBO and looking at various other blogs & forums I frequent - it is a miracle this country ever got together in the first place. My experience is American only - so maybe it is like this in every country in the world, but it never ceases to amaze me that if you get a few people in a room (virtual or otherwise) the only guarantee is that they will vehemently disagree on pretty much everything.

To make people happy - the OP question could have been "if tough times ever affected you - would you scale back?"

I like this site since it is only TV at the end of the day and we can argue about tivo vs. HR 2x's til we are all blue in the face without anyone "really" getting mad. But once things get political - all semblance of rationality is gone.

[Brian Hanasky]

it never ceases to amaze me that if you get a few people in a room (virtual or otherwise) the only guarantee is that they will vehemently disagree on pretty much everything.

Imagine these guys trying to agree on pizza toppings....WWIII

[tcusta00]

Well, I thought it was a reasonable enough debate (albeit, off topic) until I started getting insulted in multiple posts.

Which is why I removed myself from it, as I didn't want to reduce myself to playground tactics.

I don't think it was political at all.

[DirecTV3049]

it's funny after watching John Adams on HBO

Among the reasons I'm not "cutting back" right now is that I think HBO does give me great value with shows like "John Adams" (and others like Real Time and Real Sports and, in the past, Sopranos, the Wire, etc.). I'm hopeful that this will continue in the future - though, it seems, these types of shows are coming less and less often on HBO.

I think, too, that I'd have a hard time going back to ALL SD content. In my particular location, I experience problems with the OTA HD signals (e.g., multi-path). So, I'm willing to pay for HD service from DirecTV.

But, right now, I'm at my "limit" for satellite television service. A "limit" I might not be willing to draw IF the general outlook - at the moment - were rosier.

As I've previously written in this thread, I'm shelving the notion of getting another HD-DVR (cost $199; or $169 plus Costco membership). At this point, I'm evaluating my purchases more on a "want" or "need" basis. While there's no need for us to *eliminate* the little (or not so little) luxuries, we're not going to adding to them either. While "financial difficulties" have not hit our doorstep, they have touched our friends and family (one who worked for Sprint was layed off recently; one who works in the landscape business was also layed off). "For sale" homes in our subdivision are at 90+ days on the market. We're building up our financial reserves as a hedge against the downturn/slowing actually touching us. If it passes us by and leaves us (relatively) unscathed - great. If not, we'll (hopefully) be prepared. So, I'm not going to be adding more hardware in the near future (already have 1 HR20 and 1 H20; plus 1 H10 and 1 old RCA).

I'm also not going to add anymore programming. While Showtime's offering of "The Tudors" (among others) appear to be very good - again, it's a mini-luxury that we've managed to live without so far and, therefore, we can continue to live without going forward.

I'd say that right now we're "holding the line" on all financial matters.

[warriorking]

:nono: No plans to drop any programming now or in the future,:grin: In this 12 trillion dollar economy the talks of doom and gloom are a bit far fetched....

[smokes20]

Imagine these guys trying to agree on pizza toppings....WWIII

Shoot, and I thought the Hotpass censorship thread was a hoot :grin: Someone could get hurt with all this sand getting thrown out of the sandbox ;).

[pennhunter]

I'm not changing my programming, recession or not. Because of gas prices however, I will be riding my Harley to my weekend home more often than driving my truck.

[jimb726]

I have scaled back slightly, I dropped the extra pack, mainly because I have found I dont watch anything on those channels, I also dropped an extra reciever in the basement that very rarely ever gets used, and I dropped the premium services. Not so much because of the economy, rather I am trying to eliminate foolish spending. By doing these three things I save 22 dollars a month. Should help out.

[MikeW]

I've not done anything yet. If the cost of food and fuel continue to rise, I will be forced to do something.

[Old Tv Watcher]

Nice way to get me to exit a conversation.

BTW, I never claimed to be a graduate of Harvard. Reading is fundamental.

I went to Harvard, My wife and I went there on a tour bus 10 years ago!

[scott72]

If I have to do more B&E's or whatever I'm OK with that.... :)

You go ahead and keep up those B&E's because I need a job too..;)

[scott72]

I'm not changing my programming, recession or not. Because of gas prices however, I will be riding my Harley to my weekend home more often than driving my truck.

Why don't you just come out and say it?? :rolleyes:

[dodge boy]

[QUOTE=mightythor88;1540360]it's funny after watching John Adams on HBO and looking at various other blogs & forums I frequent - it is a miracle this country ever got together in the first place. My experience is American only - so maybe it is like this in every country in the world, but it never ceases to amaze me that if you get a few people in a room (virtual or otherwise) the only guarantee is that they will vehemently disagree on pretty much everything.[QUOTE]

When other don't agree with me I just remember that God didn't grace everyone with my perfection and dealing with mere morons is just my little cross to bear in this world. If everyone was as intelligent as me on all matters it wouldn't be earth, it would be heaven. We are Borg, resistance is futile! :lol:

[byrdpack]

not really because of recession but I canceled premier to plus HD and added starz, showtime and cinemax. Saving 15 $'s a month for no HBO and Sports.

[Smuuth]

I will eat cat food for dinner and bathe in the lake behind the house first.
...and that would be different how? :lol:

[tcusta00]

A Man Lives By The Side Of The Road ... And Sold Hot Dogs.

He was hard of hearing, so he had no radio.

He had trouble with his eyes, so he had no newspaper.

But he sold good hot dogs. He put up a sign on the highway, telling everyone how good they were.

He stood by the side of the road and cried, "Buy a hot dog, mister!"

And people bought.

He increased his meat and bun orders, and he bought a bigger stove to take care of his trade,

He got his son home from college to help him.

But then something happened.

His son said, "Father, haven't you been listening to the radio? There's a big depression on. The international situation is terrible, and the domestic situation is even worse."

Whereupon the father thought, "Well, my son has been to college. He listens to the radio and reads the paper, so he ought to know,"

So, the father cut down his bun order, took down his advertising signs, and no longer bothered to stand on the highway to sell hot dogs.

His hot dog sales fell almost overnight.

"You were right, son," the father said to the boy. "We are certainly in the middle of a great depression."

[Jon D]

I think the government should just take over all TV, provide us with crappy but equal service. We'll have a government panel determine how many channels a citizen really needs. And, then it won't matter if there is a recession or not. Because there will be universal TV for every American! Just kidding. The point is, if money is tight for you, cut back. If not, don't.

As far as a recession right now. Technically the guys saying there is not one are right. The people saying that you can't know until you are more than two quarters in are also right. The polls I watch to guage the economy are the ones that ask people how they feel about the condition of the economy overall and then how they themselves are doing. When 80% of the people that think the economy is in the tank also say they are doing just fine that tells me that this economic angst is primarily media driven.

[Jon D]

A Man Lives By The Side Of The Road ... And Sold Hot Dogs.

He was hard of hearing, so he had no radio.

He had trouble with his eyes, so he had no newspaper.

But he sold good hot dogs. He put up a sign on the highway, telling everyone how good they were.

He stood by the side of the road and cried, "Buy a hot dog, mister!"

And people bought.

He increased his meat and bun orders, and he bought a bigger stove to take care of his trade,

He got his son home from college to help him.

But then something happened.

His son said, "Father, haven't you been listening to the radio? There's a big depression on. The international situation is terrible, and the domestic situation is even worse."

Whereupon the father thought, "Well, my son has been to college. He listens to the radio and reads the paper, so he ought to know,"

So, the father cut down his bun order, took down his advertising signs, and no longer bothered to stand on the highway to sell hot dogs.

His hot dog sales fell almost overnight.

"You were right, son," the father said to the boy. "We are certainly in the middle of a great depression."

You wrote this great parable right as I was writing about media created recessions.. :lol:

[tcusta00]

You wrote this great parable right as I was writing about media created recessions.. :lol:

;)

[hdtvfan0001]

You wrote this great parable right as I was writing about media created recessions.. :lol:
In today's "instant news" mentality world....many problems are triggered by self-fulfilling prophesies.

I can assure you that if today there was a 2-day national news blitz saying there will be a $10,000 tax on all gas guzzling SUV's and cars, not only would they clog all used car lots in a week, but gas prices would drop a ton in no time.

The national media has now conditioned many people to become reactionary to numerous things on a daily basis.

[SPECIES11703]

Hell No!! With gas and everything going up. It's cheaper to watch movies on my HDTV at home than go to the movies, spend $11.00 on a ticket, $15.00 on food and gas parking etc. Hell of alot cheaper having all the premiums. And the comfort of your own home.

As the title says.
Times are tough all around for everyone these days.
Just wondering if you will scale back on programming.

[johnp37]

Hell No!! With gas and everything going up. It's cheaper to watch movies on my HDTV at home than go to the movies, spend $11.00 on a ticket, $15.00 on food and gas parking etc. Hell of alot cheaper having all the premiums. And the comfort of your own home.

Amen brother, not to mention not having to put up with the loud mouth jerks.

[JayB]

As I live in an area of the country not often hit hard by recession (historically, Cincinnati is pretty even, economically), have a profession not often hit by recession (computer programming), and am in an industry that is not often effected by the economy (health care), I don't expect to need to make any changes. If I did need to make changes, there are many other things in my life I'd ditch first.

[SPACEMAKER]

I don't think any Michigan resident would say there is no recession. Our unemployment is sky rocketing and our home values have plummeted by 30% or more. It's the worst I've seen. I've lived here my entire life but will be moving to the Charlotte North Carolina area this summer because the economy here is so bad. I have no idea what I'm going to do about my house. I'm completely upside down in it. I see a short sale in my future.

But I'm still not downgrading my D*. It's one of the few things I can still enjoy these days.

[mightythor88]

I have tried to keep this thread on topic, but a bunch of "what recession, it's media driven"...and some random parable all take it off topic.

let's all try to stay on topic - "if times are tough for you would you cut back on your directv programming?"

[gfrang]

Yes i will cut back.

[armophob]

Amen brother, not to mention not having to put up with the loud mouth jerks.

Heyyyy!! Now wait just a minu......... Oh you mean in the theatre. Nevermind.:D

[DawgLink]

Not really because of the economy but due to my own personal reasons (financially), I dropped Sunday Ticket and Movie Channels

Just have to do what you can do with the money you have

[Steve Mehs]

I make more money now than ever before and I am working more hours than never before. I am thinking about adding programming not deleting it.

Ditto. Want more money? Work for it! I'm working 60+ hour weeks, back in February I did a 78 hour and a 72 hour week back to back, which was part of my working 30 out of 32 days. I'd think about adding programming too, but I already subscribe to everything and the best of everything I can from my cable company, except for the Spanish Package and the porn channels. What will be soon a $200 cable bill (TV, Phone, Broadband), $50 a month between XM and Sirius, a new $3K computer on the way as soon as HP can get the Yorkfeild processors. I'm sorry, I'm not settling for only a 2.66 Ghz Core 2 Quad processor and I might just opt for the 24” monitor over the 22”. I’m not cutting back a damn thing, I’m cranking it up baby!

[scott72]

Ditto. Want more money? Work for it! I'm working 60+ hour weeks, back in February I did a 78 hour and a 72 hour week back to back, which was part of my working 30 out of 32 days. I'd think about adding programming too, but I already subscribe to everything and the best of everything I can from my cable company, except for the Spanish Package and the porn channels. What will be soon a $200 cable bill (TV, Phone, Broadband), $50 a month between XM and Sirius, a new $3K computer on the way as soon as HP can get the Yorkfeild processors. I'm sorry, I'm not settling for only a 2.66 Ghz Core 2 Quad processor and I might just opt for the 24” monitor over the 22”. I’m not cutting back a damn thing, I’m cranking it up baby!

Man, I hope you don't have a wife and kids. :D

[gfrang]

Man, I hope you don't have a wife and kids. :D

He can't here you he is at work

[HDTVsportsfan]

I have tried to keep this thread on topic, but a bunch of "what recession, it's media driven"...and some random parable all take it off topic.

let's all try to stay on topic - "if times are tough for you would you cut back on your directv programming?"

I hear what your saying, but the this should have been expected. The word "recession" is in the title of the thread. It's just screaming politics and related posts.

[sorahl]

I won't scale back what we have but it combined with the price increase stopped me from getting the extra HD channels.

[dodge boy]

BTW - that was an AP article. :nono2:

so why bash the AP.........

Edited by OP as too not get too far off topic

[tcusta00]

I wasn't bashing the AP - read the thread.

[dodge boy]

I wasn't bashing the AP - read the thread.

ohhh, I was only kidding anyway, I probably should edit my content after a re-read of it..... I will

[Chandu]

I did already!! :up: Dumped all DBS subscriptions, and I'm very happy now with better time utilization.

[studdad]

The nation is in a moment of pause, economy wise, this is what is called a recession.recession, i.e. to recede, i.e. negative growth. Sorry folks, yes times are hard, budgets are being pinched, and we may end up in a recession, but at this time, we are not in a recession.

[Sirshagg]

no changes for me.

[Dolly]

I dropped NFL Sunday Ticket this year, but it wasn't just about the cost.
When I had it last year I didn't watch it--suddenly I just lost interest in Pro football. Talk about bad timing :blush: And I'm thinking about the MLB. Seems neither my husband or I are as interested in sports as we used to be.

[paulman182]

I dropped down from Premier but added it back a few days ago.

I find that without the premium movie channels, there is little worth watching besides football.

[Skooz]

If we get into a recession, I might scale back. I won;t know until it happens.

And it hasn't happened. Yet.

Indications are we could be in a deep recession next year. But, as of today, we are not in one.

[Skooz]

recession, i.e. to recede, i.e. negative growth. Sorry folks, yes times are hard, budgets are being pinched, and we may end up in a recession, but at this time, we are not in a recession.

You make too much sense.

I agree.

[fluffybear]

Yes, we are scaling back our programming but it has nothing to do with the economy but rather the desire to lack of time and desire to spend more time as a family.
We don't have enough time as it is to watch everything we record as it is. Sure, we could wait until the weekend and then plant ourselves in front of the TV or go and do something fun with the kids, I don't have to tell you what my choice is!

[SPACEMAKER]

I dropped NFL Sunday Ticket this year, but it wasn't just about the cost.
When I had it last year I didn't watch it--suddenly I just lost interest in Pro football. Talk about bad timing :blush: And I'm thinking about the MLB. Seems neither my husband or I are as interested in sports as we used to be.

I feel the same way. After so many years of following so many sports so closely I have lost interest in the NFL, NBA and MLB. I follow NASCAR, IRL and F1 as well as Red Wing hockey but am pretty much burned out on everything else. Although I still watch some playoff games. I guess the main thing is that I no longer feel like I am missing out on something if I miss a game.

[wilbur_the_goose]

recession, i.e. to recede, i.e. negative growth. Sorry folks, yes times are hard, budgets are being pinched, and we may end up in a recession, but at this time, we are not in a recession.

Say what? You're saying we're NOT in a recession? Where have you been? We most certainly are in a recession.

From the NBER:
The NBER does not define a recession in terms of two consecutive quarters of decline in real GDP. Rather, a recession is a significant decline in economic activity spread across the economy, lasting more than a few months, normally visible in real GDP, real income, employment, industrial production, and wholesale-retail sales. For more information, see the latest announcement on how the NBER's Business Cycle Dating Committee chooses turning points in the Economy and its latest memo, dated 07/17/03.

----------------------------------
I've dropped all movie channels and am considering dropping my XM subscription too.

[davring]

[QUOTE=wilbur_the_goose;1852316]Say what? You're saying we're NOT in a recession? Where have you been? We most certainly are in a recession.

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As long as the entire country shares your view we can't help but be in a recession.

[jdh8668]

Keeping what I got. Just cutting back on the wife's weekly beer & cigar allowance.

[Doug Brott]

Folks, this was "fun" back in April '08 when this started .. Seems too many people didn't heed my earlier warning :nono2:

I deleted numerous political posts both before and after my warning (which is also now deleted) .. As a result of this thread turning political (last April) and being very old, I am going to close it now.