DirecTV Phone Call: RSN's and HD Access

[The Merg]

Got an automated call from DirecTV last night. It told me that starting on June 11 I need to subscribe to the HD Access package if I want to continue receiving my RSN's in HD. After that date, I would still be able to see my RSN's in SD format. At first I thought that they were referring to the extra pack, but checking the DirecTV website proved me wrong in that respect.

I currently do not have HD service so this phone call is kinda strange. If I don't have HD service, how can I continue to watch my RSN's in HD. The only thing I could think of was that they might be assuming that I am watching my RSN's via OTA (is that even possible?) and that they are moving the RSN's from MPEG2 to MPEG4.

- Merg

[LI-SVT]

For a long time I did not have HD access and received the NY DNS HD and my RSNs in HD.

One time recently the HD access mistakenly dropped off my account. I could still view my RSNs, MPEG 4 locals, and the NY DNS MPEG 2 HD. It must be something in the way the channels are tiered. I believe at one time HD locals were included in your locals package so they were always available if you had the equipment to receive them.

[RobertE]

This is similar to when they started to enforce the need for HD Access for OTA use. In some cases if you had HD equipment, but were not paying for HD Access you could still watch your RSN in HD. That loophole has been (or is in the process of) being closed.

Basically put, you now must have HD Access to view any HD content on a DirecTv HD receiver.

[Downset]

Do you have an HD recvr on the account. The phone call is most likely going out to customers with HD equipment. Letting them know that now without HD Access on their account, they will no longer receiver RSNs in HD. Whereas before they could.

[The Merg]

I have two SD receivers and have never had an HD receiver.

- Merg