No more "legacy" packages if you want to make a change?

[Thaedron]

Can you no longer keep your "legacy" base programming package if you are making other changes to your account?

I just tried to remove Starz from our account and the system won't let me without changing to the new & improved (& more expensive) programming package.

We're still on Choice Extra, I think it was called. The equivalent HD, DVR package is $2.02 more a month than what we're paying now.

Is it possible that by calling, they can simply remove the premium channel?

[rabit ears]

It has been this way on the web for some time. However, you can simply call and add or remove packages and retain your legacy package. Just did it about three weeks ago.:)

[Fredfa]

And I did it when adding the new CI HD Channel last month. But, as rabit ears notes, you have to do the change by phone.

[bobnielsen]

There has been speculation that changes via phone may end soon also, but it works for now.

[jdh8668]

If the day comes that they don't allow legacy package owners to make changes to add or substract premium channels by phone with the consequence of losing their legacy package, I foresee Directv having a huge problem trying to get legacy owners to upgrade. I would think something that major in policy, would also warrant notifying legacy owners, which I'm sure there are quite a few of us in the Directv system. Would also make you leery of accepting their free offers, if the end result was to lose your legacy package. Was wondering too....would that constitute Directv breaking their two year contract if this were to pass?

[rudeney]

The contract that you verbally agreed to basically says it can be changed by D* at any time for any reason and you can do nothing about it other than cancel service (but that does not waive ETF’s).

[t4swillia3]

word of advice... within 30 days of turning off any services, you can add them back on... except for dns stations if they are availible in your area. I don't think this info is bad to give out. hope it helps!

[JLucPicard]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't the difference between most legacy packages and their current package equivalent just a couple of bucks? The only thing I can see that isn't just a couple of bucks cheaper is if the legacy package includes the HD Access and or DVR fees and the current package equivalent doesn't.

I've currently got (jees, I can't even remember the name of it!) Total Choice (Total Choice Plus?). I'm paying the $9.99 HD Access fee on top of that and I've got the lifetime DVR service. My equivalent current package, I think, would be just a couple of dollars more - certainly not enough to get my undies all in a bunch over.

I have appreciated having the package I have now, but I never had ANY expectation that it would be "grandfathered" more than a year or two - and it's been well over a year now already. If DirecTV just eliminated the grandfathered packages in one fell swoop right now, I'd think "Bummer, that sucks", but I'd move on and pay the new package price. I've certainly had PLENTY of time to transition. I don't think DirecTV is doing anything wrong by phasing out those legacy packages. In fact, I'd much prefer a 'phase out' than an across-the-board, woke-up-this-morning-and-now-I'm-slammed-into-a-new-package change.

If I was looking to drop Starz to save some money on my monthly bill and by doing so would forfeit my legacy package, I certainly wouldn't NOT do it out of principal to hang onto my old package. So I'm saving $10 a month instead of $12. OK, that's still ten bucks.

To the best of my knowledge, I have not entered into an agreement with DirecTV that guarantees that I may maintain my grandfathered package forever as long as I don't make any changes (or even if I do make some changes).

I certainly don't see this as a HUGE problem for DirecTV.

That's just my opinion, though. For me, it's just TV, a source of entertainment. I have absolutely nothing that I can hold over DirecTV to MAKE them leave my programming package as it is. They can change it however they see fit. If it's a change I can't live with, then I go elsewhere. So far, any changes they've made I can certainly live with.

[Shades228]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't the difference between most legacy packages and their current package equivalent just a couple of bucks? The only thing I can see that isn't just a couple of bucks cheaper is if the legacy package includes the HD Access and or DVR fees and the current package equivalent doesn't.

I've currently got (jees, I can't even remember the name of it!) Total Choice (Total Choice Plus?). I'm paying the $9.99 HD Access fee on top of that and I've got the lifetime DVR service. My equivalent current package, I think, would be just a couple of dollars more - certainly not enough to get my undies all in a bunch over.

I have appreciated having the package I have now, but I never had ANY expectation that it would be "grandfathered" more than a year or two - and it's been well over a year now already. If DirecTV just eliminated the grandfathered packages in one fell swoop right now, I'd think "Bummer, that sucks", but I'd move on and pay the new package price. I've certainly had PLENTY of time to transition. I don't think DirecTV is doing anything wrong by phasing out those legacy packages. In fact, I'd much prefer a 'phase out' than an across-the-board, woke-up-this-morning-and-now-I'm-slammed-into-a-new-package change.

If I was looking to drop Starz to save some money on my monthly bill and by doing so would forfeit my legacy package, I certainly wouldn't NOT do it out of principal to hang onto my old package. So I'm saving $10 a month instead of $12. OK, that's still ten bucks.

To the best of my knowledge, I have not entered into an agreement with DirecTV that guarantees that I may maintain my grandfathered package forever as long as I don't make any changes (or even if I do make some changes).

I certainly don't see this as a HUGE problem for DirecTV.

That's just my opinion, though. For me, it's just TV, a source of entertainment. I have absolutely nothing that I can hold over DirecTV to MAKE them leave my programming package as it is. They can change it however they see fit. If it's a change I can't live with, then I go elsewhere. So far, any changes they've made I can certainly live with.

Price differences for expired packages to current packages are TC $50.99 Choice $52.99 and TCP 54.99 to Choice Xtra 57.99. The bigger difference is that TC and TCP have some channels that their newer counterparts do not.

[Thaedron]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't the difference between most legacy packages and their current package equivalent just a couple of bucks? The only thing I can see that isn't just a couple of bucks cheaper is if the legacy package includes the HD Access and or DVR fees and the current package equivalent doesn't.

You're right, it's just a couple of bucks a month ($2.02 to be precise as I stated in my original post). And no, my "undies aren't in a bunch". But if I can keep $2.02 a month rather than giving it to DirecTV, I'm going to try. I was merely asking the question. Like you, I too appreciate the ability to hold on to the legacy package and certainly wouldn't keep paying $12/mo simply to keep a base package that saves $2/mo.

[Jeremy W]

Price differences for expired packages to current packages are TC $50.99 Choice $52.99 and TCP 54.99 to Choice Xtra 57.99. The bigger difference is that TC and TCP have some channels that their newer counterparts do not.
Yes. Going from TC Plus to Choice Xtra is $3 more, with fewer channels. No thanks, DirecTV.

[Shades228]

Yes. Going from TC Plus to Choice Xtra is $3 more, with fewer channels. No thanks, DirecTV.

Technically there are more channels in Choice Xtra but some of the rsn's already included in TCP aren't in Choice Xtra and people get upset about it.

[DishCSR]

word of advice... within 30 days of turning off any services, you can add them back on... except for dns stations if they are availible in your area. I don't think this info is bad to give out. hope it helps!

this isn't always true, especially with expired packages. Sometimes the expired packages are gone for good as soon as they are removed, and some of them are not available anymore in stms either

[Shades228]

this isn't always true, especially with expired packages. Sometimes the expired packages are gone for good as soon as they are removed, and some of them are not available anymore in stms either

This is true for base packages and movie channels. It is not true for HD Access or DVR service.

[jdh8668]

In my case I just have total choice for $50.99. Their newer choice for $52.99 actually loses me channels and costs me more. I would have to go up to $54.99 to retain channels I used to have for $50.99 like WGN, Chiller, ESPN Classic, Speed, Golf, Oxygen, Sleuth, and G4 just to name a few. I know there are lots of extra channels with that package, but if I had wanted those in the first place, I would have gone up to total choice plus. And as we know, come the first of March, that $54.99 will probably going up another 3 bucks or more for our convenience and viewing pleasure.

[TaylorJ]

going from tc plus to ch xtra you will lose cbs college sports

[jbraden]

For me, the difference is $5.02/mo, since I get my local stations over the air. Total Choice Plus with DVR & HD is $67.97, whereas CHOICE XTRA HD DVR is $72.99. None of the new packages allow you to omit locals.

[Sirshagg]

In my case I just have total choice for $50.99. Their newer choice for $52.99 actually loses me channels and costs me more. I would have to go up to $54.99 to retain channels I used to have for $50.99 like WGN, Chiller, ESPN Classic, Speed, Golf, Oxygen, Sleuth, and G4 just to name a few. I know there are lots of extra channels with that package, but if I had wanted those in the first place, I would have gone up to total choice plus. And as we know, come the first of March, that $54.99 will probably going up another 3 bucks or more for our convenience and viewing pleasure.

If only my paycheck went up 5.5% each March!

[dlt4]

Yes. Going from TC Plus to Choice Xtra is $3 more, with fewer channels. No thanks, DirecTV.

And going from TC to Choice Extra is $6 more, and there's only about 3 channels I would gain that I'm interested in. Not worth it.

[rahlquist]

Just keep in mind, DirecTV may not keep you grandfathered forever.

[Jeremy W]

Just keep in mind, DirecTV may not keep you grandfathered forever.
Of course. And when they decide they don't want me grandfathered anymore, they'll be giving me a nice programming credit.

[HiDuck]

You're right, it's just a couple of bucks a month ($2.02 to be precise as I stated in my original post). And no, my "undies aren't in a bunch". But if I can keep $2.02 a month rather than giving it to DirecTV, I'm going to try. I was merely asking the question. Like you, I too appreciate the ability to hold on to the legacy package and certainly wouldn't keep paying $12/mo simply to keep a base package that saves $2/mo.

And then there are some out there where $2.02 does make a significant impact if there is very little expendable income and living on a tight budget. Oh and don't forget the extra taxes on the $2.02

[Jeremy W]

Oh and don't forget the extra taxes on the $2.02
Not for everyone. Michigan is a crappy state, but we don't have tax on satellite TV service here.

[HiDuck]

;)

[Thaedron]

As an update. I did end up calling, spoke with a pleasant and helpful CSR who quickly removed Starz from our account and issued a credit for the remainder of our billing cycle. I checked online after the change and our legacy Total Choice Plus package is still intact.

[leesweet]

Well, this may be CSR roulette, but I had them screw up my old Premier, so I no longer had DVR included, and for the last two years (last year and next year), they are giving me a monthly credit for it. (I have/had to renew the credit annually.)

But they say that will go away 'sometime soon'. So, yeah, grandfathering/credits for same may not be 'forever'.

Since they can change terms at any time, we don't have a legal leg to stand on. Unless someone is a better lawyer than I (and IANAL).

[hdtvfan0001]

Not for everyone. Michigan is a crappy state, but we don't have tax on satellite TV service here.
But you are stuck with the Lions.... :D

[Jeremy W]

But you are stuck with the Lions.... :D
There was no need to go there. :(

[hdtvfan0001]

There was no need to go there. :(
Sorry....just having a small bit of fun.

But that said....I actually agree with your comments that the whole sat tax thing is foolish, no matter what state we're talking about.

As for the OP....if there is no mandate to change, and no reason to change, don't change.

[salad-man]

Tried to drop Starz yesterday online. After upgrading the package from Total Choice Plus figuring I didn't have an option tried to drop Starz and the system still wouldn't let me. Called the CSR and they dropped Starz and restored my legacy package. However, today I got hit with a $10 Premium Service Disconnect Fee. Called and got that reversed. The moral is question and double check everything.

[RandCfilm]

It has been this way on the web for some time. However, you can simply call and add or remove packages and retain your legacy package. Just did it about three weeks ago.:)Even easier is contacting via email thru the contact us page. Send an email and sometimes in a few hours it's taken care of, my request from two days ago did take a full day to get completed, no big deal thought.

[nitsudima]

Since we're talking legacy packages here, I decided to see if there are any instances where a new package might be a better deal than a legacy package. I have Total Choice with an HR10-250 (only OTA HD), an R10, and an HDVR2. Here's my current deal:

Total Choice: $50.99
DVR Service: $5.99
Additional Rcvr: $4.99
Additional Rcvr: $4.99
Monthly total: $66.96

If I understand correctly, if I wanted HD I'd add $10 to my bill (let's ignore the need to swap the HR10-250 for an MPEG4 DVR). So we're looking at $76.96 for Total Choice w/HD.

But let's say I want to go with the current Plus HD DVR package:

Plus HD DVR: $72.99
Add Rcvr: $4.99
Add Rcvr: $4.99
Monthly total: $82.97

Am I correct in assuming that the $10 HD fee and $5.99 DVR fee are included in that base $72.99 figure? If that's correct, the new package would cost me about 6 bucks more a month than Total Choice with HD, with a net gain of a few extra channels that I may or may not watch.

So I'm thinking I should keep my legacy Total Choice package as long as I can and simply add the $10 HD by itself. But are my calculations and assumptions here correct?

Thanks for the help.

[Bsquared]

Yep, i believe your calculations are correct. I have Total Choice with locals, HD and DVR and one extra receiver, and my bill comes to about $77.

It really comes down to the value of the channels we are missing out on...there are a few.

[murry27409]

Since we're talking legacy packages here, I decided to see if there are any instances where a new package might be a better deal than a legacy package. I have Total Choice with an HR10-250 (only OTA HD), an R10, and an HDVR2. Here's my current deal:

Total Choice: $50.99
DVR Service: $5.99
Additional Rcvr: $4.99
Additional Rcvr: $4.99
Monthly total: $66.96

If I understand correctly, if I wanted HD I'd add $10 to my bill (let's ignore the need to swap the HR10-250 for an MPEG4 DVR). So we're looking at $76.96 for Total Choice w/HD.

But let's say I want to go with the current Plus HD DVR package:

Plus HD DVR: $72.99
Add Rcvr: $4.99
Add Rcvr: $4.99
Monthly total: $82.97

Am I correct in assuming that the $10 HD fee and $5.99 DVR fee are included in that base $72.99 figure? If that's correct, the new package would cost me about 6 bucks more a month than Total Choice with HD, with a net gain of a few extra channels that I may or may not watch.

So I'm thinking I should keep my legacy Total Choice package as long as I can and simply add the $10 HD by itself. But are my calculations and assumptions here correct?

Thanks for the help.

The difference would b $6 for me as well:

Opcion Ultra Especial 48.99
Familiar Ultra 54.99

with everything else being equal. (DVR, HD, etc)
As far as I can tell, there would b no difference in the ch's I would receive, i.e. no gain or loss.
That being said, there was an announcement that certain ch's were going 2 b removed from some of the Spanish packages on 1/22/09. Not sure if that has been fully incorporated yet.

[Grentz]

Difference between TC+ and the current Plus HD DVR Package is about $3. So TC should be around $5-$6 like you calculated.

TC = Choice
TC+ = Choice Xtra which is the package that makes up Plus HD DVR

[DeweySat]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't the difference between most legacy packages and their current package equivalent just a couple of bucks? The only thing I can see that isn't just a couple of bucks cheaper is if the legacy package includes the HD Access and or DVR fees and the current package equivalent doesn't. I guess it depends upon which packages you are comparing. We currently have the old Select Choice, which is almost identical to the current The Choice. The only real difference is that Select Choice doesn't include the locals. Until recently we got all our networks from DNS stations. Last month, when we went to HD, we added the locals to Select Choice. The Choice is currently $52.99. Select Choice is currently $35.99. Even when you add the $6 for locals to Select Choice, it's still $11.00 cheaper than The Choice.