Let The Games Begin (aka Superfan)

[VaJim]

..yeah I know it's early but I felt like testing the water as to what to expect in nailing down a deal for the NFL Superfan. Got the following e-mail last night:

"In addition, I understand that your concern about the costs to add NFL SUNDAY TICKET SuperFan. However, please be informed that high-definition is some of the most expensive programming we carry due to what we pay to distribute it and the bandwidth we use to deliver it. This is why we don't offer HD games for free. Nevertheless, we do appreciate your business and we want to keep you as a customer. Our best programming offers are usually online. By signing up for email alerts at http://directv.com, you'll also find out about any special deals as they become available. Just go to http://directv.com/register to sign up.

If you still are not satisfied, we need to speak with you to help you get the programming you're looking for at the best possible price. Please call us at 800-531-5000 so we can assist you."

This is the same response I received last year. :nono2::nono2:

[couchpotato]

This is why I cancel Sunday Ticket after each season, so it doesn't renew. I always do much better price wise in July, when the new customer offer comes out. I haven't received that offer yet, but I never really asked for it. I have got free Superfan each year, though.:D

[VaJim]

This is why I cancel Sunday Ticket after each season, so it doesn't renew. I always do much better price wise in July, when the new customer offer comes out. I haven't received that offer yet, but I never really asked for it. I have got free Superfan each year, though.:D

...I'm glad for ya....but this type of tactics by DTV is crazy. How does what you describe compare to someone who has had NFLST for several years and they continue to try and stick it to them for the SuperFan because of the cost of HD? It's just crazy, but if you're successful in getting what you want...go for it. Thanks!:)

[Argee]

"cost of bandwidth"

hmmmmm... seems to me the cost of the bandwidth is the same whether they have 1 superfan customer or 100,000.

[BattleZone]

"cost of bandwidth"

hmmmmm... seems to me the cost of the bandwidth is the same whether they have 1 superfan customer or 100,000.

That's true, but that's not the point and you know it. Unless they have enough people PAYING for it, they can't justify using it for SF, so they'd cancel SF and reuse the bandwidth for other stuff. Otherwise, you could make the argument "hey, I should get every channel for free, because other people subscribe and you have to provide it to them already."

SF is a PREMIUM service, on top of another PREMIUM service (NFLST), for a base service (pay TV) that is entirely optional in the first place. It's a luxury, not a right, and you're going to pay for that luxury no matter who offers it.

[dcowboy7]

That's true, but that's not the point and you know it. Unless they have enough people PAYING for it, they can't justify using it for SF, so they'd cancel SF and reuse the bandwidth for other stuff. Otherwise, you could make the argument "hey, I should get every channel for free, because other people subscribe and you have to provide it to them already."

SF is a PREMIUM service, on top of another PREMIUM service (NFLST), for a base service (pay TV) that is entirely optional in the first place. It's a luxury, not a right, and you're going to pay for that luxury no matter who offers it.

Then just split Superfan into:
a) $29 or whatever $ = but all u get is HD games.
b) $99 or whatever $ = includes HD games, red zone channel, game mix channel, short cut games, supercast etc.

[JoeTheDragon]

Then just split Superfan into:
a) $29 or whatever $ = but all u get is HD games.
b) $99 or whatever $ = includes HD games, red zone channel, game mix channel, short cut games, supercast etc.

how about $10 more for HD.

for the other sports packs HD is free as it is needed for RSN needs.

[VaJim]

Then just split Superfan into:
a) $29 or whatever $ = but all u get is HD games.
.

I could 'almost' buy this.:)

Won't life be easier when ALL is HD?:confused:

[Barmat]

I could 'almost' buy this.:)

Won't life be easier when ALL is HD?:confused:

By then the Ticket will be 599.00 a year.

[Shades228]

how about $10 more for HD.

for the other sports packs HD is free as it is needed for RSN needs.

MLBEI had a SF and there was a cost for it to get the strike zone channel and hd channels. Since the strike zone went away the SF package went away. If red zone channel goes away I would bet the SF package will as well or at least drop in price.

[CorrysD]

how about $10 more for HD.

for the other sports packs HD is free as it is needed for RSN needs.

Isn't that what the HD access fee is?

[hdfan1]

MLBEI had a SF and there was a cost for it to get the strike zone channel and hd channels. Since the strike zone went away the SF package went away. If red zone channel goes away I would bet the SF package will as well or at least drop in price.I can guarantee the Red Zone channel is not going away. In fact starting this year they are going to start selling the Red Zone channel by itself to cable operators to allow them to start showing just the Red Zone channel. The only reason the Strike Zone channel went away on Extra innings is because the MLB network started up and wanted to do a simlar thing to the Strike Zone channel.

[Newshawk]

MLBEI had a SF and there was a cost for it to get the strike zone channel and hd channels. Since the strike zone went away the SF package went away. If red zone channel goes away I would bet the SF package will as well or at least drop in price.

Let's consider what DirecTV does to provide HD coverage of the NFL. With all other sports subscriptions (MLB Extra Innings, NBA League Pass, NHL Center Ice and MLS Direct Kick) DirecTV can utilize the existing RSN system to feed all the games to them. They merely mirror the RSN channels on different channel assignments to make it easier for the subscribers to browse the channels. If it wasn't for that convenience , they could just open the RSNs for the duration of the games.

With Sunday Ticket, DirecTV has no existing network to tap into. They have to dedicate satellite receiving equipment for up to 14 games each Sunday. Then they also have to open an equivalent number of transponder slots for those games to be delivered to subscribers. This is equipment that, absent Sunday Ticket, DirecTV would not need or would not need to retask from other uses (remember the TNT-HD takedowns every Sunday, or the continuing controversy over the seemingly excessive number of PPV channels?) Add to that the need to monitor each of those 14 games (read-"manpower") and then throw in the extras that DirecTV is providing in the SuperFan package-the fantasy stats, the Mix channel and most of all, the Red Zone channel. All are items that cost DirecTV in equipment and personnel that would not be needed absent Sunday Ticket.

One more thing. What is one of the biggest complaints about Sunday Ticket? It's the annual price increses, right? Tell me, how much has the SuperFan package gone up in price since its inception. I'll wait...

[Shades228]

I can guarantee the Red Zone channel is not going away. In fact starting this year they are going to start selling the Red Zone channel by itself to cable operators to allow them to start showing just the Red Zone channel. The only reason the Strike Zone channel went away on Extra innings is because the MLB network started up and wanted to do a simlar thing to the Strike Zone channel.

I said if if it went away not that it was.

Let's consider what DirecTV does to provide HD coverage of the NFL. With all other sports subscriptions (MLB Extra Innings, NBA League Pass, NHL Center Ice and MLS Direct Kick) DirecTV can utilize the existing RSN system to feed all the games to them. They merely mirror the RSN channels on different channel assignments to make it easier for the subscribers to browse the channels. If it wasn't for that convenience , they could just open the RSNs for the duration of the games.

With Sunday Ticket, DirecTV has no existing network to tap into. They have to dedicate satellite receiving equipment for up to 14 games each Sunday. Then they also have to open an equivalent number of transponder slots for those games to be delivered to subscribers. This is equipment that, absent Sunday Ticket, DirecTV would not need or would not need to retask from other uses (remember the TNT-HD takedowns every Sunday, or the continuing controversy over the seemingly excessive number of PPV channels?) Add to that the need to monitor each of those 14 games (read-"manpower") and then throw in the extras that DirecTV is providing in the SuperFan package-the fantasy stats, the Mix channel and most of all, the Red Zone channel. All are items that cost DirecTV in equipment and personnel that would not be needed absent Sunday Ticket.

One more thing. What is one of the biggest complaints about Sunday Ticket? It's the annual price increses, right? Tell me, how much has the SuperFan package gone up in price since its inception. I'll wait...

Your example is the same actually. The HD games are feeds for FOX, CBS affiliates across the country. Same thing as what you're describing. However I'm not sure why you're quoting me and then defending the cost.

[Paul Secic]

..yeah I know it's early but I felt like testing the water as to what to expect in nailing down a deal for the NFL Superfan. Got the following e-mail last night:

"In addition, I understand that your concern about the costs to add NFL SUNDAY TICKET SuperFan. However, please be informed that high-definition is some of the most expensive programming we carry due to what we pay to distribute it and the bandwidth we use to deliver it. This is why we don't offer HD games for free. Nevertheless, we do appreciate your business and we want to keep you as a customer. Our best programming offers are usually online. By signing up for email alerts at http://directv.com, you'll also find out about any special deals as they become available. Just go to http://directv.com/register to sign up.

If you still are not satisfied, we need to speak with you to help you get the programming you're looking for at the best possible price. Please call us at 800-531-5000 so we can assist you."

This is the same response I received last year. :nono2::nono2:

You've got 5 months until NFL starts.

[VaJim]

You've got 5 months until NFL starts.

...DTV puts the ST and SF on your bill months in advance....:eek2:

[JoeTheDragon]

Isn't that what the HD access fee is?

some of the other ppv events have HD for $10 more.

[RAD]

With Sunday Ticket, DirecTV has no existing network to tap into. They have to dedicate satellite receiving equipment for up to 14 games each Sunday. Then they also have to open an equivalent number of transponder slots for those games to be delivered to subscribers. This is equipment that, absent Sunday Ticket, DirecTV would not need or would not need to retask from other uses (remember the TNT-HD takedowns every Sunday, or the continuing controversy over the seemingly excessive number of PPV channels?) Add to that the need to monitor each of those 14 games (read-"manpower") and then throw in the extras that DirecTV is providing in the SuperFan package-the fantasy stats, the Mix channel and most of all, the Red Zone channel. All are items that cost DirecTV in equipment and personnel that would not be needed absent Sunday Ticket

Agree with most of this. But all I want is an HD only option, don't need RedZone, don't need mix channels, don't need the player/team alert function, all I want is the HD. So how about a reduced price package for the HD only?

[dcowboy7]

In fact starting this year they are going to start selling the Red Zone channel by itself to cable operators to allow them to start showing just the Red Zone channel.

The press release said:

"Red Zone Channel" to some Cable operators as well as telco TV providers Verizon and AT&T at some point before the 2012 season."


When did they announce it would be ready for this 2009 season ?

[joed32]

You've got 5 months until NFL starts.

Less than 4.

[ProfLonghair]

Let's consider what DirecTV does to provide HD coverage of the NFL. With all other sports subscriptions (MLB Extra Innings, NBA League Pass, NHL Center Ice and MLS Direct Kick) DirecTV can utilize the existing RSN system to feed all the games to them. They merely mirror the RSN channels on different channel assignments to make it easier for the subscribers to browse the channels. If it wasn't for that convenience , they could just open the RSNs for the duration of the games.

With Sunday Ticket, DirecTV has no existing network to tap into. They have to dedicate satellite receiving equipment for up to 14 games each Sunday. Then they also have to open an equivalent number of transponder slots for those games to be delivered to subscribers. This is equipment that, absent Sunday Ticket, DirecTV would not need or would not need to retask from other uses (remember the TNT-HD takedowns every Sunday, or the continuing controversy over the seemingly excessive number of PPV channels?) Add to that the need to monitor each of those 14 games (read-"manpower") and then throw in the extras that DirecTV is providing in the SuperFan package-the fantasy stats, the Mix channel and most of all, the Red Zone channel. All are items that cost DirecTV in equipment and personnel that would not be needed absent Sunday Ticket.

One more thing. What is one of the biggest complaints about Sunday Ticket? It's the annual price increses, right? Tell me, how much has the SuperFan package gone up in price since its inception. I'll wait...

Wrong. They only broadcast what the networks have, which is essentially the LIL HD signals and/or the East/West coast network feeds.

It's really $99 because people have shown they will pay $99 for it.

[VaJim]

.. However, please be informed that high-definition is some of the most expensive programming we carry due to what we pay to distribute it and the bandwidth we use to deliver it. :

...if this is true why do we see ESPN and HBO on duplicate channels, i.e. 70's and 500's....:confused::confused::confused:

[pfp]

...if this is true why do we see ESPN and HBO on duplicate channels, i.e. 70's and 500's....:confused::confused::confused:

I believe the 70's are the old mpeg2 and the 500's are the new mpeg4. The ones in the 70's will be shut down soon. Also just becasue there are two channels with the exact same content does not mean it's taking 2 times the bandwidth. They just assign more than one channel number to the same data.

[VaJim]

I believe the 70's are the old mpeg2 and the 500's are the new mpeg4. The ones in the 70's will be shut down soon. Also just becasue there are two channels with the exact same content does not mean it's taking 2 times the bandwidth. They just assign more than one channel number to the same data.

thanks...but it's still waste.:eek2:

especially when they beat the 'HD Cost' drum.

[dcowboy7]

thanks...but it's still waste.:eek2:

especially when they beat the 'HD Cost' drum.

Because people with older receivers can only get the 70's range channels not the 500s.

Once they are done swapping out then the channels in the 70s range are going away.

edit: the 70s for those channels

[Newshawk]

I believe the 70's are the old mpeg2 and the 500's are the new mpeg4. The ones in the 70's will be shut down soon. Also just becasue there are two channels with the exact same content does not mean it's taking 2 times the bandwidth. They just assign more than one channel number to the same data.

Actually, the HD channels in the 70s are not a remap. How could you remap a MPEG4 channel as a MPEG2 one? They are standalone MPEG2 channels on the 110 and 119 sats. But as was said elsewhere, they are still in operation to give those with legacy HD receivers the HD they pay for.

[zimm7778]

Agree with most of this. But all I want is an HD only option, don't need RedZone, don't need mix channels, don't need the player/team alert function, all I want is the HD. So how about a reduced price package for the HD only?


Isnt there still a game or two that is not in HD every week though?

[joed32]

Isnt there still a game or two that is not in HD every week though?

Not anymore. Last year all were HD.

[DawgLink]

I will be starting this train in a few weeks

Trying to get the best ST deal that I can :)

[SDizzle]

Is it Ground Hog's Day?

[Jeremy W]

The press release said:

"Red Zone Channel" to some Cable operators as well as telco TV providers Verizon and AT&T at some point before the 2012 season."


When did they announce it would be ready for this 2009 season ?
They didn't, and it won't.