Can you get NFL package ONLY?

[clearblue_71]

Hi all

I've been a dish network customer for 5 years, and am pleased with their service. The only complaint I have is that I'm a pretty big NFL fan, and they do not carry the NFL Season ticket package like direct TV does.

Does anyone here know if one can get ONLY the NFL package from direct TV (nothing else)? Or do you HAVE to subscribe to a minimal programming package?

Do you think they would they still give me the equipment for free (there are SO many places advertising free equipment/setup)?

Thanks for any thoughts you have!

Clearblue

[boba]

Last year you could have bought NFL Sunday Ticket. This year you must commit to 1 year of a Total Choice package.

[sideshow11]

A guy I work with has gotten the NFLST for years as his only service. He has already been billed for it this year (it automatically bills the following year unless otherwise requested). He thinks that because he was billed, he will continue to get it without having to sign up for a TC package. We will have to see what happens though - I wouldn't be surprised to hear that they refund his money to him and cut off the NFLST service unless he signs up for a TC package - time will tell for sure I guess

[SuperJack]

I'm unclear about the whole NFL Sunday Ticket thing. If you call D*, they will tell you that you must at least carry Total Choice to subscribe to NFLST. The questions I can't get a straight answer about are: Does this apply to new customers only? and What if you already have equipment? It seems that they are now forcing people to subscribe to D* to get NFLST. Not a huge deal to me since I'm already a D* customer. However, I don't like to feel like I have no other option for programming and that D* has me over a barrel because they carry NFLST.

[clearblue_71]

Well - that's not the answer I was hoping for! I'd be willing to pay for NFLST, but not $40 a month as well.

Thanks, all, for your guidance.

[bonscott87]

You can no longer get NFL Sunday Ticket on it's own, period. Current sub or new sub.

However, if you have gotten ST in the past, then you are "grandfathered" in and can still get it on it's own until you change anything about your subscription. Same thing for the people grandfathered in on the old HBO ala carte package from the USSB days.

Not to say you can't find a dumb CSR who might do it for you, but that would be rare indeed.

[boba]

Directv at best might breakeven on the NFL Sunday Ticket price giving 4 months of Total Choice Premier free leaves them with a definite loss on that new customer. If existing customers just subscribed to Sunday Ticket the rest of DirecTVs subscribers would probably be subsidizing their subscription, which is not a profitable way of doing business.

[stuckondtv]

Actually...

This will be the last year that the NFLST will be available as a stand alone subscription. Starting next year, if you want the NFLST you will need to sign up to at least TC. Only those who had it stand alone last year qualify to continue getting it that way this year. No one else will be able to get it stand alone -- new or current subscribers.

[todcox]

I had the same question about 5 months ago when I moved and discontinued D* (because I can get HD through cable now including locals). The CSR I spoke with suggested signing up for D* and NFLST in July/August and then suspending the service after the season was over. She claimed that I could suspend for up to 9 months which would get me through until next season.

But beware that the latest offer from D* does state that you must maintain 12 CONSECUTIVE months of service. Maybe you could purchase an inexpensive system, or maybe even get a free one, then NOT take the current offer and be allowed to suspend service until next season.

Good luck!

[bonscott87]

Actually...

This will be the last year that the NFLST will be available as a stand alone subscription. Starting next year, if you want the NFLST you will need to sign up to at least TC. Only those who had it stand alone last year qualify to continue getting it that way this year. No one else will be able to get it stand alone -- new or current subscribers.

Incorrect. It's been verified by DirecTV insiders that this started *this* year. Policy changed back in March. Couple searches on dbsforums and avsforum will find the posts if you so desire.

[esteg]

I get NFL Sunday Ticket Only,was getting it on C-band,last year had to get it from Pegasus,as a stand alone. Auto billed ,4 monthly payments, for this season.
George