i just learned about Directv Free Channels

[Combow]

Let's say your service goes off..what do you have to watch?
Directv give you channels..that you don't pay one red cent for.

100 DTV
201 DTV - DIRECTV Basics
219 DTV - Directv Channel
220 DTV - DIRECTV Sport Schedule
321 WHT - World Harvest Television
350 CSP1 - C-SPAN
353 BTV - Bloomberg Television
367 ACN - America's Collectibles
369 DSTR - DSTR
372 TBN - TBN
373 WORD - The Word Network
374 BYU - BYU Television
375 LINK - Link
376 NASA - NASA
377 PBSU - PBSU
379 RFD - RFD-TV
422 EWTN - EWTN
500 DTV - DIRECTV Channel
998 DTV - Directv Pricing
999 DTV - DTV Local information

Do your provider offer you free channels?

[Veander]

Not exactly a good choice there for me, but I do like much of what's on LINK. Very informative documentary-style news.

Interesting though.

[jabroni]

Are you sure about that? I thought the only channel "in the clear" was channel 100.

[Selenna]

I've watched C-SPAN and NASA is something I definitely wanted and will watch

[Veander]

I've watched C-SPAN and NASA is something I definitely wanted and will watch

Oh yeah I seemed to not have seen C-SPAN 1! I love that channel! Seriously. :)

[crkeehn]

NASA tends to be uneven in coverage, lately with the grounding of the shuttles, they seem to be showing only ESS and "educational" programming. RFD-TV can slip in a tractor or antique equipment program and if I'm free I'll watch it. Saw a good one a few days back about restoring farm trucks and one at lunch today on antique threshers/combines. Love their Tractor Calendar program.

Of course I live in an urban area on less than 1/4 acre.

[jpurkey]

I've watched Lassie and Lone Ranger on WHT. Plus, they have a classic movie every day at 3PM.

C-SPAN is good for covering events, much better than the news channels since there are no anchors and little screen clutter.

NASA and RFD-TV are OK, but tend to repeat programming.

And I'd might watch some programs on PBSU or LINK if I didn't have anything better to watch.

Overall, not too bad a selection for the price, but I would end up reading a LOT more. hehe. :)

[bonscott87]

Don't forget the "freeview" channel at 103. They run at least 2 different shows, usually concerts, for free each month.

[Shappyss]

for the freeview channels you have to be suscribed to a minimum package of total choice

[Steve Mehs]

NASA is about the one public interest channel out there that I find more interesting then watching the grass grow or even the ultra exciting watch paint dry. Shopping channels and religious channels don't do anything for me either. If I was limited to the above list channels 201 and 219/500 would be the only two channels I'd ever watch. Two words. Tanya Memme. :)

[Guesst925XTU]

350 CSP1 - C-SPAN
375 LINK - Link
376 NASA - NASA
377 PBSU - PBSU
379 RFD - RFD-TV


The above mentioned channels make up about 10% of my total time spent viewing TV, and the fact that they're FREE is even better!

[Combow]

I am gonna keep my bill paid on time. because it is nice of Directv to keep those free but they are the most boring channels ever watched. i think i wanted to cry looking at them as my DTV was disconnected. :mad:

In fact i'd just watch locals instead of those dead channels.

[SnowFade]

I'm sure this'll get me firebombed but...

Is that a list of free channels or a list of channels that could easily be eliminated for extra bandwidth?

:D

*having flashbacks to all those "What channels would you like to see?" threads...*

[Veander]

I'm sure this'll get me firebombed but...

Is that a list of free channels or a list of channels that could easily be eliminated for extra bandwidth?

:D

*having flashbacks to all those "What channels would you like to see?" threads...*

/START FIRE-BOMBING

Not CSPAN, come on. Even though you don't watch it, it's certainly a very good channel. It has singel-handedly changed daily politics.

/END FIRE-BOMBING

[SnowFade]

Not CSPAN, come on. Even though you don't watch it, it's certainly a very good channel. It has singel-handedly changed daily politics.

All right, I have to give you that. I'll even admit to catching Bloomberg every once in a while. But with the rest of them, come on...

[crkeehn]

All right, I have to give you that. I'll even admit to catching Bloomberg every once in a while. But with the rest of them, come on...

We all have "rest of them, come on...." channels.

Needless to say that DirecTV is trying to provide for a wide range of viewers. Although the given channel may not be your cup of tea, It may be very appealing to another person. I can't think of another channel that provides the range of information that RFD-TV provides for the rural viewer. Some of their programming is entertaining even for non rural viewers. I love their shows on antique farm equipment as well as their train shows. Of course, DirecTV is more than welcome to take off all the programming that I don't watch. :lol:

[Steve Mehs]

Needless to say that DirecTV is trying to provide for a wide range of viewers.

I doubt it. DirecTV (and Dish) only provide channels like RFD TV, Worldlink and PBS You as part of the public interest requirement mandated by the FCC. DirecTV and Dish make no money off of these channels and they use up bandwidth that could be used for other channels or if there were no PI channels at all an extra HD channel or two.

[jpurkey]

As much as some of the PI channels are compressed they can't use that much bandwidth. BYU is very compressed.

I wouldn't be surprised if some people don't subscribe to DirecTV because they have certain free channels. It probably isn't their primary reason for subscribing to pay tv, but it may be one reason they chose DirecTV over cable or Dish.

[TBI]

I just plugged in two DirecTV Sony box's I am not using right now and all that is in the clear are the DirecTV informational channels. No NASA or CSpan
Do you have information on how they are getting those other channels? As long as it's legal.

[TBI]

Since I can't duplicate the results of the author and no one is responding that leaves me to conclude that this post is incorrect and maybe the MODS should delete this thread before anyone else is mislead. :shrug:

[Veander]

I agree, these aren't really free channels. You have to pay something to have the machines running. Possibly the $5 a month charge for the reciever (even only one running). When I disconnected the service a couple years ago, I still had the equipment installed, but there weren't any channels on. I don't even think I had info channels.

[Stevo]

The channels are a result of a reduced package you're placed on when you're bill is very past due. Can't just hook up a dish and receivers and get them. You're authorized to view them like anthing else, so all you'll get is test channels.

[Steve Mehs]

There was a package DirecTV used to offer, but was discontinued about the same time Select Choice was, it was called the Limited Pak, and was $7.99 per month. Included all barker, shopping, religious and public interest channel plus Bloomberg TV and The Heath Network (Fit TV), HD Net and allowed you to have access to DirecTV Pay Per View and Freeview channels. Just a cheap way to keep an account active.

[TBI]

Stevo,
Thank you for the clarification, I guess somehow I have never been that late on a bill.
I am still a Dave subscriber for now but I was excited to think I could use some of my extra equipment to pick up something for free.
I understand from other sources that old Charlie boxes will indeed pickup NASA and a few others.

[Kheldar]

The channels are a result of a reduced package you're placed on when you're bill is very past due. Can't just hook up a dish and receivers and get them. You're authorized to view them like anthing else, so all you'll get is test channels.
This "package" (called "Minimum Service") is only activated if you had another package, let your account go past due, and the rest of the programming gets turned off.
It is also not free. They charge $1.25 per week for the package until the account is either disconnected or paid and reactivated.
It only lasts about 4-5 weeks before your account gets totally deactivated and turned over to collections. After that, only 100, 400, 500 and the test channels are active.

There was a package DirecTV used to offer, but was discontinued about the same time Select Choice was, it was called the Limited Pak, and was $7.99 per month.
DirecTV Limited was discontinued over 2 years ago. Select Choice was only discontinued earlier this year.

[Steve Mehs]

I meant officially discontinued, I know you could still get it through retention and/or playing CSR roulette for the past few years, but Select Choice was officially discontinued to new customers at that time too.