DirecTV confirms impending rate increases

[chaddux]

Copyrighted Material Not Reproduced

Full story from the San Francisco Chronicle (http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2005/01/06/BUGI7ALN5I1.DTL&type=business)

[Randy_B]

CNET News.com has alluded to/reported the same thing in a CES wrap-up.

. . . "DirecTV is also planning to announce a rate hike this quarter, but details are not yet available, said Robert Mercer, a company spokesman. Currently, DirecTV charges an average monthly rate of $66.46 per subscriber."

[bills976]

CNET News.com has alluded to/reported the same thing in a CES wrap-up.

. . . "DirecTV is also planning to announce a rate hike this quarter, but details are not yet available, said Robert Mercer, a company spokesman. Currently, DirecTV charges an average monthly rate of $66.46 per subscriber."

Wow, that's a lot more than I would expect. I thought we had a high one at $50 (Tivo, TC+ w/locals, extra receiver).

[onegojoe]

I think E. should offer a new program called "Choice". This would give subscribers the choice of picking only the channels they would like to watch. That way they would not have to get a bunch of channels with a package that they never watch. Consumers Union also made this proposal. There are a lot of channels on my 180 that I never watch and I am paying for them anyway. Someone should query Charlie on this the next time he is taking questions on the air. I think it would lower my price for my package, so I doubt Charlie would go for it.

[chaddux]

I think E. should offer a new program called "Choice". This would give subscribers the choice of picking only the channels they would like to watch. That way they would not have to get a bunch of channels with a package that they never watch. Consumers Union also made this proposal. There are a lot of channels on my 180 that I never watch and I am paying for them anyway. Someone should query Charlie on this the next time he is taking questions on the air. I think it would lower my price for my package, so I doubt Charlie would go for it.

The argument against that is that a la carte programming would be extraordinarily expensive.

[Link]

They used to offer a la carte on C-Band and it was nice to pick your own services.

Each channel might be $2-3 a month but probably still be cheaper for people than the current rates.

[wcswett]

The argument against that is that a la carte programming would be extraordinarily expensive.

That's the argument, due to the accumulation of commercial time engendered by the proliferation of channels. The only way this works is by charging more for commercial time on little-watched channels than it's worth, a revenue stream the content providers won't part with short of legislation since it seems like there's a never-ending supply of companies with more advertising money than willingness to target it wisely. I feel like I've been video spammed when I see 16 Enzyte commercials in an hour of cable television, so I wouldn't mind losing the commercials and paying more for quality entertainment. In reality many channels would simply go away when their true viewership is revealed and you'd only have about 2 dozen left to choose from, each costing around $3 - $5 a month, plus a bunch of free shop at home channels, locals and public access. If you can narrow down your programming choices to what you actually watch, you could save money.

Star Choice currently offers a lot of their channels a la carte, so you can look at their programming page to see what individual channel prices might look like if purchased alone. Typically they're about $1 - $3 Canadian, or around $0.80 - $2.40 U.S. The real benefit of a la carte would be the bandwidth savings when all the unpopular channels fold and companies like Time Warner and Disney/ABC lose their "all or nothing" bargaining position.

https://secure.starchoice.com/english/store/signup_pr.asp

--- WCS

[larrystotler]

I really get a kick out of all these ala cart whiners. I wish they would start there own service and see how far they got. They don't realize that the software that controls the system would have to be completely replaced for it to work. It would be years before any service would be able to go ala carte, and you would have to completely remove analog cable, since everyone would have to have a decoder box. This would create problems for commercial installs like hotels as well.

[jdspencer]

I would think DirecTV could offer a couple more tiers of programming. For example, split out Total Choice into two packages. So that when added together you get the same price that it is now (or will be). A new structure for the premium packages (HBO, ShowTime, etc) show be put into place. I find it stupid that if I add Cinemax it costs $12 if that 's the only one I add, yet if I add Starz as the only one it is the same $12. The cost of the premium should be based on the number of channels that are in it.

[rid0617]

I find it more amazing the need to raise rates when they have recently changed their call centers to India. You would think the difference in the labor costs would more than offset any increase in sports programming that I never watch.

[Jacob S]

I think people are after more tiers like Bell ExpressVu has. As far as the call centers in India Dish Network could consider this an increase in their cost of doing business so to have them in India prevents the increase from being as much to them and to you in the programming increases. It just depends on how you want to look at it. On the other hand with the more subscribers you have the more call centers you can support.

[Skyboss]

It's my understanding that HD will no longer be an upcharge.

We're able to offer video-on-demand and (local) high- definition television channels, which satellite can't," said Andrew Johnson.

Typical of the cable co's not to be paying attention...

[CsrLiz344]

If you recently recommitted to a year's contract, like buying one of the $49 D/TiVo's, you won't get the hike till your year is up.

[chaddux]

If you recently recommitted to a year's contract, like buying one of the $49 D/TiVo's, you won't get the hike till your year is up.

I don't believe that is correct. I don't read anywhere in the terms of DirecTV's current offer that says programming prices are locked. In fact, it specifically says the opposite: "Programming, pricing, terms and conditions subject to change."

[Crystal Pepsi Ball]

I don't believe that is correct. I don't read anywhere in the terms of DirecTV's current offer that says programming prices are locked. In fact, it specifically says the opposite: "Programming, pricing, terms and conditions subject to change."

However, the last two times that there was a price increase on the base packages, the old price was honored until the end of the commitment.

[Steve Mehs]

I think E. should offer a new program called "Choice".

It was called Dish Pix and was $15 a month for your choice of any 10 channels from a very very limited selection. At the time AT40 was $5 more and offered over 4 times the number of channels.

[DCSholtis]

However, the last two times that there was a price increase on the base packages, the old price was honored until the end of the commitment.

Same here with me as far as the last 2 increases they didnt kick in immediately until my commitments ran out. CSRLiz is right.

[jpurkey]

If they just offered a cheaper package without any sports channels I'd be happy.

[Jacob S]

Dish Picks used to be $10 for 10 channels of your choice with certain ones not being able to be chosen. It rose to $15 and the price of AT40 rose as well later on by $2. Also Dish Picks was not eligible to be chosen if you wanted a promotion but good for existing customers that may have just wanted a choice of channels. Now if they came out with something like that it would be at least what AT40 used to be at $20 but I do not see that offering come out again.

[midnight75]

If they just offered a cheaper package without any sports channels I'd be happy.

Agreed. I never watch the sports channels & I believe that they are the reason for rate increases. Don't get me wrong, I don't know that for a fact, that's just a thought that I have. I wish DirecTV would offer a package without the sports channels. Let those who want the channels pay the rate increases & people like me who could care less have the lower rates.

[Crystal Pepsi Ball]

Does anyone want to speculate as to what each package price would go up, Distant Networks and Movie Channels included?

[echo*wb*tho]

yes i work for dish network in atr advanced tech rep and we find out every thing fairly fast befor alot of people do, they are going to hike it up by double dish's we will still be cheaper after our price increase and we are adding alot more hd channels by the end of the summer so watch out for that, and the 625 rcvr and 942 rcvr it going to be pretty nice machine ive allready checked it out and messed with it for awhile so try to get with dish and get one of those it is going to be released in march

[Capmeister]

I rather seriously doubt that a Dish Network CSR knows how much the competition will raise their rates before that's been announced.

[echo*wb*tho]

we it happens

[waydwolf]

The problem with ala carte everything is that the individual program/channel rates will inevitably rise to the point where you're paying for a few channels you actually watch what you used to pay for 180 or so. Add them all back together into a package and you may as well cut out your health insurance and half your monthly groceries if you want to afford it.

Anyone for $567 a month for 100 channels?

If you don't think the content providers would start jacking rates immediately, then you don't have a predatory outfit like ESPN in your state. If the wind doesn't blow in a direction they like or the chicken entrails are interpreted wrong, or for no reason at all, they raise their rates. Multiply that times 200 channels.

[Mark Holtz]

Darth Maus is the 500 pound gorilla of programming. You basically can't have a service without Disney Channel and E$PN. Period. And, if you want those two channels, you gotta carry other Darth Maus-owned channels. If I had the opportunity, I would jettison the $ports channels right away, including the regional $ports networks including Comcast $portsnet West. But, because of Darth Maus, E$PN had to be carried in partically every subscription package including Select Choice and AT-60.

[Crazy 1]

yes i work for dish network in atr advanced tech rep and we find out every thing fairly fast befor alot of people do, they are going to hike it up by double dish's we will still be cheaper after our price increase and we are adding alot more hd channels by the end of the summer so watch out for that, and the 625 rcvr and 942 rcvr it going to be pretty nice machine ive allready checked it out and messed with it for awhile so try to get with dish and get one of those it is going to be released in march Anyone think this person is just trying to generate some more revenue for Charlie ?

[missileman]

we it happens

Please answer this question:

1. Where is your call center located?

[missileman]

Anyone think this person is just trying to generate some more revenue for Charlie ?

I wouldn't hire anyone with those typing skills.

[chaddux]

I wouldn't hire anyone with those typing skills.

LOL! I was just thinking the same thing. I would think that anyone who types THAT BAD could not be an Advanced anything at a company.

[larrystotler]

Best place for ala carte is C-Band.

[stevesmall]

LOL! I was just thinking the same thing. I would think that anyone who types THAT BAD could not be an Advanced anything at a company.
Which maybe ?just maybe he is actually charlie LOL

[digitalbroadcast]

Haha. You all are silly.

[n8dagr8]

we it happens

:confused:

[MattS]

I think E. should offer a new program called "Choice". This would give subscribers the choice of picking only the channels they would like to watch. That way they would not have to get a bunch of channels with a package that they never watch. Consumers Union also made this proposal. There are a lot of channels on my 180 that I never watch and I am paying for them anyway. Someone should query Charlie on this the next time he is taking questions on the air. I think it would lower my price for my package, so I doubt Charlie would go for it.


E* used to offer Al a Carte Programming WAYYYY back in the day. Im talking about 7 years ago. You would pick your 10 favorite channels and only get charged $1.50 a piece. There are still SOME users with this option. But once you go off of it, you can never get it back.

[MattS]

Please answer this question:

1. Where is your call center located?


Just from his username alone, I can tell what call center and what dept... :lol: ;)

[DCSholtis]

From the TiVo forum:

"All of the rumors are true the price for dtv programming is going up.

Here are the new prices.

Total Choice 41.99$
Total Choice Plus 45.99$
Total Choice Premier 93.99$
(all of these are with local channels which is the other change. The package names.) It is no longer Total Choice w/Locals just Total Choice.
And without locals is Total Choice no locals."

IMO just from looking at that the increases are not going to be that bad at all. $3 across the board it appears if my memory on current rates is correct....

[midnight75]

we it happens

What are you talking about???? :confused:

[DCSholtis]

He's an E* CSR what do you expect....:D

[Crazy 1]

From the TiVo forum:

"All of the rumors are true the price for dtv programming is going up.

Here are the new prices.

Total Choice 41.99$
Total Choice Plus 45.99$
Total Choice Premier 93.99$
(all of these are with local channels which is the other change. The package names.) It is no longer Total Choice w/Locals just Total Choice.
And without locals is Total Choice no locals."

IMO just from looking at that the increases are not going to be that bad at all. $3 across the board it appears if my memory on current rates is correct.... Any news about the Premium channels price ? Staying the same price, or changing?

[Stevo]

Any news about the Premium channels price ? Staying the same price, or changing? They're going to be $12 / $11 / $10 / $8 / $7 I believe. Keep in mind all of the Opcion channels are also having the same increase as their english counterparts.

These seem like pretty reasonable increases given the path that we appear to be on programming/equipment wise. Maybe the VOOM deal is why E* hasn't really said much lately.

Sucky that this news is going to break so soon after all these billing and resetting problems.

[Jaded13]

I find it more amazing the need to raise rates when they have recently changed their call centers to India. You would think the difference in the labor costs would more than offset any increase in sports programming that I never watch.

you are missinformed. the call centers have not changed to india/ there may be one there now but Rupert has opened 3 new centers in the USA within the last 8 months and the call handleing from the convergences call centers will go away soon also / the need to raise rates/ which is about 6% avg at this time is help offset the cost of programming purchased from the distributors that has gone up 38% in 3 years/ :eek2:

[Jaded13]

If you recently recommitted to a year's contract, like buying one of the $49 D/TiVo's, you won't get the hike till your year is up.
Wrong...No price protection. everyone goes up Mar 1st
But lets see the response when dish increase 2.00- 4.00 hits in FEB. :hurah:

[Jaded13]

Same here with me as far as the last 2 increases they didnt kick in immediately until my commitments ran out. CSRLiz is right.
ALL increase MAR 1st

[Jaded13]

Does anyone want to speculate as to what each package price would go up, Distant Networks and Movie Channels included?
all will include lcl's
name will just be total choice 41.99
Total Choice Plus 45.99
Total Choice Premier 93.99
no change on preimum channels

[DCSholtis]

ALL increase MAR 1st

OOPS...:D