Question about $9.99 HD Access Fee

[Scratch]

If I had two HD receivers would I have to pay the $9.99 HD Access fee for each receiver?
Thanks:confused:

[bonscott87]

No, it's a "programming package" just like any other.

[RAD]

If I had two HD receivers would I have to pay the $9.99 HD Access fee for each receiver?
Thanks:confused:


Nope, it's once per account. Same for D*'s DVR, pay only 1 DVR fee per account, not per box.

[O2BRich]

And were paying $9.99 for the HD versions of channels we already pay for WHY???????????:shrug:

Will you still be watching the SD versions once you get the HD versions? :nono2:

What a rip off :mad:

OK I am done venting now

[RAD]

And were paying $9.99 for the HD versions of channels we already pay for WHY???????????:shrug:



Because they can. It's like why do we have to pay a $4.99 mirroring charge, for a box that we paid for, and $4.99 lease change for the same type of box? It sure doesn't cost both DBS companies an extra $4.99/month to support those extra boxes, almost pure profit at least the mirroring charge on the purchased boxes.

[bonscott87]

And were paying $9.99 for the HD versions of channels we already pay for WHY???????????:shrug:

Will you still be watching the SD versions once you get the HD versions? :nono2:

What a rip off :mad:

OK I am done venting now

Hmmm, Dish charges $20.
Charter charges $15+

You pay for HD. Been that way for years.

[surfmaui03]

Hmmm, Dish charges $20.
Charter charges $15+

You pay for HD. Been that way for years.


Wow! Charter charges almost double for HD in your area. The charge here from them for HD is $7.99

[heisman]

Hmmm, Dish charges $20.
Charter charges $15+

You pay for HD. Been that way for years.

Dish has 3x the HD and Comcast charges nothing.

[compnurd]

Yeh and the Comcast Tv package cost's twice of D*

[naijai]

here we go again

[bonscott87]

Yea.

The point is that everyone charges. You'll pay for it in the end no matter what.

[stek]

HD NET, HD Net Movies, Universal HD and Discovery Theatre are part of the $9.99 programming which isn't available in SD. Of course the other channels, TNT, ESPN and ESPN2are available in in the other packages. Is it worth it? Its up to you. Good luck.

[bonscott87]

Basically DirecTV always had an "HD Package" which included all the HD channels (other then HBO and Showtime). Any new HD channel that came along they would add it to the HD Pack.

Problem is with all the new HD coming they would end up charging $30+ for the HD pack, not what they want to do.

So what they did was "spread out" the cost a bit by requiring the HD Access Fee for all accounts with an HD receiver (activated after Feb). The HD Access fee then simplifies things by simply activating the HD versions of any channel in the package level you have. Also the "HD Only" stations like HDNet are included.

[yourabsentstar]

So with this $9.99 hd access charge, if my understanding is correct, enables you to receive any high definition feeds of the channels you already receive? Let's say hypothetically that I am a customer who only watches Filipino(or any other foreign programming for that matter), and I subscribe to just basic(the lowest level of package require for services) and TFCDirect. I just bought a new high definition television from Best Buy, and they sold me an hd receiver to get HD programming on it. Now if I were to activate that receiver(that costs right around 100 US$), then I will have to pay the $9.99/mo and receive no extra programming? Correct me if I am wrong on that, but that seems a little unfair.

[wmschultz]

You are also paying for the technology in the box that allows you to use your OTA feed.

That is on their website somewhere.

[bonscott87]

And unless you're going to do OTA HD there is no reason for you to have an HD receiver from D* since there aren't many HD channels (if any) available to you in the family pack. It just isn't worth it unless you plan to get the Choice package or something which has HD channels in it.

[Radio Enginerd]

Hmmm, Dish charges $20.
Charter charges $15+

You pay for HD. Been that way for years.

And my guess is DTV will start charging more in Q4 of this year or Q1 of next year.

[bonscott87]

And my guess is DTV will start charging more in Q4 of this year or Q1 of next year.

And I would fully expect that. So should everyone else.
For now they have said that they will not raise the price. At most that will hold for a year but I'd expect it to go up to $15 or so in the yearly price increase.

[Radio Enginerd]

And I would fully expect that. So should everyone else.
For now they have said that they will not raise the price. At most that will hold for a year but I'd expect it to go up to $15 or so in the yearly price increase.

I would too. IF they deliver what they've promised, I expect the increase.

I think they'll use the $9.99 price point as incentive for awhile to get people on board. I only hope they can keep up with the demand when it comes.

[bushguy]

I would too. IF they deliver what they've promised, I expect the increase.

I think they'll use the $9.99 price point as incentive for awhile to get people on board. I only hope they can keep up with the demand when it comes.

That time is here. Just talked to Dtv today inquiring about upgrading to HD from SD along with the new Plus HD DVR (currently have SD Dtv Tivo).

New price will be $29.99/month in two months with the supposed addition of the new 140-150 HD channels.

[bonscott87]

That time is here. Just talked to Dtv today inquiring about upgrading to HD from SD along with the new Plus HD DVR (currently have SD Dtv Tivo).

New price will be $29.99/month in two months with the supposed addition of the new 140-150 HD channels.

Sorry but wrong. Wrong on channel count. And wrong on price.

DirecTV has already announced to the press and to their investors that the 9.99 price is not going up with the addition of the new channels.

The speculation here is at what point will they raise it. I agree that they will try to keep the 9.99 price until the normal spring price increase in 2008. That will give them a huge competative advantage in both channels and price over most providers for a while, lure in more customers, then raise it up as needed from that point on. OR do what I hope and that is make an HD only package so I don't ever have to pay for an SD channel I don't watch again. :D

[bushguy]

Sorry but wrong. Wrong on channel count. And wrong on price.

DirecTV has already announced to the press and to their investors that the 9.99 price is not going up with the addition of the new channels.

The speculation here is at what point will they raise it. I agree that they will try to keep the 9.99 price until the normal spring price increase in 2008. That will give them a huge competative advantage in both channels and price over most providers for a while, lure in more customers, then raise it up as needed from that point on. OR do what I hope and that is make an HD only package so I don't ever have to pay for an SD channel I don't watch again. :D

I can't speak for the other information. I just parroted what the CSR at Dtv told me this morning. I will be more than thrilled if the price is going to remain the same ($9.99) per month to add HD. Makes getting the wife to agree that much easier. Oddly, I questioned the gentlemen on this point several times and he stated several times that it was going to be ana dditional $29.99/mo to add HD in 2 months. Guess i'll contact a different Dtv agent.

[Mixer]

Oddly, I questioned the gentlemen on this point several times and he stated several times that it was going to be ana dditional $29.99/mo to add HD in 2 months.

The way this is worded almost makes it sound like a one time setup fee to me.

I doubt that though.