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Cancelling today after 9 years

8K views 80 replies 33 participants last post by  Steve 
#1 ·
Finally doing it.
I wanted NESN channel 628 - and to get in the choice package it costs me $113 a month with an hd dvr and 2 hd boxes.
Playstation vue just added NESN to their core package, which is $35 A MONTH!!!
 
#2 ·
I know nothing about Playstation Vue. Does it have a DVR function, and does it allow viewing on all three of the TVs on which you currently view DirecTV? Which DirecTV package did you have? I assume it was lower than Choice and that you did not have the sports package. In addition to getting NESN, do you get other additional HD channes with the Playstation Vue core package? Do you give up any channels that you were currently receiving on DirecTV? If so, which channels.

I am not challenging your decision. I am just curious to see whether this might be an option for me.
 
#4 ·
fleckrj said:
I know nothing about Playstation Vue. Does it have a DVR function, and does it allow viewing on all three of the TVs on which you currently view DirecTV? Which DirecTV package did you have? I assume it was lower than Choice and that you did not have the sports package. In addition to getting NESN, do you get other additional HD channes with the Playstation Vue core package? Do you give up any channels that you were currently receiving on DirecTV? If so, which channels.

I am not challenging your decision. I am just curious to see whether this might be an option for me.
Vue at current subscription rates if they stay low.... 100+ HD channels @ $45 month is the best thing since sliced bread.
Yes it has cloud DVR service you just save shows into favorites and it stores on cloud. Up to 5 TV's but you need FireTV box or Roku. Get the later units that support 60 fps for smooth fast action shows like sports. FireTV guide is more user friendly.
Try the 7 day trial its free.
 
#5 ·
I agree. PS Vue is brilliant. This is the best channel list I've found, but it may be a little out of date now.
http://www.techhive.com/article/3047812/streaming-services/playstation-vue-faq-everything-to-know-about-sony-s-cable-tv-alternative.html

I supplement mine with an OTA DVR (Tivo) and get about 95% of what I had with a DirecTV package costing 3-4x more. I can buy a lot of Kleenex with the $100+/month I'm saving. Luckily, I don't get that worked up over TV.

One caveat is cloud DVR only goes back 30 days. So if you're the type that records then watches years later, PS Vue isn't for you. If you're the type to record-watch-delete within a month, it will work fine.

DirecTV Now may give them a run for their money if they also have a cloud DVR. If not, they'll be just like Sling TV and essentially worthless. In any case, more competition is better and keeps prices in check.
 
#9 ·
Drucifer said:
With all the new competition, why aren't any of the old dogs prices coming down?
Companies like their profit margins. They may come down a little if customers are lost, but as long as they are making a lot of money even losing a few customers isn't a big deal.
 
#12 ·
*shrug* My set up stickers for $99/mo and I'm only paying $55/mo. There's PLENTY of discounts available. You just have to know how to ask / be willing to call in every 12 months. Lot of people on the forums complain thats too much work. DirecTV lists out of all your promos on your bill and the number of months left on each, so its easier then ever.

1) look at bill each month (5 seconds of work)
2) when a promo reaches 12/12, you call in retention and ask to re-up (< 5 minutes of work)

I don't even call on my own time, I call at work. No reason to pay full sticker on DirecTV since Dish is much cheaper and better hardware (4K). That's really your bargaining chip.
 
#13 ·
Gordon Shumway said:
Gordon Shumway, on 31 Oct 2016 - 11:09 AM, said:Gordon Shumway, on 31 Oct 2016 - 11:09 AM, said:

I bet that is what the land-line phone companies thought as well a few years back.
I kept my towns newspaper up until 3 or 4 yrs ago for the nostolgia factor I guess. The price kept creeping up until it was like $10 a week or something crazy like that. They refused to negotiate by even 1 CENT. So I cancelled and they were like "Ok, cool. Don't let the door hit ya where the good lord split ya". 3 or 4 yrs later, my caller id reports they are calling me 3 to 4 times a DAY trying to get me to come back. I picked up the phone once out of curiosity and they are pretty much trying to give the paper away for free now. Too late :).

That being said, DirecTV will *NEVER* cut prices even though they are much higher then Dish. They'll match Dish, but they won't advertise the competitive prices.
 
#14 ·
camo said:
I think they are in shock...Hoping it doesn't catch on or prices go up. Its a joke they are about to offer their own version (Directv Now) with much higher rates and no DVR service.
They can't. They pay a lot odor for the content. But don't worry the prices will equalize in the next five years. Anyone thinking the streaming prices aren't going to skyrocket or the content will diminish as they become more popular is not paying attention to how things work.
 
#15 ·
(from another thread)
Clemsole said:
What you really need to do is go buy a lot of boxes of Kleenex and then cancel DTV and go with some other provider. You will need the Kleenex for the new provider. Either switch or grow up and get your head out of your but and stop complaining about ATT,
Clemsole said:
The money you save you will need to spend on Kleenex. Just one channel can't be that important.
Must own stock in Kimberly-Clark....... :)
 
#16 ·
mcl77 said:
Finally doing it.
I wanted NESN channel 628 - and to get in the choice package it costs me $113 a month with an hd dvr and 2 hd boxes.
Playstation vue just added NESN to their core package, which is $35 A MONTH!!!
Your Choice and Pocket book - Good Luck and Enjoy!
 
#17 ·
Was really a no-brainer for me.
Where we live we just got internet capable of streaming in July.

So I started exploring options, seeing how we didn't have a cable provider.
I work for a cable company, so I get all the streaming apps for free.

So- when we got internet, I bought 3 firesticks and loaded them up, but it didn't have my hometeams games in HD, and didn't really have much live TV other than sports.
To get the NESN package on direcTV was just way too much for how little tv we actually watch.

So Vue is perfect. Its only $35 a month. You pay it month by month. I use the Vue app on my firesticks I have not on the ps4 TV. The vue guide is laggy on the firesticks, but we don't watch those TVs much anyways.

I finally removed and patch all the holes DirectV left around my house when they initially installed in 2008. That's another thing. If youre gonna chanrge me $120 a month, you better start wall phishing.
 
#18 ·
inkahauts said:
They can't. They pay a lot odor for the content. But don't worry the prices will equalize in the next five years. Anyone thinking the streaming prices aren't going to skyrocket or the content will diminish as they become more popular is not paying attention to how things work.
Ding! Ding! Ding! I just shake my head at all this. Because, what, suddenly companies aren't in it to make money and don't have shareholders to which they're beholden? Anybody that doesn't think this will all end up being basically what's in place now, with regards to fees and costs, is suffering from delusions of grandeur. Whether it's the overall price packages that will increase, or data cap overages, or things like a "broadcasters fee," or "regional sports network fee," or just a flat out tax - it'll all come out in the wash during the next few years.
 
#19 ·
sangs said:
Ding! Ding! Ding! I just shake my head at all this. Because, what, suddenly companies aren't in it to make money and don't have shareholders to which they're beholden? Anybody that doesn't think this will all end up being basically what's in place now, with regards to fees and costs, is suffering from delusions of grandeur. Whether it's the overall price packages that will increase, or data cap overages, or things like a "broadcasters fee," or "regional sports network fee," or just a flat out tax - it'll all come out in the wash during the next few years.
Certainly prices are going to rise and maybe even equalize. But for some, moving away from 'traditional' providers to streaming services is all about today's money. Saving $100 per month right now isn't a bad decision.
 
#20 ·
If it provides what you want, that is great.

After looking at what is available from Vue, it is not an option for me. The "Cloud DVR" is not really a DVR. It is VOD, programs are only available for 28 days after the original air date, and some programs and networks are not available at all. I might or might not be able to fast forward the VOD programs, depending on the program and network. Resolution is 720p, even though the native resolution for almost all HD other than the ABC/ESPN and FOX owned networks is 1080i. I might or might not get CBS (which is the only broadcast network I watch on a regular basis), and if I do get CBS, it will be down-converted to 720p. I might or might not get the SEC network (and not having that would be a total deal breaker for me). I might or might not get NBCSN (another deal breaker if it is not available). The link to where I would enter my zip code to see what channels I really would get did not work.
 
#21 ·
inkahauts said:
They can't. They pay a lot odor for the content. But don't worry the prices will equalize in the next five years. Anyone thinking the streaming prices aren't going to skyrocket or the content will diminish as they become more popular is not paying attention to how things work.
Yes I've worried that may happen also down the road. When Vue originally came out rates started 27% higher than now and few were subscribing I'm sure same would happen if rates went back up. The idea is to stop paying escalating fees for TV.
 
#22 ·
fleckrj said:
If it provides what you want, that is great.

After looking at what is available from Vue, it is not an option for me. The "Cloud DVR" is not really a DVR. It is VOD, programs are only available for 28 days after the original air date, and some programs and networks are not available at all. I might or might not be able to fast forward the VOD programs, depending on the program and network. Resolution is 720p, even though the native resolution for almost all HD other than the ABC/ESPN and FOX owned networks is 1080i. I might or might not get CBS (which is the only broadcast network I watch on a regular basis), and if I do get CBS, it will be down-converted to 720p. I might or might not get the SEC network (and not having that would be a total deal breaker for me). I might or might not get NBCSN (another deal breaker if it is not available). The link to where I would enter my zip code to see what channels I really would get did not work.
SEC network isn't a maybe if you sub the higher $45 package its included. As far as big 4 networks recorded content is available for all but not live as it airs. Best to have OTA or another means like (Basic Cable many $20 plans) Dish Network cheapest option with owned 211K single receiver and Starter Package ($20). Even adding this base packages beats going Directv rates for same programming by $45 a month.
 
#23 ·
trh said:
Certainly prices are going to rise and maybe even equalize. But for some, moving away from 'traditional' providers to streaming services is all about today's money. Saving $100 per month right now isn't a bad decision.
Oh I get that and understand. It's like the heroin dealer that doles out some freebies to get you hooked. :D
 
#26 ·
camo said:
SEC network isn't a maybe if you sub the higher $45 package its included. As far as big 4 networks recorded content is available for all but not live as it airs. Best to have OTA or another means like (Basic Cable many $20 plans) Dish Network cheapest option with owned 211K single receiver and Starter Package ($20). Even adding this base packages beats going Directv rates for same programming by $45 a month.
Why, then, does the footnote for SEC Network (along with Fox Sports Networks and Fox College Sports) state "Specific channels vary by market", even for the highest price package.

I agree that even at the Elite package, the price beats DirecTV hands down, but it seems I would also be giving up a lot - 28 day limit on "recorded" material, big 4 networks not live, no fast forwarding on some programs and networks, no "recording" of some programs and networks, only 720p, even for networks that are originally 1080i.

For the OP, who only wanted NEST in 720p, it makes a lot of sense, but it is not right for me.
 
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