[RACJ2]

I'd have to go with Showtime. It has the most HD channels (10), compared to 8 with Starz, 4 with HBO, and 2 with Cinemax. Also everything on Showtime is in OAR. Also all Showtime package channels have VOD (as does Starz), HBO and Cinemax don't.

I agree with you on Showtime, mainly because of the # of HD channels and HD VOD. We like a few of the Showtime original programming series, for example Dexter. So I wait until its well into the season or even the end and then download the whole season and watch them during the month.

Then if I didn't get Showtime for free already, I drop it after a month. No penalty and I watch the whole season for $12.99 or less. And my wife does like to watch old movies and the her favorites more then one time. So she has Showtime movies to choose from during that month. Works out fine for us.

 

[AlanSaysYo]

I have Starz and Showtime. Originally I signed up for Showtime when the movies were plentiful - not so much anymore. While Showtime does have the most HD channels, they don't have a good flow of new titles. Showtime is great for originals, though, and that's why I still pay for it.

Starz also has a good number of HD channels but has a much better selection of movies. Starz to me is a better overall value than HBO in that it costs a little less but has more HD offerings. You also have to consider the originals - Starz only has a few and they're a mixed bag so far. I'd love to subscribe to HBO, but the lack of HD channels is keeping me from doing so. If DirecTV carried every HBO HD channel, it'd be a different story.

 

[Paul Secic]

What is the best premium channel package on DirecTV?

Had HBO/Cinemax but got rid of it after the Sopranos was canceled.

Had Showtime for 3 months and it did not do much for me.

What is everyone's favorite premium channel package on DirecTV?

Opinions please.

HBO is the best for movies and STARZ is 2nd. Showtime blows.

 

[Paul Secic]

I disagree about Netflix. I can DVR a movie on HBO and watch as many times I want. No messing with mailing anything.

+1

 

[joshjr]

Personally for me it would be Showtime right now because Dexter is on there and also I watch all of the main StrikeForce cards on there. That being said there is a 2 for 1 offer for 3 months. Sub to Showtime and then get Starz added free for 3 months. Can beat that. Starz would be my choice if it was movies only. Downloadable content and good movies alot of time with all the different channels.

 

[mdavej]

You can stream all Starz content if you have Netflix. It's like getting a premium package for free with no discs to deal with.

 

[spaul]

I, agree with the Coca Cola Kid that out of the 4 Showtime has the most HD .I do get HBO,Cinemax & Starz as well as HD Extra Pak too.Like I mentioned before my wife and me watch alot of movies and also many of the original programs available on them.That being said if I had to drop one for saving money it would be Cinemax because of lack of original showes and the amount of HD available right now .Also,their movies end up on HBO anyway.

 

[Hoosier205]

If I didn't have Premier..I'd only go with HBO (Boardwalk Empire, Hung, The Ricky Gervais Show, Eastbound & Down, True Blood, Entourage, Curb Your Enthusiasm, and Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel), Showtime (Dexter, Nurse Jackie, United States of Tara, Penn & Teller, Inside the NFL, and The Big C), and the HD Extra Pack (HDNet Movies).

 

[cyfman]

You can stream all Starz content if you have Netflix. It's like getting a premium package for free with no discs to deal with.

I just hooked my Blu-Ray player and got Netflix again. I was looking around for Spartacus and only found it on disks.

I could have missed it though,any tips or help will be much appreciated.

 

[SPACEMAKER]

For me, Premier w/HD Extra is the easy choice. Tons of HD all the time. I always have something to watch in HD either recorded or live. If I were to ever downgrade I'd keep HBO due to their outstanding (IMO) original programming, sports and A-list premiers.

 

[mdavej]

I just hooked my Blu-Ray player and got Netflix again. I was looking around for Spartacus and only found it on disks.

I could have missed it though,any tips or help will be much appreciated.

It was there while is was running. That's how I watched it (as much as I could stand anyway). I don't think it's running on Starz anymore, streaming or otherwise. I think they're trying to sell blu-rays now.

 

[cyfman]

It was there while is was running. That's how I watched it (as much as I could stand anyway). I don't think it's running on Starz anymore, streaming or otherwise. I think they're trying to sell blu-rays now.

Thanks for the quick reply and the heads up.

 

[paulman182]

You can stream all Starz content if you have Netflix. It's like getting a premium package for free with no discs to deal with.

Um, yes, if you have broadband and it is fast enough.

Millions of us don't have that.

 

[ycebar]

I have Premiere but if I could only choose to keep it would be Showtime with original programming, mma, and boxing. Second would be HBO

 

[Koby]

I just downgraded from Premiere after having it for many years. I temorarily had Choice Ultimate, but it looks much better on paper than it really is- TMC & Encore are basically useless. So I dropped Ultimate and added HBO (mostly for the original shows) which was a $10 delta. (YMMV, sounds like some prefer the Showtime shows.)

Either way, I think this is the best package - Premiere is not worth the ~$40 premium. Yes, there's usually a good movie on, but with judicious use of the guide and DVR, I can store up enough content on the DVR and whatever I'm missing is not worth the $400+ year I'd be paying for it.

 

[Paul Secic]

I just downgraded from Premiere after having it for many years. I temorarily had Choice Ultimate, but it looks much better on paper than it really is- TMC & Encore are basically useless. So I dropped Ultimate and added HBO (mostly for the original shows) which was a $10 delta. (YMMV, sounds like some prefer the Showtime shows.)

Either way, I think this is the best package - Premiere is not worth the ~$40 premium. Yes, there's usually a good movie on, but with judicious use of the guide and DVR, I can store up enough content on the DVR and whatever I'm missing is not worth the $400+ year I'd be paying for it.

TMC has really low budget movies that nobody heard of.

 

[RAD]

TMC has really low budget movies that nobody heard of.

Yea, like "Inglourious Basterds" which is on today which won and Oscar, SAG for best supporting actor for one of the stars. :sure:

 

[wilbur_the_goose]

Get a library card and pick up free DVDs

 

[Jon J]

I just noticed on the DIRECTV website you can get the HBO/Cinemax combo for 3 months for $14.99 per month...a $12 discount.

 

[EW800]

I just noticed on the DIRECTV website you can get the HBO/Cinemax combo for 3 months for $14.99 per month...a $12 discount.

Pretty good deal. I just wish that the deal was for longer than 3 months!