[bjdotson]

I just did a comparison between the two. This is what I found.

Both packages charge the same so if I "upgraded";

I would gain

Altitude
Baby First
CCTV News
CCTV 4
DFH
INSP
NGW
PBS
Planet Green
Root Sports
Science

I would lose

Boomerang
Chiller
Sprout
Style
Gem

For me, There are 2 or 3 of the gains that I might like and the only loss that would hurt a little would be chiller. It's a pretty close call.

There is a difference in the sonic tap channels too, but I didn't really check

 

[charlie460]

You lose NHL Network as well I think. I am getting Planet Green HD on Choice xtra classic...

 

[bjdotson]

Yeah, I was going by the chart at directv.com

I don't think I get planet green but it seems to me I get science. It's a little confusing. If it wasn't for chiller I would probably go to the current package

 

[tbirds118]

You lose NHL Network as well I think.

Do they still throw in NHLN if you are a subscriber to CI?

 

[crkeehn]

Yeah, I was going by the chart at directv.com

I don't think I get planet green but it seems to me I get science. It's a little confusing. If it wasn't for chiller I would probably go to the current package

Those charts tend to be inaccurate as to what you get and don't get. I have Choice Extra Classic and a number of the channels that I wasn't supposed to get I do. Whether it's because of grandfathering or just somebody at DTV liking me :hurah: I don't know. It has certainly disinclined me to upgrade my package.

 

[charlie460]

Do they still throw in NHLN if you are a subscriber to CI?

Yes

 

[dishrich]

I just did a comparison between the two. This is what I found.

Both packages charge the same so if I "upgraded";

It would REALLY help if you told us what you have now...

But that aside...choice extra classic is NOT even available for new subscriptions; if you do NOT already have it now, you can't get it.
AND, once you do get rid of it, you CANNOT get it back. (hint: THAT'S why they (both) cost the same )
CEC is the same as the current Choice Ultimate, minus the Encore/TMC/Sundance channels.
As others said, that list for it you pulled is very inaccurate:
- I'm on this pkg & get several of those channels
- PBS national feed is not standard in any base pkg; you have to qualify for it as a separate channel, just like any other distant network
- you ARE aware that the (2) CCTV channels require a dish that gets the 119 satellite

 

[wilsonc]

- you ARE aware that the (2) CCTV channels require a dish that gets the 119 satellite

CCTV comes off a bird at 95 degrees. I have the 5 lnb dish that gets 119 and CCTV does not come off 119. I believe you need the world direct dish to receive programming at 95.

 

[HGuardian]

Awesome. I move and get my packaged moved from Choice Extra Classic to Choice Ultimate. Thanks for not telling me at all Directv and now creating a huge hassle for me to switch back.

 

[bjdotson]

It would REALLY help if you told us what you have now...

But that aside...choice extra classic is NOT even available for new subscriptions; if you do NOT already have it now, you can't get it.
AND, once you do get rid of it, you CANNOT get it back. (hint: THAT'S why they (both) cost the same )
CEC is the same as the current Choice Ultimate, minus the Encore/TMC/Sundance channels.
As others said, that list for it you pulled is very inaccurate:
- I'm on this pkg & get several of those channels
- PBS national feed is not standard in any base pkg; you have to qualify for it as a separate channel, just like any other distant network
- you ARE aware that the (2) CCTV channels require a dish that gets the 119 satellite

1 I have the grandfathered choice extra classic. The major hint to that was putting the word *upgraded* in quotes. Why would somebody that had the Choice extra package try to move to choice extra classic. That is not a reasonable assumption in my opinion.

2 If by CEC, you mean choice extra classic; your comparison to Choice Ultimate is wrong. My comparison was between choice extra classic and choice extra. If you are comparing the "new" choice extra to choice ultimate, you may be right. I might check it out someday

3 Did not Know that about the cctv stations but it is irrelevant to me.

4 I expected some inaccuracies in the chart, but it is the info that I have.

I have been wondering if I should "upgrade" to the current Choice Extra FROM Choice Extra Classic since having a grandfathered package sometimes making online changes to your account problematic. Since I already knew that that was a decision that was irrevocable, I attempted to do a little research to evaluate if it was worthwhile.

I realized that other people might be in the same boat and I attempted to make it a little easier on others by sharing what I found out. Apparently that was the wrong thing to do. Sorry about that.

 

[Davenlr]

It would probably be ill advised to switch from classic to the new package just to avoid a few minutes on the phone with a CSR to make changes in extra programming. I actually dropped from Ultimate to Choice Extra a week before the switch to classic, so I could lock in on the package, and avoid the price increase.

 

[dishrich]

1 I have the grandfathered choice extra classic. The major hint to that was putting the word *upgraded* in quotes. Why would somebody that had the Choice extra package try to move to choice extra classic. That is not a reasonable assumption in my opinion.

Sorry, but the way you worded everything...I do NOT like to A-S-S-U-M-E anything.

2 If by CEC, you mean choice extra classic; your comparison to Choice Ultimate is wrong.

Uh OK, so what AM I wrong about it then? And where ARE you getting your info from, that I am wrong?
The ONLY difference I did forget to add, was that Cloo is no longer in Choice Extra Classic. Other than that, everything I told you that was different between CEC & Choice Ultimate, was spot on!

If you want to see a very accurate pkg comparsion, check this out.
This list HAS been thoroughly checked & is spot on!

http://www.satelliteguys.us/directv-forum/277486-2012-directv-packages-including-family-select.html

(click on PDF attachments on first post)

My comparison was between choice extra classic and choice extra.

Again, I had no idea where you were going on this...

If you are comparing the "new" choice extra to choice ultimate, you may be right.

No, again I was comparing Choice Extra Classic, to Choice Ultimate

I have been wondering if I should "upgrade" to the current Choice Extra FROM Choice Extra Classic since having a grandfathered package sometimes making online changes to your account problematic.

As you have probably found out by now, you are actually paying the same, monthly price to downgrade your pkg...

 

[bjdotson]

Sorry, but the way you worded everything...I do NOT like to A-S-S-U-M-E anything.

Uh OK, so what AM I wrong about it then? And where ARE you getting your info from, that I am wrong?
The ONLY difference I did forget to add, was that Cloo is no longer in Choice Extra Classic. Other than that, everything I told you that was different between CEC & Choice Ultimate, was spot on!

If you want to see a very accurate pkg comparison, check this out.
This list HAS been thoroughly checked & is spot on!

http://www.satelliteguys.us/directv-forum/277486-2012-directv-packages-including-family-select.html

(click on PDF attachments on first post)

Again, I had no idea where you were going on this...

No, again I was comparing Choice Extra Classic, to Choice Ultimate

As you have probably found out by now, you are actually paying the same, monthly price to downgrade your pkg...

I will check out the link and if it is more accurate info, I thank you.

However, saying that CEC is Ultimate minus The encore channels is incorrect since my original post shows several differences between CEC and CE. If you wanted to say Those differences PLUS the encore channels equals Ultimate perhaps you are right. I don't know.

Am I being nit-picky? Perhaps; but then so are you. I made a comparison, posted to be helpful but told everybody where and what the list was so people could judge for themselves.

While I thought my package was obvious, it was really irrelevant to my comparison. You say that you don't want to assume; but, you assumed that I wanted to upgrade TO a grandfathered package and/or that I did not know that it was a grandfathered package.

I felt (and this may be all on me..I'll try to be reasonable) that your post was very condescending. Ahh well. I'll check out the link. Thanks in advance for the help since I do need the info.

 

[dishrich]

However, saying that CEC is Ultimate minus The encore channels is incorrect

Well that's not what I actually said above:

CEC is the same as the current Choice Ultimate, minus the Encore/TMC/Sundance channels.

(& add Cloo in as well)

since my original post shows several differences between CEC and CE. If you wanted to say Those differences PLUS the encore channels equals Ultimate perhaps you are right.

I actually was NOT even trying to compare CEC & CE, as I considered it to be a moot point, once I told you that CEC was NOT available for new subs - again, I did NOT know you were a CEC sub, remember...

Am I being nit-picky? Perhaps; but then so are you.

Probably

I made a comparison, posted to be helpful but told everybody where and what the list was so people could judge for themselves.

Right, now we (all) have an accurate list now, so that's water under the bridge now...

While I thought my package was obvious, it was really irrelevant to my comparison. You say that you don't want to assume; but, you assumed that I wanted to upgrade TO a grandfathered package and/or that I did not know that it was a grandfathered package.

That's why I said what I did in the first place; don't take it so personally.
You (should) now have accurate info to make informed decisions.

I felt (and this may be all on me..I'll try to be reasonable) that your post was very condescending.

Sorry if it sounded that way

Ahh well. I'll check out the link. Thanks in advance for the help since I do need the info.

No prob

 

[bjdotson]

Originally Posted by dishrich
CEC is the same as the current Choice Ultimate, minus the Encore/TMC/Sundance channels.
****************************************************
I have CEC, showtime, and the starz pack, so I am assuming (due to the above information) that the Choice Ultimate freeview will not give me anything that I am not currently receiving. Is that correct?

TIA

 

[dishrich]

Other than getting Cloo (for the preview), you are correct...

 

[dhkinil]

In mhy case I have choice extra classic, but once next wednesday comes and goes, I will no longer need it as Hockey season on NBC sports is finished until October. I am thinking of dropping way down to "entertainment and picking up the "new choice extra" then because I want NBC sports in October. Any downside to this? I only watch about 10-15 channels, TNT, HGTV and USA MSNBC and a few others off the top.

Thanks

dk

 

[RACJ2]

In mhy case I have choice extra classic, but once next wednesday comes and goes, I will no longer need it as Hockey season on NBC sports is finished until October. I am thinking of dropping way down to "entertainment and picking up the "new choice extra" then because I want NBC sports in October. Any downside to this? I only watch about 10-15 channels, TNT, HGTV and USA MSNBC and a few others off the top.

Thanks

dk

The only downside is that you would lose NHLN, unless you subscribe to NHL CI. Other then that, and losing the channels mentioned by the OP, it sounds like a way to save money.

 

[dhkinil]

The only downside is that you would lose NHLN, unless you subscribe to NHL CI. Other then that, and losing the channels mentioned by the OP, it sounds like a way to save money.

I get CI, and with the crawl on NHLN I avoid it unless there is a must see game.

 

[RACJ2]

I get CI, and with the crawl on NHLN I avoid it unless there is a must see game.

I mainly watch NHLN for "NHL on the Fly" and other shows. I watch a game on NHLN if its involves my favorite team, since its an exclusive broadcast. Or a HNIC game involving teams in the same conference that my team is close to in the standings.