[neastguy]

so its up to $110 a month and we really only watch local channels, plus TLC , Discovery and Food Channel.. I'll watch NFL network but thats about it.. don't use any of the on demand stuff ect... we have 2 hd dvr's and 1 SD dvr.. no whole home.. been a costumer a long time and really do like it.. but I feel like if I could just get those 3 channels on Roku or some sort of internet streaming.. I could can Direct tv... any ideas on how I could lower my bill or just any suggestions at all.. just seems like a lot for the amount of channels we actually watch.. thanks...

 

[gordo80]

Just go with the basic package and you could cut your bill in half or call retention department to see if they can lower your bill.

 

[neastguy]

I have choice extra classic.. $68.99 month.. apparently.. the cheapest one is Choice.. $63.99.. thats a $5 difference... I don't see how that will cut it in half

 

[dpeters11]

Entertainment package is cheaper, $54.99. You'd lose NFL Network however. At one point, they had some unadvertised plans, but not sure if those survived the changes in February. Keep in mind, if you change your package, you cannot go back to Choice Extra Classic in the future.

Also see if you can get free HD with autopay. That's another $10.

 

[Gloria_Chavez]

My advice? Look into the Spanish package, Optima Mas (47 a month). You'll get Discovery and Food, but not TLC. You don't get any of the sports programming, which is largely driving costs.

http://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/new_customer/base_packages.jsp?language=SPANISH

Given the contractual agreement between ESPN and DirecTv, it's really tough for D* to offer any packages without ESPN. So, if you find any packages acceptable, and you're not a fan of paying ESPN 5 dollars a month, I say, go for it.

You can also try retention, tell D* that Dish is offering you a comparable package for 30 dollars less than you're now paying, and see what D* will do.

 

[Hoosier205]

So, if you find any packages acceptable, and you're not a fan of paying ESPN 5 dollars a month, I say, go for it.

If you are going to claim to know what the rate for DirecTV customers is...please provide proof. Unless a provider (content or service) divulges what the actual rate is, the closest you can come is a guess or a broad estimate.

 

[dpeters11]

We can debate the actual amount, but I don't think there is any debate that ESPN is one of, if not the most expensive cable channel.

 

[MizzouTiger]

Okay, so your base package is around $70 a month. That leaves another $40 you are getting charged for additional features.

You don't mention any Premium Channels, so I'll assume there's no charge for that.

No Whole Home DVR.

2 HD DVR's and 1 SD DVR. So if you have only a total of 3 receivers, there's an additional $12 charge there.

You have HD DVR's, so that would lead me to believe you are getting charged $10 a month for the HD Access Fee.

The DVR fee is $8 a month.

If you have the Protection Plan, that's another $6 a month.

Now we're up to an additional $36 per month.

Do you use AutoPay? You can possibly still get the $10 HD Access Fee credited if you use AutoPay. Doesn't hurt to call and ask.

If you have the Protection Plan, you might consider dropping it. Have you had to use it to get your dish realigned, replace the LNB, multi-switch or anything like that? That is a risk/reward thing that you'll have to decide for yourself, but that would save you $6 a month.

Those 2 items alone would drop your bill by $16. You could also just try calling and see if there are any other credits that you might be eligible for. If you're not under a commitment, they may give you more. It can't hurt to ask.

Right now, I'm getting the following credits: $10 HD Access Fee, $5 a month off my base package for 24 months, 1/2 off Starz for 6 months and $5 off a month on HBO for 6 months.

 

[domingos35]

so its up to $110 a month and we really only watch local channels, plus TLC , Discovery and Food Channel.. I'll watch NFL network but thats about it.. don't use any of the on demand stuff ect... we have 2 hd dvr's and 1 SD dvr.. no whole home.. been a costumer a long time and really do like it.. but I feel like if I could just get those 3 channels on Roku or some sort of internet streaming.. I could can Direct tv... any ideas on how I could lower my bill or just any suggestions at all.. just seems like a lot for the amount of channels we actually watch.. thanks...

move to dish and get their new customer deals

 

[Hoosier205]

move to dish and get their new customer deals

Yes, well that comes with a dramatic downside...Dish Network.

 

[wahooq]

when faced with the same issue in the past i have always minimized my plans....dtv has packages down to 29.99...you just have to be willing to lose some channels

 

[TBoneit]

Yes, well that comes with a dramatic downside...Dish Network.

Some downside: Oh wait these are pluses.
More basic HD national channels +
Less Sports +
Faster HD DVR +
Better Multiroom DVR (Joey) Subjective +. True pause in one room, resume in another, no workaround needed. Real Clients, not re-purposed DVRs & Receivers.
Note to self: Gotta get 2 Hopper setup installed.
More consistent pricing +
PTAT +
Dish Internet response Team (D.I.R.T.)

Minuses:
No Fanboys bashing DirecTV at every chance.

 

[Hoosier205]

Some downside: Oh wait these are pluses.
More basic HD national channels +

Fewer HD channels than DirecTV.

Less Sports +

I'm not sure why you believe that Dish Network having less HD sports programming is a good thing.

Faster HD DVR +Better Multiroom DVR (Joey) Subjective +. True pause in one room, resume in another, no workaround needed. Real Clients, not re-purposed DVRs & Receivers.
Note to self: Gotta get 2 Hopper setup installed.

Sounds like you need to do some research on the benefits of what DirecTV has to offer compared to the Joey/Hopper.

More consistent pricing +

Again, I'm not sure how you have come to this conclusion.

PTAT +

http://www.directv.com/entertainment/?lpos=header

EDIT: You may not be able to access that, so check here instead: http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=203670

Dish Internet response Team (D.I.R.T.)

Yes, they are a great marketing tool.

 

[lesz]

Okay, so your base package is around $70 a month. That leaves another $40 you are getting charged for additional features.

You don't mention any Premium Channels, so I'll assume there's no charge for that.

No Whole Home DVR.

2 HD DVR's and 1 SD DVR. So if you have only a total of 3 receivers, there's an additional $12 charge there.

You have HD DVR's, so that would lead me to believe you are getting charged $10 a month for the HD Access Fee.

The DVR fee is $8 a month.

If you have the Protection Plan, that's another $6 a month.

Now we're up to an additional $36 per month.

Do you use AutoPay? You can possibly still get the $10 HD Access Fee credited if you use AutoPay. Doesn't hurt to call and ask.

If you have the Protection Plan, you might consider dropping it. Have you had to use it to get your dish realigned, replace the LNB, multi-switch or anything like that? That is a risk/reward thing that you'll have to decide for yourself, but that would save you $6 a month.

Those 2 items alone would drop your bill by $16. You could also just try calling and see if there are any other credits that you might be eligible for. If you're not under a commitment, they may give you more. It can't hurt to ask.

Right now, I'm getting the following credits: $10 HD Access Fee, $5 a month off my base package for 24 months, 1/2 off Starz for 6 months and $5 off a month on HBO for 6 months.

+1 to all of the suggestions made above.

On my current bill, I have a $10 HD Access fee credit, a $5 HBO credit for 6 months, a $5 Showtime credit for 6 months, free Starz for 3 months, and a $5 general billing credit for 6 months plus the free HD extra pack for 3 months. For accounts in good standing, I think it is pretty painless to get those kinds of credits and to get them renewed when they expire.

 

[lparsons21]

Fewer HD channels than DirecTV.

I'm not sure why you believe that Dish Network having less HD sports programming is a good thing.

Sounds like you need to do some research on the benefits of what DirecTV has to offer compared to the Joey/Hopper.

Again, I'm not sure how you have come to this conclusion.

http://www.directv.com/entertainment/?lpos=header

Yes, they are a great marketing tool.

More or fewer basic HD Channels was the comment. Dish has more basic HD. But the reality is that if one has the channels you want and the other doesn't, the actual count is only good for fanbois and marketing droids.

As for sports, maybe he isn't all that humped up about all the sports. I know I'm not since the two sports I'm interested in are well covered on both.

The Hopper/Joey compared to the HR34 with something hanging out there is a good comparison. Both are very good, both meet differing wants or needs, neither are necessarily all that superior. But the Dish offerings are real fast right now, not some day in the future after 6 years of sluggish comments here like the D* gear gets.

Your link was nice though. And it points to the directv anywhere, which Dish has actually been offering for quite some time now.

 

[TBoneit]

Fewer HD channels than DirecTV.

But more of the HD channels I want to watch.

I'm not sure why you believe that Dish Network having less HD sports programming is a good thing.

Less sports = less money wasted on something I have no interest in.
OTOH One mans treasure is another's junk.
Sports fans should go to D*, Non Sports HD to E*

Sounds like you need to do some research on the benefits of what DirecTV has to offer compared to the Joey/Hopper.

I've been reading about both.

Prime Time Anytime + 2 tuners is of more use to me than a HR-34 with its 5 tuners would be. Many times I've wished I could go back and set a timer for a few days ago for a network show after reading comments here. PTAT is the answer to that problem. Plus it Doesn't impact on the user space. You get the same effect on a HR-34 by recording the entire primetime block using four tuners but also storing it for 8 days would most likely kill al the free space on the drive.
I've already seen comments along the line of I didn't expect to get much use out of it but with it I'm watching things I wouldn't have otherwise watched.

Again, I'm not sure how you have come to this conclusion.

D* seems more likely to bargain. How many times have I seen messages saying call D* cancel, get to retention and bargain.
And saying how they got this or that for free or greatly reduced.

That is the same as saying, You're Paying full price? .
http://www.directv.com/entertainment/?lpos=header

Yes, they are a great marketing tool.

Not only is the D.I.R.T. a great marketing tool they seem to be genuinely useful helping with problems and questions.

I wonder if D* is thinking of adding something like them too.

Cheers

 

[lparsons21]

To the OP.

2 choices are available to you to reduce your current outlay.

1. Stick with D* if you like the service and ask for some breaks. Free HD is a way to save $10 and should still be available. You could take the lower sub level down to the Entertainment pack and save another $10. Then an odd discount/rebate here and there could maybe result in a few bucks. If they will do that, then it is the easiest way to accomplish the task.

2. OTOH, if they can't reduce your bill to something you are comfortable with, THEN consider switching. 1st year rebates are very good. If the Hopper with 2 Joeys would be enough tuners, then the equipment fees would be inline with what you are paying D* now, and it would all be HD.

I often switch providers since neither have exactly what I want in HD programming, the PQ to my eyes on my 54" plasma are nearly identical and the premiums are fine with both when I want them. I don't mind the switch out and I base my choice on who gives me the best price.

 

[Hoosier205]

But more of the HD channels I want to watch.

Dish Network has always been about quantity over quality with it's HD. I'm happy for you that you have chosen a provider that gives you the channels you want. I am happy to have chosen a provider that gives me the channels I want with the quality I expect. Dish Network didn't meet that standard.

Less sports = less money wasted on something I have no interest in.
OTOH One mans treasure is another's junk.
Sports fans should go to D*, Non Sports HD to E*

Less money wasted? I'm not sure how you quantify that. It is more likely to provide more revenue and opportunity. Both sports and non-sports fans should go with DirecTV...and most do. Not only do they get the most HD channels, the most HD sports, and lower monthly fees with multiple receivers...but they also receive superior HD picture quality.

I've been reading about both.

Prime Time Anytime + 2 tuners is of more use to me than a HR-34 with its 5 tuners would be. Many times I've wished I could go back and set a timer for a few days ago for a network show after reading comments here. PTAT is the answer to that problem. Plus it Doesn't impact on the user space. You get the same effect on a HR-34 by recording the entire primetime block using four tuners but also storing it for 8 days would most likely kill al the free space on the drive.
I've already seen comments along the line of I didn't expect to get much use out of it but with it I'm watching things I wouldn't have otherwise watched.

TV Anywhere access w/ On Demand and availability on multiple platforms...in addition to 5 tuners is better than PTAT and two tuners? Hmm...okay. Dish has been trying very hard to spin this and hasn't work well so far.

D* seems more likely to bargain. How many times have I seen messages saying call D* cancel, get to retention and bargain.
And saying how they got this or that for free or greatly reduced.

That is the same as saying, You're Paying full price? .
http://www.directv.com/entertainment/?lpos=header

I'd like to you name a single provider who does not do this. Dish Network certainly does. They all cut deals to retain customers.

Not only is the D.I.R.T. a great marketing tool they seem to be genuinely useful helping with problems and questions.

I wonder if D* is thinking of adding something like them too.

I don't see why. DirecTV doesn't need to send marketing drones to various internet forums. They are beating Dish Network easily as is. 20 million customers and thumping Dish Network with higher customer satisfaction.

 

[lparsons21]

I don't see why. DirecTV doesn't need to send marketing drones to various internet forums. They are beating Dish Network easily as is. 20 million customers and thumping Dish Network with higher customer satisfaction.

Of course, why would D* want to have people offer service in a popular satellite discussion forum? Instead they want you to call and talk to a CSR to get the answer of the moment. Heck you can't even do chat except for sales crap with D*!

And which poll shows D* having higher customer satisfaction in a percentage that is more than just polling error? Certainly hasn't been one I've seen, and both have dismal customer satisfaction ratings.

Edit: Here's the link at D* site. Note the whopping 69 out of 100 possible score! And also note that at many schools a 69 would be a failing grade or nearly so. And the spread between D* and E* is 3 paltry points!

http://news.directv.com/2011/05/16/...in-2011-american-customer-satisfaction-index/

 

[Hoosier205]

Of course, why would D* want to have people offer service in a popular satellite discussion forum?

I guess Dish felt they were lacking in that area. Must be tired of playing second fiddle.