Well looks like Premium movie channels is something D* has no intrest in.
Mike Farrell -- Multichannel News, 8/6/2009 12:23:00 PM EDT





DirecTV interim CEO Larry Hunter said that the satellite giant would likely pass on carriage of the newest premium channel, Epix, when it launches later this year.
"That's another one that I don't think you'll be seeing us being interested in," Hunter said on a conference call with analysts to discuss second-quarter results.
Partially influencing the satellite giant's decision could be the recent decline in its customer take rates for premium movie channels. On the conference call, chief financial officer Patrick Doyle added that the satellite giant has been seeing an acceleration of customers who are "right-sizing" their programming packages, and many are dropping premium movie channels like HBO, Starz and Showtime. Doyle said that about 90% of DirecTV customers take at least one premium channel and expected that to decline further in the third quarter.
"We think there are enough of them out there already," Doyle said of premium movie channels. "We don't see the value of adding another movie channel."

All I can say is Maybe D* customers would add more premium movie channels if D* SD and HD premium channel line up wasn't so expensive, and pethedic.
Get a Clue!.

it could also be that D subs don't sub to the premiums because of the not so great selection. great strategy:rolleyes: lets not add more premiums due to not enough subs signing up for them. make it more attractive and $$$ worthy! i don't sub to premiums but would like for those who are interested to get what they want.

All I can say is Maybe D* customers would add more premium movie channels if D* SD and HD premium channel line up wasn't so expensive, and pethedic.
Get a Clue!.
I JUST SAID THAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :rant::rant::p :D:D:D

I JUST SAID THAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :rant::rant::p :D:D:D:D:D
I don't really mean this thread to be a WAR, But I thought it was Safer in here then in the D* forum. :angel:

I know not everyone like premiums, but if they think NFL ST is their Save All method, They are taking a Huge Gamble. Sorry but 90% of your customers subscribing to your Premiums is HUGE, Why would you want those numbers to decline? Thats about the dumbest thing I've ever heard.
If you Know 90% of your customers subscribe to these, why on earth would you not try and improve this option ,and maybe 90% would subscribe to 2 premiums.

One thing that was said on the call, not mentioned in OP was that another reason for cancelling premium channels was the lack of "must see" content. I dropped HBO and Cinemax for that reason, no original series that I need to see and with NetFlix I see all the movies I want to see when I want to see them.

Hey Dodger""

Get a good look at this.:D:D:D

(Doyle said that about 90% of DirecTV customers take at least one premium channel and expected that to decline further in the third quarter)

90%
Thats way more then MLB,NFL NHL and NBA packs
over 16 Million D* customers

I do wish D* would add some more of the Cinemax channels and HBO Comedy. EPIX, well I will have to see what they are offering before getting upset about not having them on D*.

One thing that was said on the call, not mentioned in OP was that another reason for cancelling premium channels was the lack of "must see" content. I dropped HBO and Cinemax for that reason, no original series that I need to see and with NetFlix I see all the movies I want to see when I want to see them. Defend all you want, 90% is over 16 million customers:p

Defend all you want, 90% is over 16 million customers:p

So what's your point? 90% of a take rate is a good number IMHO. And some folks are cutting back due to the economy but cutting a premium or two. Kind of like E* customers that cancel service completly due to the economy, at least that's what Charlie says when he has to tell Wall Street why his company continues to see his customer base shrink. :D

So what's your point? 90% of a take rate is a good number IMHO. And some folks are cutting back due to the economy but cutting a premium or two. Kind of like E* customers that cancel service completly due to the economy, at least that's what Charlie says when he has to tell Wall Street why his company continues to see his customer base shrink. :D Whats your point? Your part of the 10% that doesn't subscribe? We Know:p
If 90% of my customers liked something, I would futher improve the offering, in hopes they will buy more.

I do wish D* would add some more of the Cinemax channels and HBO Comedy. EPIX, well I will have to see what they are offering before getting upset about not having them on D*. especially the cinemax. the showtime and starz packages are good but the rest :down:down

So what's your point? 90% of a take rate is a good number IMHO. And some folks are cutting back due to the economy but cutting a premium or two. Kind of like E* customers that cancel service completly due to the economy, at least that's what Charlie says when he has to tell Wall Street why his company continues to see his customer base shrink. :D:D:D:D:eek:

Whats your point? Your part of the 10% that doesn't subscribe? We Know:p
If 90% of my customers liked something, I would futher improve the offering, in hopes they will buy more.

Or how about those 10% just don't care for movies. Kind of like the E* folks that say they don't care that E* doesn't have MBL-EI or NFL-ST, they don't like sports and wouldn't subscribe if E* had it anyway.

Or the folks cancelling just don't have the money to pay for them and doesn't matter if they had every single premium movie channel in HD, they rather have lights or food then "The Fifth Element" shown for the 5,000th time.

"The Fifth Element" shown for the 5,000th time.
http://www.clipartof.com/images/thumbnail/1231.gif (http://www.clipartof.com/details/emoticon/1231.html)

Or how about those 10% just don't care for movies. Kind of like the E* folks that say they don't care that E* doesn't have MBL-EI or NFL-ST, they don't like sports and wouldn't subscribe if E* had it anyway.
. 90% of D* customers don't subscribe to sports packs ;).
but 90% do subscribe to movie packs..
I wouldn't expect you to go against anything D* does. And thats fine , but I saw the numbers.

90% of D* customers don't subscribe to sports packs ;).
but 90% do subscribe to movie packs..
I wouldn't expect you to go against anything D* does. And thats fine , but I saw the numbers.

So again, what's your point. DirecTV said they're loosing subs on the premium channels due to the economy and lack of must see content on them.

You're response is to add more premium channels. WTF will that do to stem the loss if it's due to the economy and lack of must see content, it will cost the same and you'll just have more channels showing the same lack of must see content.

But then again, you're against everything that D* does or say. If D12 launches and DirecTV then carries every single premium movie channel available in HD, and that's more then what E* carries are you switching to D*?

If D12 launches and DirecTV then carries every single premium movie channel available in HD, and that's more then what E* carries are you switching to D*?
YES !!!

If D12 launches and DirecTV then carries every single premium movie channel available in HD, and that's more then what E* carries are you switching to D*?


YES !!!

God, I hope that doesn't happen then, couldn't stand to listen to you b*tch about the STB's again;)

YES !!!


God, I hope that doesn't happen then, could stand to listen to you b*tch about the STB's again;)
:D:D:D:D

God, I hope that doesn't happen then, could stand to listen to you b*tch about the STB's again;) Well they would Have to have the Tivo/Directv Boxes as well as more Premium channels.
If D* would just Fix their HR's already you wouldn't have to hear me bitch. Have you ever seen a thread 1 time about me bitching about the VIPs'.
I've had about 10 more years with D* then I have E*, and only since I've used a D* HR have I ever complained about their Equipment. Bring Tivo back with D* hardware, And I'm sure it would be fine.

But in the meantime me and 90% of the D* customers would like a few more premiums added to our already high price D* has us paying for them. :p

I know a big reason why I cringe at this statment is because D* hasnt added movie channels in HD to compete with other providers. IF they actually provided 100 % of their movie channels in hd like dish and other providers, people might actually buy them.

^^^ I agree I just got Direct due to the price compared to Dish. But as for this thread I understand where dude is coming from by passing on another premium channel which in DTV's defense is declining by 90% according to his estimates. On the other hand if they offered more HD premiums as well as more Cinemax & HBO all in HD of course, their will be a huge flux of new subscribers.

Unfortunately for me I'm past my limit to cancel without charge so I'll have to hope and wait if they add more HD premium content. If they don't I'm switching to Dish

I have a couple of points to add.

First of all, not noted anywhere in this thread was the fact the Comcast and Cablevision are passing on EPIX as well. So it isn't just D*.

Secondly, I currently get the premier package but I may turn into one those customers who drop some movie packages because of the economy. I've worked for 17 years for a company whose has been hit especially hard by the mortgage crisis and high number of foreclosures. We've lost billions of dollars over the last couple of years, laid off a very high percentage of the work force, fired the CEO and I haven't gotten a raise in two years. My wife works for a successful retail company but they instituted salary caps on specific job codes and she hasn't gotten a raise in about 4 years.

So I'm having to evaluate my finances very carefully as money is tighter and I could be without a job without warning.

something that confuses me is this:
why do people still sub to premiums? biggest rip off ever, especially if you have multiple packages. unlimited netflix with 2 DVDs out at once is cheaper than 2 premium packs. much wider selection, plus with netflix streaming. not to mention you can get blu ray and get your HD in OAR.

Hey Dodger""

Get a good look at this.:D:D:D

(Doyle said that about 90% of DirecTV customers take at least one premium channel and expected that to decline further in the third quarter)

90%
Thats way more then MLB,NFL NHL and NBA packs
over 16 Million D* customers
I am pretty sure a lot of it has to do with the free promotional give aways of premium packages. I had the same when I first signed up.

Remember, when you get a premium package for 3 months (or how ever long the promotion is) you are still considered a sub of that package

I came off Premier to Choice Extra w/ DVR with HBO and Starz that's my limit that's as low as I plan to go! :)

I am pretty sure a lot of it has to do with the free promotional give aways of premium packages. I had the same when I first signed up.

Remember, when you get a premium package for 3 months (or how ever long the promotion is) you are still considered a sub of that packageExactly i signed up and got showtime for a year free. Now i just bought the Sunday ticket and got premier for 5 months. :up

I think a reason for the decline in subscription channels such as HBO and Showtime is the fact that they have not shown anything worth paying for in quite awhile.

At one time saturday nights they had a movie premiere and you wanted to see it. They had exclusive shows which wewre good and had sporting events that you wanted to see.

Now everyone has movies, most sporting event are boring, and there are great quality HBO like exclusive shows for free on stations like FX.

something that confuses me is this:
why do people still sub to premiums? biggest rip off ever, especially if you have multiple packages. unlimited netflix with 2 DVDs out at once is cheaper than 2 premium packs. much wider selection, plus with netflix streaming. not to mention you can get blu ray and get your HD in OAR.


I sub for Pen and Tellers Bull S**T... Great show! There are other shows on HBO we watch too.. I sub to starz for the shear fact that the movie channels they have are in HD. Also, Waiting for netflix to come in the mail takes up time, if there is a good movie on now, Why not watch it! :)

I am pretty sure a lot of it has to do with the free promotional give aways of premium packages. I had the same when I first signed up.

Remember, when you get a premium package for 3 months (or how ever long the promotion is) you are still considered a sub of that package
And let me add, Direct included sports packages as part of their premium percentage. We still have no idea how many pay to sub to movie premiums vs pay to sub to sports premiums.

And let me add, Direct included sports packages as part of their premium percentage. We still have no idea how many pay to sub to movie premiums vs pay to sub to sports premiums.
NFL less then 2 million, MLB less then 800,000. If 3 million subscribe to sports packs with D* ,I'd be very surprised.
You can count out that dumb sports pack, because everyone knows its not worth a crap for Pro Baseball ,Football,Hockey,or Basketball without buying a seasonal sports pack . And on top of it D* has already started moving the Good channels, "NBA,CBSC,and soon ESPNU" out of that Sports pack and into Choice and Choice Extra,
And a s far as promotions, we don't know how many NFL ST customers got their package as a promotion.
Remember D* is Running the 5 month Free with NFL ST.

D* press release said 90% of its customers Subscribe to at least 1 premium movie pack.

I'll keep Showtime for now because the new season of Dexter is coming soon and my wife and I love that show. But after it's over I may drop showtime until Dexter comes back.

I wouldn't want any of D* premiums either, Maybe Starz Superpack, But the rest are more expensive then anyone for less channel then anyone.. Maybe this might have something to do with the projected drop in Premium Subs. People are Locked in 24 month agreements its not like they can just switch anytime they want, They have no choice but to drop programming, first thing to go would be Movie packs and Seasonal sports packs with this economy.

D* press release said 90% of its customers Subscribe to at least 1 premium movie pack.


All right!That means I'm in D*'s top 10% cause I subscribe to HBO and Starz! :D

All right!That means I'm in D*'s top 10% cause I subscribe to HBO and Starz! :D:D:D

Sad really sad. Now D* is making up ridiculous crap reasoning to continue scewing Premium subs.

I actually agree with DirecTV's take on this -- do we really need yet another channel showing constant reruns of old movies that we most likely have no interest in watching?

There is a flood of options available for cheap movie viewing from companies like Redbox, Blockbuster or Netflix, not to mention the expansion of Internet-based VoD offerings like that available through DirecTV, Netflix Instant Streaming, Amazon VoD, Hulu, etc. My NetFlix subscription costs about as much as 2 premium channels, and as long as I keep putting the discs in the mail after I watch them I'm never without a movie -- and I also have access to the Watch Instantly video as well. Unlike options such as HBO and Showtime, NetFlix gives me movies I want to see, not just crap I end up watching simply because it's on.

DirecTV is instead focusing on something that isn't easily accomplished via other distribution methods: many HD feeds of live events such as sporting events. Online offerings like mlb.tv and NHL Gamecenter Live have made significant gains in the last few years, but aren't a viable option for anyone wishing to view the game on a 50+ inch TV. Sports fans also aren't going to wait until the season is over to buy a DVD of the games so they can watch them after the fact.

I actually agree with DirecTV's take on this -- do we really need yet another channel showing constant reruns of old movies that we most likely have no interest in watching?

There is a flood of options available for cheap movie viewing from companies like Redbox, Blockbuster or Netflix, not to mention the expansion of Internet-based VoD offerings like that available through DirecTV, Netflix Instant Streaming, Amazon VoD, Hulu, etc. My NetFlix subscription costs about as much as 2 premium channels, and as long as I keep putting the discs in the mail after I watch them I'm never without a movie -- and I also have access to the Watch Instantly video as well. Unlike options such as HBO and Showtime, NetFlix gives me movies I want to see, not just crap I end up watching simply because it's on.

DirecTV is instead focusing on something that isn't easily accomplished via other distribution methods: many HD feeds of live events such as sporting events. Online offerings like mlb.tv and NHL Gamecenter Live have made significant gains in the last few years, but aren't a viable option for anyone wishing to view the game on a 50+ inch TV. Sports fans also aren't going to wait until the season is over to buy a DVD of the games so they can watch them after the fact. I've seen Just about everything that Netflix has to offer , so whats the difference?. The difference for me is I don't have to wait for netflix to ship movies, My dvr records movies that I can watch what I want, and in HD, Not to mention Netflix is over $20 per month for At most 12 movies a month. I can watch 3 movies in one night , Just so I can get my Next 3 in 3-4 days. Netflix sorry isn't as good of a value IMO.

I've seen Just about everything that Netflix has to offer You've watched almost all of the 100,000 titles? Impressive!


The difference for me is I don't have to wait for netflix to ship movies, My dvr records movies that I can watch what I wantYou still have to wait for the movie you want to watch to be aired on one of the networks and you have to go in through the guide week after week to scan for movies you want and set them up to be recorded. For their HD receivers neither E* nor D* has the TiVo-like recommendations where movies and shows will be auto-recorded for you.


Not to mention Netflix is over $20 per month for At most 12 movies a month. I can watch 3 movies in one night , Just so I can get my Next 3 in 3-4 days. Netflix sorry isn't as good of a value IMO.How many new movies do these networks air? Cinemax is doing new movie Fridays, so you get a massive 4 new movies a month?

It just seems ridiculous to add yet another movie channel to show continuous repeats of the same movies we've all seen over and over again when there already exists a myriad of channels like AMC, IFC, Turner Classic Movies, Lifetime Movie Network, Hallmark Movie Channel, Encore, Showtime, Starz, HBO, Cinemax, The Movie Channel, HDNet Movies, and MGM.

Ive been paying for both Dish and Directv will all channels on both. We mainly use Dish due to the premium movie channels and the news that D* is content with the movie channel HD lineup they have has pretty much made my decision to cut that off as I was hoping this fall they would add more. oh well.

You've watched almost all of the 100,000 titles? Impressive!

It just seems ridiculous to add yet another movie channel to show continuous repeats of the same movies we've all seen over and over again when there already exists a myriad of channels like AMC, IFC, Turner Classic Movies, Lifetime Movie Network, Hallmark Movie Channel, Encore, Showtime, Starz, HBO, Cinemax, The Movie Channel, HDNet Movies, and MGM. Netflix has 100,000 movies worth watching? Doubt it! How many new movies per month does Netflix carry? 4 maybe? the rest are dumb. And Repeats, What netflix doesn't stock about 10,000 movies that I most likly have already seen 100 times as well?
Sorry Its much CHEAPER and Easier to subscribe to Encore and Starz for $13 per month or Less DVR what I want to see, and Watch it when I want, and When I'm done , I don't have to wait for Netflix to send me another movie .

when a movie is released on dvd is it available immediately on those movie channels? on netflix it is. it takes a day for my movies or whatever else i choose to get here. don't see the big deal. premiums aren't worth it to me. that's my opinion. but as i've said before, we should still have all of what's available out there for those who do think it's worth it!

when a movie is released on dvd is it available immediately on those movie channels? on netflix it is. it takes a day for my movies or whatever else i choose to get here. don't see the big deal. premiums aren't worth it to me. that's my opinion. but as i've said before, we should still have all of what's available out there for those who do think it's worth it!

This is how I feel as well.

I sub to starz during the summer, but mainly because there is not much on elswhere that I really get into. I catch the odd baseball game here or there, but most series shows are reruns, and we can catch up on our movie watching, when we actually have time to that is.

Other times of year, I cancel premiums and sub to the sports pack to catch my college games.

So I would like them to add what some subs want when it comes to premiums, but it will not bother me personally if they do not.