DirecTV Price Increase Effective 2/27/08

**Mike0616** · 01-30-2008 09:34 AM

Originally Posted by harshness

Given that the new satellites are dedicated almost entirely to HD programming why does its price stay the same while SD packages go up?

On the flip side of that argument, why should I pay a premium for HD when I don't want to subsidize or have any use for SD?

**harshness** · 01-31-2008 09:40 AM

Originally Posted by Mike0616

On the flip side of that argument, why should I pay a premium for HD when I don't want to subsidize or have any use for SD?

Because you're willing to do it? Until tomorrow, none of the existing multichannel providers offer an HD only package. DIRECTV's HD channels are eating nearly as much bandwidth as any SD package they offer.

I don't think there's really any flip side to my argument if the HD Access programming expands by six fold and the price doesn't change.

**dcbag** · 01-31-2008 11:39 AM

It should also be pointed out that the HD Extra package charge will click in March. Isn't that correct? Maybe the new Dish HD package may be the way for some of us to go.

**rad** · 01-31-2008 11:44 AM

Originally Posted by dcbag

It should also be pointed out that the HD Extra package charge will click in March. Isn't that correct? Maybe the new Dish HD package may be the way for some of us to go.

Well March would be 3 months so I would guess yes.

As for the Dish HD package, if you don't mind missing some of the mainstream SD channels that E* doesn't carry a HD version of or doesn't even have a HD channel available maybe, for me no.

I'm really going to be curious how E* could add all the HD channels that they're missing now that D* has, plus channels coming online in the next few months, and not raise the price.

**joed32** · 01-31-2008 12:19 PM

Originally Posted by harshness

Because you're willing to do it? Until tomorrow, none of the existing multichannel providers offer an HD only package. DIRECTV's HD channels are eating nearly as much bandwidth as any SD package they offer.

I don't think there's really any flip side to my argument if the HD Access programming expands by six fold and the price doesn't change.

The SD side is paying the Lion's share of DirecTv's revenues. The relatively small group if HD users are getting the results of the Lion's share of DirecTv's expenditures. So I think they are subsidizing us rather than the other way around.

**JNEUBY** · 02-01-2008 05:22 AM

If you look at any corporate business model, the pencil pushers factor in the effects when considering a price increase. If they are looking for a 2% increase in profit, they go 3% They know that raising the price will erode the customer base and calculate what they feel will be a loss of income with the price increase. The only time D* would react if the pencil pushers screwed up their math and caused a larger decline in business and profits. At that time D* or any corporation would fire the CEO and blame him for screwing up. They may lower their pricing to get back to being competitive and push for more sales and customers. So if we call D* and complain, then they may realize it would not be in their best interest to push out a price increase. If the few of you jump ship, they will not miss you. One case in point was the upset with the HD channels D* had set up so we could watch them for a month or two and then blocked them if you didn't pay the extra $5.00 D* is still reeling from that and extended all those who complained 3 free months. I guess if jumping ship works for you, go for it. I know I let my fat head get in the way of making rational decisions from time to time.

**jdspencer** · 02-02-2008 10:24 AM

DNS service increase for all four nets is 33%.

More importantly, DirecTV needs to take a math class.

Individual DNS LA/NY service is going up to $2.99 (from $2.25). For all four nets the new price is $11.99, shouldn't that be $11.96 (4 x $2.99)?

**Jhon69** · 02-04-2008 10:43 PM

Originally Posted by wmj5

I think they should have a senior citizens packges.Ha!

They do it's called the Family Pak.

**Jhon69** · 02-04-2008 10:53 PM

Originally Posted by harshness

Given that the new satellites are dedicated almost entirely to HD programming why does its price stay the same while SD packages go up?

Because the HD and SD channels are linked.Example if you don't have the SD package you will not get the HD channel.

**Jhon69** · 02-05-2008 02:41 AM

Originally Posted by joed32

The SD side is paying the Lion's share of DirecTv's revenues. The relatively small group if HD users are getting the results of the Lion's share of DirecTv's expenditures. So I think they are subsidizing us rather than the other way around.

We sure are,and do you want to know what we would have if there wasn't any HD channels?.We would have the capacity for 450 SD channels.