DirecTV 3rd Quarter Results

**Jhon69** · 11-05-2009 12:10 PM

Originally Posted by Mike0616

"The increase in the churn rate was primarily due to stricter retention and upgrade policies, as well as more aggressive competitor promotions."

Huh? Stricter retention and upgrade policies lead to higher churn? Can someone please explain that one to me?

That's an easy one all the people who said cancel my service and then was transferred to Retention found out there was no gold at the end of the rainbow.

Look for Dish's numbers to be better next quarter.

**rad** · 11-05-2009 12:16 PM

Originally Posted by Jhon69

Look for Dish's numbers to be better next quarter.

Gee, seem to remember people saying that for the past few quarters about Dish's results

**Curtis0620** · 11-05-2009 12:21 PM

Originally Posted by rad

Gee, seem to remember people saying that for the past few quarters about Dish's results

I think he means non-negative net adds.

That would be an improvement.

**damjr** · 11-05-2009 12:27 PM

Originally Posted by Curtis0620

I think he means non-negative net adds.

That would be an improvement.

Yep. Anything over 50,000 will be a big improvement. I guessing it will be over 100,000.

**Curtis0620** · 11-05-2009 12:38 PM

Originally Posted by damjr

Yep. Anything over 50,000 will be a big improvement. I guessing it will be over 100,000.

I'm guessing closer to 0 net adds, if not negative.

**MikeinBaja** · 11-05-2009 01:48 PM

"In addition, cash upgrade and retention costs declined by 7% to $361 million as we tightened up our offers to existing customers while striking a better economic balance between our retention policies and monthly churn rate which increased modestly to 1.72% in the quarter.” (Emphasis added).

I found this comment to be interesting. Glad to see they are finally tightening up on those that seem to always beg for credits for the smallest of issues.

**riffjim4069** · 11-05-2009 06:21 PM

Yep, another solid quarter for DirecTV who, along with FiOS TV, are leading the pack when it comes to net subscriber additions. How will this play out for Dish Network? I have no idea, but I suspect their numbers will less impressive. We shall see on November 9th.

**exZACKlee** · 11-05-2009 06:58 PM

Originally Posted by Mike0616

"The increase in the churn rate was primarily due to stricter retention and upgrade policies, as well as more aggressive competitor promotions."

Huh? Stricter retention and upgrade policies lead to higher churn? Can someone please explain that one to me?

Might have something to do with the fact they are actually telling people they are going to extend there contract 2 years when they upgrade or replace equipment

**K9SAT** · 11-05-2009 08:04 PM

Also, Directv's net adds were primarily due to ATT, so it seems to me that ATT is doing all the sales right now and if it wasnt for ATT, things at Directv as a company is alot worse than the spin machine is making it. Once (in the next few years) uverse becomes widely available in all att territories as they continue expansion and current customer upgrades, I expect to see those numbers drop as att gives there customers uverse as att roles out there FTTP (Fiber to the Prem) versus Fiber to the node on all installs. In fact im hearing that they could be starting upgrades to some current customers soon! (like in a few months)

**JAG72** · 11-05-2009 08:14 PM

Bob, The people that AT&T are targeting for Directv sales will most likely never be able to get Uverse. Heck. I am in the city and I can not even get Uverse even though the people across the street can get it as well as a neighbor three houses down. They have way to many upgrades to do before they will become competitive with anybody.