Meet the DIRECTV ENTERTAINMENT Pack

[MSHAW2715]

cbs sports network is on Ultimate also and not just premier. If you take a look at the lineups above you would see that. However, it looks like 4 sonic tap stations will move to premier. I'm not sure which ones, but if I'm reading the number right the number is now 80 instead of 84 and premier has 88. The bolding of cbs sports network appears to be because of it also being part of sports pack.

I missed BYU when I was comparing the two lists last night. BYU is staying in Extra

This is what I now have. Let me know if I missed anything else

Moving to Ultimate:

Boomerang - 298
Chiller - 257
Cloo - 308
GEB - 363
Golf - 218
INSP - 364
NHL - 215
Sprout - 295
Style - 235
Tennis - 217

Moving to Premier:

CBS Sports - 613

Now the question is, will the classic Extra package still include these channels?

[AIRLINE]

Another poster mentioned BYU. I thought all the special interest/religious type channels are in every programming package now, as long as you have the right dish for channels such as JLTV (which broadcasts in SD), and HD equipment for those SD channels such as Baby First TV, Free Speech TV, NASA TV, Golden Eagle Broadcasting and GOD TV?

My Mother has Select, and she receives all the religious and special interest channels, including all of those mentioned above plus BYU, and the Catholic channel EWTN, plus many others.

I do remember that when I signed my Mother up for Choice Ultimate in February 2010, when the installer came out and before I signed off the work order, I tried to view JLTV, and it would not come in. The installer argued with me that JLTV is not included, yet I gave him a printout of all the channels included in the package, including JLTV. Then he says I ordered the wrong dish. So, I asked him to show me where I have the option to order a specific dish from the Costco/DirecTV web site. He couldn't show me, and he started to become nervous that I wouldn't sign off his work order.

Needless to say,while the installer was inside my Mother's home, I made a few phone calls here locally in Los Angeles, and a manager from a location in the San Fernando Valley came out to my Mother's home in Encino within 90 minutes, and he brought the correct dish. (The installer was also busy making phone calls as well). The problem was solved. The manager over apologized about the dish problem and said that someone from DirecTV should have called and inquired if we (my Mother) watches any of the channels that require a special dish (such as JLTV), and the correct dish would have been added to the order. The manager did say it was not up to me to ask for the correct dish. The installer did a great job in providing a "clean" install throught my Mother's home, and was able to use the current cable jacks, so no messy cables strewn about. Even the manager who came out to my Mother's home commented to the installer (and in front of us) that installation looked outstanding.

Actually, I wish DirecTV would be clearer in the communication about the procedure required by the customer to order the dish required in order to view special interest programming such as JLTV. Maybe this is not an issue when ordering through a dealer. At that time, I ordered through the Costco website (cw.directv.com) for the $180.00 Costco Cash Card. The good news is that my Mother has enjoyed her programming, and she has not had any service calls, and all equipment up to this point has been working without any problem. I did downgrade my Mother's programming to Select in February 2011.

Myself, at my home in Valencia, I have AT&T U-Verse, and at our weekend home out in Riverside County (Canyon Lake), we have Verizon Fios (just the locals only for $10.00 a month) and no boxes as the local channels with Fios come in QAM and HD without the need for their box. What stinks with Fios, is even if you have QAM, you have to rent their boxes in order to view any other HD programming beyond locals. Since were only out there maybe twice a month, locals for $10.00 a month is a good deal, much less expensive than Time Warner, and Fios ofers many of the sub digital channels, and no contract.

Anyway, it's fun to stack up three of the companies (DirecTV, AT&T U-verse, and Verizon Fios) that we subscribe to, and compare each of their programming packages. They all have plusses and minuses, but with DirecTV now offering the Entertainment package as a truly advertised pacage, I think this will drive more sales for DirecTV, and offer another option for those subscribers who are budget minded, or don't watch much in the way of sports (especially local/regional sports), and allows DirecTV and it's dealers to offer a package that's publicly available instead of the hidden Family, Select and Select Classic packages. Plus, the Enterainment package for new subscribers (as long as they credit qualify) allows them to take advantage of free HD/DVR and HD equipment offer, and free HD programming and the advance HD and/or HD/DVR receiver service for $10.00 a month (instead of $20.00) with auto bill pay.

I also think that the Entertainment package also helps DirecTV fill a "hole" in it's programming line-up among the various cable companies throughout the United States, and to a lesser extent, Dish, AT&T Uverse and Verizon Fios. As I said earlier, no one line-up is perfect from any company, but at least DirecTV is getting the message that some customers do not want to pay $100.00 or more per month for televison programming (after you include the receiver, HD and DVR fees).

It will be interesting to watch how the marketplace responds, their competitors, and the industry in general.

[Iceberg]

[FONT=arial]Another poster mentioned BYU. I thought all the special interest/religious type channels are in every programming package now, as long as you have the right dish for channels such as JLTV (which broadcasts in SD), and HD equipment for those SD channels such as Baby First TV, Free Speech TV, NASA TV, Golden Eagle Broadcasting and GOD TV.

they do. The religious/shopping channels are in all packages

[Iceberg]

Iceberg, I thought that the free HD was only for new customers. In the past, Choice Xtra was the lowest package that qualified for free HD so figured it would be the same for existing customers on new packages.

I know that. But current subs were able to get 24 months HD fee waived. Now I wonder if I move to Entertainment Package (or even Choice) could I keep the discount? I see someone moved ot the Select package and kept it.

Guess I'll wait and call them to see.

[lparsons21]

Iceberg,

I'm a bit surprised that you would be interested in the Entertainment pack since it does away with most sports.

[Iceberg]

I know. But the issue I have right now is $$$$. And with the changes happening tomorrow it will be costing me $4 more a month ($3 more programming $1 more DVR). I thought about removing both the 2nd DVR and the HD receiver on the account since the HD receiver isnt needed. Right now its hooked to a SDTV in the bedroom. The 2nd DVR lately has been needed maybe once a week. Otherwise the series recordings I have set up the one DVR works fine. Any clashes it just hits the late night recording. So there would be $12 savings which would keep me on Choice Xtra. But the issue is the DVR I have is a R22 and to get the HD to work I HAVE to have a "legit" HD receiver on the account. So I'm paying $6 a month for a HD receiver due to my DVR being "funky". When I called D* they wont exchange it for a HD DVR since its not broke. I could do the "add a HD DVR" route for free but then its back to a 2 year agreement.

If I could get just a legit HD DVR with no contract extension that would be fine for me. The sports missing would be tough but I do have access to CBS College and ESPNU feeds My local RSN come next month would be only for the Twins games....and after last year maybe not seeing them would be a good thing.

I just have to look over the packages. Dropping from Xtra to Choice is only $5 difference. But dropping to Entertainment would be $14.

[lparsons21]

Ah yes, the old $$$ trick!! I know it well since I'm retired and on a fairly fixed income.

I looked over the Entertainment pack, but it is just giving up too much of some channels I like and since my son has indicated he won't want to renew the NFLST next season, he would like to keep the NFL and some of the other sports channels in Xtra.

I've been contemplating the HR34 and doing away with 2 of my HR24s. Would reduce the monthly by a bit more than the monthly increase, but if they hold to the $399 price as it appears they will, I won't be doing that.

Sometimes there is just too damn many choices and not enough money to go around!!

As a thought, could you buy a used HR of some sort and replace that R22 without kicking in another 2 year extension?

[AIRLINE]

Iceberg,

In the case of my Mother, she has combined billing with AT&T for her home phone, DSL and DirecTV (U-verse is not available in her area). She receives a $5.00 credit from AT&T for bundling, and I have her on auto pay from my checking account. When I downgraded her service to Select in February 2011 (and not knowing at the time that Select does not qualify for free HD), I explained to the DirecTV rep that my Mother has auto pay with AT&T, and asked the rep to provide free HD. The rep said that because she was billed by AT&T, that she could issue a $10.00 per month credit for 24 months, and we would still see a charge for HD on the bill, but she could not just make the HD free for life. So, I accpeted that offer. If my Mother still has DirecTV at this time next year, I will have to call again and request the HD credit. As far as the AT&T bill, it's a wash. I see a debit for the HD service, then a credit. Her bill runs about $64.58 a month, $44.99 for Select, $18.00 for three additional receivers and $1.59 (8.75%) sales tax on the leased receivers.

[msmith198025]

When I called D* they wont exchange it for a HD DVR since its not broke.

Didnt the HDMI port suddenly quit working?

[Iceberg]

As a thought, could you buy a used HR of some sort and replace that R22 without kicking in another 2 year extension?

most HR receivers are leases so that is tough. If I am going to do a 2 year agreement I'll get the HR34