It's a great deal DirecTV sells it because they know that even though they're going to lose lots of money by offering this fantastic package to their customers it will make their stockholders happy from the warm feeling they get inside from this fantastic gift.
Seriously, extended warranties are a great money-maker in the CE industry.
Here's the items are exempted from the warranty...read them before you think $72/year is such a good deal. Notice that bad installs aren't covered, nor are "Acts of God". That means things like storms that knock your dish out are on your dime. So, let's see if the dish is properly installed and moves on its own (without aid of wind or being hit by something) then they'll come and align it for you.
What is Not Covered: (1) Incidental or consequential damages; (2)
Intentional acts or criminal acts by you, damage from accident, abuse,
misuse, introduction of foreign objects into the product, unauthorized
product modifications or alterations, failure to follow the
manufacturer's instructions, third-party actions (fire, collision,
vandalism, loss, theft, etc.); (3) Accessories, including antennas; (4)
Preventative maintenance; (5) Damage which is not reported within
thirty (30) days after expiration of this Plan; (6) Damage to
commercially-used products (unless this Plan has been specifically
endorsed to cover commercial use); (7) External signal interference;
(8) Pre-existing conditions or problems; (9) Repairs associated with
incomplete or unsuccessful installation; (10) Any satellite dish or other
equipment made specifically for or permanently attached to
automobiles, recreational vehicles, including without limitation
watercraft, aircraft, or mobile homes; (11) Television/receiver
combinations where the repair or replacement is needed directly on the
combo unit; (12) Components and wiring related to the computer
service for integrated Broadband products such as Direcway and
DirecPC; (13) DIRECTV portable devices; (14) Satellite dishes mounted
to structures or objects that are not man-made and stationary; (15) any
failures, or parts and/or labor costs incurred as a result of a
manufacturers recall; (16) “Acts of God”.