My God, some of you need to let some comments slide by you every now and then. If you aren't already paid Directv employees, you ought to be, as much as you carry their water for them.
Directv What are you thinking?
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we still have 17 days left this month. lets relax. we are going to get them and we will have more. no need to worry. after seeing these reactions if I was D next time i would wait longer to launch anything until more is ready. they launched a few channels earlier than expected (sept) and people are not happy.
You can call me a "fan boy" or an "apologists", I don't care. The truth is I am only posting facts here and my opinion based on these facts. If you want to dispute the points I am going to make, I will be happy to participate. If you want to resort to name calling, then I will not degrade this thread by responding. With that said, let me answer the question, "What was Direct thinking?"
- They wanted to take a more conservative approach to avoid problems. This was evidenced by the amount of time they took to park D11 and to launch channels, yet we still complain.
- The testing they did with D11 will be used for future technological advances, which will make most of us happy further down the road. They still parked the bird a month earlier than previously planned, yet we complain because we don't have everything right now.
- Because of the earlier than expected launch some of the contracts do not take effect until the original planned launch date in September. We get 4 channels a month earlier than expected, yet we still complain.
- They are planning on taking a more conservative approach by launching a couple of channels per week for various weeks to avoid technical issues and contractual violations. We forgot how horrible some of the channels were with last years big launch when Direct was more desperate. The lip sync issues, macroblocking, pixelation, drop in pictures, ex. By taking their time they hope to avoid many of these problems and when a problem does occur there will be fewer variable to troupble shoot. By focusing on quality as well, they decide to take their time, yet we still complain.
- The PPVs are placeholders to make the transition of newer channels much easier and to work out transmission issues ahead of time. In the meantime, they can make money and if they need to remove a channel to to technical issues or bandwidth issues, PPVs would not generate as many complaints. Again it has been stated that these are temporary, even before the launch, yet we still complain.
- Everything Direct has done has done with this launch was announced ahead of time. There were not surprises or dissapointments to be expected. They still launch 4 channels 1 month earlier than originally expected, yet we still complain?
DirecTV must be carefull now, and pick and choose "Quality" hd channels. Look at how much HD channel like MTV HD, CMT HD, and others have shown (ZERO)
Who knows with 18 channels currently for PPV whos to say that next week that 15 of them won't be replaced with VOOM...
NAH... not going to happen.
Who knows with 18 channels currently for PPV whos to say that next week that 15 of them won't be replaced with VOOM...
NAH... not going to happen.
Just for clarity. This is not the case for all contracts. Some reliable sources (whom are never wrong btw) stated that some have been signed and they just need to wait to launch either due to technical collaboration or effective dates.I was unaware of the already in place deals. If the contract is signed for Sept 15th for example, not much to do till then. So now its D*'s fault that they were proactive and signed a deal early, since they expeditiously got the sat up early
I dont fault them for putting up PPVs, who cares.
Which is another reason why they are also taking their time. They probably don't want to put up a HD channel, such as the ones you listed, thinking that in a few months to a year they will have HD content, only to be duped.DirecTV must be carefull now, and pick and choose "Quality" hd channels. Look at how much HD channel like MTV HD, CMT HD, and others have shown (ZERO)
Who knows with 18 channels currently for PPV whos to say that next week that 15 of them won't be replaced with VOOM...
NAH... not going to happen.
(This particular statement is solely my opinion. I have no evidence if this is actually true or not. Just makes logical sense too me).
Do you have anything constructive to add or do you just want to make it personal?
My only issue is that how do we not know that they are permanent? Just because they say one thing, doesnt mean there going to do it. Hell, look at dish they say one thing and do other stuff all the time. Yes place holders are diffrent because you know that that channel is coming and there is no question about it... with HDPPV in place, it could be there one month or it could be there years. Thats what you guys dont understand. I havnet seen a press release yet from D* that says were replacing PPVX PPVY PPVZ for chanel X, Y and Z. Also, Another reason why people are pissed is there are channels up there now that people want, and D* could have agreements in place. Yes the contracts could be for next month, but they could call up the provider and very well say hey can we launch early. the provider would be crazy not to.
So if there are channels suppost to be launching contractually next month we better see them launching on the first. or the 15th. They just need to notify coustomers that, thats what there doing through press relaeases and stuff. I havent seen anything saying what they are doing, but then again I havent read every thread here.
To the average consumer who doesnt read here or at dbs there going to look and say why do I need 18 more PPV's in hd when the 15 we allready had was enough.
The adverage consumer is not going to notice that more HDPPV's were added they will just scroll by them just like everyone else does.
The adverage consumer is not going to notice that more HDPPV's were added they will just scroll by them just like everyone else does.
True, to that throws the profit thery out the window.
. While I do see that point of view, People see channels other providers are launching and hold directv as a world class service so they expect them to follow sute with other providers. They just want channel X y and z and expect D* to have them now with the other providers. Right now PPVHD does not make the dollar value of my package look like im getting my moneys worth. I want justification for my price increase next year Not the economy as an excuse!
Everyone I know with Direct HD didn't even realize they added the 4 national HD channels today. I had to tell them and they were pleasantly surprised. They have no knowledge of any PR, any extra PPVs, any RSNs going full time. Heck, they didn't even know that Direct already completed their mpeg4 conversion (they don't even know what mpeg4 is). For most subs when they find out about these additional channels, just like the others in weeks to come, they will be happy.The adverage consumer is not going to notice that more HDPPV's were added they will just scroll by them just like everyone else does.
They may not profit, but they will be making more money than if they were left blank.True, to that throws the profit thery out the window.
You never know, even though the channels they added might not be favorites, I think a few of us in the past of said we have only watched certain things because its in HD, I know I will speak for myself as I know I have.
I will give planet green and ABC family a shot. Though not sure how much HD will be on ABC family at this time???
I will give planet green and ABC family a shot. Though not sure how much HD will be on ABC family at this time???
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Well DodgerKing, as a Giants' fan, I have to say you are totally and completely wrong.
As a fellow blogger, I agree with you 100%. Prior to all of this HD stuff, DirecTV never came out ahead of any additions with a press release saying that something was "coming". Todays' marketing tactics now require teasers. DirecTV stated in their press release that this bird would be active this fall. Last time I checked, that isn't until mid September.
As a fellow blogger, I agree with you 100%. Prior to all of this HD stuff, DirecTV never came out ahead of any additions with a press release saying that something was "coming". Todays' marketing tactics now require teasers. DirecTV stated in their press release that this bird would be active this fall. Last time I checked, that isn't until mid September.
I totally understand what D* is doing. I don't need to have this spelled out ad nauseum in attempts to have me "get it."
My objection is that D* has been promoting their upcoming 150 HD channels for a long, long time. They make a big deal out of the D11 launch. Then they release a statement that begins with:
"EL SEGUNDO, Calif., July 28, 2007 - DIRECTV, the nation's leading satellite television service provider, continues to dominate the HD landscape by delivering significantly more quality national HD channels than any other television provider in the nation via the most advanced technology. Beginning August 14, DIRECTV will launch more than 30 additional HD channels, bringing the total HD channel lineup to 130."
And yet on Aug 14th we get almost nothing in the way of addition HD. D* is "dominating the HD landscape" by releasing essentially no HD channels.
Now true enough, D* said "beginning August 14th" and not "on Aug 14th." So technically the PR tells us that at some undetermined date past August 14th, D* will have 130 HD channels.
So it isn't D*'s plans or even their schedule that bothers me, it is the hype. And it is the obviously devious attempt to say that they have 130 HD channels on August 14th by putting up 18 temporary channels that almost no one wants. What's next, putting up 50 more PPVs and claiming 180 HD channels?
I wish both D* and E* would quit lying through their teeth and just fess up to how many national HD channels they are actually offering.
My objection is that D* has been promoting their upcoming 150 HD channels for a long, long time. They make a big deal out of the D11 launch. Then they release a statement that begins with:
"EL SEGUNDO, Calif., July 28, 2007 - DIRECTV, the nation's leading satellite television service provider, continues to dominate the HD landscape by delivering significantly more quality national HD channels than any other television provider in the nation via the most advanced technology. Beginning August 14, DIRECTV will launch more than 30 additional HD channels, bringing the total HD channel lineup to 130."
And yet on Aug 14th we get almost nothing in the way of addition HD. D* is "dominating the HD landscape" by releasing essentially no HD channels.
Now true enough, D* said "beginning August 14th" and not "on Aug 14th." So technically the PR tells us that at some undetermined date past August 14th, D* will have 130 HD channels.
So it isn't D*'s plans or even their schedule that bothers me, it is the hype. And it is the obviously devious attempt to say that they have 130 HD channels on August 14th by putting up 18 temporary channels that almost no one wants. What's next, putting up 50 more PPVs and claiming 180 HD channels?
I wish both D* and E* would quit lying through their teeth and just fess up to how many national HD channels they are actually offering.
I have never watched planet green until today. Even though most of the shows are outrageous and what is preached cannot be done by the average joe (they should rename it the Ed channel), it is still somewhat entertaining (probably because of how far out there it is).
I'll forgive you for being a Giants fan.
BTW, my wife is a Giants fan too and I am a die hard Dodgers fan. We are also on the opposite ends of the political spectrum (sort of like a Matlin and Carville...except the other way around. Although I too am bald).
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I understand the whole 'place holder' concept of the PPV's. However when I went to the D* website and counted the PPV movies available in HD there was 16. Not sure how many there were to begin with(it says 30+ total), but with the addition of 18 I would think there would be more than 16. There can't be that many on multiple channels? Or do they count the VOD movies as well? Or is it still a mystery how they actually count the channels?
Golden Girls in HD would be nice....
(that was meant to be a joke. I realize they shot Golden Girls before there was HD.... )I heard that Lifetime does stretch-o-vision, is this true?
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