PBS Sprout moving to Choice Ultimate 2/9 (update: for new customers)

[Tampa8]

Good solution. Hope Dish is following this for future channel moves up.

 

[ryotgz]

Awesome decision.

 

[NotMe546]

This is one thing I don't have to worry about with Dish, as far as I know they don't carry Sprout and I wouldn't care if they did.

 

[mr_tv]

I don't watch Sprout, so I won't miss it. They can move OWN up the chain too for all I care. Cloo, no problem, I won't miss it.

 

[andrewj0781]

yeah satracer at the "other site" posted this
We're pleased to have found a solution that enables customers who have Sprout to keep it in their programming package after February 9th. New customers coming onto the platform will need to subscribe to the Ultimate Package to get Sprout after that date. We are always evaluating our programming so we may provide more choice and at the same time manage rising programming costs on behalf of all of our customers. It was never our intention to remove Sprout from our service.

so basically as of 2/9 you would need Ultimate for new subs to get it

I just received an email from Directv here it is:

We wanted to provide an important follow up regarding the Sprout channel e-mail message you received on Tuesday. We're pleased to have found a solution that enables current customers who have Sprout to keep it in their programming package after February 8th. An upgrade to the CHOICE ULTIMATE package is not required by current customers.

New customers coming on to the DIRECTV service after February 8th will need to subscribe to the CHOICE ULTIMATE package to view the Sprout channel.

At DIRECTV, we strive to bring you the best entertainment experience available. We are always evaluating our programming so we may provide more choice and at the same time manage rising programming costs on behalf of all of our customers. It was never our intention to remove Sprout from our service.

Thank you for your time and for being a valued member of the DIRECTV family.

Sincerely,

DIRECTV

 

[Mr Tony]

This is one thing I don't have to worry about with Dish, as far as I know they don't carry Sprout and I wouldn't care if they did.

no you just have to worry about channels getting dropped all the time

 

[Mr Tony]

I just received an email from Directv here it is:

We wanted to provide an important follow up regarding the Sprout channel e-mail message you received on Tuesday. We're pleased to have found a solution that enables current customers who have Sprout to keep it in their programming package after February 8th. An upgrade to the CHOICE ULTIMATE package is not required by current customers.

New customers coming on to the DIRECTV service after February 8th will need to subscribe to the CHOICE ULTIMATE package to view the Sprout channel.

At DIRECTV, we strive to bring you the best entertainment experience available. We are always evaluating our programming so we may provide more choice and at the same time manage rising programming costs on behalf of all of our customers. It was never our intention to remove Sprout from our service.

Thank you for your time and for being a valued member of the DIRECTV family.

Sincerely,

DIRECTV

yep got the e-mail here too

 

[andrewj0781]

yep got the e-mail here too

Oh Ok I took your comment as you weren't sure if you believed the "Other Site"

 

[yaz96]

It sure is good of them to keep it for current customers. Usually does not work that way......

 

[whitewolf8214]

yep got the e-mail here too

+1 got the e-mail too

 

[AriesGodofWar]

Very glad to see that e-mail. While I have no use for the channel, it keeps my kids happy, so very glad I get to keep the channel.

 

[DodgerKing]

yep got the e-mail here too

As did I. It is nice to see them leave channels in existing packages for those whom currently have those packages, even though I can care less about Sprout.

 

[DodgerKing]

I would be willing to bet that this is one of the difference between Choice Xtra Classic and the new Choice Xtra.

 

[NotMe546]

no you just have to worry about channels getting dropped all the time

Just like with any other company today.

 

[Mr Tony]

Just like with any other company today.

but "leading the pack" is Dish.....when a channel comes up for renewal Dish subs freak because more often than not it gets dropped....Directv subs (most...there are some who freak) go "it will get taken care of" and it usually does

 

[NotMe546]

but "leading the pack" is Dish.....when a channel comes up for renewal Dish subs freak because more often than not it gets dropped....Directv subs (most...there are some who freak) go "it will get taken care of" and it usually does

With Dish taking a stand that's why it's cheaper for me to stay wish dish. Never mind I still have more HD.

 

[DodgerKing]

With Dish taking a stand that's why it's cheaper for me to stay wish dish. Never mind I still have more HD.

First, that is why Dish is the better choice for you.

Second, is it really that much of a difference in price between the two providers for the average user with basic packages? One company charges more for their base package (DirecTV) and the other charges more for equipment (Dish). In the end many end up paying around the same total price with either provider for the same comparable programming and equipment.

Sent from my iPad using SatelliteGuys

 

[Mojo Jojo]

First, that is why Dish is the better choice for you.

Second, is it really that much of a difference in price between the two providers for the average user with basic packages? One company charges more for their base package (DirecTV) and the other charges more for equipment (Dish). In the end many end up paying around the same total price with either provider for the same comparable programming and equipment.

Sent from my iPad using SatelliteGuys

Honestly, each situation could be unique in terms of the amount of TVs and other factors like HD, DVR, etc. For example, someone with 2 TVs could have a 2-TV Duo reciever with Dish and not have an additional receiver fee while the person would have a $6/month fee with DirecTV. Someone with a 211 with Dish could convert it into a DVR and pay a one-time $40 fee instead of a $6 month DVR fee; I believe DirecTV's DVR fee will be $8/month. Likewise, some may have those HD Duo DVRs which can become costly after the first with Dish at $17/month along with a $6/month DVR fee. So, from what I learned, it pays to do some homework on the choices available. Package selections vary as to what channels the customer wants. For example, PBS Kids Sprout is on DirecTV but not on Dish. However, both have channels that may not be on the other provider. I know that DirecTV's commerical with the Choice package and America's Top 120 pack may be true in terms of channel selection; however, DirecTV does not mention the difference in price. America's Top 120 is $44.99/month while the Choice package will be $63.99/month. America's Top 120+ is $49.99/month, America's Top 200 is $59.99/month, America's Top 250 is $69.99/month, and America's "Everything" Pack is $104.99/month. Choice Ultimate will be $74.99/month and Premier will be $119.99/month. These are just the "regular" American packs; I did not mention those "special" packs for customer retention and Spanish packages (which may also be worth looking into for some English packs if they have in them what the customer wants).

 

[NotMe546]

Honestly, each situation could be unique in terms of the amount of TVs and other factors like HD, DVR, etc. For example, someone with 2 TVs could have a 2-TV Duo reciever with Dish and not have an additional receiver fee while the person would have a $6/month fee with DirecTV. Someone with a 211 with Dish could convert it into a DVR and pay a one-time $40 fee instead of a $6 month DVR fee; I believe DirecTV's DVR fee will be $8/month. Likewise, some may have those HD Duo DVRs which can become costly after the first with Dish at $17/month along with a $6/month DVR fee. So, from what I learned, it pays to do some homework on the choices available. Package selections vary as to what channels the customer wants. For example, PBS Kids Sprout is on DirecTV but not on Dish. However, both have channels that may not be on the other provider. I know that DirecTV's commerical with the Choice package and America's Top 120 pack may be true in terms of channel selection; however, DirecTV does not mention the difference in price. America's Top 120 is $44.99/month while the Choice package will be $63.99/month. America's Top 120+ is $49.99/month, America's Top 200 is $59.99/month, America's Top 250 is $69.99/month, and America's "Everything" Pack is $104.99/month. Choice Ultimate will be $74.99/month and Premier will be $119.99/month. These are just the "regular" American packs; I did not mention those "special" packs for customer retention and Spanish packages (which may also be worth looking into for some English packs if they have in them what the customer wants).

Wow!!!!

 

[DodgerKing]

Wow!!!!

That was my reaction when I was trying to read it. My eyes kept skipping lines and reading the same lines over. After about the 3rd line I gave up.

MoJo,

It would be a lot easier to follow if you broke your long paragraph up into easier to read smaller paragraphs.