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I've got my bill down to about $100 right now but I have a bunch of referral credits that are in effect. Right now I'm getting great value but when it goes back up to it's $130-$140 price then it's not as attractive.

If you're out of contract and considering cancelling or going to another provider I would call and see if retention can do something for you. That's what I did and ended up with a $45x12 credit.

I also have 4 referral credits helping, but they just deducted my auto-pay this month and it was $29.67 for 120+ on a 2HWS/2J system.

The main reason I didn't cancel is because of my local MLB team. I'm still not sure I made the right decision to keep it as I barely turn the tvs on but for what I'm paying for the next year I really can't go wrong.

I started a thread about the "tipping point" in the pub that dealt with this as well.

In my experience, the only real way to keep the costs down from the consumer standpoint is to play the new customer promo game. These days I just flat refuse to pay what I would have had no problem paying just 5 years ago. It has nothing to do with finances, my priorities have simply shifted, and TV, while enjoyable, is just not as high on the list as it once was. No offense if it is a high priority to one of you.

I now have a basic limit that I am going to stay at, once the math makes sense, I make the call and change to the other. Doing just that this weekend in swapping from Directv back to Dish.

msmith198025 said:

I started a thread about the "tipping point" in the pub that dealt with this as well.

In my experience, the only real way to keep the costs down from the consumer standpoint is to play the new customer promo game. These days I just flat refuse to pay what I would have had no problem paying just 5 years ago. It has nothing to do with finances, my priorities have simply shifted, and TV, while enjoyable, is just not as high on the list as it once was. No offense if it is a high priority to one of you.

I now have a basic limit that I am going to stay at, once the math makes sense, I make the call and change to the other. Doing just that this weekend in swapping from Directv back to Dish.

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might have to do that. it just does not seem like we are getting our money's worth anymore.... at least, when the NFL season is not on... when it is, yes, totally worth it... lol


can't wait for a RedZone streaming option!

Kraven said:

Regarding Dish, do you fellas feel they offer good value for that you get? Ie- bang for the buck?

I keep reading folks have bills anywhere from 80$ to 175$, those numbers just make my stomach turn.

Pretty much all I really want is Disney, Nick and NickJr (anything else is gravy) except I refuse to 'bust the bank' if you will.
AT120, HD fee, DVR fee, taxes will add up to just over 80$.
Am hoping to keep the bill under 50$ but from what am seeing…it might be wishful thinking.

Cheers, K

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Let me just clarify that you are stating you want just Disney Channel, Nickelodeon, and Nick Jr. If these are the only channels, you want you may want to compare DirecTV and Dish packages to shop around. I think Nick Jr will be the decider if it is that important to you since DirecTV has it in its Family Package (but possibly not in some packages higher than Family--Dish does this with some channels in its Smart Pack like DIY which is in AT 250 outside of Smart Pack. Therefore, be careful of upgrading from some of the lowest tiers to higher ones as some channels do not stay) while Dish has it in America's Top 200 last time I checked. I will not lie; we had issues with DirecTV. However, others have had no issues. The Family Package with DirecTV is $29.99/month I believe (without HD I believe; with HD would be $10 more a month I am assuming...not sure if you can do like Dish and have an HD box with HD locals without an HD fee). The first receiver with any provider is usually included in the base price (with possibly the exception of some cable companies).


For a list of channels in the FAMILY package via the DirecTV site: http://cdn.directv.com/cms2/support/20120323_family_channel_lineup.pdf
This package has Nick Jr., Disney Channel (East), Disney Channel (West), Disney XD, Nickelodeon (East), Nickelodeon (West), and even TeenNick. However, it does not have Disney Jr according to the PDF site.

According to DirecTV:

Is the FAMILY package still available? How do I subscribe to it?

Yes, you can still get the FAMILY package by calling us at 1-888-777-2454. The FAMILY package includes more than 50 channels suitable for viewers of all ages, including local channels (where available), for only $29.99 per month, our everyday low price.

I believe the Disneys (Junior, XD, and ABC Family as well), Nickelodeons, and Nick Jr are in the following packages: Select [reg. $49.99], Entertainment [$57.99], Choice [$66.99/mo; RSN fee of up to $3.63 may apply], Xtra [$73.99/mo; RSN fee of up to $3.63 may apply], Ultimate [$81.99/mo; RSN fee of up to $3.63 may apply], and Premier [$129.99/mo; RSN fee of up to $3.63 may apply]

For a printable channel lineup card of some the packages: http://www.att.com/Common/PDF/DIRECTV_English_Channel_Lineup.pdf

Dish's $32.99 Smart Pack has Nickelodeon (East and West feeds) [along with Nicktoons Network which otherwise is in AT250]. However, to get Disney East and West feeds you would need the $54.99/month America's Top 120 or Dish Latino Dos package. I think HD is only free for two years now. However, by then, you would be out of contract, and things may change by then (hopefully for the best). Dish's $69.99/month America's Top 200 has the Nickelodeons, Disneys, and Nick Jr.

For printable lineup cards: http://www.mydish.com/downloads/cha....pdf?WT.svl=guide-area-img-dish-channel-guide

Bottom line: If you only want Disney East, Disney West, Nickelodeon East, Nickelodeon East, Nickeldeon West, and Nick Junior, then it seems like it would make sense to go with DirecTV's Family package which I believe is $29.99/month. HD (optional) may be an extra $10/month. However, with an HD receiver, you may (not sure) be able to get just your locals in HD (at least Dish does it this way). Any receiver past the first would be extra (probably about $6/month extra). DVR (optional) would also have a fee. Does the Genie have a $10/month HD fee and a $10/month DVR fee? Maybe someone can chime in on that; that seems to be my understanding. We really love Dish, but in this scenario, in the long run, I do not think it is worth paying $40/month more at $69.99/month in the long run (although you may get a nice first year promotional price off the monthly price) just to get Nick Jr. However, if you are looking at higher packages, then you may want to compare the two again. I think Dish's Welcome Pack is a good deal at $19.99/month; however, those channels you want are not in it. If you have youngsters, another plus will be PBS Kids Sprout which is on DirecTV but not Dish. Best of luck to you! Let us know what you decide if you do not mind!