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NashGuy

Last reply Aug 2, 2019 · posted in DIRECTV General Forum

The Future of DirecTV, DirecTV Now, Uverse TV & HBO

In the interest of stirring up some hopefully lively conversion, I thought I'd post here my predictions for where the DirecTV satellite and DirecTV Now streaming services, along with Uverse TV and HBO, are headed this year. Please note that this is all my own personal speculation, albeit based on lots of publicly available data points and AT&T-provided statements over the past year or so. I'll come back later on this year and take my kicks for whatever predictions end up proving wrong. ;-)

DirecTV Now --> AT&T TV (streaming TV)

This August, AT&T will unveil a "new" OTT streaming TV service called AT&T TV, which, as the name implies, will be their main flagship multichannel pay TV service. It will be very similar to the existing DirecTV Now service and will replace it. (This might happen any time between roughly July 1 and Sept 30, but I'm going to say August is the mostly likely time when AT&T TV debuts.)
AT&T TV will offer three main channel packages: Starter, Plus and Max. Plus and Max are currently already available through DirecTV Now, although those packages will contain some additional channels than they do now by the time they're offered through AT&T TV.
Starter will be an entirely new package priced at $30 and contain pretty much the same 35+ channels now available on AT&T WatchTV, but it will also include HBO. Note that this package does not include any local broadcast networks (e.g. ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox) or all-sports channels (e.g. ESPN, FS1, NBCSN, etc.).
Plus and Max are more mainstream cable channel packages. Both include locals and HBO, while Max also includes Cinemax and some additional sports and entertainment channels, including RSNs. They will sell for their current regular prices of $50 and $70 (with no additional fees for broadcast or RSN channels). About a month ago, DirecTV Now began offering a $20 discount off of each for the first three months. Just this week, they changed that to $15 off for the first two months. By August, those deals will have lapsed. Plus and Max will still both include HBO (and Max will still include Cinemax too). They'll have all the same channels they currently do, but by that time, AT&T will also have added popular channels from A+E Networks (A&E, History, Lifetime), Discovery Networks (HGTV, Discovery, Food, Travel, ID), and AMC Networks (AMC, IFC, BBCAmerica) to Plus and Max. If PBS stations aren't included at the launch of AT&T TV, they'll be added at some point in the coming year as they generally become available on streaming cable TV services (vMVPDs).
All plans (with the possible exception of Starter) will come with 20 hours of cloud DVR storage, with recordings auto-deleting after 30 days. As currently on DirecTV Now, you'll be able to FF in all recordings from any channel, including past ads. (Ad-free premium channels still won't be recordable though, but that doesn't matter much since all their content is available on-demand.)
You can upgrade to 100 (or maybe 120) total hours of cloud DVR storage for an extra $10/mo. The auto-delete period will either be lengthened or entirely dropped for the upgraded cloud DVR.
Niche cable channels that aren't included in Starter, Plus and Max will be offered in the form of add-on packs that can be added to one of those base packages. Showtime, Starz, Cinemax and Epix will be offered as a la carte premium add-ons.
Like now with DirecTV Now, each subscription will allow 2 simultaneous steams on any combination of devices, whether in or out of home. Each additional simultaneous stream will cost an extra $5/mo. Streams can be accessed on AT&T's own box (see below) or through their app on other devices; how the stream is accessed makes no difference in terms of the simultaneous stream limit.
AT&T's optional 4K HDR Android TV-powered set-top-box and remote (code-named the "C71 Osprey" or "DirecTV Now Beta Box") will be sold directly to customers (likely for $60-80 each). The rumor is that AT&T wants to get out of the STB rental business. I definitely expect AT&T will give a lot of them away as promotional items to new subscribers. Perhaps AT&T TV subscribers who prepay for 2 months will get 1 box for free, or prepay for 4 months and get 2 boxes for free. AT&T Internet/Fiber subscribers who bundle in AT&T TV may get 2 free boxes without the need to prepay anything.
Rather than having long-term commitments and first-year reduced pricing (as has been the norm with DirecTV and possibly Uverse TV), AT&T TV will be sold at a "no-games-playing" everyday standard price with no up-front commitment. The free boxes will be the up-front bonus for certain customers rather than Visa gift cards. (I still expect folks getting AT&T Internet/Fiber, which does require a 1-year commitment, plus TV to score up-front Visa gift cards, though.)
Unless you're getting AT&T Internet/Fiber installed at the same time, the TV box will be a simple self-install option that is shipped to you by UPS/FedEx. (WAY cheaper for AT&T than a satellite TV installation!) For those who can't even connect a box to their TV and wifi, AT&T will send one of their in-home sales consultants to help you out (and also "helpfully" try to sell you other AT&T services while they're there).
Netflix and YouTube will come pre-loaded on the box, along with the Google Play app store, which by that time should offer the Amazon Prime Video app for Android TV. You can definitely expect the upcoming on-demand streaming service from AT&T's WarnerMedia (called HBO Max or HBO+) to be integrated into the box too. Like regular HBO, a subscription to HBO Max will be non-optionally included in Starter, Plus and Max for no additional cost. (See below for more info on HBO Max.)
Although it will be available to anyone with home broadband from any provider (e.g. Comcast, Verizon, Charter, etc.), bundling this service with AT&T Internet/Fiber will knock $10 off the combined price and also score you unlimited data from them, i.e. no data cap. (And running the service over AT&T's own network could only make it more reliable, one would think.)
Uverse TV -- which is only available to homes wired for AT&T Internet/Fiber -- will cease to be sold to new customers. Existing customers will have a long while (couple years) to transition over to the new service before AT&T pulls the plug on Uverse TV. In the meantime, Uverse TV will see no significant changes or improvements.
When AT&T TV debuts, DirecTV Now will stop allowing new customer sign-ups. AT&T TV will use an app that looks and functions nearly identically but will be a separate app. Existing DirecTV Now customers will be allowed to stay on their current plans at their current prices but will be contacted by email and encouraged to switch to AT&T TV, and may be automatically switched to that service when DirecTV Now shuts down by the end of 2019.

DirecTV (satellite TV)

New DTV satellite subscribers will only be offered the same 3 channel packages as on the AT&T TV streaming service: Starter (no locals, no sports), Plus (no RSNs) and Max, all of which include HBO. (A DTV OTA tuner will be offered for Starter subscribers to buy, to integrate their free locals.)
Existing customers will be grandfathered into their current channel packages (Entertainment, Choice, Xtra, etc.) and can keep them indefinitely.
DirecTV satellite will continue to be sold for several years but AT&T will focus their marketing on rural areas that lack broadband service. Anyone with broadband will have the option to go with the streaming TV service and AT&T will price it cheaper overall to attract consumers in that direction.
Standard everyday pricing for Starter, Plus and Max will be $30/mo higher on DirecTV than on AT&T TV. Therefore Starter will cost $60, Plus will cost $80 and Max will cost $100.
Those prices include 4K/HD DVR service (at least 5 tuners, at least ~200 hours of HD storage) for 1 TV.
Thin-client boxes let additional TVs tap into whole-home DVR for an extra $7/mo for each box/TV.
Less-popular cable channels that aren't included in Starter, Plus and Max will be available through various add-on channel packs priced $5-10/mo.
Free professional installation will be offered only to new customers who sign a 24-month agreement. Doing so will also score the subscriber NFL Sunday Ticket for free for the 2019-20 season. (Availability of future seasons TBD.) Signing the agreement also gives the customer a price-lock guarantee on their everyday pricing through all 24 months.
DTV will no longer automatically offer big promotional giveaways, such as $200 Visa gift cards, for all new subscribers (although such promotions might be offered selectively to certain potential customers, mainly those in areas without broadband service).
There will no longer be discounts to new subscribers for bundling DTV satellite service with any other AT&T service. (Possible exception: customers who live at an address where AT&T Internet/Fiber is not available may get a discount for bundling DTV satellite with AT&T Wireless or AT&T DSL.)
Once customers complete their 24-month initial agreement term, they may be eligible for limited-term credits off the cost of monthly service as a retention tool, although I expect that to be used more sparingly than has been the case in the past.

HBO

AT&T will unveil a new OTT streaming subscription video on-demand (SVOD) service this fall named HBO Max. This will be AT&T's attempt to create a broader, bigger SVOD service to compete directly against Netflix. HBO Max will be automatically a part of every cable channel package sold to new subscribers on AT&T TV and DirecTV. It will also be sold as a direct-to-consumer standalone service as well as distributed alongside regular HBO through all major cable TV systems.
The new HBO Max app will replace the existing HBO Go and HBO Now apps.
HBO Max will offer two (possibly three) paid subscription tiers. For $14-15, subscribers will get access to the traditional core HBO offering (all of it ad-free). Those who subscribe to just HBO through a cable provider will have access to that same content on-demand in the HBO Max app (i.e. the same stuff now offered in the HBO Go and HBO Now apps).
For $17-18, subscribers will get access to everything available from HBO Max. In addition to the core HBO content (all ad-free), they will get:
- current and some past content from AT&T's basic cable channels including TBS, TNT, TruTV, Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, Boomerang, and CNN (docs/reality only, not news/talk). Examples include The Alienist, Animal Kingdom, The Last O.G., Search Party, Impractical Jokers, The 2000s, Tricky Dick, etc. Turner sports content will not be available.
- current and past seasons of original series from the Cinemax and DC Universe services
- older movies and TV series from the Warner Bros. vault (e.g. Friends, Big Bang Theory, Alice, Bugs Bunny & Looney Tunes, Harry Potter, Batman, Superman, Casablanca, etc.)
- content licensed from outside WarnerMedia, including docs, lifestyle and kids' shows
- new exclusive original content unavailable on any cable channel or other SVOD
The additional non-HBO/non-Cinemax content in HBO Max will contain limited targeted ads, except for theatrical movies and children's programming, which will always be ad-free. Subscribers may have the option to remove those ads for an additional fee.
Subscribing to the full HBO Max service will unlock 4K and 4K HDR versions of select content throughout the entire service, including various HBO original series. A core tier ($14-15) HBO subscription will only offer HD content.
Cinemax will continue to be available as an a la carte service sold through cable TV and streaming providers but since all of Cinemax's original programming and most (if not all) of its currently screening films will be included in the upper tier of HBO Max, subscriptions to Cinemax will substantially decline in the next few years.
HBO may kill some of their multiplex linear channels, such as HBO 2, HBO Signature, etc. The Plus and Max packages on DirecTV Now only include the three most distinct ones: HBO, HBO Family and HBO Latino. They want to encourage viewers to shift away from watching HBO as "channels" and toward HBO as an on-demand streaming service through the HBO Max app.

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slice1900

Jul 30, 2019

I think the problem may be that "Directv" is equivalent to "satellite" in the minds of most consumers, and trying to sell a product called "Directv" that doesn't require satellite is more difficult. Maybe they ran into this when doing marketing surveys about Directv Now, and found a lot of people assumed it wasn't an option for them because they didn't want or couldn't have a dish. If that's an issue, it would make it harder to sell if people are automatically ignoring any advertising for "Directv Now" once they hear the name and assume it isn't for them.

If they wanted to use the Directv name for the new product, what could they have called it? Directv Stream?

I agree that the Directv name has a lot of goodwill, but that is irrelevant if the name would stand in the way of the success of the new IP version of "Directv".

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navychop

Jul 30, 2019

You make a very good point.

Sent from my iPhone using SatelliteGuys App. For now.

NashGuy

Aug 1, 2019

slice1900 said:
I think the problem may be that "Directv" is equivalent to "satellite" in the minds of most consumers, and trying to sell a product called "Directv" that doesn't require satellite is more difficult. Maybe they ran into this when doing marketing surveys about Directv Now, and found a lot of people assumed it wasn't an option for them because they didn't want or couldn't have a dish. If that's an issue, it would make it harder to sell if people are automatically ignoring any advertising for "Directv Now" once they hear the name and assume it isn't for them.

If they wanted to use the Directv name for the new product, what could they have called it? Directv Stream?

I agree that the Directv name has a lot of goodwill, but that is irrelevant if the name would stand in the way of the success of the new IP version of "Directv".

Yep, you nailed it. And if I had to guess, I'd say that the marketing dept. at AT&T never really planned to use the DirecTV brand for their eventual IP-based flagship TV service. I think that from the get-go DirecTV Now was intended to be a short-term experimental staging ground for developing and beta testing the streaming technology, streaming box, channel packages, and direct-to-consumer marketing techniques that would all eventually be carried over to AT&T TV. Think about it: DirecTV Now had a *rough* and long beta period and if you look on reddit and other cord-cutter forums, it developed a fairly bad reputation. Hopefully AT&T has gotten their stuff together on the technical delivery front. We'll see. At any rate, you can understand why they want to dump that brand and not have it taint their shiny new flagship service.

slice1900

Aug 1, 2019

NashGuy said:
Yep, you nailed it. And if I had to guess, I'd say that the marketing dept. at AT&T never really planned to use the DirecTV brand for their eventual IP-based flagship TV service. I think that from the get-go DirecTV Now was intended to be a short-term experimental staging ground for developing and beta testing the streaming technology, streaming box, channel packages, and direct-to-consumer marketing techniques that would all eventually be carried over to AT&T TV. Think about it: DirecTV Now had a *rough* and long beta period and if you look on reddit and other cord-cutter forums, it developed a fairly bad reputation. Hopefully AT&T has gotten their stuff together on the technical delivery front. We'll see. At any rate, you can understand why they want to dump that brand and not have it taint their shiny new flagship service.

That may be how it worked out, but I doubt their intent was to have Directv Now suck and develop and bad reputation...

NashGuy

Aug 2, 2019

slice1900 said:
That may be how it worked out, but I doubt their intent was to have Directv Now suck and develop and bad reputation...

Well, I don't think it was the idea that it would suck, necessarily, but I think they knew it would be their beta and therefore unpolished and not-ready-for-primetime. So therefore it would use a disposable brand name, DirecTV Now. I don't for a moment believe that they ever intended DirecTV Now -- or "DirecTV anything" -- to be the name of the new flagship service which is called AT&T TV. Nor do I think they ever intended to run even a low-end cord-cutter streaming service for the long-term bearing the DirecTV brand because they knew that brand was inextricably tied to satellite technology.

Could be wrong, of course. Maybe it just all happened to unfold this way. But I think online peanut galleries like to believe that no one at AT&T knows what they're doing. On the other hand, I kinda think that multi-billion dollar corporations have employees who are well paid to do nothing but think this kind of stuff through for a living.

NashGuy

Aug 2, 2019

I have to say that a lot of those anonymous posts over at TheLayoff.com (the site that some posters over at DBSTalk were ridiculing me for citing) proved correct with regard to AT&T's plans. Latest rumor I read today which I think originated from that site (I read it on DSL Reports) is that an AT&T insider says that the AT&T Watch TV service will be decommissioned at a future date TBD.

I've been saying that the main reason that $15 skinny cable bundle existed was to act as a freebie to give to AT&T Wireless customers and that it would stick around until HBO Max launches, which will then fill that need. Of course, I've also been saying that the bundle of channels in Watch TV will form the entry-level "Select" or "Starter" package in AT&T TV. We should see if I'm right about that soon enough. AT&T TV could launch in the pilot cities any day now.

There's been mention from AT&T brass on and off about a possible beta version of HBO Max rolling out this fall. I wonder if we might see them offer it in beta form as an exclusive "sneak peak" perk just for AT&T Wireless users. They'd get it free, in lieu of Watch TV. Folks getting something free can't complain too much if the beta is a bit rough, I guess. But using those customers as beta testers could also help build buzz for the service before it launches on all hardware platforms, with its full library and feature set in early 2020.

If that were to happen, we might see AT&T Watch TV get axed this fall. All paying customers on the service would, I'm sure, be encouraged by AT&T to sign up for the Select package on AT&T TV or AT&T TV Now.

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Bruce

Supporting Founder Lifetime Supporter

Last reply Today at 1:20 AM · posted in DIRECTV General Forum

DirecTV’s Subscribers Number

Thanks to Fitch Ratings ( who gives the ratings on Credit and debt, as approved by the SEC, so they have accurate numbers) we have the totals.

DIRECTV's video subscriber base is the third-largest traditional multi-channel video programming distributor (MVPD) in the U.S. with about 8.2 million subscribers at the end of 1Q26.

The last time it was reported, it was 8.8M at the end of 2Q25, so only a 600,000 loss for 3 quarters, which is a major improvement, since for many years before that, it was losing 500,000 a quarter, 2 Million a year.

It is now losing less than Dish/Sling combined, I believe the Genre Packs are helping to retain and get subscribers.

https://www.fitchratings.com/research/corporate-finance/fitch-rates-directv-proposed-senior-secured-debt-offering-bb-rr2-11-05-2026

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raoul5788

May 19, 2026

They have one less as of May 15th. I just couldn't justify almost $150 a month any more. I went to Fubo. Edit: And I've been a Directv customer for 30 years!

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b4pjoe

May 19, 2026

raoul5788 said:
They have one less as of May 15th. I just couldn't justify almost $150 a month any more. I went to Fubo.

Fubo would be a non starter for me. Missing channels:

NBCUniversal Channels: NBC local affiliates, USA Network, Bravo, CNBC, MSNBC, E!, Syfy, Telemundo, and the Golf Channel.
NBC Sports: Regional sports networks like NBC Sports Bay Area, Boston, California, and Philadelphia are also off the air.
Warner Bros. Discovery Channels: TBS, TNT, TruTV, CNN, Discovery Channel, TLC, HGTV, Food Network, and Animal Planet.
A&E Networks: A&E, History, Lifetime, and Vice.
AMC Networks: AMC, IFC, SundanceTV, and WE tv

Plus most of its live TV channels and sports broadcasts are currently delivered in 720p.

Jimbo

May 19, 2026

b4pjoe said:
Fubo would be a non starter for me. Missing channels:

NBCUniversal Channels: NBC local affiliates, USA Network, Bravo, CNBC, MSNBC, E!, Syfy, Telemundo, and the Golf Channel.

NBC Sports: Regional sports networks like NBC Sports Bay Area, Boston, California, and Philadelphia are also off the air.

Warner Bros. Discovery Channels: TBS, TNT, TruTV, CNN, Discovery Channel, TLC, HGTV, Food Network, and Animal Planet.

A&E Networks: A&E, History, Lifetime, and Vice.

AMC Networks: AMC, IFC, SundanceTV, and WE tv

Plus most of its live TV channels and sports broadcasts are currently delivered in 720p.

YouTube TV

raoul5788

May 19, 2026

b4pjoe said:
Fubo would be a non starter for me. Missing channels:

NBCUniversal Channels: NBC local affiliates, USA Network, Bravo, CNBC, MSNBC, E!, Syfy, Telemundo, and the Golf Channel.

NBC Sports: Regional sports networks like NBC Sports Bay Area, Boston, California, and Philadelphia are also off the air.

Warner Bros. Discovery Channels: TBS, TNT, TruTV, CNN, Discovery Channel, TLC, HGTV, Food Network, and Animal Planet.

A&E Networks: A&E, History, Lifetime, and Vice.

AMC Networks: AMC, IFC, SundanceTV, and WE tv

Plus most of its live TV channels and sports broadcasts are currently delivered in 720p.

Understandable. It's always a choice of price vs channels. The $60/month difference made my choice easier.

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Arctic_fox

Today at 12:41 AM

Jimbo said:
YouTube TV

YTTV don't carry the Regional sports channels

dishrich

Today at 1:20 AM

Arctic_fox said:
YTTV don't carry the Regional sports channels

It does still carry the NBC Sports branded RSN's, but obviously in those limited markets...

so2344

Last reply Today at 12:36 AM · posted in DIRECTV General Forum

Came back to DirectTV Satellite - Gemini question

Recently came back to DirectTV Satellite service and have two boxes, Gemini and a main HR54.

DirecTV is charging me two "TV access fees" of $10 each, but can only watch TV on the one without the server. Is there anything I can do to fix this?

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FHSPSU67

Apr 25, 2026

First receiver should be free. It is for me.

b4pjoe

Apr 25, 2026

FHSPSU67 said:
First receiver should be free. It is for me.

It is for me too. Back when they merged DIRECTV via Internet and DIRECTV Stream into one service they raised the TV access fee from $7.00 to $10.00 from both streaming and satellite and they eliminated the first receiver free for new customers only. Existing customers weren't affected by the new price and the elimination of the first receiver free policy.

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so2344

May 11, 2026

b4pjoe said:
It is for me too. Back when they merged DIRECTV via Internet and DIRECTV Stream into one service they raised the TV access fee from $7.00 to $10.00 from both streaming and satellite and they eliminated the first receiver free for new customers only. Existing customers weren't affected by the new price and the elimination of the first receiver free policy.

All of this makes me want to cancel satellite again! Customer service said we were getting billed for an old receiver but the call got cut off.

Will call back and try to get this resolved. As of now, only one TV can access satellite service. Would hope they can send another Gemini to be co-located w the main HR54.

so2344

May 28, 2026

Update: after 20 mins on phone with a non North American call center agent, they are sending a tech out. The tech support couldn't understand that the HR54 was at a different TV than the Gemini.

Arctic_fox

Today at 12:36 AM

so2344 said:
Update: after 20 mins on phone with a non North American call center agent, they are sending a tech out. The tech support couldn't understand that the HR54 was at a different TV than the Gemini.

this is why we canceled support and the csr's are garbage even the american ones. it's still under the att system!!!

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Scott Greczkowski

Staff member HERE TO HELP YOU! Cutting Edge

Last reply Today at 12:33 AM · posted in The Chit Chat Club

Song Name Game Part 3!

Sometimes a thread gets so many posts in it that is can cause issues for the server so that why today we introduce The Song Name Game Part 3!

So let the game continue!

The last song was added by Bobby who posted...

One Meat Ball - Andrews Sisters

CONTINUE ON AND HAVE FUN! WELCOME HOME TO SATELLITEGUYS.US!

Here are the original rules for the game as posted by WebbyDude back in 2006. http://www.satelliteguys.us/threads/68645-Song-Name-Game

Just name a song title and the band who performed it. The next person does the same thing, but needs to list a song title or band name which includes a word from the previous entry. Pick songs from any genre.

Example:

Long Live Rock and Roll -- Rainbow

Rainbow in the Dark -- Dio

Another example:

Ride the Lightning -- Metallica

Lightning Strikes -- Ozzy Osbourne

Get it?

An additional note: we all know that song titles, sometimes, use profane words. Because this is a family friendly website it is advised that you clean up that title up a bit. This is accomplished by using something like sh!t instead of the real word. Thanks....

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Bobby

Yesterday at 11:08 AM

I Can't Help It (If I'm Still In Love With You) - B.J. Thomas

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long_time_DNC

Yesterday at 3:37 PM

Help Is On Its Way - Little River Band

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sdfntx

Yesterday at 6:00 PM

Little Band of Gold - Sonny James

RaiderPower

Yesterday at 9:13 PM

Band Of Gold - Freda Payne

long_time_DNC

Today at 12:33 AM

Heart Of Gold - Neil Young

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zippyfrog

Pub Member / Supporter Lifetime Supporter

Last reply Today at 12:07 AM · posted in The Phone & Tablet Zone

Purchasing New iPhone

I feel like this was discussed in another thread, but I can't find it. I have T-Mobile and my last iPhone upgrade was in 2020. I want to get a new iPhone, but what is the best way to go about doing it? Should I order the iPhone from T-Mobile directly, or should I buy from the Apple Store? I feel like there are pros/cons to each option.

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navychop

Yesterday at 11:48 PM

I know of no reason to buy from a cell company.

Buying from Apple gets an unlocked phone.

PS- New models come out in Octoberish.

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Foxbat

Today at 12:07 AM

I got a carrier-locked iPhone once, and it was a pain after they got bought by Sprint and I decided to go to T-Mobile and they dragged their feet to unlock the phone. I have been trading in my iPhones since and buying from the Apple Store since then.

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Cactus Jack

Last reply Yesterday at 11:50 PM · posted in DISH Network Support Forum

Three Tuners?

I have a Hopper with Sling. (Don't know exact model.) A couple nights ago, I went into the DVR screen, and noted that it was recording three programs. Yet I was able to view live TV (that was not one of the channels being recorded.) Did something change? In the past, it would only let me watch one of the channels being recorded, or any recording in the DVR menu. Maybe it was streaming, although there was no indication of that?

Apologies if this has been covered; I searched and didn't find anything.

Thanks.

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Cactus Jack

Jun 3, 2026

So I tested.

Started recording three non-network shows and tried to watch live TV, would not do it, because all three tuners were in use.

Started recording two non-network shows and one network show. Still would not let me tune live TV.

Started recording one non-network show and two network shows, then it allowed live TV.

I would assume then that previously I was recording two or three network shows when it allowed live TV; I honestly don't remember what it was doing, and I didn't think to check.

Thanks for replies, everyone.

PS - How does one know whether a program is streaming? Is there a way to force streaming?

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Bobby

Jun 3, 2026

Cactus Jack said:
So I tested.

Started recording three non-network shows and tried to watch live TV, would not do it, because all three tuners were in use.

Started recording two non-network shows and one network show. Still would not let me tune live TV.

Started recording one non-network show and two network shows, then it allowed live TV.

I would assume then that previously I was recording two or three network shows when it allowed live TV; I honestly don't remember what it was doing, and I didn't think to check.

Thanks for replies, everyone.

PS - How does one know whether a program is streaming? Is there a way to force streaming?

There is no way to force streaming. It is a satellite channel or streaming channel except for the rare occasion that the satellite signal fails. If that happens some, not all, channels will automatically change to streaming. You can tell if the channel is streaming by pressing guide on the remote. if it is a streaming channel the guide will clearly show it that way.

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navychop

Jun 3, 2026

Cough, cough, Hopper3!

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Cactus Jack

Jun 5, 2026

Bobby said:
There is no way to force streaming. It is a satellite channel or streaming channel except for the rare occasion that the satellite signal fails. If that happens some, not all, channels will automatically change to streaming. You can tell if the channel is streaming by pressing guide on the remote. if it is a streaming channel the guide will clearly show it that way.

Thanks, Bobby.

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Arctic_fox

Yesterday at 11:50 PM

chokes hopper 3 all the way... 16 tuners vs 3 tuners is a night and day difference. along with a faster processor. i would call in and see if they would upgrade me or you can buy a hopper 3 from solid signal.

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iJustine

Yesterday at 10:52 PM · posted in iJustine

Good Bye, Tim! Last WWDC 🥹

Time for another AWESOME video from iJustine!

View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/YJjxjYvmQ8s

Direct YouTube Link - Good Bye, Tim! Last WWDC

The official iJustine Website's Website
Buy her book!

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Smuuth

Pub Member / Supporter Cutting Edge

Last reply Yesterday at 10:15 PM · posted in SatelliteGuys Classifieds

WANTED DirecTV LCC

Anyone have a DirecTV Local Channel Connector that you'd like to get rid of at a reasonable price? DirecTV is currently in a contract dispute with owner of my local ABC affiliate.

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b4pjoe

Jun 2, 2026

Smuuth said:
Anyone have a DirecTV Local Channel Connector that you'd like to get rid of at a reasonable price? DirecTV is currently in a contract dispute with owner of my local ABC affiliate.

You should ask DIRECTV for one if you are affected by the dispute. I know in the past they have given them out during a dispute. Not sure if they still do that but it is free to ask.

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Smuuth

Jun 2, 2026

b4pjoe said:
You should ask DIRECTV for one if you are affected by the dispute. I know in the past they have given them out during a dispute. Not sure if they still do that but it is free to ask.

I already asked, but the CS agent said they wouldn't do it. They said the only thing they could do is $10/month bill credit.

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Jimbo

Jun 3, 2026

Smuuth said:
I already asked, but the CS agent said they wouldn't do it. They said the only thing they could do is $10/month bill credit.

Take the $10 and Call Back ...

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Smuuth

Monday at 10:22 AM

Jimbo said:
Take the $10 and Call Back ...

I did that. The response was that the LCC is not available. Escalated the issue to a tech support person with the same results.

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Jimbo

Monday at 10:39 AM

Smuuth said:
I did that. The response was that the LCC is not available. Escalated the issue to a tech support person with the same results.

Could be out of them I guess ... I'd keep trying, every 3-4 days.

If they are not out of them as them WHY you can't get one, seeing Your in a Dispute. Thats what they are for.
I would make them give you a real answer, don't let them off the hook.

I had one, and it worked well, but I believe I gave it to another D* friend (also had a AM21), I know I gave them away ...

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Smuuth

Monday at 10:44 AM

Jimbo said:
Could be out of them I guess ... I'd keep trying, every 3-4 days.

If they are not out of them as them WHY you can't get one, seeing Your in a Dispute. Thats what they are for.

According to the tech support guy, they don't have any in stock. He said I should receive an email when and if they have them. I even told him I would accept a refurbished unit.

Jimbo

Monday at 10:45 AM

Smuuth said:
According to the tech support guy, they don't have any in stock. He said I should receive an email when and if they have them. I even told him I would accept a refurbished unit.

I'm not sure your going to find any Refurbished ones as D* doesn't ask for them back.

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Smuuth

Monday at 10:48 AM

Jimbo said:
I'm not sure your going to find any Refurbished ones as D* doesn't ask for them back.

Yeah, I know. At one point, I even had 3 AM21s but gave them away when I got rid of my last HR54 and switched to the HS17.

Arctic_fox

Yesterday at 10:00 PM

Good luck they haven't made them in years. you could poke around on ebay and see if there's any on there. if not why not a tablo or a zapper box with an antenna connected to it

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Smuuth

Yesterday at 10:09 PM

Arctic_fox said:
Good luck they haven't made them in years. you could poke around on ebay and see if there's any on there. if not why not a tablo or a zapper box with an antenna connected to it

I have my OTA antenna connected to my television directly already so watching is not the issue. The reason I want the LCC is so I could record programs if I'm not at home to watch them live, especially since ABC is carrying both the NBA and NHL playoffs.
I have an active search on eBay and there is one there but he wants $180 plus shipping and I am not going to pay that.

Arctic_fox

Yesterday at 10:12 PM

Smuuth said:
I have my OTA antenna connected to my television directly already so watching is not the issue. The reason I want the LCC is so I could record programs if I'm not at home to watch them live, especially since ABC is carrying both the NBA and NHL playoffs.
I have an active search on eBay and there is one there but he wants $180 plus shipping and I am not going to pay that.

a tablo box is cheaper

Amazon.com

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Arctic_fox

Yesterday at 10:15 PM

why invest in hardware that's going to be boat anchors in a few years?

zippyfrog

Pub Member / Supporter Lifetime Supporter

Last reply Yesterday at 10:05 PM · posted in DISH Network Support Forum

Price Increase on Owned Equipment?

Did anyone have a price increase today on their equipment? I own my VIP211k's, and they have been $5.00. My bill that I received last week shows the "add-ons" as being $5.00. However, I just logged into my Dish account, and my "add-ons" are now $10.00. Did the additional receivers go up by $5.00 recently?

As I mentioned, my last bill shows $5.00 and under the notes, nothing is mentioned about a price increase.

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telstar_1

Yesterday at 1:28 PM

Does cable charge box rent?

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RJT79

Yesterday at 4:47 PM

telstar_1 said:
Does cable charge box rent?

The cable company I was with years ago did charge $9.99 for a receiver.

RJ T.
From Illinois

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RJT79

Yesterday at 5:03 PM

zippyfrog said:
Did anyone have a price increase today on their equipment? I own my VIP211k's, and they have been $5.00. My bill that I received last week shows the "add-ons" as being $5.00. However, I just logged into my Dish account, and my "add-ons" are now $10.00. Did the additional receivers go up by $5.00 recently?

As I mentioned, my last bill shows $5.00 and under the notes, nothing is mentioned about a price increase.

I went to try to add the Heartland channel as dummy to see what it would do for me as I own my receiver and have DISH Outdoors and this is what mine shows. (Note however I had to take the 2nd receiver I told you I added the other day off because I was told you can only have 1 receiver when you have a one outlet on the Dish Playmaker and was having issues with the 2nd receiver and I didn't know that and that was done yesterday as well so I am back to one receiver.)

Let's upgrade your package.

Your monthly bill will increase by $6.00 per month.

Breakdown

June 11, 2026 - July 11, 2026
You are changing your programming in the middle of the bill cycle. The bill shown below is your bill for next month including prorations and credits. Your following bill will return to the fixed rate. This bill will take effect from now until July 11, 2026.
Monthly Services
$86.99
Flex Pack
$72.99
Local Channels
$14.00
Add-Ons
$68.98
National Action Pack
$12.00
Regional Action Pack
$12.00
News Pack
$10.00
Paramount+ with Showtime
$10.00
Drama and Classics Pack
$6.00
Heartland Pack
$6.00
Starz Encore Movies
$6.00
On DISH Magazine
$4.99
Starz 2 Mo ($11)
$1.99
Prorated Charges
$7.93
Heartland Pack Jun 11 - Jul 20
$7.93
Order Total
$7.93
Prorated Total
$7.93
Due Today
$7.93

Transition Bill Total
$156.10
Proposed Changes
Your monthly bill will increase by $6.00 per month
Monthly Services
$86.99
Add-Ons
$68.98
FCC Regulatory Surcharge
$0.13
Taxes & Surcharges
$0.00

Monthly Total
$156.10
Prorated Total
$7.93
Order Total
$7.93

Due Today
$7.93

Sounds like an issue with DISH Billing

RJ T.
From Illinois

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zippyfrog

Yesterday at 5:19 PM

I asked again, and the rep I talked to said it is a glitch and that "Access for TV" shouldn't be there - the rep pulled up my future month bills and that charge isn't on it. So I am not going to worry about it right now, but it will be interesting to see when the price changes happen later this year. Will this line item show up? The fact that it is a specific item that is different from anything makes me think it is more than a glitch. But we shall see.

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RJT79

Yesterday at 5:29 PM

zippyfrog said:
I asked again, and the rep I talked to said it is a glitch and that "Access for TV" shouldn't be there - the rep pulled up my future month bills and that charge isn't on it. So I am not going to worry about it right now, but it will be interesting to see when the price changes happen later this year. Will this line item show up? The fact that it is a specific item that is different from anything makes me think it is more than a glitch. But we shall see.

I am hoping they don't add this down the road. Things are expensive the way it is now. Even DIRECTV allows the first receiver free. This would go against DISH and DISH is already loosing subscribers I wouldn't think they would do these kind of tricks but you never know. Always look at your bills for unknow charges. I heard horror stories of people getting charged for things they didn't know were there.

RJ T.
From Illinois

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Arctic_fox

Yesterday at 10:05 PM

telstar_1 said:
Does cable charge box rent?

yes big cable charges crazy dvr fee's and box rental fee's

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teachtom

Last reply Yesterday at 9:21 PM · posted in DISH Network Support Forum

Problem when I switch from Bonus View channels back to regular Dish channels

Hello everyone, new guy here. I'm trying to solve problem I'm having with Dish bonus view channels. When I'm watching the bonus view channels then I switch back to regular dish channels, after few minutes the screen flips to black and after 30 seconds flips back to regular channels and continues to flip back and forth until I turn off TV. After I wait 30 minutes and turn back on , I can use regular channels again. So, its after I switch from bonus view channels to regular dish channels the problem starts. Been trying to fix this for a month, but no luck
Here what I've done.
i contacted Dish support and they sent me a new Joey3, but no help. Switched to a different HDMI input on TV, no help. Used different HDMI cable , no help. Used different electrical wall plug, no help.
Finally got a Dish tech to check it. He ran all systems check and was OK. Finally he brought in a small TV and plugged in the HDMI out from the Joey to the small TV. He could not get the problem to occur on his small TV, so the new Joey was working OK. So, then the problem must be myTV. He made some phone calls and came back with the answer that there must be a problem with the analog to digital switch in my TV. Has anyone ever heard of a problem like this, or is it time to be looking for a new TV? My tv LG OLED65C8PUA. TV has been trouble free til now. Thanks

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HipKat

Yesterday at 5:07 PM

teachtom said:
Hello everyone, new guy here. I'm trying to solve problem I'm having with Dish bonus view channels. When I'm watching the bonus view channels then I switch back to regular dish channels, after few minutes the screen flips to black and after 30 seconds flips back to regular channels and continues to flip back and forth until I turn off TV. After I wait 30 minutes and turn back on , I can use regular channels again. So, its after I switch from bonus view channels to regular dish channels the problem starts. Been trying to fix this for a month, but no luck
Here what I've done.
i contacted Dish support and they sent me a new Joey3, but no help. Switched to a different HDMI input on TV, no help. Used different HDMI cable , no help. Used different electrical wall plug, no help.
Finally got a Dish tech to check it. He ran all systems check and was OK. Finally he brought in a small TV and plugged in the HDMI out from the Joey to the small TV. He could not get the problem to occur on his small TV, so the new Joey was working OK. So, then the problem must be myTV. He made some phone calls and came back with the answer that there must be a problem with the analog to digital switch in my TV. Has anyone ever heard of a problem like this, or is it time to be looking for a new TV? My tv LG OLED65C8PUA. TV has been trouble free til now. Thanks

First off, great TV. I'm torn between the 77C5 or the 77G5.
It sounds like the handshake between the Receiver and the TV is having a problem. Are you using the free cable that came with the Joey or a higher speed HDMI cable?? That's the f irst place I'd look

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RJT79

Yesterday at 5:17 PM

teachtom said:
Hello everyone, new guy here. I'm trying to solve problem I'm having with Dish bonus view channels. When I'm watching the bonus view channels then I switch back to regular dish channels, after few minutes the screen flips to black and after 30 seconds flips back to regular channels and continues to flip back and forth until I turn off TV. After I wait 30 minutes and turn back on , I can use regular channels again. So, its after I switch from bonus view channels to regular dish channels the problem starts. Been trying to fix this for a month, but no luck
Here what I've done.
i contacted Dish support and they sent me a new Joey3, but no help. Switched to a different HDMI input on TV, no help. Used different HDMI cable , no help. Used different electrical wall plug, no help.
Finally got a Dish tech to check it. He ran all systems check and was OK. Finally he brought in a small TV and plugged in the HDMI out from the Joey to the small TV. He could not get the problem to occur on his small TV, so the new Joey was working OK. So, then the problem must be myTV. He made some phone calls and came back with the answer that there must be a problem with the analog to digital switch in my TV. Has anyone ever heard of a problem like this, or is it time to be looking for a new TV? My tv LG OLED65C8PUA. TV has been trouble free til now. Thanks

First off, The analog to digital switch, also known as the digital television transition, is the process of converting older analog television broadcasting technology to digital broadcasting. It's used through coaxial cable for the an antenna during the mandatory switch from Analog to Digital on June 12, 2009. You either had to get a converter for your analog (Tube TV) or use a converter box that has the analog or digital tuner or an HDTV which your is and has the tuner built in. Your TV is HD and using an HDMI Cable and nothing is connected by coaxial cable so this wouldn't apply.

In my theory it probably means a new TV. I had a TV go out on my switching between the Smart Screen from the HDMI inputs before because they went faulty. Sometimes electrical surges can cause this. If you have an older home or rent an older home or apartment sometimes the electrical outlets are not grounded and these days HDTV's need a ground which can cause them to malfunction and go bad quicker. Never plug it directly in an outlet. It will damage the TV.

Hope I could be of some assistance.

RJ T.
From Illinois

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teachtom

Yesterday at 7:33 PM

RJT79 said:
First off, The analog to digital switch, also known as the digital television transition, is the process of converting older analog television broadcasting technology to digital broadcasting. It's used through coaxial cable for the an antenna during the mandatory switch from Analog to Digital on June 12, 2009. You either had to get a converter for your analog (Tube TV) or use a converter box that has the analog or digital tuner or an HDTV which your is and has the tuner built in. Your TV is HD and using an HDMI Cable and nothing is connected by coaxial cable so this wouldn't apply.

In my theory it probably means a new TV. I had a TV go out on my switching between the Smart Screen from the HDMI inputs before because they went faulty. Sometimes electrical surges can cause this. If you have an older home or rent an older home or apartment sometimes the electrical outlets are not grounded and these days HDTV's need a ground which can cause them to malfunction and go bad quicker. Never plug it directly in an outlet. It will damage the TV.

Hope I could be of some assistance.

RJ T.
From Illinois

Thank you for the information. I do keep the TV plugged into a surge protector, but we have had pretty strong thunderstorms/lightning in the last month so that have contributed to my problem.The house was built in 2009 so everything seems to be grounded correctly. We have had a power surge also. Seems like no one fixes anything any more, so just get a new one or live with the problem. Thanks

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teachtom

Yesterday at 7:39 PM

HipKat said:
First off, great TV. I'm torn between the 77C5 or the 77G5.
It sounds like the handshake between the Receiver and the TV is having a problem. Are you using the free cable that came with the Joey or a higher speed HDMI cable?? That's the f irst place I'd look

I think the HDMI cable is good, i used one of my own from my 4K atmos system, i'll switch it with another just to check. Also I have a bid in at Greentoe for 77" G5. Thanks

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HipKat

Yesterday at 8:17 PM

teachtom said:
I think the HDMI cable is good, i used one of my own from my 4K atmos system, i'll switch it with another just to check. Also I have a bid in at Greentoe for 77" G5. Thanks

I hope that works. I'm waiting til Black Friday sales

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Darrell S

Yesterday at 9:21 PM

I've had this problem with my older Sony TV. It happens when I just punch in a regular channel number. The only way it works right for me is to push guide and select a regular channel from the guide screen.

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teachsac

Staff member HERE TO HELP YOU!

Last reply Yesterday at 8:59 PM · posted in TV Shows

House of the Dragon

House of the Dragon, the prequel to Game of Thrones, premieres on HBO Max on 8/21. I will be warching

'Game of Thrones' spinoff 'House of the Dragon' fires up release date at HBO, drops new character pics

The wait’s felt a little like watching for a dragon egg to hatch, but HBO’s hugely anticipated Game of Thrones prequel series finally has a release date. House of the Dragon will debut the first of its initial 10-episode season this summer, the network revealed today in a series of tweets that...

www.syfy.com