DirecTV freezes hiring, postpones capital projects

[Scott Greczkowski]

DirecTV Group Inc. said Tuesday that while it remains bullish about 2009, hiring will be frozen and all but the most critical capital projects will be suspended as visibility on the economy remains poor.

The nation's largest satellite TV provider also has beefed up some promotions and plans to raise rates for next year.

Still, the El Segundo, Calif.-based company said the slowing economy hasn't made much of a dent in its business thus far. DirecTV expects fourth-quarter and full-year financial results to show an increase over 2007 and next year's subscriber rolls to grow.

Read the rest at DirecTV freezes hiring, postpones capital projects - Forbes.com

 

[Juan]

So does this mean the TIVO project is delayed?

 

[charper1]

These seem to be the prudent steps for a company to take as opposed to throwing money hand over fist at things they dont need or that may never have mass appeal thus harming the bottom line and costing the subscriber in the end.

 

[NutFlush920]

I'm curious to see how much of a rate increase. I am still on the Total Choice Plus plan with HD Access and DVR service as add-on's.

 

[charper1]

Yep, the rate increases on the other hand simply need to stand pat.

 

[Rey]

So does this mean the TIVO project is delayed?

i hope not but tivo has larger issues to deal with at the moment.

 

[riffjim4069]

i hope not but tivo has larger issues to deal with at the moment.

I agree...like having a business model that doesn't die when their patents start DVR patents start expiring in 2018.

 

[sundude90]

Why isn't Dish doing this? It sounds like Dish is going to be better than Directv again after all this.

 

[JayPSU]

Why isn't Dish doing this? It sounds like Dish is going to be better than Directv again after all this.

Yep, sounds like I'll be going back to dish once the NHL season is over.

 

[charper1]

Post #8 & #9 are too funny.

 

[JayPSU]

Post #8 & #9 are too funny.

So is launching a new satellite and only adding HD PPV.

 

[sundude90]

What are their Capital Projects?? Besides D12.

What will this mean? Fewer Channel Launches? Less new features and services? Less new products?

 

[charper1]

So is launching a new satellite and only adding HD PPV.

Just because you do not like the minimal that's been added or can't receive whats been added regionally, doesn't mean that HD PPV is all that has been added. So what is jumping to DISH gonna get ya?

 

[satjay]

As far as rate increases, Comcast has already informed of increases in 09, now direct has am I wrong to assume that Dish will as well...

Lets see what the rate increase is first, before we all go crazy on the Directv rate increase. I dont lke it as everything has gone up and I have not seen a raise in a few years, but again lets see then each one of us will have to make choices on programing and such

 

[Jimbo]

As far as rate increases, Comcast has already informed of increases in 09, now direct has am I wrong to assume that Dish will as well...

Lets see what the rate increase is first, before we all go crazy on the Directv rate increase. I dont lke it as everything has gone up and I have not seen a raise in a few years, but again lets see then each one of us will have to make choices on programing and such

Don't forget, D* (and everyone else for that matter) raises thier price a little every year in March.

Jimbo

 

[runningretarius]

Some specific information would be nice. Endgadget HD reports that Directv has cancelled development on the HDPC-20 project integrating Directv service into the Windows media center.

 

[JayPSU]

Just because you do not like the minimal that's been added or can't receive whats been added regionally, doesn't mean that HD PPV is all that has been added. So what is jumping to DISH gonna get ya?

Besides a boatload of extra premiums that I should be getting according to D's promises, better hardware, almost the same amount of national HD channels, and the option to subscribe to HD only packages?

 

[charper1]

Most of that is highly subjective and you conveniently leave out what DirecTV brings that DISH doesn't, so I do not see anything glaring to dump my service, start back at square one with a new service and new contract, etc. Its all ho-hum.

 

[Jimbo]

Besides a boatload of extra premiums that I should be getting according to D's promises, better hardware, almost the same amount of national HD channels, and the option to subscribe to HD only packages?

I don't recall D* talking about going with a all HD package ... Just because DISH decided to doesn't mean D* has to.
Do you have any press releases stating that they were doing that anytime soon ?

Jimbo

 

[gadgtfreek]

Just because you do not like the minimal that's been added or can't receive whats been added regionally, doesn't mean that HD PPV is all that has been added. So what is jumping to DISH gonna get ya?

Over compressed HD channels and a company run like the foreign guy gold jewelry store in the center of the mall hallway.