Here it is ... a proofread would be nice
Mr Chase Carey
I am writing you today concerning my general displeasure with DirecTV service. I have been a subscriber for 7 of the last 8 years if I am not mistaken and I am upset with some of the decisions DirecTV has made in the last 2 years. I am contemplating a switch to Comcast if I am unable to attain satisfaction.
My issues consist of the recent price hikes for the NFL Sunday Ticket, general programming price increases, Lack of High Definition programming and the over-compression of your standard definition programs. I have been around the satellite community for quite a while and I know what represents quality.
First, adding the NFL's HD games to a "SuperFan Pack" and asking for another $99, pardon me, now $49 is not reasonable. I understand that DirecTV has incurred substantial costs in make the NFL Sunday Ticket. However, those costs should be the burden of DirecTV and not the consumer, at least not in such a substantial amount. Already, there was a $40 price increase in the overall cost of the package from last year. That is "fair" if DirecTV continues to provide the same level of service, which they have not. DirecTV has removed the High Definition games from this value so realistically the price for the package should drop $40. There is no additional cost, other than bandwidth, to carry these events, not by the NFL. Is the real cost of these hikes reflected in the trinket marketing tools such as the yellow flag enclosed in this letter? I believe they are. No value is added to the High Definition subscriber as DirecTV does not even have an HD receiver that is capable of ANY interactive features offered by the SuperFan package.
Next, I know you are aware and have heard grumbling about the overall picture quality of the service. If not I am shocked, as many of of spend time daily reviewing such things at various forums on the Internet. The quality of DirecTV has fallen off substantially and steadily since 1998. Due to over-compression of the signal. I know MPEG4 will relieve some of this and I know you have launched 2 satellites with a third scheduled for July. Do you intend to allocate this bandwidth and compression technology correctly so that the quality of your product is improved or are you only concerned with quantity?
While I would like to discuss the overall lack of HD programming, when compared to Cable TV, I shall refrain. You should know that your high-end subscribers are expecting that SpaceWay 1, 2 & DirecTV 8 had better knock our socks off. I know the policy of DirecTV does not allow for discussion up upcoming program additions ... but we are ready and there are HIGH expectations.
Regards,