pounce said:
I predict a major falling out for Directv.
Philip Swann of TVpredictions.com made a similar guess back in December. Specifically, he looked for a massive shake-up in corporate management sometime this year due to the churn rate. Unrelated to this particular forum, though, Directv announced the possibility of selling HD movies on demand for up to $25 (no kidding). Visit tvpredictions.com to see the link.
Returning to the topic on hand, though, a CSR told me last week that there would no problem keeping my owned equipment or using two previously owned receivers. She told me that I would have to buy access cards though (since I did not have the service on them).
I think the major problem with Directv is that too much is going on, and somehow the CSRs aren't adequately answering questions. My guess is that the company is so large that it's hard to ensure that all CSRs know what they need to know. I also get the impression that the corporate managers do NOT know (or even care) what consumers want. I think they've set their goals (based on some type of research), and they would rather market than listen.
I can understand why Directv went to a lease program, given its recent churn rate, but I think competition of receivers (Hughes vs. Sony, etc.) is what enabled features to be developed much quicker (especially processor speed) with less failure (than what I've heard about Directv's receiver brand). I recall differences between RCA, Philips, and Hughes receivers, and the customer really had a choice.
My concern, now, is whether we'll actually see the bugs disappear.
I leased a digital cable receiver back in 2001 and had no trouble with the box. Hopefully, Directv's lease program will be smooth.
j c
