While it is true that E* is undergoing some rough times in their upper management right now. They have had it rough with some bad decisions and deals gone south over the past 18 months. DirecTV on the other hand is just coming out of a slump as a result of not knowing who was going to own them. We are seeing a shift now as a result of this upper management change.
In all the problems over the past 18 months with both E* and D*, look at the growth records. E* nearly doubled in size while D* gained about 20% in subscribers. Today, E* is just a couple of million subs less than D* and catching up fast. Additionally, E* has maintained an excellent cash cow compared to D* which was strapped being owned by a car manufacturer. In all this, the past 8 months have shown that D* is, once again gaining momentum in its technology and programming. While E* maintained the lead significantly over D* in HDTV, today D* has taken over. D* came lately in the HDTV PVR technology but while E* is struggling to get a bug free 921 in the hands of the first thousand customers, D* claims to be read to flood the store shelves with the HDTIVO, bug free on March 31st. While it took 2.5 years for D* to add Showtime HD, E* had it on day one but now, D* seems to be far more aggressive in acquiring new HD channels, to include more HDPPV titles, NFL ST in HD, and their last channel that E* has had over them is now firmly in the grasps of D*... CBS-HD national feed. Meanwhile, E* is struggling with contract negotiations to maintain contracts with CBS/Viacom.
So, with that said, I believe that DirecTV will be the front runner for services and equipment over the next year but, given the Pegasus wildcard, you better clear the air on what restrictions and additional costs that Peg. will tack on. It may not be worth it. You'll be dealing with an absentee landlord who takes and offers nothing to you in return. Personally, I would not get into any deal with Pegasus. I have just heard too many horror stories.
The good news in all this turmoil, is that E* is down now and they only have one way to go and that is up. Either they will do this ot the company will be history, either bought out or suffer a mass exodus of subscribers just as they are approaching matching D*. HDTV slacking off is one thing but the Viacom deal gone down the tubes, a failed Superdish launch last year and the new receivers market launch, 811 and 921 as well as their 522's failure to meet demand and launch with too many bugs, these issues are affecting all their customer base. Finally, E* is using a "Don't feed the PIG" ad campaign against rate hikes on Cable at the same time they are raising their own rates. How duplicitous is this? One hand doesn't know what the other is doing. That's just why I say they only have to get better as I doubt things could get much worse, save for all their staff walking out the door for the competition!