DIRECTV to Offer Free HDTV Upgrade

[Tom Snyder]

http://www.tvpredictions.com/freehdtv090605.html

DIRECTV to Offer Free HDTV Upgrade
The switch will likely require a programming commitment.
By Phillip Swann

Washington D.C. (September 6, 2005) -- DIRECTV revealed tonight that it will offer a free system upgrade for High-Definition TV owners so they can get local high-def channels later this year.

DIRECTV is expected to begin offering local HD in 12 markets by year's end. However, the channels will only be available on new DIRECTV MPEG-4 receivers and dishes, which have yet to go on sale.

Until now, it was uncertain if current HDTV owners would have to pay up to $300 to buy a new receiver to get the local high-def signals.

However, Robert Mercer, a DIRECTV spokesman, told TVPredictions.com Tuesday night that current HDTV owners would be offered a free upgrade. An estimated 600,000 DIRECTV subscribers have high-def sets.

Mercer said the satcaster did not have further details, such as when the upgrade would be available or if current owners would be required to make a one or two year commitment to a DIRECTV programming package. However, Mercer said the upgrade would first be offered to HDTV owners in the 12 markets where local HD will be launched later this year.

In the past, DIRECTV has made the programming commitment a requirement for system upgrades.

DIRECTV is launching four new satellites over the next two years that will enable it to provide local channels in high-def for the first time. Local HD is expected to be launched in one test city in October with the remaining 11 cities to roll out by year's end.

The 12 markets are: New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, Boston, San Francisco, Dallas, Washington DC, Atlanta, Detroit, Houston, and Tampa Bay.

By 2007, the satcaster expects to have capacity for local HDTV in all major markets -- and up to 150 national HDTV channels. The new HD services are expected to give DIRECTV a major competitive advantage in its battle against the cable TV industry and chief satellite rival,
EchoStar's Dish Network

© TVPredictions.com

[vegasvic]

I'm sure they will require 1-2 years (2 probably) but that's fine with me.  Actually I don't care about getting locals, I'm getting them OTA just fine, but I want expanded national HD channels, the sooner the better.  

[Matt Heebner]

BUT.......
Does it include the HD-DVR ?? I'ver read rumours that owners of the HD-DVR will have to pay out some money for the switch not that Milwaukee, (currently like the 34th market...slated for mid-2007) will ned it anytime soon.
I wonder how it will pan out.....
:confused:

Matt

[psubill78]

currently like the 34th market...slated for mid-2007) will ned it anytime soon.

34th huh... I was wondering where Milwaukee fit in this...

I've lived in IL up until 3 months ago, just moving over the border to WI.

The best part is we have a great house/neighborhood/schools, the worst part is being part of Milwaukee demographic  

[borghe]

milwaukee will happen in 2006, not 2007. when DirecTV started LIL Milwaukee came on in under a year. With our big four in HD I really can't see us taking a while.

also, milwaukee is still 33

http://www.nielsenmedia.com/DMAs.html

[psubill78]

milwaukee will happen in 2006, not 2007. when DirecTV started LIL Milwaukee came on in under a year. With our big four in HD I really can't see us taking a while.

also, milwaukee is still 33

http://www.nielsenmedia.com/DMAs.html

ugh, 200 over cincinatti - i'm moving back it IL  :rofl:

[gparris]

Let me get this right:
If a friend of mine has an old Directv box and has been a loyal customer for many years they do NOT have to spend $300 for the basic HD box, antenna and dish or
 installation charge?
They are waiting for answer as they say they get the runaround with the Directv CSRs and are quite frustrated...they may go to Dish at this rate.

[borghe]

no. HD systems will only be upgraded for free. you won't get a new box if you don't already have an existing HD system. Though frankly loyal customers right now should be able to get $100-200 off a box from directv and then get that freely upgraded. likely when mpeg4 comes out this fall the box will be $200 or less.