Directv changes HD plan

[the_heller]

Just received a letter in the mail today (although it was dated Jan. 20) regarding Directv's upcoming price increases.

Included in the fine print at the bottom was that the HD package will no longer be offered (unless you are a current subscriber, in which you still can pay the $9.99 a month).

In order to now get the HD programming, you'll need to get their "Plus HD" package, which is $70 a month (I currently get the Total Choice, which I think is now going to be called Choice, and is like $40 a month - so it would be a $30 bump to get HD.)

Geez, is this really worth it? I have a four-month free HD thing going on right now and to be honest, it's not even worth $10 a month (I do get HBO HD as well since I have HBO).

[markd]

TWC's HD package is only $7 a month and many of us here don't think that is worth it with the current lineup.

-mark

[Bebop]

What happens when new HD channels are added? :confused: Do we have to move up the package to get them?

Hopefully, U-verse will be here by the time my contract expires in September.

[Tom Snyder]

Maybe that $30 bump is what they're counting on to cover the costs of the 150 new HD channels they say will launch later this year.

[Bluto]

I'm confused.  Is this the form you got in the mail:

http://directv.com/images/pdf/blackbuckslip.pdf

I don't see where it will cost you $30 more to get the HD package.  Maybe I'm not understanding your post, though.  do you have an example?

[bubbaridesfast]

OK, this is what is posted on dbstalk.com.

The HD "package" will not exist, instead there will be a $10.99 HD Access fee for any account with HD equipment and then any channels offered in your programming package that are in HD will be included. For instance if your package includes ESPN then you get ESPN-HD as well. I'm not certain what package would now include HD only channels like HDNet.

Many also believe that there will not be any price increases after this one later this year if they are able to add all of those HD channels they are promising.

Well enjoy the next week, I'm off to Mardi Gras in the Big Easy on Friday!

[the_heller]

I'm confused.  Is this the form you got in the mail:

http://directv.com/images/pdf/blackbuckslip.pdf

I don't see where it will cost you $30 more to get the HD package.  Maybe I'm not understanding your post, though.  do you have an example?

Yes, that is the mailing. OK, I pay about $42 a month for Directv. I do not have the HD package (I am on a four-month free trial) as I never thought it was worth $10 a month.

As noted in that mailing, the $10 a month thing will no longer be available, unless you already have it.

So, go to Directv and the only way to get HD is with their Plus HD package, which is $70 a month.

http://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/packProg/channelChart1.jsp?assetId=3060019

[Bluto]

I gotcha now, Heller.  That makes perfect sense when you describe it that way.

[gparris]

Looks as though if you want any movie premium packages, the total gets close (or exceeds) the amount charged for the Premier package plus HD (if there was actually such a package).
Their pricing pushes you to get their HD package once you get one of their HD STBs, just to get any HD, local or national.
However, in the end, it pushes HD subs to get the extra HD channels they might not add any other way.
If Directv DOES get many more HD nationals out soon, the monthly price increase might/will be worth it, however.

[chadl11]

I just got off the phone with a rep from DirecTV asking about the new HD package vs. the one I currently have.

Currently, I have the Total Choice package, the HD package, a DVR fee and an extra receiver fee for a total of 69.29 including tax.

The D*TV guy told me the new HD/DVR package would be 69.99 plus the 4.99 extra receiver fee plus tax.  This would probably be about $9 more than I'm currently paying.

The only difference NOW, according to him, between what I have and the new Plus HD package is about 40 or so stations (standard def).  I could look at see what they are, but I haven't yet.  He did say that at the end of March, 2 new satellites will be sent up that will increase the number of HD channels available.  He said I could keep my current set up because many of the NEW HD channels that will be available due to the new satellites will be included in the current HD package.  He said some will be exclusive to the new Plus HD package.  I also asked if my current receiver (HR10-250) will work when the new satellites are launched and he said yes.

I told him it made the most sense for me to keep what I have, check out the new HD package when it becomes available, and then make a decision.  He AGREED that that was probably the best choice (for me.)

I hope that clarifies the new packages for people.

[Bluto]

FYI.  Your new DVR will work, but it will NOT get the new HD channels as they become available.  You will need an H20 (no-DVR) or HR20 (DVR) to get the new HD channels when they become available.

[chadl11]

FYI.  Your new DVR will work, but it will NOT get the new HD channels as they become available.  You will need an H20 (no-DVR) or HR20 (DVR) to get the new HD channels when they become available.

That's what I thought I read in previous posts about the new technology.  And, that's precisely why I asked him the question.  Either he didn't tell me the truth, or he misunderstood my question.

So, my current box will only work with the existing HD channels, including the ones I get OTA?

[Bluto]

Correct.  The 'good news,' in your case, is that I doubt there will be any new HD channels for months, even if a satellite does go up at the end of March.  And that date seems optimistic, if I remember correctly.

Here is what you need to receive the new channels from D* when they are available - a 5-lnb satellite dish and an H20 (receiver only) or HR20 (DVR).  D* should upgrade your dish for free.   But it might cost you some money to upgrade your HR10-250 to an HR20 - $99-$229 depending on who you talk to, how long you've been a customer, etc.  And, FYI, you can get HD locals 4, 6, and 12 from D* over that 5-lnb/HR20 setup now.  So, if you are having issues getting any of those channels OTA, you might want to consider upgrading your hardware.

I'd suggest to do what you are doing - keep the setup you have now.  Keep your eyes open here - when D* has new HD channels, we'll all be talking about it.  Unless you need the HD version of 4, 6 and 12 from D* - then do the upgrade now.

[HDefinicktion]

To get the new dish installed, is everyone calling D* directly?  I have a H20 waiting until I get the new dish installed.  Will my current SIR-TS360 work with the 5 lnb dish?

[chadl11]

I'd suggest to do what you are doing - keep the setup you have now.  Keep your eyes open here - when D* has new HD channels, we'll all be talking about it.  Unless you need the HD version of 4, 6 and 12 from D* - then do the upgrade now.

That's my plan.  Thanks for the info.  I'm getting my locals in HD just fine OTA so that isn't an issue.  

When the switch comes, will my old box HD Tivo receiver still work with OTA HD?  I'm planning on getting a second HDTV within a year and would like to only have to buy one new receiver.