Posted on 09/19/2009 2:27:42 AM PDT by Las Vegas Dave
Despite the recession and growing competition, DIRECTV has been remarkably effective in continuing to add subscribers. In its last financial statement, the satcaster said its net subscribers rose 74 percent in the second quarter, with a monthly churn rate of just 1.5 percent.
At the end of the second quarter, DIRECTV reported that it had more than 18 million subscribers in total, a seven percent increase over last year's second quarter.
Well, DIRECTV, enjoy it while you can.
I predict that the nation's largest satcaster will start to experience a slowdown in subscriber growth -- and it will be largely due to its own mistakes.
Here are my three reasons why DIRECTV will start to lose subs to its rivals during the next several months:
1. The Versus Dispute
DIRECTV last month was forced to take the sports channel Versus off the air when the two sides could not reach a new programming agreement. While Versus is not a top-rated channel, its audience is loyal and enthusiastic thanks to a lineup of National League Hockey games, college football contests and IndyCar races. I believe that many DIRECTV subscribers are now either switching to other TV providers that carry Versus, or are seriously considering it. (Smartly, both Cox and Dish Network are offering free previews of Versus through the month of November.)
DIRECTV, which is seeking to reduce costs, particularly the fees it pays programmers to carry their channels, underestimated how the public would react to dropping Versus. And if the satcaster continues to play hardball with programmers like Versus, it will only further alienate its subscriber base.
2. The 24 Month Commitment
Like other TV providers, such as Verizon and Dish Network, DIRECTV often requires customers to sign a two-year commitment in return for the free use of a company HD DVR or some other benefit. If the customer decides to leave DIRECTV before the two years are up, the satcaster assesses a financial penalty which sometimes runs into the hundreds of dollars. (The penalty is legal because it's included in the two-year contract.)
In recent months, the two-year commitment has generated considerable negative publicity around the country, with dozens of local newspapers and TV stations running stories suggesting that their readers and viewers have been unfairly treated by DIRECTV when they decided to drop the satellite service early. While it's true that other TV providers use the same 24 month commitment, it seems that DIRECTV is the only one that the media focuses on when it reports on the practice.
This is leading to negative word-of-mouth about the satcaster and, ultimately, will discourage some consumers from signing up with DIRECTV.
3. The HDTV Drought
Over the last 18 months, DIRECTV has added just a handful of new high-def channels. While the satcaster was once the clear HD leader with more than 100 high-def channels, it has fallen behind rival satellite service Dish Network and Verizon in that category. In addition, several cable operators have significantly boosted their high-def lineups, often adding HD channels that can not be found in DIRECTV's lineup.
Unless DIRECTV starts adding new HD channels -- and soon -- many high-def enthusiasts will start switching to TV providers that will.
LVD
Note: if you search Freerepublic using the keyword "“HDTV”, you will find most of the past HDTV postings.
I switched to DISH because Directv customer service didn’t give a s#it about my issue with their service. DISH probably isn’t any better, but its there and an alternative. The local cable “provider” sux, so the alternative to all of them is a blank screen ala 1954 after Howdy Doody went off the air for the day.
Saturday: Swanni’s 10 Hottest Shows In HDTV!
http://www.tvpredictions.com/saturdayshows.htm
Washington, D.C. (September 19, 2009) — High-Definition TVs are now in more than 30 million U.S. homes and there are scores of high-def programming choices.
But which shows should you watch? And why?
Every day here at TVPredictions.com, I scan the HD programming aisles and serve up 10 programs so good — so hot! — that you can’t miss them. Sports, movies, primetime comedies and drama — they’re all there and in beautiful high-def.
We call this list, “The Hottest Shows in HDTV!” And here they are for Saturday, September 19, 2009: (All times Eastern — and don’t forget the link below to today’s ‘HD Hottie — in fact, today there are 4 of them.
1. College Football
East Carolina at North Carolina.
ESPN 2, Noon.
2. College Football
California at Minnesota.
ESPN, Noon.
3. College Football
Michigan State at Notre Dame.
ABC, 3:30 p.m.
4. College Football
Tennessee at Florida.
CBS, 3:30 p.m.
5. MLB Baseball
Cubs at Cards highlight regional action.
Fox, 4 p.m.
Bonus Pick:
Casino
Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci star in the Martin Scorsese classic about the glory (and gory) days of Vegas when the Mob ruled with an iron fist. Sharon Stone nearly steals the picture (which would be fitting; there isn’t an honest person in the film) as a curvy hustler who knows all the angles.
Cinemax, 7 p.m.
Bonus Pick:
MLB Baseball
Angels at Rangers.
MLB Network, 7 p.m.
6. College Football
Georgia at Arkansas
ESPN 2, 7:45 p.m.
Bonus Pick:
Max Payne
Mark Wahlberg stars in this cartoonish action film based on the third person shooter video game. Lots of fun if you don’t take it very seriously — or you’re not easily grossed out by flesh being torn away by dozens of handgun blasts. Olga Kurylenko (Quantum of Silence) plays a Wahlberg obligatory hot love interest, albeit for an all-too-short amount of time.
See our ‘HD Hottie’ profile of Olga Kurylenko.
HBO 2 West, 8 p.m.
7. The Eye
Jessica Alba stars as a concert violinist (okay, this is a sci-fi/horror story so we can stretch the imagination a bit, can’t we?) who suddenly sees frightening images after a double eye transplant. If you don’t take this ‘work of art’ too seriously, sit back for a fun, cheesy time. The Mystery Science 300 guys would love this movie.
See our ‘HD Hottie’ profile of Jessica Alba.
Showtime 2, 8 p.m.
8. College Football
Texas Tech at Texas.
ABC, 8 p.m.
9. The Incredible Hulk
Edward Norton stars in a cerebral edition of the Hulk (except, of course, when he gets angry; you won’t like him when he gets angry.). Liv Tyler comes along for the ride as his obligatory hot lab assistant and love interest. William Hurt and a very short Tim Roth chew the scenery as Tyler’s general/Dad and a wacko military officer respectively. A diverting two hours with some appropriately cheesy CGI effects.
See our ‘HD Hottie’ profile of Liv Tyler.
HBO, 9:30 p.m.
Bonus Pick:
The Dark Knight
Christian Bale stars as the Caped Crusader in the best film of 2008. Thanks to non-stop action scenes directed flawlessly by Chris Nolan and a tremendous supporting cast of Michael Caine, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Gary Oldman and the late Heath Ledger in his next-to-final role as The Joker, The Dark Knight is as good as it gets. If you haven’t seen — or even it you have — see it — tonight!
See our ‘HD Hottie’ profile of Maggie Gyllenhaal.
Cinemax, 10 p.m.
10. Saturday Night Live
Will Ferrell hosts in this encore performance. Green Day will deliver a musical interlude or two.
NBC, 11:35 p.m.
Click to see Sunday’s program picks.
The ONLY reason we switched to Direct is because it was either that or get an antenna. We actually bought an HD antenna and tried it out, but decided to go the Direct route. Now we wish we hadn’t.
We almost got caught by that, but we had signed up for DirecTV more than 3 years ago, back before they started putting the penalty in writing in the contract.
Under Oklahoma statute, any contract that is longer than 12 months has to be in writing to be enforceable. After I researched the issue and discovered that OK statute, I wrote to DirecTV and mentioned it.
The penalty was dropped and I've never heard another peep about it, and it's not on any credit reporting agency's report either.
Time Warner is trying modified version of the 2 yr. contract.
I received my Sept. bill to find a $30/mo. increase.
Of course, I paid them a visit.
Seems if I will sign a 2 yr. contract (with a $150 penalty for breaking it) they would guarantee a monthly charge significantly reduced.
I raised enough he!! to get the bill down to previous charges.
Uverse is coming to the neighborhood and I’m jumping on it the instant it’s available.
As an aside.
I received a new 52” Samsung LCD Thurs. to reeplace my 36” Sony HD CRT.
Wowza!! Really looking forward to this weekend, NASCAR and NFL.
We’ve had DirectTV for years, they gave us months of free Showtime channels this summer for our loyalty.
That’s pretty neat.
We got 3 months of Showtime for free. We never watch though. Things getting blown up and Richard Gere 24/7 didn’t “tingle us”.
One reason why they won’t:
1.) Continuing monopolies of one cable provider in cities causing higher rates, less choice of channels and slower adoption of new technologies.
Umm Michigan and Notre Dame played last week.
Michigan won.
2. I knew about and accepted the 24 month deal going in, so I'm OK with it.
3. Sooner or later DTV will have to add more HD programming. If it's premium I don't care anyway because I don't buy premium channels.
I fired Comcast 15 years ago and went to Dish. I fired Dish 3 years ago and went to DTV. So far DTV's service has been good enough that I would never go back to the other two. I will, though, at least consider Uverse when it's available.
I’ve had DirectTV for years and I have no complaint. I’d guess I’ve had maybe 30 minutes of weather-related down time total. I have no reason to change and I’d never go back to cable. I was so glad to get away from them. Our local cable thought they had a lock and they were arrogant and rude.
>>>We’ve had DirectTV for years, they gave us months of free Showtime channels this summer for our loyalty.
Giving you free Showtime... have you actually watched anything on Showtime?
I emailed CS a question, and they replied... and threw in free Showtime for the month - I have yet to find anything on Showtime I wanted to watch or save on the DVR...
I always have associated loan sharking with pay tv and cell phones.
Did you know that if you selected pay as you go; even if you have a big balance in your phone account; they will still ding you every month and actually shut your phone off and convescate your money if you don’t use it enough? Kind of goes against what they advertise. You are much better off going the regular monthly service. The pay as you go plan is nothing but a loan shark deal.
We have no problem with DirectTV. Our price is right, the service was good and we get all the channels we want HD or not. I do not care for our friends Dish Network at all. 6 of one and a half dozen of another. Damned if you do and damned if you don’t. For our area DirectTV is good.
A few months ago they sent a "technician" out to troubleshoot my system (I had been a customer for ca 10 years or so). The guy made a total mess of things, cutting my internet coax and leaving it hanging from the side of the house. I was unable to get any assistance from customer service to fix the problem. Each time I would call I needed to restate the problem to some dingbat who would listen and then respond with a question like,"What is the error code you are seeing on your screen now sir?"
I cancelled and currently have cable. If I go back to satellite, it will be Dish Network. I had Dish years ago and was very satisfied....in fact, at that time at least, their picture quality was better than DTV.
The problem with these pay tv is they don’t put enough new programining on. Their movie channels (not the pay movies) keeps getting smaller and smaller with the same movies for 2 or 3 months. The new movies are there, of course, if you want to pay additional for them.
Yeah. My wife has a prepaid cellphone plan. If she doesn’t use it at least once that month it’s $4.50. She carries it for emergencies and I have to remind her to make a call.
But that’s going to change.
I’ve signed up w/ another co. that will cost me about what I’m paying for my service now but for both of us.
I believe that DISH still offers the complete CineMAX package including HD for “1 cent per year” IF you agree to paperless billing..
We have it, and well worth the price ;^)
They lost me as a new subscriber because they *repeatedly* lied to me before the install. Once the install was complete, they found crystal certainty that they couldn’t do what they had promised. I cancelled the next day. They took $300+ out of my account as an early cancellation fee. I disputed and after several weeks and much stalling the money was restored.
DirecTV never again.
The NHL should be tearing a new one into Versus for getting into this situation as well. Without the NHL, Versus has very little to offer.
I like watching the Tour De France on Vs. in the summer. The HD feed had some great countryside images. Most “professional” sports I can take them or leave them. I’d rather watch college football when I watch football games.
DirecTV won’t lose a substantial number of subs anyway. The loss of Vs. is just a the cost of doing business. I’ve seen it happen to DISH and I’ve seen it happen to cable companies. Versus, like many TV channels are owned by cable companies seeking to make a profit. It’s not unusual to see Comcast doing this. They did something similar to DISH Network with Comcast Sports Network. Which shut out DISH Network costumers in Philly out of watching their local professional sports teams carried on CSN.
It's probably why they're offering college football for the first time this year. NHL hockey is about the only thing I watch on Versus anyway.
The NHL would be smarter if they made the NHL Network readily available to more viewers like the NFL Network is.
I went with DISH Network because I cannot receive anything with an outdoor antenna, I'm too far out in the country for cable, and unlike DTV, DISH Network carries my locals in SD and HD.
I agree.
Overworked, underpaid by the big companies, inexperienced, and undertrained. Did I mention underpaid?
I didn't include cable in the question since I was a Storer Cable contractor 25 years ago and expect our cable TV franchises to be corrupt, uncaring, poorly supervised, in bed (often literally) with the city councils that grant franchises, mob affiliated and in general totally incompetent.
I've never had any issues with DiSH. When I call them about a problem, they walk me through steps to either fix it or determine what is wrong. If it needs fixing, or the dish needs realigning, they send someone pretty fast. However, aside from the normal outages during storms, I almost never have any problems with DiSH.
I was an early adopter with DTV (1996 IIRC)
I felt they treated me OK.
Moved last year to a new house and went with the cable combo deal for internet, phone, and tv.
I don’t see a big difference either way in performance or features.
I’m saving a lot of money mostly because the rural phone company I left behind was quite expensive - my wife insists on a land line because our cell coverage is not top notch.
My daughter has ATT U Verse which seems great but not available to my location yet.
Call customer service and ask how one stops service when they ask why tell the a competitor has offered x service for x dollars.
I've done this on and off for over a year I can always get at the very least free showtime or Starz etc.
Several times I have got 20 bucks off the bill or certificates for free movies and if you have not done it yet, hook your DirecTV receiver to the Internet and use their VOD system. I have downloaded lots of great old movies and shows for free.
(The majority of VOD on direcTV is free to use.) I download lots of shows from the Military and History channel as well as National Geographic plus free foreign movies from the Foreign movie channel!
“so the alternative to all of them is a blank screen ala 1954 after Howdy Doody went off the air for the day.”
Never had a TV until I got married in 1958 but who the hell is Howdy Doody?
Must be a regional issue. On my DirecTV all my locals are in HD and the picture quality is very good.
1. The NHL lost me during their lockout years ago, plus Versus is buried between all those Sports Pack channels.
2. Been with them over 5 years, so I don’t know the commitment thing.
3. Still don’t have one of those HDTV things.
I dumped Dish after I lost all my network channels (I live in one of the few areas where local channels aren’t offered). At the time (not sure if it’s still this way), Fox News was on one of the higher-tiered packages (you had to pay more), while CNN was on the basic package. I switched to DirecTV and get networks from NY and LA.
I’m annoyed that DirecTV moved ESPN Classic to the Sports Package a few weeks back, making ESPNU part of the normal package, but how many times can you watch World Series of Poker marathons all night on weekends?
Heh. They had Starz free preview this weekend, and it seemed like they were playing every Julia Roberts movie made. I think Dish and DirecTV offer different Starz/Encore channels, though - strange.
I got my first one 6 months ago.
If you like sports, it's well worth the cost.
A month later I hauled my other 3 tube tvs to Goodwill and replaced them also.
I’d actually be afraid (after buying a HDTV) that I’d start watching Pixar movies and never leave the living room. Prices have come down a lot though, haven’t they?
I watched Wall-E over the weekend in 1080 HD it is indeed mesmerizing.
Also watched Survivor and the opening shots of the island and all the scenery just blow me away!
I even watch a show sometimes in the early mornings which is on one of my HD channels (I think its called Sunrise Earth) they just take an HD camera and set it up in various scenic location around the world and record the sunrise. They also record in dolby digital. Some of the Vistas are literally "breath taking". I could watch it all day long!
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