For those of you who receive distant networks and still have the old base package that is no longer available to new subscribers, has anyone updated to a new base package? I would like to update my base package to receive such channels as the Biography channel, plus only pay one fee for DVR service, but am cautious because I am thinking DirecTV may revoke my DNS capability if I change base packages (the charges for each DNS channel show up on my statements but not on the list of services I receive on directv.com when I get to the screen that allows me to change programming; therefore, I wonder if DirecTV would not include the DNS channels if I used this page to change base packages, or go over the eligibility rules again). Anyone changed their base package and still retained the DNS? Thanks!

I changed mine a few months ago and nothing happened. I had the same concerns as you. My policy has been keep your head down and your mouth shut but sometimes it is necessary to contact them.

The package can be changed.

Just make sure you speak to a representative who will make sure you keep your DNS service.

(The reality is that almost all of us will lose DNS sooner or later once LIL becomes the standard. I think we all should be happy we have managed to keep it this long. Most local stations are now refusing to give any waivers whatsoever, and some are going so far as to revoke waivers they have granted in the past. With stations demanding higher retransmission fees, and fighting for evetry viewer, I expect the group of stations rescinding previously-granted waivers will increase quickly.)

The package can be changed.

Just make sure you speak to a representative who will make sure you keep your DNS service.

(The reality is that almost all of us will lose DNS sooner or later once LIL becomes the standard. I think we all should be happy we have managed to keep it this long. Most local stations are now refusing to give any waivers whatsoever, and some are going so far as to revoke waivers they have granted in the past. With stations demanding higher retransmission fees, and fighting for evetry viewer, I expect the group of stations rescinding previously-granted waivers will increase quickly.)

I was planning on changing the base package at directv.com. I wouldn't dare talk to a DirecTV rep since they could question the DNS. And there is no way you could ensure that you talk to a rep that would make sure you keep the DNS service.

The package can be changed.

Just make sure you speak to a representative who will make sure you keep your DNS service.

(The reality is that almost all of us will lose DNS sooner or later once LIL becomes the standard. I think we all should be happy we have managed to keep it this long. Most local stations are now refusing to give any waivers whatsoever, and some are going so far as to revoke waivers they have granted in the past. With stations demanding higher retransmission fees, and fighting for evetry viewer, I expect the group of stations rescinding previously-granted waivers will increase quickly.)

I don't expect DirecTV to take away DNS for those that already have it (as long as they don't cancel and they reapply, etc.) or they would have done so already because DirecTV already took away the HD feeds of the DNS. DirecTV could have easily taken away the SD feeds using the same reasoning it took away the HD feeds.

I was planning on changing the base package at directv.com. I wouldn't dare talk to a DirecTV rep since they could question the DNS. And there is no way you could ensure that you talk to a rep that would make sure you keep the DNS service.If you change it online, you will lose DNS as the system will put you on one of the "new" packages...you need to call them...

If you change it online, you will lose DNS as the system will put you on one of the "new" packages...you need to call them...

Appreciate the reply. Do you know this for a fact or are you just speculating? One scenario is that the base package would change but that everything else would remain the same. Do you have knowledge that this would not be the case? Thanks.

We were told this awhile back by Directv...

We were told this awhile back by Directv...

Interesting. Were you told this personally by a CSR or read it somwhere or ? Also wondering how to view this in light of "I Want More" 's comment above.

So you apparently called a CSR to retain eligiblity? Which means you must live in an area that is still eligible for DNS even if you applied today?

I changed mine a few months ago and nothing happened. I had the same concerns as you. My policy has been keep your head down and your mouth shut but sometimes it is necessary to contact them.

And I take it that you are not elgible for DNS if you applied for that status today? Your experience appears to differ from that of dFergie below. Thanks.

I'm staff at another site and we got this from Directv a month or so ago(doing it online changes your package to one of the new ones)... I'm Grandfathered for DNS, had it with BUD and with Directv since 96... no HD locals available here as the spotbeam for the DMA I am in isn't large enough.. I get my HD locals from Dish.

I'm staff at another site and we got this from Directv a month or so ago(doing it online changes your package to one of the new ones)... I'm Grandfathered for DNS, had it with BUD and with Directv since 96... no HD locals available here as the spotbeam for the DMA I am in isn't large enough.. I get my HD locals from Dish.

I have had DNS since 1996 or so also (signed up with DirecTV about three months after its launch); does that mean I am grandfathered for DNS and will retain it, despite changing base packages, even though I now receive the San Francisco locals in HD via DirecTV spotbeam? Thanks!

And I take it that you are not elgible for DNS if you applied for that status today? Your experience appears to differ from that of dFergie below. Thanks.

Correct.

Correct.

Appreciate reply. I take it you had one of the base package that is no longer available and made the switch to a new package? Did you just change base packages using DirecTV.com or did you contact a CSR to make the change? If you contacted a CSR, did the DNS issue come up at all? Thanks!!

This is the info we received ... sorry been away all day... We've received an update from DirecTV regarding grandfathered packages:

With the design of the new website they made the decision to no longer allow custmers to maintain grandfathered packages and perform any programming/service changes.

Essentailly, if you add/remove a service or premium, you will have to change to a current package.

Before the change, you could add HBO or another service and maintain your existing grandfathered package. Now adding a service will require the customer to select a new base package.

This was done to improve customer service (CSRs often aren't well educated on the grandfathered packages) and reduce the time/cost of maintaining these packages.


UPDATE:

Changes made via phone with CSRs will allow you to keep your package. Directv has confirmed this for the time being:
Quote:
Just to confirm what your users have experienced, grandfathered customers can continue to make adjustments over the phone for now.
If that were to change, there will be early communications of that shift.

This is the info we received ... sorry been away all day... We've received an update from DirecTV regarding grandfathered packages:

With the design of the new website they made the decision to no longer allow custmers to maintain grandfathered packages and perform any programming/service changes.

Essentailly, if you add/remove a service or premium, you will have to change to a current package.

Before the change, you could add HBO or another service and maintain your existing grandfathered package. Now adding a service will require the customer to select a new base package.

This was done to improve customer service (CSRs often aren't well educated on the grandfathered packages) and reduce the time/cost of maintaining these packages.


UPDATE:

Changes made via phone with CSRs will allow you to keep your package. Directv has confirmed this for the time being:
Quote:
Just to confirm what your users have experienced, grandfathered customers can continue to make adjustments over the phone for now.
If that were to change, there will be early communications of that shift.

So if I try to add Showtime for example the website will not let me if I have an older base package?

More importantly, if I change my base package to allow me to receive one of the new packages that will allow me to receive the Biography Channel HD, the Science HD, etc. and have only one DVR charge for multipe DVR's, will it effect my DNS eligibility? Thanks.

Appreciate reply. I take it you had one of the base package that is no longer available and made the switch to a new package? Did you just change base packages using DirecTV.com or did you contact a CSR to make the change? If you contacted a CSR, did the DNS issue come up at all? Thanks!!

I had an older package (don't remember which anymore). I wanted to change it to +dvr or whatever it is called. I made the changes on the phone with a CSR. While speaking with here I told her that I did not want to make any changes other than the base package. She insured me that nothing other than the base package would be changed and it wasn't. The DNS package never came up. This was a year or so ago.