Commentary
DIRECTV HD Owners: Demand Your Rebate!
The satcaster's decision to drop TNT HD from its lineup on Sundays is both insulting and deceptive to HD viewers.
By Swanni

Washington, D.C. (September 10, 2007) -- DIRECTV HD owners, it's time to stand up for your rights.

The satcaster yesterday dropped TNT HD (again) from its lineup for several hours to make room for the high-def broadcasts of the NFL Sunday Ticket.

DIRECTV didn't tell anyone it would drop the channel. In fact, Eric Shanks, DIRECTV's executive vice president for entertainment, told TVPredictions.com last month that the satcaster would not drop a HD channel this year to make room for the NFL games.

(Last year, DIRECTV took a HD channel off the air every Sunday for the entire NFL season. The decision angered high-def viewers, many of whom received discounts on their monthly bills after complaining to DIRECTV's customer service.)

DIRECTV also has not apologized to anyone for the removal of TNT HD. Even worse, Shanks and two DIRECTV public relations officials did not return several phone calls and e-mails from TVPredictions.com today asking for a comment on why TNT HD was removed after Shanks said it would not be.

Listen, I know DIRECTV officials are busy now with the upcoming HD expansion. (The satcaster is scheduled to go from 10 to 70 HD channels by month's end.) But I received a couple dozen e-mails today from angry DIRECTV subscribers wanting to know if TNT HD (or another HD channel) will be removed every Sunday for the next four months.

So, if you're a subscriber to DIRECTV's monthly HD programming package, you should ask for a rebate.

No, let me rephrase that. You should demand a rebate.

I did. I called DIRECTV's Customer Service department tonight and was given $5 a month off my bill for the next three months.

Of course, the Customer Service rep first offered me 33 cents to satisfy my complaint. Yes, that's right. 33 cents. And then he laughed at me.

I then advised him that he might want to change his tune -- immediately. He did and I got the $5 a month rebate.

Folks, we are paying for the complete HD programming package -- and we should get nothing less. Demand your rebate -- now.

If enough people complain -- and ask for rebates -- perhaps DIRECTV will remove non-HD channels next week instead of TNT HD or Discovery HD Theater or HDNet and so on.

Perhaps then they will understand that high-def viewers won't just take it.

http://www.tvpredictions.com/drebate091007.htm

It really is not a big deal. The new sat is almost here.

I can live without TNT-HD for another week or so.

Got better things to complain about at work

That's music to DIRECTV's ears. :)

well i certainly understand the principle of the matter. especially when he said they wouldn't drop any channels (btw, has anyone spoken with him for comment since yesterday?).

but seriously, what was on tnt hd on a sunday afternoon that was so compelling?

What comes on TNT HD on Sundays? And will this problem be rectified when the new satellite is launched?

The only time I watch TNT on Sunday is when they have the early final round of the British Open or PGA. Or the NBA playoffs, none which are affected by the NFL.

DirecTV should apologize for airing TNT HD, not for pulling it! It's an embarrassment.

Talbain,
I tried repeatedly to get comments today from Shanks and others, but they wouldn't return calls or e-mails.

I agree with you -- it's the principle of the matter. Why does a high-def channel have to be removed? Until they expand the lineup, we don't have that many channels to watch now.

I with you swannisez, way to make a big deal over nothing.:rolleyes:

Afrogt,
The problem will not be resolved with the new satellite because the existing HD channels will stay on the old satellite for an indefinite period of time.

Good one, evil. :)

But seriously folks, if you're a TNT HD fan -- as many non-sports fans are on Sunday -- it's not fair for DIRECTV to drop the channel without notice or compensation.

Complaining about losing TNT-HD for an afternoon is wasted time. I'd rather use 'credits' for more pressing matters in the future...I don't know about anyone else but I have better things to do than plead for or demand a $15 credit...

Okay thanks swannisez,

But TNT rarely has on anything I want to see so its no big deal. Plus I'd most likely be watching the NFL in HD during that time.

BTW, 33 cents was a good offer. 9.99/month = 33 cents/day. But since there are 7 channels in the HD, each one is less than 5 cents/day.

Talbain,
I tried repeatedly to get comments today from Shanks and others, but they wouldn't return calls or e-mails.

I agree with you -- it's the principle of the matter. Why does a high-def channel have to be removed? Until they expand the lineup, we don't have that many channels to watch now.

I could care less about losing TNT HD for a few hours. What I WILL complain about is not getting HD for free when I subscribe to a sports package like NFL ST. I understand they are working on the HD to I am not inclined to complain about TNT HD.

I'd rather see this effort put into bringing the HD-Lite issue to....light...so to speak. Why not demand a partial refund for the amount of each 1080i channel being removed before delivery.

This seems more like someone got bad information from D* earlier, and now it's payback time.

So who's going to be the first to demand a refund for both the TNT outage AND the ST glitches even though they happened at the same time? :)

Hey, multiple receivers on multiple televisions makes multiple complaints possible for glitches that occur simultaneously. :)

So, Swanni, since DirecTV promises "up to 10" HD MLB games a week in its EI package -- and has been delivering close to 20 -- should we offer to pay more?

Or perhaps you shouldn't have so blindly believed Eric Shanks, but also checked with others -- like Bob Mercer, who in late August specifically said DirecTV hoped not to have to interrupt TNT HD, but could not promise it wouldn't happen.

So who's going to be the first to demand a refund for both the TNT outage AND the ST glitches even though they happened at the same time? :)

Had no ST glitches

Just be glad it was only one HD channel that got axed ... at least TNT has an SD simulcast.

Frankly, the more this stuff happens, the more ammunition I have to get a "free" "upgrade" to the HR20 ... it's all good. ;)

Just be glad it was only one HD channel that got axed ... at least TNT has an SD simulcast.

Frankly, the more this stuff happens, the more ammunition I have to get a "free" "upgrade" to the HR20 ... it's all good. ;)

I got a free upgrade to HR20 it was easy. I called them and asked how much to upgrade to the HR20 and was told 299.00. I said fine cancel my service the told me i would need to pay a contract termination fee because there was 6 months left on my 2 years. I replied that i could pay the fee and get a HDDVR free from dish and it would be be much cheaper then 299.00. The transfered me to a specialist :). He basically got on his knees and earned my business. I got a free HR20, 1 year free HD service, HBO and CinaMax free for 6 months, and a 10.00 credit on my bill every month for the next 12 months. I then explained to him that it was a load of crap that i had to threaten to cancel my service to get what i wanted. He apologized again and said he agreed, and that he would put an additional 10.00 a month credit on my bill for the next 12 months. 3 days later i had my HR20 :) and I'm a very happy customer. Try it you can always bail out if it fails

Had no ST glitches
I saw 4 glitches during the bears vs bolts game, but all 4 glitches were turn overs from the bears. :mad:

Even if i still was a customer i wouldn't complain, come on people.

I'm not sure how they arrived at the decision, but at least they pulled the plug on TNT and not DHDT, HDNet, Universal, etc. Hopefully that sends a message to TNT-HD that their stretch-o-vision is bottom of the barrel crap that we can live without for a while.

They can take off Universal HD as well if it results in all the Sunday NFL games being broadcast in HD. Both TNT and Universal are worthless braodcasting in pan'n scan and very poor quality HD.

They can take off Universal HD as well if it results in all the Sunday NFL games being broadcast in HD. Both TNT and Universal are worthless braodcasting in pan'n scan and very poor quality HD.

I personally like Universal HD. They played October Sky a couple days ago, which is one of my favorite movies. So, to each their own. But I pay $9.99 a month for the HD Package, and that Package includes TNT-HD. PERIOD!!! Whether you folks feel there is nothing of value on TNT on Sundays is a juvenile response as we all have different tastes on what is "Good"!! I personally feel the NFL Package is too much money, so I don't subscribe. Yet, D* is taking away a channel from a Package I pay for, to give the rest of you a channel that I DO NOT pay for!!

Had no ST glitches

Not that this hasn't been discussed ad nauseum elsewhere, but others (including myself) did.

I'm not crazy enough to ask for a refund, though. I don't deserve $15 because TNT-HD was off for 3 hours.

Ummm.....isn't football sunday enough? Even if you don't own the Package there are still games in HD on all day. Are you really that upset that you can't watch a horrible HD quality TNT movie for a couple hours once a week for a few weeks a year? There is a SD TNT still available, no?
But regardless, it's 'football sunday'. And direct t.v. owners have a HUGE advantage as they are the only ones to be able to get this. Seems like crying over $0.33/week for a crappy channel instead of enjoying a feature that ONLY DTV users have is rediculous.
-just my 02 cents

I am a customer and I NOT complaining. Good grief people did you all bitch that the sun came up this morning also.:rolleyes:

DirecTV should apologize for airing TNT HD, not for pulling it! It's an embarrassment.


Amen! I haven't watched that channel in 10 years or more...

Amen! I haven't watched that channel in 10 years or more...

Has TNT-HD been on the air for 10 years? :p

Had no ST glitches

Anyone with an HR20 box had no HD feed on Ch 725 and 726 for the first half of the late games. The issue was confirmed as a national problem by D* reps.

As a ST/SuckerFan sub with only 1 HDTV in the house, I could not care less if TNT-HD was turned off.

What I'd like a rebate for is the loss of 2 HD late game feeds for 90 minutes (HR20) and the complete breakdown of SuckerCast servers during the early games.

I'm willing to give D* a mulligan for the first week but if the same issues arise in Week 2, I will be calling in to get a rebate on SuckerFan.

Again, the bigger deal will be if they still pull this stuff when MPEG4 goes live. If they just turn off TNT-HD or others instead of temporarily moving them to MPEG4 (since they already said all NFL ST will be MPEG2), that is a problem because who knows how long they are going to stick with MPEG2. This would also limit them if they have more sports HD than they can handle in MPEG2 (why can't all the rest of the MLB EI HD games be shown in MPEG4--for example--this year? They shouldn't have to wait until next year to show 100% of HD available games in HD for MLB EI subscribers).

DirecTV should apologize for airing TNT HD, not for pulling it! It's an embarrassment.
And the rest of their HDlite channels are an embarrassment as well.

Afrogt,
The problem will not be resolved with the new satellite because the existing HD channels will stay on the old satellite for an indefinite period of time.


how do you know they wont simulcast TNT-HD (or anything else in MPEG2 for that matter) in MPEG4 for the mpeg4 ready subs so not so many people are effected?

They already simulcast the BIG 4 from NY and LA in MPEG2 and MEG4 (locally)- no? So it's not like they haven't ponied up for a second encoder in the past and they will have the room....

(no D* fanboy- I left for Cable a year ago...)

No disrespect Mr. Swann, but why not as upset about HD-Lite??? You let them off the hook with your supposed "interview" with them. Have you reported on any recent developments on the class action suit against them re: "picture quality"?? But you are all worked about TNT-HD???? Pleeeeeeease....

Anyone with an HR20 box had no HD feed on Ch 725 and 726 for the first half of the late games. The issue was confirmed as a national problem by D* reps.

Yep, I had the Seahawks game set to record (had to go to the airport), and thankfully checked on the game before I left. Ended up recording the SD game instead. If I would have known it would be fixed for the second half, I would have kept recording the HD channel also.

Oh well, it was only the first week, hopefully they have everything fixed by next week.

I'm not sure how they arrived at the decision, but at least they pulled the plug on TNT and not DHDT, HDNet, Universal, etc. Hopefully that sends a message to TNT-HD that their stretch-o-vision is bottom of the barrel crap that we can live without for a while.

Well ... if last year is any indication of future performance, every MPEG2 HD feed except HBO/Sho will get axed on a rotating basis.

Frankly, I was expecting more than one feed to be affected due to the expanded CBS HD coverage this year.

Non ST subs get kicked to the curb ... again.

Well ... if last year is any indication of future performance, every MPEG2 HD feed except HBO/Sho will get axed on a rotating basis.

Frankly, I was expecting more than one feed to be affected due to the expanded CBS HD coverage this year.

Non ST subs get kicked to the curb ... again.

I don't remember ESPN 1 or 2 axed last year. My 2 cents on why TNT would be becasue it was the last HD channel added and there was no price increase when it was. So the argument "I pay for it and now they take it away on sunday afternoon" hold less water.

I don't remember ESPN 1 or 2 axed last year. My 2 cents on why TNT would be becasue it was the last HD channel added and there was no price increase when it was. So the argument "I pay for it and now they take it away on sunday afternoon" hold less water.

and, of course, the price of the hd package was reduced by 10%. i don't remember nearly this many posts when the price was cut.

nonetheless, for those who want to demand a rebate, there are seven channels in the hd package that will be on air for 5,040 hours in september, minus whatever downtime is necessary for sunday ticket. if d* suspends one hd channel per week through september for nine hours each sunday, the prorated discount on the hd package would be seven cents, rounded to the nearest penny.

This ch has done this since the start of time so this campain is stupid.If you ask a rep they can tell you the ch in all off dtvs systems it turns of for other events. Also all mpeg-2 hd chs will turn off within the next year so get some $$$ or time and get your system upgraded.


btw if you called in I love buckybadger's info as you would deserve a 7 cent refund.

and, of course, the price of the hd package was reduced by 10%. i don't remember nearly this many posts when the price was cut.

nonetheless, for those who want to demand a rebate, there are seven channels in the hd package that will be on air for 5,040 hours in september, minus whatever downtime is necessary for sunday ticket. if d* suspends one hd channel per week through september for nine hours each sunday, the prorated discount on the hd package would be seven cents, rounded to the nearest penny.

This ch has done this since the start of time so this campain is stupid.If you ask a rep they can tell you the ch in all off dtvs systems it turns of for other events. Also all mpeg-2 hd chs will turn off within the next year so get some $$$ or time and get your system upgraded.


btw if you called in I love buckybadger's info as you would deserve a 7 cent refund.

I called in for the heck of it, principle of the thing. When I said i wasn't a ST sub, they offered it to me free for the first 2 or 3 months (forget which it was) and the last three months for only $20 a month and offered me the Superfan upgrade for free. $60 for the NFL pakckage with Superfan. I wasn't asking for a rebate, just letting them know I wasn't happy they did that. I declined the offer as even at $60, I wouldn't get my money's worth as I may only watch one game a week. They then gave me my HD Package free for 1 year (I didnt' ask for it).

Anyone with an HR20 box had no HD feed on Ch 725 and 726 for the first half of the late games. The issue was confirmed as a national problem by D* reps.

Not true, I sat right here with my HR20-100 and watched all three late games with no issues.

The problem I had with the ST this week was that it was slow....and my normal complaint of bit-starved signal.

Even worse, Shanks and two DIRECTV public relations officials did not return several phone calls and e-mails from TVPredictions.com today asking for a comment on why TNT HD was removed after Shanks said it would not be.


How DARE they!!!??? How dare they insult the great and all powerful swanni.

:rolleyes:

Not true, I sat right here with my HR20-100 and watched all three late games with no issues.

The problem I had with the ST this week was that it was slow....and my normal complaint of bit-starved signal.

In HD? I'm not sure how you escaped it (maybe you don't have the latest software downloaded?) but so many people were affected that D* sent out a prepared statement to CSRs to read to angry callers.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=904549&page=5

It was slow because you have an HR20 and the interactive features have to load each time you change the channel. Same problem for myself and many others as well.

In HD? I'm not sure how you escaped it (maybe you don't have the latest software downloaded?) but so many people were affected that D* sent out a prepared statement to CSRs to read to angry callers.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=904549&page=5

It was slow because you have an HR20 and the interactive features have to load each time you change the channel. Same problem for myself and many others as well.


Yes, in HD, and yes, I have the latest software. I watched the games just fine.

Yes, I know the slow down is due to the interactive features. I love when my viewing experience is reduced for "features" I'll never use. IMO, anyone that needs to be that "interactive" during the games would be better served by pulling out a laptop and checking the internet.....

I am a customer and I NOT complaining. Good grief people did you all bitch that the sun came up this morning also.:rolleyes:

it's something valid to complain about. the damn guy (what is he, vp of programming for Directv?) ASSURED us that no channels would be dumped. now i'm not sure about the timing of when he made that comment and when sunday rolled around, but there was a serious disconnect here. if he didn't make such a promise then there probably wouldn't be as much of an issue.

i will be VERY interested in how he spins this when he comes out of hiding...

it's something valid to complain about. the damn guy (what is he, vp of programming for Directv?) ASSURED us that no channels would be dumped.


He made a comment to an internet blogger - probably in the form of an email response - and we have no idea in what context that statement was made. I wouldn't call that ASSURANCE.

I was watching football so I didn't miss TNT-HD.

Besides, whatever TNT-HD was showing will be repeated again anyway. It's not like people really missed out on anything. If people want to complain about it on principle ("The VP lied to us!!!") that's fine, but missing a few hours of a single TV channel isn't really worth getting upset about in my book.

He made a comment to an internet blogger and we have no idea in what context that statement was made. I wouldn't call that ASSURANCE.

My guess is that DirecTV was planning on having the satellite in place earlier to be able to do this and testing ran long. (http://www.dbstalk.com/showpost.php?p=1096920&postcount=507)

~Alan

It does not bother me at all that they pulled TNT HD. It is mainly strech o Vision anyway. I don't think Directv should give a rebate! What will it be for maybe $ .50. Not worth my time. I am glad the pulled it and used the bandwith for NFL.

I'm not glad they pulled it - but I'm certainly glad they added it even though they might be in a situation down the road where they would have to pull it on Sundays during football season.

This is funny. Why not just watch the SD channel. It is of the same PQ no! :D

This is funny. Why not just watch the SD channel. It is of the same PQ no! :D

For any non-HD programming (the vast majority) - the SD channel is actually far better quality.

He made a comment to an internet blogger - probably in the form of an email response - and we have no idea in what context that statement was made. I wouldn't call that ASSURANCE.

now hold on a second. didn't he make the comments during an interview with tvpredictions.com?

that's hardly your typical internet blogger site run by some kids. and the story was picked up by other sites as well, including this one if i'm not mistaken. and i don't recall his exact words but i remember at the time thinking they sure sounded like a promise to me...

finally, i don't care if he really did make the comments to some two bit internet kid. the fact is that he is the evp for programming for directv and he was speaking on the record. so yeah, we have a right to hold him to his words.

Any story on the net gets "picked up" by multiple other sites. The fact that a member on AVS links to a website article - doesn't mean AVS is verifying anything.

I don't remember ESPN 1 or 2 axed last year.

You could be right there ... I definitely remember TNT, UHD and the HDNets in the cutoff rotation. OTOH, it makes "sense" in the sports-fanatic driven world of D*, that ESPN1/2 would have been spared whether they were needed or not. ;)

I thought I remembered ESPN 2 getting the axe at least once last year. IIRC, whenever it was pulled, there was no HD programming on that Sunday afternoon.

(why can't all the rest of the MLB EI HD games be shown in MPEG4--for example--this year? They shouldn't have to wait until next year to show 100% of HD available games in HD for MLB EI subscribers).

Actually -- why can't they turn off TNTHD each night to show more MLBEI in HD -- I paid $40 for MLB superfan -- that would pay for a lot of 33 cent credits!

I got a free upgrade to HR20 it was easy. I called them and asked how much to upgrade to the HR20 and was told 299.00. I said fine cancel my service the told me i would need to pay a contract termination fee because there was 6 months left on my 2 years. I replied that i could pay the fee and get a HDDVR free from dish and it would be be much cheaper then 299.00. The transfered me to a specialist :). He basically got on his knees and earned my business. I got a free HR20, 1 year free HD service, HBO and CinaMax free for 6 months, and a 10.00 credit on my bill every month for the next 12 months. I then explained to him that it was a load of crap that i had to threaten to cancel my service to get what i wanted. He apologized again and said he agreed, and that he would put an additional 10.00 a month credit on my bill for the next 12 months. 3 days later i had my HR20 :) and I'm a very happy customer. Try it you can always bail out if it fails

Thanks to your post, I have upgraded to 2 free HR20's

I called D*, asked how much to upgrade 1 H20 and was told $299. I said if that is the best they can offer then I want to cancel my account. When I spoke to customer retention they asked why I am cancelling. I said that I wanted to upgrade 2-H20's to 2-HR20's but was not willing to pay $299 each and Dish would give me to free HD DVR's if I switched. She asked if they offered me 2 free HR20's would I be willing to stay, and I said I would be willing to listen.

Long story short I upgraded to 2-HR20's for $19.95 (they waived the other $19.95 fee) including installation, $10 off of my bill per month for 1 year and free DVR service for 1 year.

Once again, thank you my friend. :D

I saw 4 glitches during the bears vs bolts game, but all 4 glitches were turn overs from the bears. :mad:
Those aren't glitches, it is working as to specification.

Good one, evil. :)

But seriously folks, if you're a TNT HD fan -- as many non-sports fans are on Sunday -- it's not fair for DIRECTV to drop the channel without notice or compensation.

No one cares. Go collect your paycheck from Charlie and go on your way.

"Many"?

How "many"? If TNT HD has more than a few thousand viewers on Sunday afternoons I'd be surprised. But that is just my guess.

Surely, since you spoke with such certainty, you have access to ratings data, or TNT HD PR people could tell you what the ratings are on Sunday afternoons.

I think it would be fair to say "many" viewers are fans of "American Idol" or "Grey's Anatomy" or "Lost".

But to blithely claim that "many" non-sports fans are TNT HD fans on Sundays is perilously close to making up "facts" to fit your argument.

(And if they are HD non-sports fans, why aren't they subs to Dish which for a number of months has had far more non-sports channels in HD?)

Good one, evil. :)

But seriously folks, if you're a TNT HD fan -- as many non-sports fans are on Sunday -- it's not fair for DIRECTV to drop the channel without notice or compensation.

DirecTV should apologize for airing TNT HD, not for pulling it! It's an embarrassment.

Agreed.

Hard to believe that there are now 66 posts on this topic. Sorry to add to the muddle!