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DIRECTV HD Extra Pack

post #1 of 260
10/9/07 at 3:12am
Thread Starter 
I did a search and looked through the DTV HD threads and didn't see any mention of this. I'm getting these channels now as part of my $9.99 HD subscription. Is a change coming or did I miss a discussion here? If so sorry.
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post #2 of 260
10/9/07 at 4:25am
I called in about it and got the following explanantion...

The HD extra pack contains channels that could not be added to the regular new HD pack (due to contract obligations) without raising the price of the regular HD pack. If they did so, they would have had to charge more for the regular HD pack. And yes, after the first 3 freee months, they will be charging ~4.99 for it (very sucky!).

anways thats what I was told.
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post #3 of 260
10/9/07 at 4:43am
From D*'s website, these are the channels that will be included:

http://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/global...setId=P4370078

They are all ones that don't have an "SD" equivalent.
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post #4 of 260
10/9/07 at 6:03am
Thread Starter 
Sounds like they figured a way to get an extra "tier" out of the HD package. Oh well, it doesn't seem like too long ago I was downloading HD clips off the web to play on my computer just to see what it looked like.
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post #5 of 260
10/9/07 at 7:38am
The fact that I just switched from Comcast to D* makes the HD Extra Pak (containing HDNET and HDNet Movies) worth the extra $5 to me.

But echoing what another poster said, the Extra Pak will consist of all HD-only channles (those with no SD simulcasts).
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post #6 of 260
10/9/07 at 10:39am
I'm a little late to the party on this one as well. I've had D* HD service since October of 2000. Am I going to be grandfathered in to receive Universal HD,HDNet and HDNet movies which I've been receiving for years, or will I have to pay an extra $4.99 as well? If so, I will be ticked
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post #7 of 260
10/9/07 at 3:22pm
Thread Starter 
Good question. I am also wondering how long this has been in the works. I just happened to stumble across it on the Directv site this morning. Has it been discussed here already?
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post #8 of 260
10/9/07 at 5:36pm
D* has been really good about grandfathering existing customers on plans that are no longer available. I hope they continue to grandfather existing customers. However, if no existing subscribers are grand-fathered, it will be interesting to see if the new extra pack is opt-in or opt-out. Opt-in, requiring that existing customers who want the extra pack must call or sign up on the website, would be the way a company that cares about customers would deal with the issue. Opt-out would be a way to increase revenue by "slipping" new charges past trusting customers who don't pay attention to their bills. It will be interesting to see how this is handled if they don't grandfather existing customers.
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post #9 of 260
12/12/07 at 10:55am
Everyone should kind of band together and not subscribe. Maybe they will get a hint and stop nickel and diming us to death. I am opting out.
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post #10 of 260
12/12/07 at 11:06am
I'm opting out. Their commercials about Dish being $20 and them being half the price are really ticking me off when I knew this $5 charge was coming.

If they had just said they were raising the HD package price because of adding new channels and to fund future upgrades I would have been fine with it since Dish already charges $20 and cable is more but $5 for 6 channels is not worth it for me. I hope Mark Cuban puts pressure on them.

Edit:

I searched and read that Mark Cuban settled with D* that HDNet will be on the main package and HDNet movies will be on the new extra package.
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showp...&postcount=174

Better than nothing I guess.
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post #11 of 260
12/12/07 at 11:09am
Quote:
Originally Posted by pohnl View Post

If they had just said they were raising the HD package price because of adding new channels and to fund future upgrades I would have been fine with it since Dish already charges $20 and cable is more but $5 for 6 channels is not worth it for me. I hope Mark Cuban puts pressure on them.

Well, he actually did. Now that HDNet is back on the main tier, that $5 is for 5 channels.

Maybe if they get the Voom Channels and MOJO in there to boost the channel count on the package, I'll consider it. At least they'll be more choices even if the non-repeated programming on each channel is a bit scarce.
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post #12 of 260
12/12/07 at 11:14am
Quote:
Originally Posted by NetworkTV View Post

Well, he actually did. Now that HDNet is back on the main tier, that $5 is for 5 channels.

Maybe if they get the Voom Channels and MOJO in there to boost the channel count on the package, I'll consider it. At least they'll be more choices even if the non-repeated programming on each channel is a bit scarce.

The VOOM channels are owned by Echostar. Not likely they will ever be seen anyplace but Dish.
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post #13 of 260
12/12/07 at 11:18am
Quote:
Originally Posted by rdgrimes View Post

The VOOM channels are owned by Echostar. Not likely they will ever be seen anyplace but Dish.

Unless I'm mistaken, they only own the bird, not the programming. I believe they are open for anyone to buy in on. Besides, aren't at least a few of the channels appearing on some cable systems already?
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post #14 of 260
12/12/07 at 11:31am
Quote:
Originally Posted by rdgrimes View Post

The VOOM channels are owned by Echostar. Not likely they will ever be seen anyplace but Dish.

Want to bet?
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post #15 of 260
12/12/07 at 11:38am
From the 'sticky' at the top of the forum:

How much will the new HD channels cost?
DirecTV HD access for non-premium channels is currently $9.99 per month. Premium HD access (HBO, Showtime, Starz!, etc.) is included with premium channel subscription. A new HD programming package, the 'HD Extra Pack' contains HDNet Movies, MHD, Universal HD, The Smithsonian Channel HD, and MGM HD. It's currently free as part of the new HD rollout, but after 12/15/07 the cost is an additional $4.99 per month. The reason given is these channels do not have an SD counterpart. The latest update (12/7/07) is that HDNet and DirecTV have resolved their law suit over the HD Extra Pack. HDNet will remain in the standard HD tier and HDNet Movies will now be included in the HD Extra Pack. Details can be found here: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=935780
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post #16 of 260
12/12/07 at 11:44am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ken H View Post

Want to bet?

If you're taking bets, I'll put some gold pressed latinum down on your side...

I think at this point, they'd pick up the channels just to tick off Charlie...
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post #17 of 260
12/12/07 at 11:51am
Quote:
Originally Posted by NetworkTV View Post

If you're taking bets, I'll put some gold pressed latinum down on your side...

I think at this point, they'd pick up the channels just to tick off Charlie...

Well, as you noted they are already available on Dish, Cablevision, and 4 of them are on ExpressVu in Canada.
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post #18 of 260
12/12/07 at 11:55am
In general they need to stop charging extra for HD. We all pay for something we don't watch. HD needs to be spread out over all subscribers, period. Raise everyone by a buck and call it a day.
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post #19 of 260
12/12/07 at 11:56am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ken H View Post

Well, as you noted they are already available on Dish, Cablevision, and 4 of them are on ExpressVu in Canada.

Why do you think I'm taking the bet?
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post #20 of 260
12/12/07 at 1:11pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by NetworkTV View Post

Why do you think I'm taking the bet?

You're smarter than the average bear?
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post #21 of 260
12/12/07 at 2:28pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ken H View Post

You're smarter than the average bear?

I think there's some people around here who think I'm more "bull" than "bear"...

However, I figure it will get to the point where D* will add them just to ensure E* can't pass them by adding the same mainstream channels - then claiming more HD by including Voom. D* is taking the "new HD leader" thing seriously.

I wouldn't be surprised if part of the reason for the "extra pack" was to prepare for a deal with Voom...
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post #22 of 260
12/12/07 at 2:40pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ken H View Post

Well, as you noted they are already available on Dish, Cablevision, and 4 of them are on ExpressVu in Canada.

Cablevision is also an Echostar affiliate. Wouldn't surprise me if the other is also.
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post #23 of 260
12/12/07 at 4:06pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ken H View Post

You're smarter than the average bear?

Is that bear or beer?
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post #24 of 260
12/12/07 at 5:25pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by rdgrimes View Post

Cablevision is also an Echostar affiliate. Wouldn't surprise me if the other is also.

EchoStar and Cablevision are two completely separate companies that are competition with each other as well as Cablevision owning Voom programming. Cablevision will sell Voom programming to whomever will pay them for it including D*, if D* wants it.
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post #25 of 260
12/12/07 at 6:18pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ken H View Post

From the 'sticky' at the top of the forum:

How much will the new HD channels cost?
DirecTV HD access for non-premium channels is currently $9.99 per month. Premium HD access (HBO, Showtime, Starz!, etc.) is included with premium channel subscription. A new HD programming package, the 'HD Extra Pack' contains HDNet Movies, MHD, Universal HD, The Smithsonian Channel HD, and MGM HD. It's currently free as part of the new HD rollout, but after 12/15/07 the cost is an additional $4.99 per month. The reason given is these channels do not have an SD counterpart. The latest update (12/7/07) is that HDNet and DirecTV have resolved their law suit over the HD Extra Pack. HDNet will remain in the standard HD tier and HDNet Movies will now be included in the HD Extra Pack. Details can be found here: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=935780

on/about 12/15 if we didnt order the 4.99 pack these channels will just not be available correct....or is it that we get them and get charged unless we let them know we dont want them ?
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post #26 of 260
12/12/07 at 10:11pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by dcowboy7 View Post

on/about 12/15 if we didnt order the 4.99 pack these channels will just not be available correct....or is it that we get them and get charged unless we let them know we dont want them ?

FWIW, I got my bill for Dec (through Jan 3rd) a few days ago and there were no changes. But then again, I still haven't "upgraded" to MPEG4 equipment.

It sure would be nice if DirecTV would show some signs/plans of correcting the PQ on their legacy HDLite channels, before requiring me to pay more or re-upping for another two years..
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post #27 of 260
12/13/07 at 5:21am
Quote:
Originally Posted by HDTVChallenged View Post

FWIW, I got my bill for Dec (through Jan 3rd) a few days ago and there were no changes. But then again, I still haven't "upgraded" to MPEG4 equipment.

Curious. What does DirectTV charge, with taxes, for a basic HD package with local channels? How much extra for premium channels, HBO, Showtime?

Also, what do they charge for an HD-DVR? And what is the installation charge? Do you pay for equipment upgrades (like MPEG4)?
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post #28 of 260
12/13/07 at 5:56am
What happens to those with old MPEG 2 equipment, who only receive the old HD channels come December 15th? Will they lose Universal HD and HDNET Movies?
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post #29 of 260
12/13/07 at 6:08am
Quote:
Originally Posted by sheldonison View Post

Curious. What does DirectTV charge, with taxes, for a basic HD package with local channels? How much extra for premium channels, HBO, Showtime?

Also, what do they charge for an HD-DVR? And what is the installation charge? Do you pay for equipment upgrades (like MPEG4)?

http://www.bestdealsatellite.com/dir...alculator.html

and/or

http://www.americansatellite.com/prog/main.asp
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post #30 of 260
12/13/07 at 6:16am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ken H View Post

Want to bet?

Does anybody really think that VOOM will be around AT ALL now that REAL channels are going HD ?????

Unless they can get distribution, they'll have a tough time getting revenue, and without advertising, they need subscription revenue, which means they need real programming to attract tier subscribers. It's a "lose-lose" proposition.
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