Will you buy DirecTV's HD Extra pack?

[DodgerKing]

Originally Posted by borromini

Heh, I thought maybe he was one of GW's speech writers.

In the last two posts addressed too me, I have been compared to two opposing political figures.


OK, I stand corrected.

[holtzd]

We have been paying $10 for 9 channels for a long time. Why not pay $5 for 5 channles that are HD all the time?

You could switch to Dish and pay $20 and get those awesome VOOM channels.

[rickbbb]

Actually when you pay for the HD Extra Pack ...it will include any future HD channel's that Directv will add..for example..there are a handful of new HD channel's coming sometime in November and more in December and MORE in January !!! ALL IS INCLUDED !!! Except for any new Pay Per view HD channel's or Sports related HD channel's.

[jnester74]

I am a little confused. I thought if you already had a contract for HD with them that you wouldn't have to pay this.
Isn't this for new customers only?

If not isn't that a breach of contract?

[lawnchair13]

Originally Posted by holtzd

We have been paying $10 for 9 channels for a long time. Why not pay $5 for 5 channles that are HD all the time?

You could switch to Dish and pay $20 and get those awesome VOOM channels.

Not really my point. If anything, those that have been paying $10.00 for 9 channels should be getting some sort of customer loyalty payoff like the whole package for no more than the $10.00.

HD has been slow in coming and I for one, even if I'm in the minority don't want to contribute to the nickel and dime-ing of consumers. If this initial tier packaging works for D* where does it end? We’ll be encouraging them to continue to repackage and raise costs.

HD has been on a slow roll, but HD has been mandated, there will eventually be no SD and I see this as a ploy to gouge the consumer (us) ahead of the curve.

If it were a package of commercial free real HD content like HBO or whatever, I might not consider it to be as much of a gouge, but that’s not the case.

The only people I see buying the HD Extra Pack are those with more money than brains or those that don’t care about or comprehend the future ramifications. If a majority of subscribers opt NOT to buy the HD Extra Pack, it will break down and be repackaged across the board just as before.

I expect a lot of heat for that last part, sorry, but it's just my opinion.

[sugarshay]

I signed up for the Extra Pack a month ago on DTV website.

[DodgerKing]

Originally Posted by sugarshay

I signed up for the Extra Pack a month ago on DTV website.

You must have more money than brains?


Refer to the post above yours...

[bruceames]

Originally Posted by lawnchair13

HD has been on a slow roll, but HD has been mandated, there will eventually be no SD and I see this as a ploy to gouge the consumer (us) ahead of the curve.

HD has not been mandated. Where did you get that from? Maybe you're confusing HD with digital? (as opposed to analog signals)

[rickbbb]

What a NASTY thing to say. Actually we got the extra pack because we're not cheapskates.Also,I'll be able to get more HD channel's not available to someone who has the regular HD channel's.

[DodgerKing]

Originally Posted by rickbbb

What a NASTY thing to say. Actually we got the extra pack because we're not cheapskates.Also,I'll be able to get more HD channel's not available to someone who has the regular HD channel's.

The thing is, Lawnchair can make a good argument for his side without resorting to name calling and belittle those who have a different take. When people do this, then they their argument fails due to the change of focus from the point of the argument to the defense of personal attacks. I defended him when someone else said his TV is crappy, he needs to not resort to the same level of rhetoric.

[rickbbb]

I was responding to the way you put down that other poster earlier.

[DodgerKing]

Originally Posted by lawnchair13

Not really my point. If anything, those that have been paying $10.00 for 9 channels should be getting some sort of customer loyalty payoff like the whole package for no more than the $10.00.

yeah, they should just give away inventory.

I will say this, sometimes it is good for a company to reward its consumers in some way, but they cannot do it in a way that may cost them a profit. Direct has been more than generous too me and many others over the last few years. I have received free equipment, upgrades, and even free programming from time to time. I am not going to complain because they realign some of their programming package options.

HD has been slow in coming and I for one, even if I'm in the minority don't want to contribute to the nickel and dime-ing of consumers. If this initial tier packaging works for D* where does it end? We’ll be encouraging them to continue to repackage and raise costs.

That is your choice. Isn't that what this whole thing boils down to anyway, "choice"? One can chose to pay $5 for 6 additional channels (3 of which used to be part of a 9 HD channel package for twice as much), or not pay the extra $5 and be without 3 channels they used to get for $10.

HD has been on a slow roll, but HD has been mandated, there will eventually be no SD and I see this as a ploy to gouge the consumer (us) ahead of the curve.

HD is not mandated. Where did you get your information from?

If it were a package of commercial free real HD content like HBO or whatever, I might not consider it to be as much of a gouge, but that’s not the case.

Many of these channels are commercial free and all of them have 24/7 HD content. Again, where do you get your information from?

The only people I see buying the HD Extra Pack are those with more money than brains or those that don’t care about or comprehend the future ramifications.

Yeah that is it, belittle those with an opposing view; that is always a good way to get people on your side of the argument.

What would these future ramifications be? Does it have to do with the mandated HD broadcast or the commercials on HDNet and HDNet movies?

If a majority of subscribers opt NOT to buy the HD Extra Pack, it will break down and be repackaged across the board just as before.

Perhaps or perhaps they would move even more stations to this extra package to make it more enticing.

I expect a lot of heat for that last part, sorry, but it's just my opinion.

Yeah....

[DodgerKing]

Originally Posted by rickbbb

I was responding to the way you put down that other poster earlier.

Read it again and notice the small font comment on the bottom...

It was called sarcasm. I was referring to what another poster said. I do not think that.

Hint: Read Lawnchairs post above and my response to him above this one.

[rickbbb]

My apologies.

[lawnchair13]

Originally Posted by rickbbb

What a NASTY thing to say. Actually we got the extra pack because we're not cheapskates.Also,I'll be able to get more HD channel's not available to someone who has the regular HD channel's.

Sorry, I didn't mean to offend anyone. Like I said, it’s just My opinion. My dad use to say “opinions are like assholes, everyone has one.” ... and to be honest, sometimes I am one.

I’m not cheap by any means and an extra $5/mo would go unnoticed in my budget, but I would like a cost/value ratio that applies. I mean it’s just TV.

When they launch “HD Extra Pack II” in April and “HD Extra Pack III” in August, I guess every one will buy into those too at $5/mo each. I hear “HD Extra Pack IV” will really be a “Must Have”. If you shop at Neiman Marcus or fill up your Hummer 3x a week, I guess it’ll never affect you, but I’m looking at the long road and the big picture (pun intended).