Introduction

In 1994, a subsidiary of Hughes Electronic, General Motors launched DirecTV. Currently, it is the tv provider for 15 million customers in the U.S plus another 2 million from Latin America making its revenue achieving $ 3.15 billion in the year 2005. They have maintained as the biggest satelite TV provider in the U.S. even with the competition of other companies like Dish Network. The competition in the industry did not make them slack in their business at all.

The reason DirecTV became the top provider for satellite TV is because they are the first to provide Direct Broadband Satellite System (DBS). It is the first high-powered broadcast system in the world where they use Ku-Band for their transmission. This enables the use of smaller dish for receiving the TV service. The size for the dish set used by DirecTV is only 18” x 24”, very convenient.

DirecTV Programming

One of the best things about DirecTV is its programming.

Subscribers can enjoy up to 225 channels. They also provide exclusive sports channels like NHL Center Ice, MLB Extra Innings, NY Yankee Games, NFL Sunday and NBA League Passes. Basically, you can choose your selection of channels and it would be like having exclusive passes to all the huge games that you desire to watch. It is perfect for sports fanatic.

If you like international channels, you can get Chinese language and Spanish language channels with DirectTV. This is all available with their PARA TODOS service. There are 45 channels in Spanish for you to choose from which covers movies, news, music and education. As for Chinese language programs, you can get 24 hours programming with Phoenix TV.

DirecTV Pricing

As for the price, DirecTV offers very affordable packages. Their basic package is only $31.99 per month. They provide up to 4 satellite dishes for first time subscribers which the customer can choose to be installed in four different rooms. If you purchase through dealers, you might want to look for those who provide free gifts like DVD player, home theatre system, digital camera, mobile phones or even free movie channels. However, you must read through the terms and condition first because most free gifts will only come if you subscribe with a minimum one year contract of your subscription with them.

Comparing DirecTV with other TV companies

Compared to their closest competition Dish Network, DirecTV and Dish Network both provide identical services. Both companies provide almost the same features like the program selection, DVR (DIGITAL VIDEO RECORDING) function, High Definition TV and so on. The only thing that differentiates the two companies is their prices. Price comparison proves that DirecTV’s packages are slightly more expensive compared to Dish Network’s packages. However, the higher price comes with more channels. So, it really isn’t a big difference in the price between these 2 companies. To learn more, read Dish Network vs DirecTV.

If you compare DirecTV with the cable TV service, it is a totally different story because the service that DirecTV provides is much more superior compared to the service provided by a cable TV service. Cable TV can not provide the 100% digital picture and audio quality that DirecTV can. It also could not give you a huge selection of channels and HDTV at a low cost. The only thing that they can provide that the satellite TV could not provide is the ability to surf the internet. Ir ca provide stable internet conection to its users but it will depend on the weather. If you experience bad weather in your area, you cable TV service will most likely to expereince error.

Another added value for choosing DirecTV is their easy installation system where you can basically do it by referring to the manual guides. However, there is a little complication involve with the wiring. Therefore, it will still be wiser to hire a professional installer to install your dish. Most of the dealers will provide installation in their packages leaving you absolutely no worries regarding this issue.

Ordering DirecTV deals

To get you DirecTV packages, there is two wasy to do it. You ca either order it online or just but the package from dealers in their shops. Ordering online actually gives you advantages because it provides concise information regarding what you are paying for. You can compare and compare over an over again until you reach your ideal selection. By ordering online, you also get better deals. You have more chances of getting free gifts because online retailers have a lower cost in their business making them possible to offer you more great gifts.

This will lead the ultimate question of how to find legitimate online retailer. You should know how their system works before you eventually make your choice. T is actually simple. Most of the online retailer has tools on their web page that provide you help in choosing your order. You can even schedule the installation date for the company to come and install the dish. All the equipment can also be choose to be shipped to your house or alternatively, the technician brings it along with him during his visit. All these can be arrange. Everything is so simple. The only thing you need to make sure is there is someone at home when the technician comes to your place to do installation.

DirecTV users, say ‘bye-bye’ to KJZZ TV as DirecTV has turned KJZZ TV down on a retransmission consent agreement. The TV channel KJZZ-TV, is a local independent TV station that carries the Jazz basketball games, local sports and syndicated programming. Suspension of the TV program started at midnight Dec 31, 2008.

According to Chris Baum, General Manager of KJZZ-TV, “DirecTV has denied KJZZ TV a retransmission consent agreement. They have deemed that the 16 premiere Jazz games produced in High Definition and aired by KJZZ are of no value to their customers. Although DirecTV profits from KJZZ programming by way of monthly satellite fees to their subscribers, it has never paid for programming created or provided by KJZZ. We have established fair and reasonable agreements with the other satellite providers as well as many local cable companies. We are shocked by their decision.”

The news was covered at NBA.com and the officials are actually telling their fans to switch to ComCast or Dish Network for more NBA actions. In full words, here’s what written in NBA.com’s news release:

SALT LAKE CITY (December 31, 2008) -As of midnight, December 31, DirecTV will no longer carry KJZZ TV channel 14. If you are a DirecTV subscriber, you will not longer get any programming that KJZZ airs, including the 12 Utah Jazz games that are scheduled to run between now and April 10. DirecTV subscribers will either need to change to another cable / satellite provider (Dish Network, Comcast or other local cable company), or access the KJZZ signal free via a home TV antenna.

Cable and satellite providers normally pay TV stations for their programming content. DirecTV has not been compensating KJZZ for any of its programming and yet they are paying other local TV stations for their signals. KJZZ has requested that DirecTV pay a similar and fair fee to what they pay to other Salt Lake stations, but they have refused to do so. KJZZ TV has had a long standing agreement with Dish Network, Comcast and many other local cable companies, who do compensate KJZZ for carrying its signal.

If you are a DirecTV subscriber and want to complain to DirecTV, their number is: 1-800-531-5000

Jazz fans, I think you guys know what to do if you wish to stay close with your favorite basketball team.

It’s awful to tell but it’s true that I am seeing more and more DirecTV complaints filed online.

Unprofessional customer supports, hidden charges on installations, suspension on various sports programming, and billing mistakes – some DirecTV users are getting loads of trouble with their satellite TV deals.

Dimitriy’s case: Free DirecTV installation’s not free

A recent post by Alex Jarvis at Consumerist.com revealed one of these nightmare stories with DirecTV. Dimitriy, an ex-DirecTV customer, claims that he was charged extra fees for a ‘free DirecTV installation’. What’s worse – his phone call to customer supports was hung up!

Quoting in his full words at Consumerists, here’s what happened:

DirecTV complaint by Dimitriy

After purchasing HDTV this Black Friday, I have been looking for a good TV service and frankly there is no company with deals such as DirecTV’s. As much as I look, I can’t find another company that would offer over 40 HD channels, plus 5 Russian channels for under $100. So, of course, when I saw the current promotions you’re running, I jumped on the it and signed up momentarily. During online sign up process I was promised “No equipment to buy or startup costs” and “Professional installation included — free”, however when installers arrived, they wanted me to pay additional fees of at least $250.

They explained that additional equipment is required for installation on our apartment building roof (“flat roof”) and that DirecTV was not going to cover it. So I canceled that order and went on to try to find another deal with another company. Well, as I wrote earlier, there are no other companies that offer any deals even remotely similar to DirectTV’s, so I signed up again and decided to call customer service and explain my situation. When I called, I was met with a wall of misunderstanding. I was told that the “Professional installation included — free” was really just a standard installation, and that there were, possibly, many more charges I’ll have to pay in order to get my service installed and whenever I asked the representative to transfer me to their supervisor, they simply hung up on me.

Sure enough, the blog post sparks heated discussion. More than 63 comments had been added since the post was published, revealing more dissatisfying experience with DirecTV. There are, nevertheless, some who defend for the satellite TV company and one of the best I read would be the one by Kevin:

Comment by Kevin

I don’t want to but I feel like I have to somewhat side with DirecTV on this one. There is standard installation and there is extra installation. Working within the confines of a single-family home is pretty standard. Working within the expansive space of an apartment building is more involved.
If you live on the north side of a mountain and the only way to get direcTV signal is to route a line all the way to the top of the mountain and then erect a 40′ pole to get your dish above the treeline would you expect that to be included too?

Sometimes your life just isn’t standard. Unfortunately thats why fine-print exists. At least they didn’t hold you to the contract you committed to.

Sorry, I’m “that guy” today.

Bottom line: Pick the right satellite TV retailer

Well, it’s true that sometimes Americans just like to complain too much but for this case, I believe Dimitriy has his point to be frustrated.

A free installation should be a *free installation*. Don’t get ripped of by unethical retailers “clever” wordplay and fine-print-mining on the part of the CSR. Clever until they hung up on our tipster. Satellite TV shoppers, Dish Network or DirecTV, should always make sure you get what you are paying.

For DirecTV, I suggest my readers to order directly from the officials; and for Dish Network, AllSat is the one I trusted the most. In case online purchase is not for you, call 1-800-680-8671.