Expertsatellite

Over 20,000 DirecTV customers have filed complaints on DirecTV with the Better Business Bureau in the past three years. Those complaints are just regarding cancellation fees that customers were never informed of and don’t include everything else that could go wrong with their service. The result of all these complaints is that the Better Business Bureau has changed DirecTV’s rating from a grade of C-minus to NR for “No Rating.” This means that the company has received so many complaints that the company's grade is now below failing.
I know when I signed up for DirecTV they did tell me about the two-year contract, but informed me of cancellation charges. So being a DirecTV customer I couldn’t help but feel somewhat concerned. So I did a little digging, actually a little is an understatement; a lot of digging sounds more like it. Sure people are complaining about cancellation fees but there must be a reason why they cancelled in the first place, right?
The first thing I tried doing was to find their contract. This was a mission in its self. After several hours, about 50 different websites, and a couple of Hot Pockets later, I finally found the “Terms and Conditions.” They read more like stereo instructions then a contract, but from what I could understand the fee for canceling their service is $20 x Months Remaining. This I was unaware of. I have had DirecTV for six months now and I have never seen this contract, nor did anyone tell me when ordering. Now I understand why this fee came to be a surprise to most people. They don’t tell the subscribers about it and the fees are hidden so well with in that contract, it’s like they were hiding buried treasure from a boat full of angry pirates.
Still they will only charge you these fees if you cancel your service. So I decided to look into some of the reasons why people have cancelled their service. Some of the things I found were normal everyday stuff you would expect when running a business. On the other hand there were some things I found that concerned me.
Local channels are huge for a lot of people when it comes to TV, even if you don’t watch them regularly. ABC, NBC, CBS, and FOX are local channels. Now if you were a customer coming from cable, you wouldn’t think twice about the availability of these channels. They have always just, been there. Well, what DirecTV fails to tell you is that your local channels are not always available. So if you don’t ask they won’t tell, which seems like a reoccurring theme with them. So you might be signing up for two years of television service without your locals. That means no local news, no local sports, and no Simpsons! I lucked out on this one. I live in a major city so my local channels were available. If you live too far away from a major city you may not be so lucky.
The major reason I found for people canceling their service is somewhat ridiculous. I couldn’t believe it at first, but it starts with DirecTV’s prize possession the NFL Sunday Ticket. Now try to follow this because it’s a crazy scheme DirecTV has come up with!
DirecTV has a football package called NFL Sunday Ticket. What they do is rope you in by offering their best programming package “Premier” free for five months, if you order the NFL Sunday Ticket. Here is the price break down:
NFL Sunday Ticket = 5 Payment of $59.99 Premier Package = $109.99 (first 5 month’s free)
So there is some savings there but that’s how they get you. When you sign up for DirecTV and the installer comes to your house he will hook up a DirecTV receiver to each TV. What they fail to tell you is, that you will get whatever model receiver the installer has to best fit your package. You couldn’t request the newest models even if you wanted to. So if you are getting an HD programming package and the installer has an older model HD receiver lying around that’s what you’re getting.
Most people wouldn’t even notice the difference when it comes to the receiver and that’s what DirecTV counts on. When you sign up for the NFL Sunday Ticket they don’t tell you the terms and conditions. Why? Because you didn’t ask! It states, “**A D10 (or later model) interactive DIRECTV Receiver is required.” So you’re probably thinking what happens if the installer doesn’t give me the right receiver for your Sunday Ticket? No problem DirecTV’s got you covered. If you want a new receiver whether it’s because you want a newer model or even if the receiver broke DirecTV will gladly replace it and here is how.
On most occasions they will make you pay upward to $199 to upgrade your receiver. If it’s broken they will replace it for free with the same model. What they didn’t tell you “because you didn’t ask” is that, every time you upgrade or replace a receiver it renews your contract with them for another 2-years. This is the main reason why 20,000 people are surprised when they receive a cancellation fee of $480. I would be surprised too! They offer you this great deal to save money. They sell you the NFL Sunday Ticket, and then give you the wrong receivers forcing you to buy new ones, putting you into a longer contract. So in the long run you end up spending more money then you were going to save! ONE BIG SCHEME!!!
I have read a lot of stories about how customers confront DirecTV about this. Some people get hung up on, some get calls from collections, and a lot of them are forced to pay the cancellation fee, but all of them just hit dead ends with no way out.
If DirecTV is going to treat its customers this way, how will they treat me if I ever have a problem? I don’t know, but I don’t want to stick around to find out. I have no intention of staying with DirecTV, and you should be extremely cautious if you are considering it.

Satellite TV, the leading satellite provider in the country has started its HD expansion during September for which Satellite TV has launched DIRECTV 10. Satellite TV has announced that its planning to launch more than 150 National and 1500 Local HD Channels. For this expansion DIRECTV has set to launch DIRECTV 11 into space by end of the year or beginning of 2008. The time taken to park the satellite and receive the signals will be far less comparing DIRECTV 10 as DIRECTV 11 launch is from Sea Launch and its located on the equator. Its clear Satellite TV, will start its Second phase of its HD expansion by March or April 2008?

DIRECT TV, the leading satellite television provider in the country has added more than 85 national high-definition channels from nine channels in Sepetember and DIRECT TV is on its verge to complete its committed 100 national HD channels by the year end.
Other Cable and Satellite TV operators are trying to catch-up with DIRECT TV. Time Warner has added some channels in high-definition in Queens in the New York area. Time Warner and other Cable operators have limited resources but they try different technologies to expand the HD channels.

Phillip Swann, president of TVPredictions.com has been predicting about satellite TV and many issues oriented with media, his predictions have come true in many aspects and he himself clarifies that he was not always right but his prediction success rate is very high.
Before the end of the year 2007, Swann makes a prediction that DIRECTV and EchoStar Will Merge in 2008. The merger will make a big and huge company and powerful to give a better service. The analyst feels that if this merger happens that will be a huge boost to the Industry and Cable Companies will find very tough to compete.

DIRECT TV, the leading satellite telivision provider in the country will air The Ultimate Fighting Championship's UFC 79: NEMESIS on pay-per-view at 10 pm EST which will feature Matt Hughes battling Georges St-Pierre for the interim UFC Welterweight Championship on December 29, 2007. The event is being broadcasted live from THE MANDALAY EVENTS CENTER inLAS VEGAS. Also to be telecasted the match-up between Luis Cane vs. James Irvin, Nate Mohr vs. Manny Gamburyan, Jordan Radev vs. Dean Lister, Roan Carneiro vs. Tony DeSouza, and Mark Bocek vs. Doug Evans.

Subscribers who register for DIRECT TV before December 31, 2007 will be eligible for THREE Free months of SHOWTIME and Starz Movie Channels. This offer is valid for New Subscribers who sign-up for DIRECT TV. The free programming will begin from Second week of January 2008 and will end by April 2008.

DIRECT TV, the leading satellite TV provider in the country which carry Smithsonian Channel in its channel line-up. Smithsonian Channel has added Hidden Armour, Found Treasures to its series lineup. The show is produced by Michael Hoff Productions and mainly features San Francisco's antique arms and armor auction house head Greg Martin as main host and will be joined by Emmy Award winner twice Malou Nubla. Subscribers can see demonstrations that investigate into the mechanics of weapons and show how they work, and the viewers can follow the process and see what happens when these items actually come to market.

DIRECT TV had conducted a survey with their HDTV customers to share the reasons for going HD . The findings of the survey is interesting and for sure this survey would help shoppers to make their holiday shopping better choice. The survey findings are
The top ranked is the subscribers wants to watch in high-definition of The Muhammad Ali vs. George Foreman boxing match held in Africa and Hank Aaron's 755th home run followed behind.
chef Emeril Lagasse followed Rachel Ray as he took the lead poition in kitchen in the best cooking holiday Turkey in HD.
While watching sports in high-definition football scored behind The best Superbowl beer advt.
On Animal Planet HD Sharks scored #1 as humans could reach only third spot.
A new HDTV seems to be at the top of everyone's shopping list this holiday season," said Jon Gieselman, senior Vice president, DIRECTV Marketing. "Hopefully this survey will give customers an interesting glimpse into how their viewing experience can dramatically improve if they make sure that their new flat screen is connected to the best television source available."

Robert Mercer, DIRECT TV spokesman said that DIRECT TV and Cox Communication reach a settlement on the lawsuit in which DIRECT TV charged Cox with false advertising regarding HDTV. The lawsuit was filed back in October charging Cox as false and misleading statements about the HD quality comparing Cox picture with DIRECTV HD picture. Cox has agreed to remove the claim from that 'HD looks better with cable' from its website. DIRECT TV's lawsuit against Comcast regarding false advertisement is still pending in court.

DIRECT TV will start broadcasting The N channel on 303 from December 31, 2007 and Noggin will remain on channel 298. At present Noggin is for preschoolers and commercial free Network dedicated to pre-schoolers and broadcasted between 6am to 6pm. The N could be watched between 6pm to 6am for kids and teens aged between 9 to 14. From 31st December kids and teens can watch both channels The N and Naggin seperately.

DIRECT TV, the leading satellite TV provider in the country will bring boxing event for the holidays. DIRECT TV will be covering Teiken Promotions presenting Cancun Night of Champions this Saturday evening LIVE. Two young champions Jorge Linares and Edwin Valero will be defending for the champioship at Plaza de Toros Mexico.
In the other event, Edwin Valero, WBA Super featherweight Champion will defend his title against Zaid Zavaleta. The other battle is between Jorge Linares defending his title against Gamaliel Diaz. As the holidays are nearing its a nice treat for boxing fans packed with action.

Big Ten Network launched during the last week of August was added into DIRECT TV's basic package at no extra cost. The Big Ten Network will provide wrestling and hockey on Fridays in January and Febraury for six weeks. Wrestling team from every region will make an appearence on Big Ten Network as Big Ten will broadcast 11 total events and 10 of those and portions of the Midlands Classics will be live. Big Ten president Mark Silverman said 'The Big Ten is the nation’s most powerful wrestling conference and there is a strong following for the sport in Big Ten Country, We look forward to bringing the best of college wrestling to a national audience.'

There is a huge debate on high-definition programming as whether cable will lose HD viewers in 2008 to satellite TV because of DIRECT TV's high-definition expansion. Phillip Swann president and publisher of TVPredictions.compredicts the year 2008 will be year of HD programming and many channels would go for HD. As DIRECT TV for past 18 to 24 months were mainly concentrating on HD programming and able to reach 100 new HD channels but cable is mainly discussing about triple play. Phillip Swann's prediction for year 2008 is for television its going to be dominated by DIRECT TV, mainly on HD front.

DIRECT TV, the leading satellite provider in the country will bring Brigham Young University(BYU) Athletics basketball game against Michigan State on Saturday, Dec. 8 at 2.00 PM.MT. The game will be broadcasted on BYU TV live from EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City on channel 374. BYU has control on television broadcast rights of the game and Versus and BYU TV are provided rights to broadcast live nationwide.
BYU Director of Athletics Tom Holmoe said "We are excited for the opportunity to air the BYU-Michigan State game nationally on BYU Television, Our goal is to continue to find ways to broadcast live sporting events to our fans across the United States and throughout the world. We appreciate the long-standing relationship we've enjoyed with BYUTV."

DIRECT TV, the leading satellite TV provider in the country had extended its agreement with NDS. NDS, a UK based solution provider for broadcaster, network TV providers for the deployment of digital TV technologies and also for digital video recorders, secure broadband, interactivity, home networks.
DIRECT TV extended the contract with NDS for the conditional access technology till June 2013. Romulo Pontual, chief technology officer of DIRECTV said "NDS has consistently provided secure and flexible conditional access technology, "We have extended the term of our relationship with NDS based on the dependability of NDS conditional access technologies and related services."

DIRECT TV is expected to add Madison Square Garden(MSG) and FSN NY in high-definition from today. NHL Center Ice and NBA League Pass customers of DIRECT TV in New York will be happy to hear this as these channels cover the Knicks, Islanders, Devils, Rangers, and Sabres. Cablevision which owns MSG HD and FSN New York HD has broadcast rights to the New York Knicks, New York Rangers the New York Islanders and the New Jersey Devils. From nine HD channels in September DIRECT TV claims that they have more than 85 channels in HD.

DIRECT TV, the leading satellite provider in the country and DISH Network carry NFL Network and The Big Ten Network for almost 110 million homes with televisions. But Iowa sports fans are most concerned about the stalemate between Big Ten Network and Mediacom. When Big Ten started during August DIRECT TV is the only provider in the country to quickly settle down for a settlement to carry the Big Ten Network in the basic tier but other providers and Cable were not able to settle for a deal. Big Ten will take atleast two to three years to gain access to basic cable of operators said Industry experts.

The wrestling meet between No 1 and No 2 Minnesota and Iowa State televised on Big Ten Network yesterday was won by No 2 Iowa State. This is first time in 21 years that a No 2 team beat a No 1 team. This match was televised on Big Ten Network its President Mark Silverman said, " It doesn't get any better than this No 1 vs No 2 meet, The Big Ten is honored to bring this event to more than 30 million homes in US.

DIRECT TV, the leading satellite TV provider in the country has signed a deal with Rotana Audio Visual Company which operators TV channels in the Middle East, this will allow Rotana owned by Prince Al-Waleed to beam its program into United States without hinderance from federal regulators.

DIRECT TV, the leading satellite TV provider in the country has 5 channels in Chinese language programmingin Jadeworld package in International programming. DIRECT TV viewers can now enjoy comprehensive range of news and entertainment from Hong Kong, Taiwan, and mainland China.
Following are the channels in Jadeworld package:-

Channel Name	Channel Number
CCTV-4	454
TVB-1	450
TVB-2	451
TVB Entertainment	453
TVBS	452

What is up with Shuresh (not sure it's spelled right). I thought he was on Noah Bennet's side. That he wanted to put a stop to the company. I can't believe he shot and killed Bennet. Then he uses Claire's blood to bring him back to life but leaves him strapped to a gurney sompelace in I'm assuming is the company. I thought Shuresh was a hero but now he seem to be a villain. We recently got HDTV in Texas and I'm telling you this is definitely the way to watch this show. You can really experience all the emotion of the characters. Some of them look even more creepy because of the hd.

PBS televises a lot of great shows but for me a novice chef (o.k. cook) I'm grateful for all the cooking shows. One of my favorite is Americas Test Kitchen. Not only do they have great recipes but they also give great tips on the best cookware and food products. I like this show so much that I actually subscribe to their cooking magazine called Cooks Illustrated. If you like great food check out this show. If you're not into food I'm sure PBS still has something that will interest you.

Polar Express was one of my son's favorite books when he was little. We would sit and read it every holiday season. I just loved the illustrations. The movie for me personally doesn't have quite the same charm as the book. Tom Hanks is a great actor and the movie Polar Express got great reviews. However not all books make great movies. Seeing as how it's the holiday season maybe I'll give the movie another shot. I saw that's it's on this week on ABC.

This is one of the best new shows on the CW network. Although it does remind me of a show I saw on the SciFi channel called Brimstone in which a deceased detective works for the devil capturing and returning souls to hell. This series was pretty dark. Reaper on the other hand is a laugh a minute. Sam, who is a clerk in chain store has been forced into servitude for the devil. He too must capture and return souls to hell. What's hysterical is how he does it. He's used a vacuum cleaner, a remote control truck, a lightning rod and all other manner of things. If you haven't already see this show then check it out. You won't be sorry.

When Daniel's father died you knew that Betty would eventually go back to work for him. That story line was so predictable. So was Wilhelmina's. The difference was you didn't know to what lengths Wilhelmina would go to gain control of Mode. Tune in to see who shall reign victorious. Watch tonights episode on ABC.