DirecTV - The March to 100 National High Definition Channels

Post by **Shane** » Sat Jun 16, 2007 8:15 pm

I have 95 and 96 indicated as RSN (Regional Sports Network) channels. I could not be more specific because the networks shown on these channels vary according to the area of the country in which you live. I was not aware of 97, as it was not listed in any official documentation I could find ... and I wasn't about to travel to all the different RSN markets testing reception

Thanks,

- Shane

Post by **Shane** » Sat Jun 16, 2007 8:48 pm

Good point, I didn't think of that. I should have actually listed 102 to make up for channels 95 and 96. But still, I fail to see how that indicates any lack of research.

- Shane

regman · Post by **regman** » Mon Jun 18, 2007 11:48 pm

It's more like a "crawl" to 100 channels! We haven't even got NGCHD yet! DTV really has some ethical problems that they need to work on.

Post by **Shane** » Tue Jun 19, 2007 2:57 am

What has slowed them down is the launch of the satellite that is to carry these new channels. DirecTV 10 was originally scheduled for launch in the Spring, and is now scheduled for late July. They are still on-track to have the bulk of these new channels launched in September.

Please elaborate on their "ethical problems", as it would be useful for others to know.

Thanks,

- Shane

regman · Post by **regman** » Tue Jun 19, 2007 10:40 am

In terms of ethics I think that most of these have been well discussed. For example, the foisting of beta testing on the general public with the premature release of the H20-700. And being in denial about those issues.
(I won't go into the problems that I had with the old H10-250 - which I am stuck with and paid an exorbitant price for). Oh did I mention that they screwed me on the rebate?!?!

Announcing, months ahead of time, service upgrades that amount to "vaporware" for example, HD content expansion. One story has it that the "satellites are up and being calibrated" another that "they haven't even been launched" - so WHICH IS IT!

It's like they'll go to ANY measures to keep from losing customers to DISH or cable.

Customer support has multiple stories for the same problems and the stories with what tier you are in and within different individuals in the same tier. Don't they ever have staff meeting to compare notes? Don't they ever read these blogs? It's like they live in a cocoon like David the bubble boy.

They charged me for months for boxes that were not hooked up (they eventually reimbursed me). They can reprogram your card remotely but they don't know whether a box is service or not?

I personally feel that they would much better serving their customer base by being open, honest and upfront.

One time they cut my service off inadvertently (they actually owed ME money) and they blocked my phone from talking to a human representative. I had to use a phone line that wasn't in their automatic ID database.

Finally, please, stop calling me "one of our preferred customers" when we all know that is a crock of bullshit.

From a philosphical standpoint it never ceases to amaze me that America has become a "service" oriented society (rather than industrial/manufacturing) and we do such a pathetic, poor, job of this. We do it so bad in fact, we are even outsourcing service.

Richard · Post by **Richard** » Tue Jun 19, 2007 11:13 am

Gee, were you describing my cable company?

I service customers with Comcast, Charter, DIrecTV, Dish and any of them can have problems regardless of brand or company name. In the end it is a matter of choose your poison and those with problems will select the service that can deliver the signal, not the content.

akirby · Post by **akirby** » Tue Jun 19, 2007 12:17 pm

Meanwhile others (like me) have had the complete opposite experience with DirecTV over the last 11 years and some have had your experience with Dish and every Cable provider known to man.

No need to rant and rave and question their ethics. What you see as unethical behavior is most likely simple incompetency or a process breakdown.

regman · Post by **regman** » Tue Jun 19, 2007 4:36 pm

When you have enough negative experiences it's either arrogance, incompetence or poor ethics - you get to choose. It is difficult not to connect the dots.

[Shane] asked to list my greivances concerning their ethics. so I would hardly call it a "rant", more of factoid. I didn't make this stuff up. I still have DTV and am relatively happy with the service - at the moment, but these were my experiences.

I'm happy for you that you've had a joyous experience with them for 11 years. You are truly a blessed man (and I am sure that a lot of luck plays into it as well).

We could having this same conversation about Microsoft for that matter...