Monthy fee for DirectTV? (1 Viewer)

[Tim Kline]

Wasn't sure what forum to put this in
Anyway, I'm paing $170 a month for my cable service. Included is my cable modem (which is like $40 a month), and my phone service (I'd say $30 a month), which leaves around $100 for Digital Cable on 2 TVs, with every pay movie station available. Basically, it's getting too expensive. Not that I can't afford it but I really feel that what I get really isn't worth the price I'm paying. (I'm especially POed about them saying how it's digital and all, but it's got all analog connections and when I called about it once the people didn't know what the heck I was talking about)
So, I know that there's satelite receivers that can do component video and optical audio connections and all that stuff, and that's really the type of stuff I want connected to my home theater (and maybe a basic box for the other TV would be fine)
If I were to switch to a satelite, after it's all installed, about how much does DirectTV with all of the channels cost per month, for 2 TVs? Would I really be saving or should I just stick with wannabe-digital cable? I don't want to just save like $10, for that I'd just stick with what I have till I move someday

 

[Jed M]

I don't think you will save much money, but you might as well look at the package they offer. I think it would be around 85 dollars for two tvs.
http://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/learn/...ce_Premire.jsp

 

[Tim Kline]

oh.. well what about local channels, will they come in? Like I heard you can't get UPN and stuff, did they fix that?

 

[Matt Gordon]

I'd look at Dish Network if I were you. Better quality of product (IMHO) and better customer service, and (sometimes) better price.

 

[Lew Crippen]

oh.. well what about local channels, will they come in? Like I heard you can't get UPN and stuff, did they fix that?

This depends on your local market. In mine (Dallas) all of the local channels are available from DirectTV. I would expect that it would be the same for Philadelphia.

 

[Tim Kline]

ok cool. One other thing I thought of. Is it true that in really bad storms you can't watch anything?

 

[Max Knight]

In bad weather (more than a light rain), you will sometimes get blackouts for a few minutes. Unless we are talking really powerful weather, the signal generally comes back pretty quickly.

I pay $5 to get all my local stations on DirecTV.

 

[Jim FC]

For new customers, local channels are included in all DirecTV programming packages. All they did was raise the price of each package by $5, but it's importatnt to note that it's not going to be $5 MORE for you to get locals as a new customer. You will get ALL locals, including UPN, WB, PBS, and independent stations.

You may end up paying about the same as you do now, but my guess is you'll be much more pleased with what you're paying for if you switch to either DTV or DISH. Better sound, better picture, and (probably) more channels.