gburrell
join:2005-02-10
Wyckoff, NJ
| Former Dish subscriber
Well I have had both DirectTv and Dish and now am on cable due to satellites extra cost for equipment and HDTV. If satellite insists on penalizing existing subscribers with high cost to get new equipment and higher fees to get HDTV, people are going to switch back to cable. It used to be satellite was a lower cost option with more channels and choices, but now cable has turned that around. (At least in my area). Looking forward to Fios driving even more competition. |
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Transmaster
Don't Blame Me I Voted For Bill and Opus
join:2001-06-20
Cheyenne, WY
 ·Qwest.net
| Oh please
The reason why Cable is getting more customers is not because cable has better programing, for the most part it is the same. The reason is the bundled VoIP telephone service, and high speed internet.
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The older I get the more I prefer the company of my dogs over that of man kind. |
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dmh748
join:2002-03-07
Boston, MA | IPTV, not TelcoTV
With Covad, Earthlink could be a major force in IPTV.
The technology is being rolled out now. The question is whether Earthlink will grab this opportunity or whether they have their hands full with the cellphone distraction. |
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Pisgah Rider
join:2004-04-08
Inman, SC | Easy Fix
LOWER YOUR PRICES
Satellite was a good deal early on, but now it's about the same as cable in my area.Yes i know the picture can be better but theres still the weather issue so give me a reason to go dish.PRICE |
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pnh102
Reptiles Are Cuddly And Pretty
Premium
join:2002-05-02
Mount Airy, MD
 ·Comcast
| Satellite Ads Misleading
I've always hated the fact that satellite companies compare the price of their cheapest service to the price of the most expensive cable service. I remember the last time I priced satellite service... once i added all the channels I actually wanted to see the price was no better than cable!
Equipment costs are also a pain. I see no reason why satellite providers don't just rent out boxes the same way cable companies do.
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Only SHATNER is Kirk. |
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TKJunkMail
Enjoy the sun
Premium
join:2002-03-03
Avalon, NJ
 ·Sprint Mobile Broa..
·Comcast
| reply to Transmaster
Re: Oh please
said by Transmaster  :The reason why Cable is getting more customers is not because cable has better programing, for the most part it is the same. The reason is the bundled VoIP telephone service, and high speed internet. I think the bundled deals cable has been rolling out, especially the pkg of digital TV and broadband access with discounts for up to a year is hurting the satellite providers the most. I don't think the VOIP thrown in to the deals is making a big difference yet.
Another thing hurting DTV is their high pressure sales tactics. My 80 yr old parents were considering switching from Comcast to DTV(they don't use the internet), but DTV refused to send out a brochure with their choices. They kept trying to force a decision over the phone. Sales tactics like that will hurt them.
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Join Red Room Forum
BLOG tkjunkmail.blogspot.com
My Web Page |
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beetoo
@qwest.net
| DTV
The service seems to be degrading. I ordered Directv on Aug 14, it was supposed to be installed on Saturday, but, the installer "Accidently" closed the mdu box, and locked it, how convenient, he was a jackass and said, he had no time to wait for us to go get the key.
So, it was rescheduled for yesterday. The installer came, but the pussy refused to install because there were clouds over head. And, GOD forbid a water drop lands on him...EEK...
Anyways, I think that with cable, people dont have these installation issues, as the installers are usually not sub contractors.
And, it definately is the bundled packages, and no credit checks, and no contracts with cable, well, unless you get an uber special. |
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JSRoman
Premium
join:2005-03-10
Callahan, FL
| Nothing new here.
Basically what you are seeing is the ability of cable network to offer more services. I have Directv and I'm very happy with service and money I pay for it but I know that they only service I will get from DTV is video. Internet via satellite really isn't an affordable option. Since most cable services are now offering video,internet and phone it makes sense that they are gaining more subs and more subs are sticking to their services. A large portion of those gains can be directly linked to 3 service bundles currently being offered.
Comcast's 'triple play' wins fans on Wall St.
»www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/busi···2346.htm
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A shotgun blast to the head will clear that right up. |
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rradina
join:2000-08-08
Chesterfield, MO
| reply to Transmaster
Re: Oh please
Totally agree. I much preferred satellite. I've had both Dish and DirecTV. Dish was OK but I didn't like their equipment. DirecTV was better because of superior equipment and more equipment options.
The reason I'm back with cable is bundling. As a very satisfied Vonage user, if I could get unbundled DSL (I do not want POTS voice) or some kind of quality, high speed, low latency wireless connection that supports VOIP, I would consider returning to satellite. However, they would have to offer an attractive price on a DVR/tuner combo and I'd have to give up cable's VOD which is a very nice perk on premium services and somewhat eliminates renting movies from video stores. (I just wish titles were available on VOD when they are available to rent -- plus you can record VOD...)
Bottom line, satellite needs a competitive HSI option so they can provide the bundle. Without it, cable wins and satellite fades back into rural areas from whence it came.
This would be a shame because satellite made cable what it is today. Without it, I even question where the telcos would be. |
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vpoko
Premium
join:2003-07-03
Jamaica Plain, MA
| reply to TKJunkMail
said by TKJunkMail :Another thing hurting DTV is their high pressure sales tactics. My 80 yr old parents were considering switching from Comcast to DTV(they don't use the internet), but DTV refused to send out a brochure with their choices. They kept trying to force a decision over the phone. Sales tactics like that will hurt them. Good call, TKJ! A friend of mine had a similar experience - he placed an order for DirectTV, and when the guy came to install it he had him signed up for a more expensive package. My friend sent the installer home and canceled his order. |
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Slacker44
join:2001-05-10
Gilbert, AZ
| reply to JSRoman
Re: Nothing new here.
Dish has no competition right now for HDTV with 24 channels. Cable has a while for 3.0 to hit and may ease their HD content pains but I'm not sure. I still have cable with Cox and I love the service. I just want more HD channels like FoodTV and ESPN2. The price is exactly the same for Cox, DirecTV and Dish for the content I want but Dish has more HD channels than anyone else. My problem is that I have 2 HD DVR's with Cox. Having a 2 year old my need to pause TV is invaluable. I have no desire to drop $400 on 2 HD DVR's from Dish or $600+ for DirecTV new MPEG4 DVR's. Bah. |
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58483323
Gurt me
join:2003-06-23
Normal, IL | ON DEMAND!
Comcast's ON DEMAND service is a real winner! I'm sure it retains customers. And their HD-DVR is very afforable. Only $10 a month for the HD DVR box, DVR service, and HD service.  |
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losethecustomer
@verizon.net
| How to LOSE a 10 year subscriber!
Not INNOVATE, raise prices, give customers hassles about upgrading access cards, not offer good deals on equipment/loyalty bonuses, expand channels into higher priced tiers... the list can go on... but if you haven't gotten my point by now, you are too dense to get through to..
Satllite's biggest partners: telcos
are about to stab them in the back by slowly taking their customers too, as iptv and fttp begins to become available to more and more satelltie tv subscribers.
How to cure those blues? give existing customers with 2 or more years of service (or sign a contract for 2 years) free HD-satelite reciver/dvrs for upto 4 settops. Otherwise, expect customer hemorraging..
Only benefit: you can take your receiver with you in multiple locations.. close that loophole, and say goodbye to the last tangible benefit of satellite tv, unless they are your ONLY alternative (still in 2006!) |
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andunn
join:2001-09-06
Linn Creek, MO
·RoadRunner Cable
·AT&T Midwest
| reply to 58483323
Re: ON DEMAND!
All I can say is the picture quality of Charter cable (especially the lower channels) is horrible in my area. This is why we don't subscribe to cable. Plus, the fact that my wife has enjoyed her Directivo for the past 1 1/2 years and Charter doesn't offer any type of DVR product in our area yet.We will be with Directv for awhile until Charter gets their act together. |
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Neyland
join:2003-02-04
USA | reply to gburrell
Re: Former Dish subscriber
I agree!
The cost of the equipment must be factored into the cost of the service.
Also, the amount of compression on the sat services reached the disgusting stage for me. |
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nasadude
join:2001-10-05
Rockville, MD | reply to gburrell
ditto.
they lost me because of the $300 "upgrade" fee for the HD DVR.
I might be a FIOS customer someday, when the county I live in and verizon get done suing. |
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robjulo
join:2004-08-22
Louisville, KY | It Depends on the Provider
Some cable providers are still well behind satellite in terms or pricing and programming. Cable in my area is almost $35 a month more expensive and offers much less programming, much less HD and a shoddy DVR. |
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wizzle
Premium
join:2004-06-15
Durham, NC
| Bottom Line...
Cities have cable companies. Rural areas are not as likely to have the option. Population is much more concentrated in the cities and each homeowner has much less land to work with.
So If you're like me and have a .2-acre piece of land w/ tall shade trees in the exact location of the satellites in the sky...you have to choice but to go cable. Wait, the choice would be to cut down the trees. Wait, there's another tree behind it that is on the neighbor's property. A nightmare.
So basic cable is actually cheaper ($17/month) than any satellite package and is filling the void until the voip-equivalent breakthrough occurs in the world of TV. Having a Netflix membership helps fill the void as well.
It's the whole wired vs wireless problem that we see across the board. That coax cable running into my house is much more reliable than the sight from a dish to a satellite in the sky. Those darn pterodactyls fly over my house and interrupt my tv shows! |
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wizzle
Premium
join:2004-06-15
Durham, NC
| reply to nasadude
Re: Former Dish subscriber
Agreed.
$100+ is just too much to ask. I'd say in my area that cable services are generally $10/month more expensive. So a $300 equipment purchase would take over 2 years to pay for itself.
Too much changes in 3 years time to commit to such a purchase. |
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Geminimind
Premium
join:2003-12-20
Sacramento, CA
·AT&T Yahoo
| reply to gburrell
If you notice satellite companies are giving you free installation deals if you extend your contract,will move your dish service for free if you commit to one more year of service. Contracts to keep their customers longer or charge them a breach of contract fee. Both D and E* suck. TV is expensive no matter who you go with. Why not go with the one who has no contract. |
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