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DirecTV Gobbled Up Time Warner Cable's Lost Customers

Time Warner Cable suffered some significant subscriber losses last quarter due to their feud with CBS -- roughly 3% of their entire customer base leaving because of lost programming. Judging from DirecTV's earnings report, it seems likely that at least some of those users fled to DirecTV. Despite the fact that satellite TV providers recently joined cable in losing subscribers (in part to cord cutters) and despite the fact DirecTV raised rates on many users, the company still managed to add a net 139,000 video subscribers. The average DirecTV subscriber paid $102.37 per month last quarter, a 6.2 percent increase over the year before.

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gigahurtz
Premium Member
join:2001-10-20
USA

gigahurtz

Premium Member

I did the opposite.

I was with DirecTV for a few years and switched away when my contract was up. The picture quality was definitely better with DTV but I'm glad I left.

trparky
Premium Member
join:2000-05-24
Cleveland, OH

trparky

Premium Member

Re: I did the opposite.

Why is that?
turnerbrewer
join:2011-11-22

1 recommendation

turnerbrewer

Member

Avg DirecTV sub pays $102 a month?

The fact that the avg. customer pays $102 a month for TV amazes me. It must be the Live sports that is raking it in. I do not understand why someone would pay to watch TV Reruns, Movies that are edited to allow for commercials, Home shopping, etc....

TSWYO
Premium Member
join:2003-05-03
Cheyenne, WY

TSWYO

Premium Member

Re: Avg DirecTV sub pays $102 a month?

Exactly. I dropped Dish, have my cable internet and Netflix/Amazon prime... and whatever un-encrypted channel that runs through the coax. I thought I would miss TV when I decided to drop Dish, but really haven't.

Icomguy
@cox.net

Icomguy to turnerbrewer

Anon

to turnerbrewer
It's not only live sports, but every channel out there has had an increase. I would say that its more likely that costs have gone up across the board.

cork1958
Cork
Premium Member
join:2000-02-26

cork1958 to turnerbrewer

Premium Member

to turnerbrewer
Yes,
That fact of spending $100 plus on just tv, goes beyond amazing me! I find it rather ridiculous. Talk about some people that need to go outside and kick a ball!! Sheesh!

Ut98Ex
join:2012-07-11
Georgetown, TX

Ut98Ex

Member

I'm one of them

I was with Insight before we were taken over by TWC. I was tired of paying through the nose for crappy technology. Now I got more channels than I had before, DirecTV technology is MUCH better than what I had with Insight/TWC and I'm paying much less for TV.

I also upgraded my internet to the 50/5 package and I'm still paying less for Internet and TV than I was before. After the 2 year promo pricing is up I will have to reassess and see what kind of deal I can get out of DirecTV.

hamburglar
join:2002-04-29
united state

hamburglar

Member

Re: I'm one of them

You have to play them like used car salesmen. I moved from TW when they basically doubled my rates. They are the only show in town for internet, so I switched to Earthlink to get a better un-bundled price for internet. Switched to DTV with the cheap new customer rates that made my average cost about $50/month over the contract.

I called DTV when my bill had crept up to $100 and my contract was up. Got a Genie, kept my existing HR24 DVR and added a 3rd TV for $70.xx/month with tax. Internet is now $64.99 for 50/5 and I own my modem on a 12 month price. When the prices jump back up again next fall, it's call a see what they offer.

I will say the DTV tech is so much better than TW. The Genie is even better than the Tivo I had for a couple years. It just works.

megarock
join:2001-06-28
Fenton, MO

1 recommendation

megarock

Member

Idiots...

The people who jump ship during these retransmission disputes are playing right into the greedy people's hands. It won't be long till DirecTV has the very same squabble with CBS when they come for higher rates. They will also visit Dish, Time Warner, Comcast, Charter, Cablevision and every other provider out there. Or the providers will just accept their demands and jack your rates up higher and higher and higher.

Until people sicken of paying for channels they should get for free because they are advertiser based they will continue to get bent over by these media companies. Your provider tries to protect you from this and you jump ship? Idiots.

dvd536
as Mr. Pink as they come
Premium Member
join:2001-04-27
Phoenix, AZ

dvd536

Premium Member

They'll get em back. . . . .

on the next rate hike!
BiggA
Premium Member
join:2005-11-23
Central CT

BiggA

Premium Member

HOLY#%*$

That's a LOT for TV! And you still have to get internet. It is the best TV though, except for maybe FIOS...

mGr
join:2012-07-01
Columbus, MS

mGr

Member

Wow I didn't know that

That's a lot to pay for TV. I signed up for DTV basic package (no DVR) mainly just for basic TV. It was a better deal for the money and channels than our local cable company. I wouldn't dare pay that much.
devolved
join:2012-07-11
Rapid City, SD

devolved

Member

Will see how long it lasts

When DirecTV loses CBS, those former TW customers will come crawling back to TW.

kdwycha
join:2003-01-30
Ruskin, FL

kdwycha

Member

Re: Will see how long it lasts

said by devolved:

When DirecTV loses CBS, those former TW customers will come crawling back to TW.

And paying 480.00 Early Cancellation Fees too.