H26K

Another example:  I added an extra receiver, I went to town purchased one H25 for $100 ( Ten years old) from a REAL Directv Dealer/Installer, came home called the 1-800 number, and I was on the phone back and forth for over 45mins.  It was then they told me they could not hookup the receiver without charging me $150 activation fee.  I made them transfer me to customer retention, 10min wait.  Finally got someone nice, they listened to me, and tried from another 45mins before they could get it activated without a fee.  They asked me why I did not order a receiver from DTV, I said because if I had ordered it, I would of had to wait up to week or more to get one, and it would have been an H24 and not a H25. ( I know several people that has happened to, one person when through the cycle of get the wrong receiver, send it back, wait two weeks, and do it all over again!  Took them 2 months to get the correct one.  Here is customer service, I purchase 4 H26k I hook them up (Use to be a DTV Installer in late 90's) I call they activate them, I pack up and send them back old ones.  I am happy!  You call get Genie, your happy!

When you order a receiver there is no guarantee of model number. H24 and H25 are the same product line so are like-for-like, even though H25 is the first non-Genie to be SWM-only.

Remember you are not purchasing-to-own those boxes as that went away years ago. The $99 is the one-time lease cost for an HD non-DVR (was $399 for owned before options went away). Comes with a 24-month service agreement no matter if you get it through DirecTV or an Authorized 3rd party retailer.

Customers communicating directly with the CEO of a nationwide company shouldn't be expected. They are not to be customer support for all customers. That is where customer support in all departments, or even the Office of the President, come into play. A CEO cannot be expected to field communication or suggestions from millions of customers.

There are definitely improvements needed, which I hope we see with the new co-owner. However, DirecTV should not be viewed or expected to function as a small mom/pop shop where you personally talk with the entire work staff. In the end they are a business.

I did not say that.  The CEO of a company does not need to be so isolated they have no idea how their customers feel.  Even a suggestion box email that they can just browse through for 10 mins a day, would give that CEO way greater understanding to what their customers want.  DTV has lost so many customers,  I know at least 9 that cut the cord, because of high prices, and poor customer service.  By the way, I am a disabled veteran, 66 years old.  I have made the suggestion to have a Senior Package for years, the employees that listen agree with me.  Here is the package:  Locals, All the Discovery channels, Food, BBC, TCM, AMC, National GEO, Net Geo, and news and weather channels.  NO sports, no kids, no MTV, CMTV,  Other channels via Alacart.  This is help seniors in a huge way!  I have buy Choice Xtra, just get the less than 20 channels we watch.  The people that dropped, also watched less than 20 channels.  I have paid for all the ESPN stuff since I first hooked up, and have NEVER watched one thing on them,  Same for Disney.

The CEO decided not to provide a suggestion box anymore.  DTV like all other TV providers can only pick which channel package that the content providers provide that best suits their customers and the content providers will never allow TV providers to choose the channels they want.

I can deal with it, it just not good business.  If you went to say Dairy Queen and ordered a cherry milk shake, but everytime you got another flavor.  You would soon not be selling milk shakes at all.  Customers will go somewhere else.

All TV providers have the same programs as that is what the content providers send them.

Because many networks/channels can be under one owner, they will not let providers like DirecTV do al-a-carte. Disney is a big one with all their channels including ESPN. Then you have all channels under FOX. Local affiliate owners have stations covering many areas in the country.

This is why the industry (not just DirecTV) is a package state. You say it is not good business, but how would you force the networks to change this for every TV provider or really any provider?

Side note, if you have Choice Xtra then you have a very old package and should do a full review of what you watch. Those old names caused confusion (Choice, Choice Xtra, Choice Ultimate) and were replaced by Choice, Xtra, and Ultimate. In many cases those packages were either for channels that have since dropped to a lower package or were for channels that no longer exist (Cloo, Chiller, SoapNet, etc.). See if the channels you watch are in a lower costing package.

Yes DirecTV has stayed the course of being a premium satellite pay TV provider, which means no category discounts (Senior Citizen, Low Income, etc.). You want it you pay for it as it is just entertainment. Sorry but the majority of the TV industry is not aimed at your market of viewers.