How could AT&T associate itself with Direct TV

How could AT&T associate itself with Direct TV

I suppose when make a $49 BILLION investment, you better be in it for the long haul.

Most likely the dish needs to be aligned, there are videos on youtube if you want to try it yourself otherwise you have to call and wait until a CSR  can setup a tech visit.

Most customers complain that Directv was great until ATT bought them. As noted, though, sounds like your issue is a poorly aligned dish. You might also want to educate yourself on how satellite tv works. Yes, rain or snow can disrupt the signal but if the dish is properly aligned, only very heavy rain or snow should cause that. Satellite tv has always been that way. ATT buying Directv didn’t change that. Do you not see the cable commercials talking about that?

After 21 years of a continuous monthly subscription to Directv, I'm cancelling my service at the end of next week.  I'm done with the poor customer service, arbitrary discontinuing of package channels and  dropping of extra paid for channels like CBSe& w NBCe & w, ABCe & w and FOXe & w that I had for 10+ years.  For taking 9 months to negotiate a contract for the rebroadcasting rights to my local NBC channel, ..... then removing ability to watch recorded DVR programs on an IPad or computer while away from home. Then we're being charged an EXTRA monthly rate for Sports programs that are years+ old since the Virus hit.   I'm paying $165 a month for the middle of the road package and without premium channels or special packages.  I'm going back to Cable TV with a no contract, cancel anytime & without penalty service. For $204, I get a 4 program DVR,  245 channels  PLUS it includes  HBO, SHOWTIME, STARZ, TCM, STARZ ENCORE, SMITHSONIAN, HALLMARK, HALLMARK Drama, OUTDOOR, NFL REDZONE, MOTOR TREND, OLYMPIC CHANNEL and much more, at no extra monthly fees.  I can watch shows ANYWHERE, ANYTIME, away from home on any wifi device.  This price also includes  Internet at 400Mbps Speeds and a Home VoIP phone with free unlimited calls to the USA, CANADA and MEXICO, with caller ID, Call Waiting, Call Forwarding, NoMoRobo, Call blocking, Voice mail and more.

So like AT$T said they were "Sunsetting" the Audience Channel from our programming, I'm Sunsetting AT$T.

@g_gutzman 

DirecTV is a good service. But don't expect more than the technology is capable of. A satellite transmission of TV cannot guarantee perfect coverage of service. As such there is no breach of contract. And if you had read it, you would see you are limited to arbitration.

However with that being said, the service normally would not go out under reasonable conditions. This suggests the dish needs to be realigned, possibly better secured if anything loose is causing some sway in the dish, or that water is getting into the coax somewhere. For such a situation instead of creating a post just to complain, you call DirecTV about setting a service call for them to come out and repair and/or align anything as needed.

@leewos 

The dropping of paid out-of-area (DNS) networks such as CBS East, etc. was out of their control They legally cannot provide you those channels anymore. The networks lobbied Congress for the STELAR Act to expire and won. So TV providers no longer have those permissions. Changing providers will not get around that.

The loss of out-of-home DVR streaming was unfortunate. It has been suspected that it was discontinued (March 2019) because it wasn't working well and there were huge changes to equipment (such as the Genie-2 HS17 server tower idea) that would require the feature to be redesigned or dropped completely. Would be nice if the feature returns, but hasn't been any more info on that.

The Regional Sport Network (RSN) fee doesn't matter if sports are live or not, in-season or not. That fee is for access to the RSNs for where you live. As long as they are providing programming of any kind on there, then the RSNs and teams in your area continue to charge. As long as that happens, TV provider is required to keep it on the bill. Complain to the RSNs and your local teams about that.

If you don't watch games, just bounce around for plays in the Red Zone, then Red Zone only option may work for you. The NFL Sunday Ticket for the actual game itself (out-of-market of course) is exclusive to DirecTV.

Remember, advertised pricing is not long-term. Read the fine print of advertisements, and the order confirmation, for any requirements and how much intro discounts are and how long they last (typically first year). And some providers charge per level of individual box, instead of a flat TV fee like DirecTV. For example Dish lists additional costs at the end of their Residential Agreement that you can view on their site. Personally I find DirecTV's billing model to be more straightforward and simple. Sure I would like it to be cheaper, but I understand the reality that costs from the networks have gone up over the years so TV providers have to price as they do.

Xtra I agree would be a popular package, though "middle of the road" is subjective. Currently their packages are Family, Select, Entertainment, Choice, Xtra, Ultimate, Premier. I would compare the channels you watch to make sure you are not in a higher package than you use: https://www.att.com/channels/directv/

Though I suspect the Family package is not for you, here is the support page for it so all bases are covered. https://support.directv.com/dtv-programming/3245

If you fee you need to change providers, so be it. Just don't go in with any illusions. Read the paperwork and be prepared that even regular cost is not permanent. And no TV provider can give you back what the STELAR Act provided. They all have to follow the law and Federal regulations on that.

I understand the the Lobby for Directv wasn't as good as the Networks Lobby in Congress.........and thus the DNS wasn't RENEWED.  So lets be accurate.  It was all about who was able to present a better fight to get the ear of the Congress to see it their way.  Don't pretend AT$T ever fights for it's consumers. It doesn't.  I have the Xtra Package, which is the Middle of the Road for Directv.  I had DNS service since 1999 because I was rural and there were NO local channels I could get via Directv.  So for 21 years, Congress didn't have a problem. 

As for pricing, The TV is being bundled in with my current phone and internet plan, which is NOT at a promotional price. ........so there won't be any surprise billings after 1 or 2 years, and I don't have to commit for 24 months like you do with Directv. No Contracts, No Termination fees.  No Charge for Service calls if it's an Equipment or Line Problem on their end. Otherwise, it's $49.99...........not $99.00 like Directv charges whether it's an equipment problem or not.

As for the Sports fees........ You can justify it all you want, but forcing people to pay a fee, whether they want to or not, for sports that happened years ago is ridiculous.   I don't see AT$T going to bat for it's customers about this either.

I'm not new to the rodeo..... I know exactly why and what I'm dropping Directv for and what to expect.  It's a shame because I really did think Directv couldn't be beat.......but now...... I'm no longer a fan.   I'm sure I'm not the only long time customer abandoning AT$T.  I know they've been hemorrhaging subscribers since they acquired Directv, and  I'll be one more adding to their bleeding.

It wasn't just the lobby for DirecTV. The loss of the STELAR Act affects all TV providers. It wasn't exclusive to DirecTV or AT&T.

TV providers have had the RSN fee in the package cost for years. DirecTV several years ago made it transparent by having it listed separately, but also having it listed by tiers by area instead of a flat rate across the board. There is nothing to justify. You have the channels, you pay for them. There is no guarantee or expectation that live recent games are always on there. Take the issue up with the RSNs and leagues that they are a part of that are still charging it. The sports leagues have the control over markets, TV providers, etc. Unfortunately sports is something our country tends to value over other things (such as overall education).

Yes for a hardline service, they are maintaining infrastructure they own up to your place. So techs are about for maintenance with any switchboxes or or lines running between access points, etc. The convenience of smaller service areas. With satellite boxes are covered (just pay for delivery), but service calls cost as they don't have techs that can as quickly get to every place across the entire country. Their service area is wider with no physical infrastructure being maintained, outside of their broadcast center and satellites in orbit.

Price and programming work out better for you right now, then great. Just don't forget to read the order confirmation when ordered, not matter what any sales agent says.

I understand it wasn't JUST Directv. Point is.....the Network's had a better Lobby and the "ear" of Congress and got them to vote NOT to renew the STELAR Act.  The Networks won.  As for the Sports fees........ since when does PRIVATELY OWNED BUSINESSES....ie Sports Teams.......Dictate to another  PRIVATELY OWNED BUSINESS...Directv, Dish, Comcast, etc that I,  the consumer, am FORCED pay an EXTRA MONTHLY FEE, for programming that I am denied the option to opt out of.  I'm not forced to pay for EPIX, or HBOmax  so why are Sports exempt and allowed to demand I pay.  What If Politicians, with whom you disagree, suddenly DEMANDED and FORCED YOU pay a month fee to hear & see them campaign on TV ??  I think you would be upset that you had no option but to just "pay and shut up". 

The comment "if you don't like it, complain to X Yor Z "  because we cant do anything about it is the old Passing the Buck SOP.  You know exactly what I mean.  It's like saying we can't do anything but be my guest and call your congressman.  You go from an abyss into the black hole........

Like I said, I know what to expect and I am disappointed I have to part ways with Directv.  But AT$T has no one to blame for the loss of long time, loyal customers..... but themselves. 

Have a good evening.......

EPIX and HBO are optional add-ons.

RSNs have carriage agreement to be in packages Choice and above, so are not optional regardless of what content they have or if you don't watch sports at all (wish they could have kept the Preferred Xtra package).

Sports are not an exception. All networks work on carriage agreements. So until it is time to negotiate the next agreement, hands are tied. That is why it is not "passing the buck", but suggesting you complain to those that have the control in this situation. Though doubtful the leagues/teams/RSNs would budge, it is a better shot then the TV provider who is required to keep the fee as-is per the current agreement.

DirecTV/AT&T is not solely responsible for the expiration of the STELAR Act and subsequent loss of DNS channels or that RSNs still charge for all TV providers who carry them. So claiming that AT&T has nobody "but themselves" to blame is ignoring reality. There are other issues more directly in their control for sure, but STELAR/DNS and RSNs have more hands in that pot.