Benefiting from the Satellite TV Wars

Yesterday I saw some prominent web advertising from Dish Network. It is now offering new subscribers a free upgrade to HD programming – for life. The conditions were a 24 month contract and autopay. This intrigued me as part of my battle plan to reduce recurrent expenses in our media plans.

I paid a visit to the site of our provider, Direct TV. I observed that it was countering the Dish move with free HD of its own for new customers. However, our plan still included a $10 HD service fee. That’s not gonna work for me.

I logged on to my Twitter account for the first time in months, to see what was being said in the Direct TV official tweets. There it was – a statement that “loyal” existing customers might be eligible for 24 month waiver of the HD fee. But you had to call customer service to find out.

I called. After being shuffled from one rep to another, I stated my case to have our HD fee dropped: loyal customer (since 2008) and with auto-pay.

Yep – I was eligible so the charge is now gone. I was told it would come back in 24 months.

I don’t think so.

In 24 months, HD programming will be standard. No one will get away with charging extra to just to view it. That ship is sailing away. 3D programming maybe but not HD.

I hope the price wars between cable, Dish, Direct TV, and even the phone companies continue. We need lower prices for content delivery.

Don’t overlook your own opportunities to lower your bills.

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