After 9 years with Dish-- I just went back to Cable

[GwinnettNole]

From what I've seen there is not much benefit to Dish Network compared to cable. I would have stayed but Comcast was offering a rate on internet and tv that would cut my bill for both in half. This is a no brainer.

I remember thinking about going to Dish 9-10 years ago and how great it sounded. But then you get it and realize you have to pay a lot more to get what you want-- then it's not worth it so much. Here is an example-- when I moved to GA I was still a big Orlando Magic fan. Seeing that Dish had the channels in the sport pack I thought I would get those games for simply buying the sports pack. Then I found out the games were blacked out...you had to buy the NBA package, for example. Couple that with Dish Network's constant disputes with channels which led them to be dismissed from their lineup (CNN, Fox News and Fox Sports are an example) until an agreement was reached led this to sealing the deal to move from Dish for me.

Now, when the discount rate for Comcast runs out (2 years) will I go back to Dish or Direct TV? Maybe-- we will see. But again, from what I've seen, and maybe others have different perspectives (interests on programming) but there isn't that much of a difference between the two... and cable is cheaper.

 

[TexSkills]

I've thought about canning DirecTV for Dish Network (Comcast isn't available in my neighborhood) because DirecTV has gotten to the point that you're paying a lot for very little. My wife and I have discussed cutting the cord completely and going with Roku or SlingBox.

On my recent call to DirecTV to play the "I'm going to cancel my service" game, I mentioned to them that I was going to cut the cord and go with streaming. Apparently a lot of people have been doing this because I got a barrage of canned rebuttals, most of which weren't true. If ESPN goes to an a la carte service through SlingBox or Roku, we're cutting it. That's the only thing keeping us with DirecTV.

 

[fsufantoo]

I am looking to roll away from DirecTV too. They keep creeping my bill up. Dish will switch you and even pay some sort of spiff to come over.

My sister has Dish and I just don't like the interface that much. But to save $50 a month for a year or so I might be willing to make the jump. Also, I love ESPN too much to go to all streaming, plus I am out in the country and speed is an issue.

 

[sloth43]

I've thought about canning DirecTV for Dish Network (Comcast isn't available in my neighborhood) because DirecTV has gotten to the point that you're paying a lot for very little. My wife and I have discussed cutting the cord completely and going with Roku or SlingBox.

On my recent call to DirecTV to play the "I'm going to cancel my service" game, I mentioned to them that I was going to cut the cord and go with streaming. Apparently a lot of people have been doing this because I got a barrage of canned rebuttals, most of which weren't true. If ESPN goes to an a la carte service through SlingBox or Roku, we're cutting it. That's the only thing keeping us with DirecTV.

We kind of cut the cord from Direct TV. You can suspend your service up to 6 months every year. Like you, I cannot drop all together until watching FSU games via streaming is available (espn streaming).

I suspend my account in late January and it will come back on in July. I use the Amazon Firestick in the meantime with Amazon Prime and Netflix (coupled with an Ota antenna)

 

[More Kirk Less Spock]

We kind of cut the cord from Direct TV. You can suspend your service up to 6 months every year. Like you, I cannot drop all together until watching FSU games via streaming is available (espn streaming).

I suspend my account in late January and it will come back on in July. I use the Amazon Firestick in the meantime with Amazon Prime and Netflix (coupled with an Ota antenna)

Im ready to leave Direct TV also. Their bill after the first 2 years had a brutal increase. Called to cancel and then the "retention" guys got me back down to a reasonable amount. Called DISH for a quote, but it wasn't much better. I wanted a TV in 4 bedrooms, living room downstairs and theater room upstairs / they wanted a fortune and

the guy was like, "Do you really need all those TV's?"
"Umm. yeah Dude I do and the incremental cost to DISh should be minimal and you should give me a deal that makes me want to switch."

I think they wanted like $150 a month for the channels I wanted and 6 TVs.

 

[Nole Lou]

ESPN/ESPN2 is now available streaming on SlingTV (along with several other channels - including CNN, TNT, TBS, AMC) for $20. $25 gets you ESPNU and ESPN News and the other ESPN networks. If you sign up for a year you can get a free/discounted Roku or Amazon FireTV.

 

[nolealum99]

If you do not thing cable is going to do the same thing, you are sorely mistaken. We are building a house and I am probably going to do the opposite of what you are doing. I think I am dumping Cox cable and going to DirecTV. I pay over $200 a month for cable and internet and half the time my internet either crawls or is out. TV is okay, but too high a price. I think I am going with Century Link high speed with the DirecTV.

 

[BelemNole]

Agreed. All TV is expensive, but I won't ever go back to cable. Customer service is a joke with them. I've regretted it every time I've been lured back.

 

[SatBchNole]

I call DirecTV once a year and threaten to leave, they always keep me at the same rate. Probably won't work forever but has worked for 10 years.

 

[kooterridesagain]

I miss directv, the worst part of cable besides customer service is reception. Not as much HD and it goes out during storms. Only time I lost signal with a dish was a hurricane.

Those commercials about cable reception are pure lies.

 

[Rhino_nole]

I call DirecTV once a year and threaten to leave, they always keep me at the same rate. Probably won't work forever but has worked for 10 years.

I just had a conversation with Direct TV - I moved and called them to install the dish at the new house. While I was waiting I saw an advertisement for free NFL Ticket when you move, so I asked and she said it wasn't showing up for me on her computer. She transferred me and the retention dept guy said the same thing, he noticed I moved and used another upgrade within the year when I moved from Tallahassee (we were renting a place but the install was considered extremely basic).

The retention guy says "you're only a few weeks out, whatever, I'll give it to you and give you a full cost refund"........He went about his business and it took longer then he thought, so he felt bad making me wait and gave me $50 off my account for the next 6 months. That's customer service (granted I've been w/ them for over a decade).

 

[ncnole1975]

Agreed. All TV is expensive, but I won't ever go back to cable. Customer service is a joke with them. I've regretted it every time I've been lured back.

This. Comcast is the worst customer service organization in the US. Had them for years. Bills were constantly wrong. Internet was always jacked up and cable would go out every time I turned around. Switched to dish in 2010 because Direct Tv couldn't get a sight line to where I wanted the dish. Moved to Direct TV in 2012 when I moved to my current home. Of all three, Direct TV is hands down the best in the industry.

 

[rjw615]

I've thought about canning DirecTV for Dish Network (Comcast isn't available in my neighborhood) because DirecTV has gotten to the point that you're paying a lot for very little. My wife and I have discussed cutting the cord completely and going with Roku or SlingBox.

On my recent call to DirecTV to play the "I'm going to cancel my service" game, I mentioned to them that I was going to cut the cord and go with streaming. Apparently a lot of people have been doing this because I got a barrage of canned rebuttals, most of which weren't true. If ESPN goes to an a la carte service through SlingBox or Roku, we're cutting it. That's the only thing keeping us with DirecTV.

The key is actually setting a cancellation date with D-TV, they'll call you within a couple of days to try and retain your service with better offers.

Wife and I just finished our two year contract, called and told them we were switching to Dish, same canned statements, etc. Two days later, D-TV Called back, one year contract, Bill cut in half with addtional programming, 200 VISA gift card which we just received.

 

[West Duval Nole]

I bounce back and forth between Comcast and Uverse. They are almost always running a special for new customers to get Internet and Tv for like $99 and give you $100 prepaid visa for a 1 or 2 year contract. Switch back and forth before they jack my rate up ay end of contract. I set myself a reminder on phone google calendar just before end date to make sure I schedule other service to be hooked up before I cancel the other so I have continuous service.

 

[MIKE_G]

I also suspend service with Directv between the end of college basketball season and the start of college football season. No payments from May to September. There are few things on TV I feel compelled to watch other than sports. I use an antenna to pick up the locals, along with Netflix and other web stuff I can cast to the tv with my chromecast. HBOGo is included with my Comcast internet service, although I rarely use it. I kind of miss having some decent channels to surf, but that's more habit than anything. Sling TV might solve that problem for me in the future.

 

[TripTychTwo]

Got dam there are some cheap/poor people in here.

 

[dero316]

Comcast bill kept creeping up so I called to cancel, they wait until the last possible moment right before scheduling the cancellation to offer you a discount but now I get the same service for ~$75 less per month.

Haven't had too much trouble with service, I just notice every 3-5yrs they have to come out and replace the ground cable that runs from the street to the house which doesn't cost me anything just a little pixelation to deal with for a week or so before the change.

 

[funksouljon]

The key is actually setting a cancellation date with D-TV, they'll call you within a couple of days to try and retain your service with better offers.

Wife and I just finished our two year contract, called and told them we were switching to Dish, same canned statements, etc. Two days later, D-TV Called back, one year contract, Bill cut in half with addtional programming, 200 VISA gift card which we just received.

I will be making a call shortly and give this a try. I am not a fan of Dish's UI. DirecTV is pretty good overall, but their on demand isn't as good as Comcast. I abhor Comcast (or whatever name they want to call themselves). I have had issues with their billing and customer service at every turn when I had them. I will take substandard other options or leave "tv" and move to streaming. Two things I will never go back to, my ex girlfriend and Comcast.

 

[KevNole]

I agree with most that say all three dish, direct and cable are all too expensive these days. My main reason I keep direct is too use my automatic satellite antenna with our RV camper, and tailgating. I guess you can use a source to grab your cable to tailgate or camping, not sure. Unless you want to continually flip to get whatever the deal is each couple of years contract wise, they are all similar IMO. Plus I hate going back and forth once I am used to a channel list.

I am all for going streaming once it gets a an even wider variety of channels.