twc or sat

[Chef]

thinking of switching to direct tv from twc. twc intro rate just ended and i am tired of paying too much money for crappy cable service. the hd goes out more frequently than it should considering its cable and the hd/dvr is POS from the early 2000's. and of course going with cable internet a'la carte is $60 a month.

my thinking is to switch to direct tv with at&t dsl at 6mbs downloads. anyone have this service in durham/triangle? how's it work? i am skeptical of the 2 year contract though. will they give a 30 day or 60 day return policy? our house is open as far as sat reception goes so i guess the main signal disruption would be weather.

also, i am assuming fox sports south will get me the cat's.

any advice?

[Mustachio]

thinking of switching to direct tv from twc. twc intro rate just ended and i am tired of paying too much money for crappy cable service. the hd goes out more frequently than it should considering its cable and the hd/dvr is POS from the early 2000's. and of course going with cable internet a'la carte is $60 a month.

my thinking is to switch to direct tv with at&t dsl at 6mbs downloads. anyone have this service in durham/triangle? how's it work? i am skeptical of the 2 year contract though. will they give a 30 day or 60 day return policy? our house is open as far as sat reception goes so i guess the main signal disruption would be weather.

also, i am assuming fox sports south will get me the cat's.

any advice?


Highly recommend DirecTV. I mean its certainly not the cheapest, but i feel like its the best. Especially if you like Sports. I have a mid grade package and they called me recently to give me an upgrade. They gave me every single channel they had plus Sunday Ticket for 6 bucks extra a month. They do stuff like that every once in a while and I think its smart business. DVR is better, and the interactive programing stuff is great.

I use Northstate Communications for my internet at home. 40 a month and it certainly gets the job done. Havent had a problem in 4 years. Dont know if thats offered near you though. Im sure anything besides TWC would be better though.


Hit me up on private message and ill give you my DirecTV account number. if you give them that number when signing up, they will give you and me $10.00 off a month for a year. let me know.

[Mustachio]

Forgot to mention that I saw every Bobcats game I didnt attend last year on Direct. Thats in High Point though, which is in range I think. I have no idea what you will get in RDU. also, heavy heavy rain will disrupt your service, but its only happened to me like twice since ive had it. So thats never really been an issue.

[spectre]

also, i am assuming fox sports south will get me the cat's.

any advice?

Don't assume.

http://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/global/contentPageIF.jsp?assetId=3320008

That's their blackout restriction based on zip code. Only problem is this only shows what's blacked out when the games are actually on.

I went thru that a year or so back and it appeared the "line" was just east of Greensboro. If you're east of that you won't get Bobcats' games unless something has changed.

TWC might be your only option. You're lucky though; I'm in the woods and don't have access to TWC.

[Chef]

Don't assume.

http://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/global/contentPageIF.jsp?assetId=3320008

That's their blackout restriction based on zip code. Only problem is this only shows what's blacked out when the games are actually on.

I went thru that a year or so back and it appeared the "line" was just east of Greensboro. If you're east of that you won't get Bobcats' games unless something has changed.

TWC might be your only option. You're lucky though; I'm in the woods and don't have access to TWC.


the link was blank, no map. i am assuming it basically said the games were blacked out for all areas east of greensboro. doesn't make too much sense, but then again when did the bobcats tv schedule?

[spectre]

Yeah right now it won't show anything, but I think that link is only good when there's an actual game on that you want to see and scheduled either the same day or close.

I'd just make damn sure. When I was calling around right after the FS deal I had reps tell me I'd get the games when in fact they didn't know whether I would or not.

I do know for a fact the line was just east of Greensboro last year, but it's possible that's changed. It's based on their distance from the arena thing, and from our POV it doesn't look good because beyond that line the providers have to pay a higher premium to show them...and unless something has changed they've all been adamant (except TWC) that they weren't going to do it.

[Chef]

this would be an absolute deal breaker for me. can anyone in the triangle (more specifically durham) confirm i would get the cats with direct tv?

[teej]

this would be an absolute deal breaker for me. can anyone in the triangle (more specifically durham) confirm i would get the cats with direct tv?

I'm not in the Triangle, but there is a way to work around the rule. If after Directv is installed you "change" your address to one inside the Charlotte market, you'd get the games. You wouldn't get RDU area tv, but you'd get anything in Charlotte.

[CatNation]

all I know is...stay far far farrrrrrr away from Charter :mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad:

[teej]

all I know is...stay far far farrrrrrr away from Charter :mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad:

Damn straight.

[Dunk]

You can also call TWC and tell them you're going to switch and get your deal back (possibly). I couldn't get sat at my high for technical reasons - line of site, wiring, and such but TWC doesn't know that.

[Chef]

I'm not in the Triangle, but there is a way to work around the rule. If after Directv is installed you "change" your address to one inside the Charlotte market, you'd get the games. You wouldn't get RDU area tv, but you'd get anything in Charlotte.

talked to michael thompson he says that the two sat companies still haven't picked up the outer market (outside of 75 miles from Charlotte) meaning no cats and no possibility of league pass either.

could you elaborate on how changing my address would work? wouldn't it mess up billing, sat alignment etc?

[spectre]

They won't be shown on League Pass, so I wouldn't count on that either.

That's my world.

[Chef]

i can't believe the nba lets the providers get away with that. the providers are required to show the home team within 75 miles but outside of that it is optional. if a company opts out, but you are inside the defined home area (north and south carolina for the cats) you are still blacked out on league pass. it should be that, if a company opts out and you are subscriber of said company you can get the home team on league pass. or the nba should get rid of the inner and outer markets and require all providers to show to the entire market.

[spectre]

Totally agree, but I understand the reasoning. Without that leverage FS would never get the sats to sign on. Plus there's this book a member brought up last year that details the NBA's strategy in regards to those limits...something about saturation and such. BS IMO.

IMO there should be a compromise. Offer us a PPV option. Let me buy each game for 2 bucks apiece...a worse deal than LP (costs about the same but you get to see all the games vs. just Bobcats). That way we're not totally frozen out but there's still incentive for us wanting our providers to cut a deal with FS.

[teej]

could you elaborate on how changing my address would work? wouldn't it mess up billing, sat alignment etc?

Your (Directv) address determines what programming you get. The satellite wouldn't mess up, it'd just pick up the Charlotte lineup, not RDU. As far as billing, you can do all of it online so it doesn't really matter, but if it does you could just get a PO box in Greensboro or something.

[Scottley Crue]

Thought I'd bump this because I'm now considering the same thing as Chef. Always been with TWC and not unhappy with them, but the deal Direct TV threw out there this weekend is hard to not at least consider. With that, I'm about to throw out some rather stupd questions about this...

1) Bobcats are definitely the #1 priority (and Sports South HD is a reason to move for me). I'm in Rockwell, well within 75 miles of Charlotte, so I should be good, right? (My stupid question there)

2)Storms aren't really a big issue? I've been in houses that have had it go out with storms, but maybe new tech has made this much better?

3)Any way to talk them down on the price of Showtime if I sign on? I get it for $5 a month now and would like to keep it, but not exactly at the price they want to charge for it. There are other ways to watch Dexter.

[teej]

1) Bobcats are definitely the #1 priority (and Sports South HD is a reason to move for me). I'm in Rockwell, well within 75 miles of Charlotte, so I should be good, right? (My stupid question there)

Correct. You're more than fine.


2)Storms aren't really a big issue? I've been in houses that have had it go out with storms, but maybe new tech has made this much better?

Only time I've ever had DirecTv go out with a storm is a hailstorm that knocked out power for most people and cable for most people.


3)Any way to talk them down on the price of Showtime if I sign on? I get it for $5 a month now and would like to keep it, but not exactly at the price they want to charge for it. There are other ways to watch Dexter.

I don't know how TWC works with the specialty channels, but when you get Showtime it's like 13 different Showtime Channels, including East and West coast (both are watchable regardless of location) and all the Sho-spinoffs.

If you do sign up, as long as the offer you're getting is a national offer, then if you use my family's account when you order both you and us get an additional $10 off per month for a year I do believe, so PM me if you decide to switch.

[Scottley Crue]

Thanks for the info, Teej. In checking the shot I have towards the southern sky, it turns out I don't really have a clear shot due to some trees (part of living a little bit off the beaten path). Had that not been the case, I'd have looked you up for the referal. I was able to use this deal to get TWC to drop my bill be the equivalent of what DTV offered as far as TV went. Now, if I could get Michael Thompson to see about TWC getting Sports South HD, I'd be happier with this setup.

[teej]

In checking the shot I have towards the southern sky, it turns out I don't really have a clear shot due to some trees (part of living a little bit off the beaten path).

I got ya. One question though. Assuming the dish was placed on your roof, and angled towards the southern sky, would there still be trees interfering? That's all that matters.

[Chef]

Now, if I could get Michael Thompson to see about TWC getting Sports South HD, I'd be happier with this setup.

here's a question and this is not critical of michael (he never hesitates to help when he can and actually replies to us), but shouldn't the bobcats organization be meeting/calling the direct tv higher ups daily working on them carrying the team throughout the carolinas (the defined home area)? if worse came to worse mj couldn't lend himself for a few commericals on behalf of direct tv to get them to be broadcast in his hometown? it just seems lazy and stupid to put this on the fanbase, all 300 of us.

[spectre]

here's a question and this is not critical of michael (he never hesitates to help when he can and actually replies to us), but shouldn't the bobcats organization be meeting/calling the direct tv higher ups daily working on them carrying the team throughout the carolinas (the defined home area)? if worse came to worse mj couldn't lend himself for a few commericals on behalf of direct tv to get them to be broadcast in his hometown? it just seems lazy and stupid to put this on the fanbase, all 300 of us.

Yup. Seems simple doesn't it?

[teej]

Yup. Seems simple doesn't it?

I doubt TWC would like MJ doing any DirecTv ads, but yeah, it'd work.

In this case, it makes too much sense for it to happen.

[BlockParty]

It seems simple, but the Bobcats contracted with Fox. Fox and the respective cable/satellite/dish companies make separate negotiations with each other. Could the bobcats help more? Maybe ....Are the bobcats' hands tied because of their contract with Fox/and or Twc? That too is a maybe.

My guess is the cable/dish companies are most at fault, they don't mind having you pay them for QVC, Oxygen, CSPAN or pbs....the people that like those channels are more vocal (as a group) in complaining about the selections.


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[spectre]

It seems simple, but the Bobcats contracted with Fox. Fox and the respective cable/satellite/dish companies make separate negotiations with each other. Could the bobcats help more? Maybe ....Are the bobcats' hands tied because of their contract with Fox/and or Twc? That too is a maybe.

My guess is the cable/dish companies are most at fault, they don't mind having you pay them for QVC, Oxygen, CSPAN or pbs....the people that like those channels are more vocal (as a group) in complaining about the selections.


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If you were DISH or DTV and:

*you are approached to show an NBA team that most of the state doesn't even know exists.

*the fee to show the team outside the "radius" is a percentage of ALL your customers outside the radius...not just those who opt to see the games and pay a higher price...meaning you'd have to raise the price on ALL your customers.

...would you do it?

If I was one of the majority of subscribers who didn't care for the NBA in NC and DISH tells me they are going to jack up the cost of the FOX group 10-15 bucks a month I'd tell them to kiss my ass and cancel it.

The Hornets weren't behind this "wall" and developed a nice following across the state because they got TV exposure. The 'Canes (unless I'm mistaken) aren't behind this wall and they're getting exposure.

The decision by the NBA to do this in order to keep from "saturating" the market is probably a good idea for the big markets, but for the small ones like us it really hurts in trying to sell the franchise to everyone it could.

[spectre]

What MJ and the other small market owners need to do is push hard to get rid of this stupid restriction by the NBA (who's fault it really is) during this new CBA negotiation. They say the owners can't sustain under the status quo...where here's one avenue where they can expand their base and it doesn't hurt the owners or the players.

I have to think FOX would be happy to open up sales across the state. A smaller fee that gets picked up is >>>>> a larger fee no one is willing to pay.

[BlockParty]

The reality is the dish, cable companies wouldn't spin it with we are adding this so you have to pay more, they try to separate price increases from added stations for the reason you mentioned. So they would need enough complaining customers to justify absorbing the amount paid to Fox. Not sure what their rule of thumb is, for every 1 complaining their are 50 with same opinion.

A bunch of written letters complaining would help, so would a bobcats team with a winning record

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[spectre]

I don't think it's possible to get enough complaining, and I doubt seriously if winning would change anything. The Blazers are going thru this exact same thing and they are considered a much better up and coming team than we are...plus they've been winning. That's why they tried to go the route of streaming some of the games last year.

The only way to fix it is to get the NBA to change that stupid radius rule. They implemented it and they're dictating the extra cost.