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Current DirecTV Plan and New HD Channels

DirecTV was supposed to launch 30 new HD channels today (which I was hoping would include Golf Channel HD), simulcast on the same channels as the regular SD broadcasts.

Our entertainment needs are pretty simple: I have my old TiVo as a backup in the bedroom (hooked to a tiny 19" TV that's so old it only has one input - coaxial cable) and a DirecTV HD DVR downstairs.

Our current programming package is no longer offered, but costs $51.99. We pay $9.99 for the HD package and $5.99 for the TiVo (a second DVR). It's a "no longer offered" plan that comes to $67.97 per month.

I called to see if I'd be gaining anything if I switched to the $69.99 "Plus HD DVR" plan. It includes the $5.99 (extra DVR) and $9.99 (HD) options… but nothing else. So, for $2.02/month, I'll keep my current non-existent plan.

I also asked about what HD channels would exist and whether people would need to pay extra for them, and I was told that a seven-channel HD package was going to be created for $4.99. It would include three channels we get now - Universal HD, HDNet, and HDNet Movies - as well as four new channels and would debut December 12. The package, my CSR told me, was going to be included free for HD customers from its release until December 12.

Oh, and the 30+ new HD channels that were supposed to debut today? The CSR said that at his morning briefing he was told they still planned to launch them today, but he hasn't heard anything else yet and they clearly haven't launched them yet, so he expects they'll "definitely be up by the end of the month."

Update: Swanni says they're still planning to launch 20-40 new stations this week (September 21).

2 Responses to "Current DirecTV Plan and New HD Channels"

  1. I have had choice plus , plus HD programming since feb 07.
    Started out 205 channels plus the 7 HD channels first offered.
    The month after I "signed the contract", I was notified my pkg. doesn't exist any longer and the price went up to $51.99 plus the $9.99 for HD.
    Now the new HD channels are online.....I don't get any of them . I get a (721) message....interesting when I was assured I'd be getting HD channels as they were added. SOOOOOOO...Iv'e been paying $10 for 7 channels and if I want any more I can pay an additional $4.99.
    Sounds fair to me..........

  2. [quote comment="43614"]The month after I "signed the contract", I was notified my pkg. doesn't exist any longer and the price went up to $51.99 plus the $9.99 for HD.

    SOOOOOOO...Iv'e been paying $10 for 7 channels and if I want any more I can pay an additional $4.99.[/quote]

    That's not how it should work for you, no. If you're paying the $9.99 you should get all the HD channels they've launched (about 30 or so, some of which are sports or movie channels I don't personally receive) just fine.

    I do.