CES: DirecTV, Dish offer new services, go mobile

Digital satellite service providers DirecTV and EchoStar's Dish Network both announced new program line-ups at CES, along with ways to let subscribers take their satellite programming on the road.

Among the highlights: DirecTV announced a new suitcase-style portable receiver/LCD monitor called Sat-Go (pictured), and said it was creating a professional video gaming league run much like a baseball or football league; and Dish rolled out new programming packages that bundle a DVR at no additional charge, and announced an in-car satellite service called MobileDish.

Sat-Go, a large briefcase-style package that includes an antenna, receiver and 17-inch LCD, will be launched this spring. The system, which was designed by a DirecTV customer who happens to be a TV producer (and who used to lug a conventional dish and receiver to location shoots), can pop out of the case/antenna to be used as a standalone DirecTV receiver.

The gaming initiative — called the Championship Gaming Series — is planned as an international video gaming league and will launch this spring. The league will operate much like other professional sports leagues, with salaried players, managers and even a commissioner. Players will compete for an international title and over $1 million in prize money.

At CES, the company said it was on plan to launch two new satellites mid-year, giving it the capacity to offer 100-plus national HD channels and 1,500 local channels. DirecTV also said it had deals or agreements in principle with more than 70 major networks including: A&E, National Geographic, Bravo, NFL Network,Cartoon Network, SciFi Channel, CNN, Speed, Food Network, TBS, FX, The History Channel, HGTV, The Weather Channel, MTV and USA Network. Sports programming will be beefed up with regional sports networks such as YES and Fox Sports, and the company will expand its premium-channel HD offerings. Most of the new programming will be available this fall. The company also said a new networkable  Viiv-enabled DVR is now in beta, and DirecTV on Demand will likely roll out in the middle of the year.

As for Dish, its new DishDVR Advantage Package bundles its ViP622 HD DVR, its America's Top 200 programming package, plus an 18-month "Home Protection" warranty plan for a $49.99 monthly fee. The package, designed to remove hidden fees or charges, will kick off Feb. 1. For those who want HD, it can be added to any package for $20 per month. The ViP622 now has a 500GB hard drive, and supports VC1, as well as MPEG-4, which are more efficient video formats.

MobileDish is a car-based satellite system that uses antenna technology from a company called RaySat. The antenna mounts to a car's roof rack. The company also said it will launch a new satellite later this year,and discussed several new interactive TV initiatives, including Racing Interactive. The new broadband-enabled DVR and its DishOnline initiative can also be used to supplement the company's "push" VOD program, which downloads movie selections to a portion of the DVR's hard drive for access by users. While new titles would likely continue to be offered this way, catalog titles and TV programs could be delivered via the Internet.

The company also said it was getting out of the branded portable media player business, but that Archos, which supplied the hardware for its handheld PocketDish device, would continue to make models that could capture, store and play back Dish programs, as well as music, photos and games.

Despite their obviously separate approaches to the business, rumors continue to abound that the two satellite companies could merge within the next year or two, if regulatory hurdles can be surmounted.

— James K. Willcox

Comments

[Alyssa]

I'm glad to see I'm not the only one pissed off at Directv! I signed up through Verizon and was not told I had to have an 18-mo contract. I went back and forth with them...the customer service people were totally unintelligible..when I requested a copy of the contract they claimed I signed they said they would "escalate my request" (whatever that means--I'm an English teacher)and a minute later said they "could not provide it". I decided I couldn't spend any more energy fighting them. Seeing all these complaints, however, I'm thinking of writing a letter to the Attorney General.

[gloria wise]

After being a customer for 10 years I have taken an oath to never do business with this company again. They change your service and charge you the same price without notice. The worse customer service ever.

[Sara]

DON'T EVER USE DIRECTV!!!!!!

We switched from Brighthouse, which I love, in September because my husband wanted to try Directv for it's hd channels. Now I had an idea that we were going to switch back to Brighthouse so when calling Directv I specifically asked if there was any type of contract and was told "No, there is not. You can cancel at any time." Now I have canceled and come to find out "I agreed to a 24 month contract and will be charged $20 for the remaining 19 months of the contract for a total charge of $380." What!!!!
I thought I would definitely get out off this since I specifically was not informed of the contract when asking about it but with back and forth emails and many calls, Directv insists that I agreed to a contact.

With very little digging I have uncovered over 20 pages of complaints, from CA to FL, about Directv with everything from my story to people having their bank accounts debited, with no notification, for up to $800 (don't ever give them your debt or credit information for their file, they may decide to continue charging you, with no service, and will not delete the information even if their demanded to. People have had to close there banking accounts). And if you have the charge reversed Directv sends it to a collection agency and runes peoples credit.

Even people who have had the service for 8+ yrs go through this ordeal and worse. So spread the word to everyone you know.... I wish I had known.

PS: I never thought they had any of my financial information because I always mark to "not have it saved" but I did pay the bill once with my credit card and come to find out a $435 charge has been made by Directv that that my credit card co is not alowing me to take off. I've canceled that credit card to.

[begnme]

After being a customer for 15 years I have taken an oath to never do business with this company again. All I ever asked of them was to give me a decent deal on my service plan for the last two years. They refused to cut anything off my bill; and this while new customers are being charged half of what I am being billed. After paying six hundred dollars up front TO BUY my DVR equipment in the last two years it was a very hard decision to cancel the service and go to another service provider. Now, to insult my intelligence further, they are billing me another $400 for LEASED equipment that was not returned. After several phone calls to dispute the matter I realize I am no longer dealing with logical people. Some how in their sick and twisted world they have contrived a way to turn my owned equipment into leased. You have lost a customer for good and hopefully sharing this experience will deter many others from your service!

[Jerri]

I bought the DirecTV dish and receiver in 2000, installed it myself, and have been paying monthly service for a premium package since then. Last December 2007 my receiver stopped working. I could order a receiver from them for 19.99 shipping or buy one at Best Buy for 60 dollars, I was told the receiver I had was obsolete, but I was never notified of this. It would have been January before I would have received their unit so I purchased one at Best Buy.
In November 2008 my Dish seemed to not be working properly and I was unable to get any information from DirecTV. Their upgrades are for new customers only.
In December 2008 I signed up for Dish TV, got equipment upgrades and at least the same programming or more at less than I was paying for DirecTV. I called to cancel my DirecTV service and was told I would owe 120 dollars for the remainder of the 18 month contract on the receiver I bought last December 2007. The documentation from the receiver I bought and the DirecTV billing did not have any reference to an 18 month contract. I assume I will have to pay. I am very disappointed in the way I have been treated after being a loyal customer for the last 10 years. I would not recommend this company to anyone.

[Barb & Rich]

We have had continual problems with the HD and DVR services from Directv. (We don't even get most of the HD channels at all now and often our recordings don't work.) Calls for service have not resulted in good resolution of the problems. Now they want to charge us $79 for a technician appointment OR $19 plus $6/month contract for Insurance.... to fix their faulty less than a year old equipment. Ridiculous.

Don't sign a contract with them and don't subscribe to the extra services unless you try it for several months and it works as promised and you like to gamble.

[Robert L. Noe]

I have only one thing to say about DirecTV, their service,be it customer or technical,

Absoulety horrible!

No help from the kids that answer without answers, technicians that have no clue except what one that subscribes over a period of time, i.e. Reset the receiver_____ (that's the little red button behind the little door) the Unplug the power to the receiver for 15 seconds, (let the receiver reset for ten minutes).

And one other thing. If you subscribe and plan to unsubscribe, PLAN TO KEEP PAYING THEIR FEE!!!!

Shucks! I did not know that.

I guess I should have gotten a lawyer before subscribing to DirecTV!!!!!!!!

[Anna]

Be very careful doing business with Directv. They were nice when we first signed on with them a few years back, but now they seem more concerned with gouging us at every opportunity. We upgraded to HD and were socked with $150 in additional secret fees, on top of the $200 for the HD-DVR box and $20 in monthly fees we knew of and consented to. Customer Service once you sign on is nonexistant. The web page is spotty on information and connecting with a human being who can help you is nearly impossible. Get ready to be transferred a dozen times, placed on hold a dozen times and tour the world with accents you cannot understand.

[Jake]

Directv seems easy to use. Our friends have it and they LOVE it and said they would pay extra for it! thats how good it seems to me.

[Sarah Sturges]

Directv offers a "free move"...we bought a home and now our local provider & his installers can not find line of sight for the dish and can't provide us service. The owner was verbally abusive with my husband and stated that he would debit our account for a charge back of $350.00. His employees (7 over the past 4 years) have told us to not deal with him and stated he has a history of charging (as does Directv) your account. Someone needs to look into this!! We would never use Directv again.

See below web-site for further complaints.

http://www.consumeraffairs.com/cable_tv/directv_bill.html

[Paul]

DirecTV has the worst customer service I have ever experienced. I had to call in excess of 16 times for problems with billing, service and installation issues in the one year I was with them. False promises followed by the inconsistent information and follow up. Supervisors either refused to speak to me or were completely useless when I was able to speak to one. I will never go back to DirecTV and I would WARN all who are considering DirecTV.