UPDATE; I stuck with DirecTV for about a year or so, but when my trial price was up and they started to raise prices I decided that the storm outages and strange navigation was not worth it. I went back to Comcast! And that’s where I’m staying. 🙂
Yep. That’s right. About a month ago I finally got sick of the uber-expensive cable bill and switched. Actually, I had ordered DirecTV like a year ago, but then I chickened out and and canceled the order. This time, I let it go through. Now, get it straight… I NEVER had a significant problem with with my Comcast service. I have been a customer since 1998. I have been with them through all of the issues and name changes, but I love the service. The only reason that I switched was the bill. I have been looking for ways to save money on my bills lately, and that was the obvious choice.
Oh… I am still with Comcast for internet. I cannot let that go. The service is just too fast. So, I will still get a bill for that + my 4G MiFi, but the bill is SO much better.
My last Comcast bill with the cable TV, internet, and my Mi-Fi was about $186. Comcast gave me a deal on the internet service when I called, so by switching to DirecTV I will save well over $60 per month. That makes me happy.
Like I mentioned, I was pretty nervous about switching. It used to be that satellite TV had a bad rep because the service would cut out during storms and high winds. I did some checking around first and the consensus seems to be that is not a problem anymore. And in addition, it turns out that DirecTV actually has some advantages over Comcast. I’m still learning all of the cool tricks. I opted for the whole house DVR, so even though I only have one DVR box I can watch the content in other room. And along with that service I love that I can view what is on my DVR from my computer. This is helpful to me since I spend a lot of time in my office during the day. Now I can catch up on my shows on my desktop. To make it work I only had to install the DirecTV2PC app.
Also, in my girl’s room I was able to customize the parental controls so that they can only watch at certain times, and setup a list that shows them only their favorite channels.
Also, although the Comcast iPad app was useful and cool, the DirecTV one now does even more. With DirecTV Everywhere not only can I watch movies available on OnDemand, I can also stream Live TV from several channels including premium channels.
One improvement I would love to see in both the TV listings and iPad app is the ability to filter to view only FREE content. Â I know it is out there, but it is not too easy to find. Everything else in the app is awesome. It can even show you what is currently being viewed on all TVs, so if you wonder why your kids are watching, you can easily check it out. And of course you can set up recordings and edit your existing DVR schedule right in the app.
As previously mentioned, I am still playing. But, if I discover anything else super cool I will be sure to share it.
chuberry
Well, it’s been four years since this post and I’m wondering if she is still with Direct TV or has jumped back to Xfinity?
I switched to Direct TV about 1 1/2 years ago. Like her, the issue was cost. However, contrary to my expectations, I really didn’t save money. The reduction in electricity usage the sales guys bragged about never materialized. But we liked the service, so all was well.
The first year was great, but on my 1 year anniversary, my ‘temporary’ introduction rate jumped up by 41%. Oh HOW I wish I had never left Xfinity. We still have them for internet, but it costs us quite a bit since we lost the bundling reduction. I tell Direct TV that I’ll be dropping them as soon as my 2nd year is up, but it doesn’t phase them a bit. Fine!
I can’t wait to go back to Xfinity. I’ll save money. But my son will be unhappy due to the sports package issues.
Kris McDonald
I did go back to Xfinity! See my comment a bit below this one.
jimoaklanduniv
who in Oakland county has direct tv, how is receptiion, affected by storms, wind, etc?? how about at and t, compared to comcast which i have now for internet and tv, looking to save money
Kris Cain
Hi Jim,
I live in the Chicago area, so I do not know about Oakland County. I was almost happy with my DirecTV, but I did have some outages during storms. In the end I ended up coming back to Comcast (this post is almost 4 years old). The main reason was price. When I signed up for DirecTV it was for a great deal. Eventually that deal expired and they kept raising the price. I figured that I might as well go back to what I loved, and bundle it in with my phone and Internet once again.
Kris
jimoaklanduniv
Thx Kris, i want to save $$, going to have to do more reserach 😉
Brandon Nicholson
Save an extra $10/month for 10 months and get NFL Sunday Ticket free with new subscription on @directv with my link. http://refer.directv.com/a/clk/16PmhB
Nick Smith-Decato
I sell Directv and I’ve tried Comcast and Fios. And I love Directv not just because i sell it but I’ve had no problems and saved a lot of money!
Leyla Pepper
Beware of using Direc TV as your cable provider. I recently terminated my subscription with them. On Monday morning I woke up to find that they had withdrawn $294 from my account for termination fee. I did not authorize the withdrawal. They simply used my card information that I used to authorize my monthly payment. Direc TV is currently embroiled in a law suit for this exact practice.
So if you want Direc TV to pilfer money from you without your permission, go ahead a be a subscriber.
Shame on you Mike White CEO of Direc TV. I told you that I would send a blast out letting as many people as I can about your companies sleazy behavior. If I cause even one person to choose another provider then I have done my job well.
If you would like to contact Mike White personally his email address is: mike.white@directv.com.
Lisa Baumrucker Hanneman
Very helpful. The Comcast bill has gotten out of hand, but I'm too much of a wimp to change. Think it's time!
Illusive Man
Would love to see a cost breakdown. Contemplating switching but cant find a good cost/benefit analysis
Â
Tim
I also want to switch from comcast cable to directv because of the price but I would like to keep Comcast Internet how much extra did comcast charge you for Internet after you cancelled the cable
Jessica
I switched from comcast to directv also. Comcast was way too expensive for only a few channels, and I had to pay for just local channels also. It was not included.
If anyone needs DirecTv or know anyone that does,
ENTER THIS ACCOUNT NUMBER FOR $100 OFF YOUR BILL: #040519768
spread the word about DirecTv and their incredible offers!
GET MORE FOR A LOWER DECENT PRICE!
ComcastMark
I am sorry to learn that you no longer a Comcast customer. If there is anything that I can do to convince you to come back, please let me know.
Thanks,
Mark Casem
Comcast Corp.
National Customer Operations
We_can_help@cable.comcast.com
Tonja
I just did the same thing – except I switched Internet, too. I wanted to be totally done with them and their crazy high bills!!
Marc Applewhite
I totally can relate to this post and your reservations about switching to DirecTV. I was a customer with DTV when they had those outage issues, and I left them for Comcast but, like you, the bill was just way too high, so I switched back to DTV about 2 years ago and let me tell you, I’ve never regretted returning. There is the occasional outage on an uber cloudy day. If you lived in Seattle, I’d say go back to Comcast lol but overall, I’m very pleased with it. Once your contract is up and the prices go back to normal, the savings won’t be as much or as noticeable but DirecTV has superior programming and customer service that will make you want to stay not to mention, I love their DirecTV2PC app which allows me to watch anything on my DVR from any of my PCs on the home network (provided it passes requirements by DTV). I stayed with Comcast for internet too, I’m no fool either haha.