Ok, so I’m having this dilemma on changing cable tv providers and would like to know which provider keeps people happy and isn’t outrageous in price. I’m really getting tired of giving almost $100 for this service or lack there of. So I’ll include what’s available in this area and if you could select what works best for you and hopefully help me make a decision on whom to select.
Direct TV
Dish Network
Time Warner Cable
Other (no provider, antenna)

 

Had Dish Network, but their customer service was lacking and the kept changing my channel lineup all the time. Have had DirecTV now for about 7 years and have had no problems. Good to deal with when a box went out too.

 

I have used DirecTv for so long they no longer offer the package I am currently on. They have always had good customer service and their pricing is not out of line. I don't like the fact I have to pay $9.99 a month for HD service but it is still better than *** Cable's pricing for their so called digital service and thie constant price changes everytime you turn around.

Hub

 

i have had dish network for 5 years and no probs here unlike cable them ppl really tick me off i will never go back to cable

 

we had dish for ~8 years

we recently switched to Direct.

I hate it. I had figured out how to work the DISH DVR, and i am just too old & grumpy to figure out the Direct DVR

it has hidden secret functions, like channel 104 (sports mix of like 6 channels)
and weird stuff, like the unmarked button does favorites. you HAVE to read the book to figure it out. the yellow button does closed caption.

if you are REALLY cheap, call and disconnect your Dish for a month, and tell them you are going to Direct.

they will call you about 2 or 3 times and SCREAM at you, almost abusive.

then some calm little girl calls, and offers you free re-hook up and a few months free and several months discounted.

my DISH DVR software was ALWAYS screwy though, it would lock up and act goofy

 

None of em, I have FTA satellite.

 

thanks for the responses so far! keep em' coming.

 

Comcast cable, part of the blacked out area where I cannot get local channels off of satelite. HATE HATE HATE cable.

Sorry to be a hater.

 

We have Comcast and they are great... Had dish in OH, but when we moved to MI, too many trees would have had to come down to keep the dish... Yes it is not necessarily cheap, but we have also selected options tha have resulted in higher charges (2x HD receivers with DVR service, highspeed internet)... Only thing I have not signed up for is voice as they can not touch my $19.99 rate through vonage..

The cable supports the VoIP, which lets me cut out the $70+ a month I was paying ATT for phone service.

Bryan

 

I have Direct TV, and I like them.

I had Dish Network, but their customer service wasn't very good for two issues for me. One, they never seemed willing to bend at all, weather it was a credit for interrupted service, a change in plan or maintaining their equipment (they own it, not me). Two, I never, never got a customer service rep in America- always had to speak with someone in India, and they couldn't do anything without going around in circles. Additionally, they use two satellites for the basic package. Usually, one dish is all that is needed as it has a dual LNB. But, because of my trees, I had to have two dishes because any one location didn't have a direct line of site to both satelites. So, I had one dish pointed at one, and one pointed at another- this didn't include a seperate one for local chanels.

Direct TV on the other hand has bent over backwards to retain my account, has matched offers while not under contract, and I only need one dish. The technicians have always been helpful. After two years, the trees grew into the line of site, so the tech found that by moving the dish to my shed, I recieved better signal than I had ever had. The customer servie also is friendly, and have credited service calls, with a little persuading. They have replaced my reciever and not charged me. And, I have been able to suspend my service at times for vacations for any amount of time and not be charged that time on my bill- without having to cancel the account. I also aquired a second dish, so when we go up to a friend's property to get away, I can bring my reciever, hook it up to my second dish I put on his property, and watch TV.

I don't have any complaints about Comcast, though I can't see paying the higher premium for service. I use a dryloop DSL (DSL without a phone line), so that's when I moved to satelite.

That's my opinion, for what it's worth. One of my other friends has Dish, and wasn't happy with them. I don't know the reason however.

 

I have TWC ONLY because they are the only provider to my apartment (and I cant do satallite). I only keep it because the little woman insists. One month into my service I wanted to reach through and choke the person on the other end of the line. The service is terrible and their practices are unreal. They actually tacked on my second months bill even before my first months service was due! Two days before my first months bill was due I received a final notice letter that my payment is delinquent!!!! As you can well imagine I was NOT happy and I let them know about it. If you can at all possible, dont do business with these people. When we move next month ill be getting a dish or at least a different provider. The equipment and signal sucks a big one as well.

 

I hate DISH!!!! and will never deal with them again..... Direct TV has been awesome!

 

http://www.dbstalk.com/

If you opt with Dish, see if you can get 2 HD recivers instead of 1 for 2 rooms. On the 1 for 2, the 2nd tv will only be SD. It doesn't bother me because my 2nd TV is a trinitron anyway, for now.

On a side note, I've noticed HD wanting to go out with snow covering the dish, but analogue kept a signal. I don't believe it's a brand issue, since OTA HD also breaks up with the weather. I haven't lost either with heavy rain or snow, until the dish was covered with snow/ice that is. When I had Direct a while back (before any HD), I would lose signal with bad weather.

 

verizon fios.. fiber

 

Havent had cable for over a year now. It was costing me 162 a month for hddvr, phone amd internet, and the only things we watched were noggin and the local channels. I put up a 120 mile antenna and havent looked back.