Considering dumping DirecTV for Dish

[Will94]

I am a long time DirecTV customer who has found himself unhappy with them. It's not anything that they have done except that my monthly bill is ridiculous at this point.

Back in Sept. 1995, when I first signed up, I had their most expensive package at, I think, $29.99 per month, plus $5 or $10 for Sports Pack and something like $8 for USSB.

My current bill is:
TOTAL CHOICE Monthly (which I think I am grandfathered into) for $60.49
HBO/SHOWTIME/SPORTS - $37.00
HD Access Monthly - $10
DVR Service - $7
Two leased receivers - $6 x 2 = $12

Between my HD fee, my DVR fee, and my "leased" receivers (both of which I purchased at Best Buy), I am spending $29 per month. In the early days, we (DirecTV customers) chastised Primestar for leasing their equipment. Now DirecTV is doing the same thing.

Looking at Dish's site, I could get America's top 250 for $69.99 (ignoring intro first year pricing), HBO and Showtime for $24, and Multi-Sport for $7. That comes out to $100.99. That's a savings of $25.50. I could save $10 more, but National Geographic is probably my favorite channel of all.

I have a few questions about Dish:
I know that Dish offers "free HD for life." Is this on the level or some sort of scheme? Do you have to lease receivers like DirecTV? If so, how much is the cost. Also, what is the cost of their DVR service?

Thank you in advance for the information!

 

[isaacmorseMI]

1. Free HD is not a scheme It just shows up on your bill as HD 250 Free for 0.00 [because I have AT250]. You do have to sign up for Autopay and Paperless billing or pay a one time fee of $99.
2. You can buy recievers to own from sites like dishstore.net But the only advantage is no contract extension. If you are a new customer it makes much more sense to lease because you can get up to 3 receivers for no upfront cost. The leasing fees as follows. The most expensive receiver on your account is included for free with your programing. This is what my bill looks like. I have 3 recievers. 2 HD duo recievers and 1 HD solo.

5.00/month single TV SD Reciever.
7/00/month Single TV HD Reciever
10.00/month Single TV HD DVR
14.00/month 2 TV HD reciever one HD TV one SD.
17.00/month 2 TV HD DVR one HD TV 1 SD.

3. The DVR fee is 6.00 per month that covers all DVRs on the account. It is 10.00 per month if you have a VIP 922 receiver which has built in Sling capability. It is a much better option to get a 722K and the now FREE Sling Adapter.