Contemplating a downgrade

[CK SatGuy]

So this is my 13th month with Directv which means that 1st year credits are gone, which means I just paid the highest bill I ever paid for TV: $129.71. Now don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining as 1) I knew the price hike was coming) and 2) this how high a bill could get when get the Premier package. And keep in mind I only have 1 genie and 1 mini client (I'm not a power user like Scott who would need a genie, an HR24, and 3 clients) Anyway I'm looking to save some money like everyone else on here so for the 1st time I'm contemplating on a downgrade and I'm taking my own advice and finding which channels I need and don't need. I've to the conclusion that for my needs, I'd have to go with Xtra + HBO + Showtime which would give me a savings of $26 per month. Not bad considering I'm giving up the sports pack, Cinemax, and Starz. Reasons I'm giving those up:

1. In the 12 months since I've had the sports pack I've never watched any the channels. (Unless you count watching my RSN (FS Detroit) for Red Wings games and that's about it.) I know my RSN is included in Xtra.

2. Don't care for Cinemax's original series (or their softcore Max after Dark block) and since both HBO and Max are owned by Time Warner, they both have the same movie deals and show the same movies. Yeah Max might sometimes show new movies 1st than HBO, but after a few weeks, HBO shows those same movies anyway so I'm not really missing anything.

3. Starz has really devalued itself in the past few years. They lost the rights to Disney movies to Netflix starting in 2016 so the only major studio they'll have left is Columbia/Sony. And their original series? Please. The only one I liked was Boss and they cancelled it last year due to low ratings and I haven't had interest in any of their new series either. Oh, and they moved their new movie premieres to Friday nights now, which stinks because I'm usually out then and I'd have to record them. OK, that's enough ranting from me.

My only question is this: Does anyone know if I were to downgrade, would I be eligible for these premium offers right away: http://www.directv.com/premiums/special_offers

Yeah, I know I don't need Starz or Max, but if they're giving them for free for 3 months (or 2 for 1) then I'll take it because it's a good and reasonable offer. I'll appreciate any other advice you guys may have.

 

[jcrandall]

Generally they will offer you B1G1 deals of that nature when you call to change the package and drop the premiums, but if not you could do the online promo the next day.

 

[acostapimps]

So this is my 13th month with Directv which means that 1st year credits are gone, which means I just paid the highest bill I ever paid for TV: $129.71. Now don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining as 1) I knew the price hike was coming) and 2) this how high a bill could get when get the Premier package. And keep in mind I only have 1 genie and 1 mini client (I'm not a power user like Scott who would need a genie, an HR24, and 3 clients) Anyway I'm looking to save some money like everyone else on here so for the 1st time I'm contemplating on a downgrade and I'm taking my own advice and finding which channels I need and don't need. I've to the conclusion that for my needs, I'd have to go with Xtra + HBO + Showtime which would give me a savings of $26 per month. Not bad considering I'm giving up the sports pack, Cinemax, and Starz. Reasons I'm giving those up:

1. In the 12 months since I've had the sports pack I've never watched any the channels. (Unless you count watching my RSN (FS Detroit) for Red Wings games and that's about it.) I know my RSN is included in Xtra.

2. Don't care for Cinemax's original series (or their softcore Max after Dark block) and since both HBO and Max are owned by Time Warner, they both have the same movie deals and show the same movies. Yeah Max might sometimes show new movies 1st than HBO, but after a few weeks, HBO shows those same movies anyway so I'm not really missing anything.

3. Starz has really devalued itself in the past few years. They lost the rights to Disney movies to Netflix starting in 2016 so the only major studio they'll have left is Columbia/Sony. And their original series? Please. The only one I liked was Boss and they cancelled it last year due to low ratings and I haven't had interest in any of their new series either. Oh, and they moved their new movie premieres to Friday nights now, which stinks because I'm usually out then and I'd have to record them. OK, that's enough ranting from me.

My only question is this: Does anyone know if I were to downgrade, would I be eligible for these premium offers right away: http://www.directv.com/premiums/special_offers

Yeah, I know I don't need Starz or Max, but if they're giving them for free for 3 months (or 2 for 1) then I'll take it because it's a good and reasonable offer. I'll appreciate any other advice you guys may have.

I would speak with retention dept and see what incentives they give out, might get your bill reduced to acceptable levels, Retention dept can do more than regular CSR's when it comes to credits, It all depends how well is your payment history and since you have a higher tier package they might help you out, I would try CSR also.