This logic doesn't work though. So if Direct pays so much more to providers (because they aren't tough negotiators like Charlie), but they keep their prices close to the competition, they would go out of business very quick. High costs + low income = bankruptcy. You can't have it both ways. Either Direct pays out the nose for the programming and therefore their customers pay a lot more, or they can afford to keep costs close. Has the difference between Direct and Dish drastically changed over the last 10-15 years?DirecTV needs to stay competitive with DISH, so naturally they're prices need to be close to the competition. If it weren't for the competition, DirecTV rates would be substantially higher. Get it now, grasshopper?