andrzej said:
For me at least, the exclusive HD programming was just a bonus. So far the programming has met my expectations, but then again I didn't set them that high in the first place. In all honesty, almost all of the HD I watch is on Discovery HD Theater, HBO HD, TNT HD (during basketball season), and the network HD off my antenna.
Over the entire course of my subscription to VOOM, I've only sat down and watched one movie all the way through to completion from start to finish. (A lot of that is attributed to the lack of DVR and lot is attributed to there not being very much there to watch in terms on content...at least for me). Honestly, the only time I really turn on the VOOM channels is when I demo HD for my friends and family.
Before I signed up for VOOM, I had two HDTV's in the house (now I have 3). Neither of the TV's had an HD signal because I was still under my original Dish Network contract, and I didn't want to pony up the cash to Dish when I didn't think their equipment was all that great (see the 921 and the 801). My contract expired and the VOOM deal came along where I could get HD boxes for both my TV's without having to plunk down a ton of money. It was a great deal.
VOOM offered all the main channels I was used to watching (minus the RSN...which is a huge deal for me). I had to give up my DVR, but I thought there would be one coming sooner rather than later. I figured that with 0 committment, if I didn't like it, I could always switch down the line.
Don't get me wrong, there is a lot to like about VOOM, but I don't know if there is enough to like to keep me as a customer. For me right now, the only thing that doesn't keep me from going to DirecTV is the large amount of money I'd have to pony up in order to get HD equipment for my TV's. VOOM continues to keep me as a customer because of the cheap equipment.
Once that changes (or I finally have the luxury of dropping a bunch of money on Sat equipment), my status as a customer will also probably change. The one thing I've noticed on here is that everyone assumes VOOM gained these subscribers because of all the HD programming. I mean it's nice and everything, but it isn't necessarily why I joined. I also can vouch for a few other people I got to sign up as well. The deal for the hardware was just too good to pass up.
In all honesty, I love to root for the underdog, and I really hope VOOM can make it. However, with no firm plans in place and a growing sense that the company is just kind of adrift with no real direction, it is hard to stay optimistic.
