After Dish's announcement, DIRECTV revealed that it will also waive its monthly $10 fee for high-def programming if a customer signs up for a 'Choice' package or higher, signs a two-year contract and enrolls in auto pay. The offer, which starts tomorrow, will be valid for six weeks.

DIRECTV's offer also does not include premium channels or its HD Extra Pack package which costs $4.99 a month.


Swanni's Take:
Thank God for competition.

The two satcasters have been locked in a fierce battle for new customers. And now the battle has forced DIRECTV and Dish Network to give its customers a break, albeit one that requires you to jump through a bunch of hoops (two-year contracts, auto pay, etc.).

But a break is still a break.

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Phillip Swann is president and publisher of TVPredictions.com. He has been quoted in dozens of publications and broadcast outlets, including CNN, Fox News, Inside Edition, The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Chicago Tribune, The Financial Times, The Associated Press and The Hollywood Reporter. He can be reached at swann@tvpredictions.com or at 703-505-3064.

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