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The
10 Things I Love About DIRECTV
By Swanni
Washington, D.C. (February 17, 2011)
-- Editor's Note: To
celebrate the 10th anniversary of TVPredictions.com, over the
next several months I plan to publish a series of features
honoring what I think represents the '10 Best' in the field of
TV technologies.
(And in some cases, '10 Worst' articles will expose
companies and people who I think are failing to strive toward
excellence, or, in some cases, not even making a serious effort
to satisfy their customers.)
But today, I offer the '10 Things I Love About DIRECTV.'
Earlier this week, I published my rant about DIRECTV,
entitled,
'The 10 Things I Hate About DIRECTV.'
But I noted in the article that I
have been a DIRECTV customer since 1994 so obviously I think the satcaster
generally does a great job of providing an affordable and
compelling pay TV service.
So, today, as
promised, I
present, 'The 10 Things I Love About DIRECTV!'
Scott Porter as Jason
Street in Friday Night Lights.
1. DIRECTV's Channel 101 Offers a Treasure Chest of
'Hidden Gems'
DIRECTV started its own channel, called channel 101, several
years ago. At first, the channel was largely a promotional
vehicle featuring short segments on expensive sports packages
such as the NFL Sunday Ticket. However, a few years ago, DIRECTV
reversed course and started airing real programming that you
couldn't find anywhere else. And, in most cases, it was -- and
continues to be -- great programming. For instance: past
episodes of The Wire. Brotherhood, Damages -- and thanks
to an exclusive DIRECTV marketing deal with NBC -- original
episodes of one of the best TV dramas ever, Friday Night
Lights. And this summer, DIRECTV will exclusive air the
fourth and final season of Damages. As a DIRECTV
subscriber, channel 101 has been a great way to catch up with
some old classics (or discover them for the first time) -- and
keep watching some current ones.
2. DIRECTV Is a Video
Company; Not a Triple Play Company
The cable operators and telcos offers video, Internet and voice
service -- the so-called Triple Play package. While that's nice
if you need all three, or even two, too often the 'Triple Play'
companies spend too much time and money on the non-video
offerings, leaving video subscribers holding the bag. For
instance, Comcast was late to expand its high-def programming in
part, I believe, because it was so focused on improving its
Internet and voice service. But DIRECTV, which is strictly a
video company, invested heavily in 2007 to expand its HD channel
count from nine to more than 90. The satcaster did so because
video is its main business; the company wanted to ensure that
its subscribers were happy.
Of course, in the last year or so, I've noted that DIRECTV has
put the breaks on HD channel additions ( a major mistake, in my
opinion). But the fact that it's a video company enables it to
focus on innovative video products like the channel 101.
3. DIRECTV Has The
NFL Sunday Ticket - Exclusively
Even if you're a casual fan, the NFL Sunday Ticket is a great
programming package. You can watch every game, every Sunday,
guaranteed. And DIRECTV is the only TV provider that has the
'Ticket.' Not Comcast, which has more subscribers. Not Time
Warner Cable, which arguably has similar resources. And not Dish
Network, which constantly amazes people with how it can get
things done with lesser resources. So if you like football,
you'll love DIRECTV. (Plus, DIRECTV last year added the Ticket's
HD games to the overall package without charging an extra fee,
as it did in recent years; gotta' love that, too.)
Sit back and watch some
satellite TV on JetBlue.
4. DIRECTV Is Available On Jet Blue & Frontier
I'm not the frequent flier that I used to be. But it's a
wonderful feeling every time I fly on Jet Blue and see that
little screen on the back of my front neighbor's chair. It means
that roughly 35, live DIRECTV channels will be available
to watch during the flight. There's nothing better to pass the
time on a long airplane flight than watching television (Well,
almost nothing.) And, on Jet Blue, Continental (select flights)
and Frontier, DIRECTV delivers. I only wish the satcaster was
available on all airlines.
5. DIRECTV Takes Local HD Channels Seriously
To be specific, the satcaster now offers local channels in HD in
97 percent of U.S. TV households. While not every market has
every channel in HD, DIRECTV has done a great job of bringing
local HD to as many homes as possible. The satcaster concluded
(wisely) several years ago that people watch their local
channels the most so it was crucial that they be in HD when
possible. DIRECTV invested heavily in new satellites to not only
add more national HD channels, but make it possible that its
subscribers could watch their locals in high-def.
6. DIRECTV's HD DVR
& On-Screen Guide Are Easy to Use
Some DIRECTV subscribers are still begging for that new DIRECTV/TiVo
HD DVR, which has been delayed now for nearly three years. But
the current series of DIRECTV HD DVRs works just fine, thank
you. And the satcaster's on-screen guide is simple and
informative.
7. DIRECTV Will Offer Deals -- If You Ask
Not satisfied with your programming package? Give DIRECTV a call
and ask if they have any specials going on? More times than not,
they do. For instance, DIRECTV sometimes offers a special,
time-limited monthly rate on Showtime or Starz or its HD Extra
Pack package; it's a great way to give the channels a try
without paying the full price. But you have to ask; the specials
are not advertised for obvious reasons.
8. If It Wasn't For
DIRECTV, There Would Still Be a Cable Monopoly
Nearly 17 years ago, DIRECTV launched its 18-inch dish service,
despite contrary advice from many industry 'experts' who said
the company could never compete with the cable monopoly. But in
2011, DIRECTV has more video subscribers than any TV provider in
the U.S., except for Comcast.
And because there's a DIRECTV (and Dish Network, which launched
later), the cable companies have had to get off their butts and
start investing in services that people really want. Like more
HD channels. More channels period. And better technology such as
DVRs.
If the satellite services didn't exist, do you think your local
cable company would offer anywhere close to 100 HD channels?
9. DIRECTV
Continues to Innovate
DIRECTV could easily rest on its laurels -- and 18 million
subscribers plus -- and still make a nice profit. But the
company continues to roll out new innovations such as 'NFL
Sunday Ticket To-Go,' which enables viewers to watch Sunday
games on mobile devices. (And next year, rumor has it that
DIRECTV will add the Ticket to Apple TV and Blu-ray players.)
DIRECTV has also launched an elaborate new Video on Demand
service, called DIRECTV Cinema Plus, which enables subscribers
to order movies over the Net. The service has its kinks -- lots
of kinks -- because most DIRECTV subscribers do not have their
set-tops connected to the Internet. But the satcaster is working
with Verizon to develop a program that will make the home
connection easier.
10. DIRECTV Has
Produced Some Great Commercials
Okay, it doesn't do anything to
improve your home viewing (unless you love commercials). But
there's no denying that DIRECTV over the years has produced some
of the industry's funniest and interesting commercials. (For
instance,
see
this recent spot with the Russian billionaire and a kissing
giraffe. I also like that DIRECTV stayed with this commercial
although some politically correct types said it was unfair to
Russians.)
So, there you go -- The 10 Things I Love About DIRECTV.
Of course, this doesn't mean I will refrain from criticizing it
anytime soon.
Why?
Because, as a DIRECTV subscriber, I want this list to become,
The 20 Things I Love About DIRECTV. Or, The 30 Things I Love
About DIRECTV.
We need more, DIRECTV. We always need more.
Also see:
What Are
The 10 Best HDTV Channels?
See
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© TVPredictions.com
______________________________________________________
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.
Click TVPredictions.com to read
more news and features on TV technology.
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