How much do you pay for Cable/Satellite TV?
03-01-06, 10:55 AM
#1
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How much do you pay for Cable/Satellite TV?
I found out last night that a friend of mine is paying more per month than I am, and getting less. 
I got a good deal from Comcast's retention department last summer after calling to cancel for DirecTV. It's good for 12 months through this August.
I'm in Seattle, here's what I pay:
Basic Cable $29.99 (from $45.99)
Digital Classic Package $9 (from $11.99) -Just to get ESPN HD
HD DVR $9.95
HBO $1 (from $15.99)
Starz $3.99
High-speed Internet $45.95
On Demand FREE (I just rewatched Entourage S2 & Sopranos S5)
Taxes $5
Total monthly bill: $104.88 ($59 for TV services)
I just switched from Cinemax ($7.99) to Starz because Cinemax has sucked recently, and Starz seems to have a better balance of movies. I wish the networks would have more than the signature channel in HD, though. I won't waste my time saving a movie if it's not in HD.
I got a good deal from Comcast's retention department last summer after calling to cancel for DirecTV. It's good for 12 months through this August.I'm in Seattle, here's what I pay:
Basic Cable $29.99 (from $45.99)
Digital Classic Package $9 (from $11.99) -Just to get ESPN HD
HD DVR $9.95
HBO $1 (from $15.99)
Starz $3.99
High-speed Internet $45.95
On Demand FREE (I just rewatched Entourage S2 & Sopranos S5)
Taxes $5
Total monthly bill: $104.88 ($59 for TV services)
I just switched from Cinemax ($7.99) to Starz because Cinemax has sucked recently, and Starz seems to have a better balance of movies. I wish the networks would have more than the signature channel in HD, though. I won't waste my time saving a movie if it's not in HD.
03-01-06, 11:10 AM
#3
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Network: NBC from NYC/LA Monthly 2.25
Network: ABC from NYC/LA Monthly 2.25
Network: FOX from NYC/LA Monthly 2.25
SPORTS Monthly 12.00
HD Package Monthly 10.99
TOTAL CHOICE PLUS Monthly 45.99
DIRECTV DVR Service Fee Monthly 4.99
Additional Receiver 4.99
----------------------------------------------
Total $85.71
Most of the year i pay ~$50 more since i usually also have payments for NFL or NBA season packages.
Network: ABC from NYC/LA Monthly 2.25
Network: FOX from NYC/LA Monthly 2.25
SPORTS Monthly 12.00
HD Package Monthly 10.99
TOTAL CHOICE PLUS Monthly 45.99
DIRECTV DVR Service Fee Monthly 4.99
Additional Receiver 4.99
----------------------------------------------
Total $85.71
Most of the year i pay ~$50 more since i usually also have payments for NFL or NBA season packages.
03-01-06, 11:28 AM
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DISHHD GOLD W/LOCALS 79.99
ADDL RECEIVER ACCESS FEE 6.0
LEASED RECEIVER FEE 5.0
So right around $90 from Dish Network.
My cable internet form Comcast is damn expensive at $57 per month, but its worked so well, I'm reluctant to switch to DSL for the price...
ADDL RECEIVER ACCESS FEE 6.0
LEASED RECEIVER FEE 5.0
So right around $90 from Dish Network.
My cable internet form Comcast is damn expensive at $57 per month, but its worked so well, I'm reluctant to switch to DSL for the price...
03-01-06, 11:41 AM
#7
DVD Talk Legend
DirecTV:
Opcion Extra Especial sin locales Monthly - $36.95
(new price starting today, it used to be $3 less) It's a Spanish package of course, but it has a ton of English language stations.
I also used to have CBS from LA for $1.50, but just dropped it since I never watch it except during football season. For my locals I use an antenna and get everything (except except CBS and PBS) crystal clear. By everything I mean ABC, NBC, FOX, UPN, WB, some home shopping show, and some religeous station.
While I was dropping CBS I was talking with the girl on the phone, she was in Nevada and her work schedule was 8am to noon, then 4pm to 8pm. Talk about pretty much killing the entire day, though she seemed content with it.
And for what it's worth, I pay $10 / month for dialup internet.
Opcion Extra Especial sin locales Monthly - $36.95
(new price starting today, it used to be $3 less) It's a Spanish package of course, but it has a ton of English language stations.
I also used to have CBS from LA for $1.50, but just dropped it since I never watch it except during football season. For my locals I use an antenna and get everything (except except CBS and PBS) crystal clear. By everything I mean ABC, NBC, FOX, UPN, WB, some home shopping show, and some religeous station.
While I was dropping CBS I was talking with the girl on the phone, she was in Nevada and her work schedule was 8am to noon, then 4pm to 8pm. Talk about pretty much killing the entire day, though she seemed content with it.
And for what it's worth, I pay $10 / month for dialup internet.
Last edited by Heat; 03-01-06 at 12:09 PM.
03-01-06, 12:10 PM
#10
DVD Talk Limited Edition
DirectTv currently around $55.
Soon to add HBO while sopranos is on for another $12 which i think is stupid. All I want is HBO. I don't need HBO west, HBO family, HBO Latino, HBO 2, HBO 3, HBO whatever. I should be able to just add one stinking HBO channel for like $3, but NOOOO! Thats why I turn it off as soon as Sopranos season is over.
Soon to add HBO while sopranos is on for another $12 which i think is stupid. All I want is HBO. I don't need HBO west, HBO family, HBO Latino, HBO 2, HBO 3, HBO whatever. I should be able to just add one stinking HBO channel for like $3, but NOOOO! Thats why I turn it off as soon as Sopranos season is over.
03-01-06, 12:19 PM
#11
DVD Talk Godfather
insight: $130 for Cable, Internet & phone service combined
Cable is roughly $60 (1 HD-DVR box, basic 60 channels)
BB around: $45
Phone about $25
I just dropped that $8 ESPN-HD crap. What a waste of money. My team has many games on ESPN but were NEVER in HD. What a joke.
Cable is roughly $60 (1 HD-DVR box, basic 60 channels)
BB around: $45
Phone about $25
I just dropped that $8 ESPN-HD crap. What a waste of money. My team has many games on ESPN but were NEVER in HD. What a joke.
03-01-06, 12:36 PM
#12
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Just got hooked up with Dish Network a couple of weeks ago. Paying approx. $41+tax / month for their America's Top 120 + locals plan. Set up is for 2 rooms (1 receiver) & one DVR.
Phone + internet (SBC Yahoo DSL Pro) = ~$62/month.
Phone + internet (SBC Yahoo DSL Pro) = ~$62/month.
03-01-06, 12:48 PM
#13
To any DirecTV customers who get HBO just for certain shows: Call DTV and simply ask them if there are any deals for HBO. It used to be that once a year you could call and get $10 off HBO for 6 months. I got the deal as recently as January when I got my HD-DVR. Even if you haven't been a customer long, I think it's worth a try.
03-01-06, 12:53 PM
#14
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Verizon FIOS TV
200 channels (no premium), w/ on demand- $35
HD DVR - $13 (100 hr dual DVR w/ SD, about 30 hr dual DVR w/ HD)
Normal Receiver for 2nd TV - $4
Total - $52
FIOS Cable Internet - $35
Verizon Phone - $28
Total Package - $115 plus tax
200 channels (no premium), w/ on demand- $35
HD DVR - $13 (100 hr dual DVR w/ SD, about 30 hr dual DVR w/ HD)
Normal Receiver for 2nd TV - $4
Total - $52
FIOS Cable Internet - $35
Verizon Phone - $28
Total Package - $115 plus tax
Last edited by frogfan; 03-01-06 at 12:56 PM.
03-01-06, 01:51 PM
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Current Dish Network charges:
America's Top 180 = $49.99
Dish Home Protection = $5.99
State/Local Tax = $0.54
Total = $56.52 per month
I get my "locals" with an old-fashioned roof-top antenna, to save $5.99/month for the Locals package.
America's Top 180 = $49.99
Dish Home Protection = $5.99
State/Local Tax = $0.54
Total = $56.52 per month
I get my "locals" with an old-fashioned roof-top antenna, to save $5.99/month for the Locals package.
03-01-06, 01:52 PM
#16
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Time Warner NC:
Digipic 3000 - Basic, standard, digital variety, digital box, remote, HBO, SHO, Cinemax Unlimited, IControl Premiums, with Road Runner - 94.90
HDDVR service - 6.95
taxes, fees, and governmental bribes/kickbacks - about 6 bucks.
107 total.
It went up a while ago, and I called and said "My cable bill went up. What can I do to make it lower?" and she spent 20 minutes on the phone trying 'promotions' to lower my price. I'm now paying 40 bucks less than I was, and getting more channels.
I personally wouldn't mind cancelling the cable, there's not much at all I watch, and nothing I 'need' to watch. But if we have tv, we're going to have a DVR, and since it's a box, might as well get the programming with it, since I think dropping off to only analog stuff would only save us a few bucks, and I'm not putting an antenna in.
Digipic 3000 - Basic, standard, digital variety, digital box, remote, HBO, SHO, Cinemax Unlimited, IControl Premiums, with Road Runner - 94.90
HDDVR service - 6.95
taxes, fees, and governmental bribes/kickbacks - about 6 bucks.
107 total.
It went up a while ago, and I called and said "My cable bill went up. What can I do to make it lower?" and she spent 20 minutes on the phone trying 'promotions' to lower my price. I'm now paying 40 bucks less than I was, and getting more channels.
I personally wouldn't mind cancelling the cable, there's not much at all I watch, and nothing I 'need' to watch. But if we have tv, we're going to have a DVR, and since it's a box, might as well get the programming with it, since I think dropping off to only analog stuff would only save us a few bucks, and I'm not putting an antenna in.
03-01-06, 02:16 PM
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$45.99 - DirecTV Total Choice Plus
$5.99 - Free DTV+ DVR no contract
$4.99 - Additional box on the MythTV
---------
$56.97
I used to pay more than that when I was with Comcast. My neighbor still pays over $85 on Comcast for basic, basic digital and the box fee and still has less channels. Also most of his digital channels are more pixelated than some of the worst pirated movie downloads out there.
$5.99 - Free DTV+ DVR no contract
$4.99 - Additional box on the MythTV
---------
$56.97
I used to pay more than that when I was with Comcast. My neighbor still pays over $85 on Comcast for basic, basic digital and the box fee and still has less channels. Also most of his digital channels are more pixelated than some of the worst pirated movie downloads out there.
03-01-06, 04:33 PM
#18
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Originally Posted by frogfan
Verizon FIOS TV
200 channels (no premium), w/ on demand- $35
HD DVR - $13 (100 hr dual DVR w/ SD, about 30 hr dual DVR w/ HD)
Normal Receiver for 2nd TV - $4
Total - $52
FIOS Cable Internet - $35
Verizon Phone - $28
Total Package - $115 plus tax
200 channels (no premium), w/ on demand- $35
HD DVR - $13 (100 hr dual DVR w/ SD, about 30 hr dual DVR w/ HD)
Normal Receiver for 2nd TV - $4
Total - $52
FIOS Cable Internet - $35
Verizon Phone - $28
Total Package - $115 plus tax
I can't wait for FIOS to come to Arlington.
03-01-06, 04:50 PM
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Originally Posted by Chew
$49.95/month for base package DirecTV, HD DVR and OTA HD.
03-02-06, 07:22 AM
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$119 per month with Verizon FIOS-TV. That's everything, HD, all premium movie channels, sports... In addition to renting three HD-DVRs for $13 a month.
Only $2 a month more than I was paying for D*, which is nothing when you consider the insane quality improvement of FIOS from D*, the large increase in HD channels and the fact I don't have to fork out $500 for an HD-Tivo that will be outdated in a year with a new, $1000 box and a new $200 satelite plus splitter.
Only $2 a month more than I was paying for D*, which is nothing when you consider the insane quality improvement of FIOS from D*, the large increase in HD channels and the fact I don't have to fork out $500 for an HD-Tivo that will be outdated in a year with a new, $1000 box and a new $200 satelite plus splitter.
03-02-06, 07:36 AM
#22
DVD Talk Legend
Originally Posted by Red Dog
I can't wait for FIOS to come to Arlington.
I've been reading about FIOS and I've read it's the next step in entertainment.
What the hell is it and what makes it so great?
03-02-06, 07:38 AM
#23
I have Time Warner Cable.
It's about $140 a month.
All regular & digital channels, hd cable box, all HBO and Showtime, on demand, HD suite (includes ESPN, HDNET, Universal HD, etc.), Road Runner internet...
I think it's called DIGIPIC 2000.
It's about $140 a month.
All regular & digital channels, hd cable box, all HBO and Showtime, on demand, HD suite (includes ESPN, HDNET, Universal HD, etc.), Road Runner internet...
I think it's called DIGIPIC 2000.
03-02-06, 07:59 AM
#24
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Dish, America's 180 with locals, dual room/dual tuner DVR, about $60.
Comcast High Speed Data Service (6MB/348KB, includes 5 email accounts, 250MB webspace) with lifeline local channels, about $50.
Comcast High Speed Data Service (6MB/348KB, includes 5 email accounts, 250MB webspace) with lifeline local channels, about $50.
03-02-06, 02:55 PM
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i am paying the most, i think...
$134.00
Adelphia High Speed Internet + Adelphia Cable
+HD Package
+DVR Enabled
+HBO/Shotime
+Digital Channels
any tips on lowering this? i think its ridiculous.
and even if i drop the HBO/Shotime it will still be $116 a month!
$134.00
Adelphia High Speed Internet + Adelphia Cable
+HD Package
+DVR Enabled
+HBO/Shotime
+Digital Channels
any tips on lowering this? i think its ridiculous.
and even if i drop the HBO/Shotime it will still be $116 a month!