LauraG's blog

Have you heard the news? DIRECTV now offers 95 channels in HD! The number has been growing for quite some time, and is expected to reach the 100 mark by year’s end. High Definition is just one of the areas in which DIRECTV beats the competition.

It’s an important area, though, as HD has become the latest craze. These 95 HD channels offer the most vivid programming around -- more clear even than 100% digital quality, which DIRECTV offers off the bat. HD means crystal clear and lifelike picture quality.

Dish now offers 73 channels in HD, while cable typically offers around 55 channels. Considering the numbers, this is a big difference! Realize, too, that the HD channels offered by Dish and cable are often ones that nobody has heard of -- and certainly not the most popular channels with award-winning programming. So it’s not just an issue of quantity, but of quality choices in High Definition.

DIRECTV is the company to turn to for all your HD needs. They’re in the forefront of HD programming and have the most fruitful partnerships with broadcasters who have caught on to the HD wave themselves. HD means that your favorite programming can be seen in extra vivid detail. HD means that you’re watching tv the way it was meant to be seen.

When you subscribe to DIRECTV, all you have to do is choose an HD package, sign up for HD Access ($9.95 per month) and own an HD-ready tv. The immediate benefits include a huge variety of programming in stunning clarity. That’s more than worth it!

Do you live in an apartment, townhouse or condo? Do you wish you could order satellite tv from DIRECTV, but don’t know if it is allowed in your complex? There’s something important to remember -- the law favors you and your quest to install DIRECTV.

The Federal Communications Commission has ruled that local governments and homeowners associations cannot enforce “unreasonable restrictions” on satellite dishes that are one meter or smaller in size. Needless to say, the landlord does have the final say because it is his or her property.

Yet apartment managers often do allow DIRECTV satellite dishes to be placed either on the rooftops or, if this is not possible, installed on a private patio or balcony. The essential thing is that the homeowner or renter have a clear view of the southern sky to direct the dish.

Experience has shown that it’s always worth asking about having DIRECTV in an apartment, townhouse or condo. Often it can be arranged, unless there are structural or other reasons why it’s simply impossible. Cable is not the only option, even if it’s typically chosen in these residences. The trend is changing, and DIRECTV may well be available where you live.

There’s been a lot in the news about DIRECTV leading the way in High Definition (HD) programming. It’s not a bunch of hype, but rather a very true assessment of what’s going on. DIRECTV has as its targeted goal a full 100 HD channels by the end of 2008. These channels offer an even sharper, lifelike picture quality.

What is it that gives DIRECTV the edge it needs in the realm of HD programming? Back in March, 2008 DIRECTV successfully extended its HD capacity to 150 national channels and an 1,500 local HD channels. Note that this is more than double what Dish Network is able to do in the area of HD.

The DIRECTV-11 satellite recently created by Boeing was set in place by a Sea Launch consortium Zenit rocket from the Pacific ocean. DIRECTV-11 will be ready to go later this year. This satellite’s powerful capabilities are unprecedented and it is among the largest Ka-band satellites ever built.

DIRECTV-11 and DIRECTV-10 will work alongside each other to give DIRECTV the edge it needs to stay in the lead in the HD industry. The satellite company's well-designed technology and commitment to HD combine to beat the competition in terms of number and variety of HD channels. No matter what efforts other satellite and cable companies make to increase their HD programming, DIRECTV still leads the pack.

DIRECTV satellite tv has attracted over 16 million customers and continues to gain ground in the market. One of the biggest draws is DIRECTV’s 100% digital quality picture and sound. The signal is more reliable than “digital cable” - which, by the way, is really a mix of analog and digital signals. Analog signals inevitably affect picture quality, causing blurring and a “snowy” effect. But DIRECTV’s signal is strong and reliable, creating the clearest of screen images. This is why droves of people are signing up for DIRECTV. It’s the way to ensure a satisfying television experience.

Now it’s about to become mandatory to have digital tv! By February, 2009 it will be the law, and people will be clambering to use their two $40 coupons to get a digital-to-analog converter box for their analog tvs. It will take extra effort. Is it worth it? Sure, the converter box will let you keep your original tv, but there are other options too.

Maybe it is time for you to go digital, but in a much simpler way. DIRECTV has always offered 100% digital tv, and there’s no need to upgrade to digital if you join up. Digital tv is just part of the package deal, and there’s no need for coupons, upgrades, or hassles. It’s inherently digital! And not only that, it’s 100% digital! So don’t get caught up in all the laws and changes and upgrades. You’ll bypass all of these by choosing DIRECTV. And that’s a fact.

By the second quarter of this year, DIRECTV will have its own version of On-Demand service. This is a good thing for those who love to spontaneously choose their programming and who don’t want to be limited to what happens to be playing at a particular time. Programming for DIRECTV’s On-Demand service will initially include 3,000 titles, with the number increasing over time.

Think of the variety that DIRECTV already has, and then add more. There will be movies, tv programs, specials and more. Do you want to see a hit movie? Or a classic? All of these will be available with On-Demand’s new and promising collection. You won’t have to subscribe to Netflix or any other additional service. You can turn to DIRECTV for all of your programming needs. On-Demand will work by combining satellite technology and internet technology while making use of the DIRECTV DVR. Note that it does not work in the same way as Comcast’s On-Demand service.

Many people have already chosen DIRECTV because it offers reliable satellite signals and 100% digital quality. Now there’s yet another reason to choose DIRECTV -- On-Demand, coming soon! This new service is sure to make DIRECTV even more competitive in today’s market and fulfill customers' need for impulsive tv-watching.

There’s still some action left with Mega March Madness 2008! On Thursday, March 27, 2008 make sure to catch the following games: West Virginia vs. Xavier, Washington State vs. North Carolina, Western Kentucky vs. UCLA, and Louisville vs. Tennessee. Then on Friday, March 28 you can tune in to see Davidson vs. Wisconsin, Stanford vs. Texas, Villanova vs. Kansas and Michigan State vs. Memphis.

March Madness is one of those basketball events that gets all the attention every spring, and it’s one of the many specialized sports packages that makes DIRECTV excel in sports coverage. Enjoy all the action leading up to the Final Four Semi-Finals! If you have subscribed to the package, make sure to catch the last two days of this historic competition!

When the puck goes sailing across the ice, don’t you want to see it in stunning High Definition (HD)? That’s what DIRECTV allows you to do, now that they’re offering the NHL Network in HD! Hockey, like many sports, translates well to HD, making the games that much more alive! Fans across the country are happy with the better image.

The NHL Network already has the fine reputation of being the first network to offer 24-hour NHL coverage, including live games, daily highlight shows, hockey news, exclusive programs, etc. In other words, you can see 50 live regular-season games this season in HD! All you need is an HD-ready tv, HD Access for $9.99 per month and a package beginning with Choice XTRA or above.

The NHL Network is a good way to receive comprehensive hockey coverage instead of just a game here or there. You’ll also get the Network’s daily live signature shows in HD and NHL on the Fly -- a program featuring exciting classic games, documentaries, instructional shows and highlights from ice-filled arenas. If you really love the sport, this medley of programming will give you all the action. Hockey has grown in popularity over the last several years, and DIRECTV has already picked up on the interest.

You can also get NHL Network as part of NHL Center Ice, but this isn’t essential. If you do choose to go this route, you’ll also get Center Ice’s 12 games per week in HD.

Though Dish Network did add NFL Network in HD, their overall HD options are bleak compared to DIRECTV. Cable usually offers the games in standard definition. Standard definition just won’t give you the clarity, detail and the closer look at all the great plays on ice. With HD the ice will gleam after the zamboni goes over it. The NFL Network in HD is more than worth it for hockey fans.

DIRECTV has many different channels for religious and spiritual programming. These include DAYSTAR, GOD TV, The Church Channel, TCT Network and The Word. Each channel has its own mission and focus, but they all offer educational, news and entertainment programming. Many of these channels are available to you with the Family programming package, and The Church Channel is available with Choice packages and above. DAYSTAR is interdenominational and multicultural, as is The WORD. Several programs are teaching forums to teach about the Bible and its many interpretations.

People approach DIRECTV’s spiritual programming for many different reasons. Some feel something is missing in their lives and others feel a desire to learn more about the Old and New Testament. Some just love gospel music. Because DIRECTV reaches so many people, its religious and spiritual programming does the same. When you need something more soulful, you can turn to DIRECTV.

There are some definite advantages to choosing a tv provider that is both a national company and very established. DIRECTV has a definite presence in the satellite tv market and is able to offer its customers more because of it. As soon as you subscribe to DIRECTV, benefits and special deals become yours.

FIrst off, don’t worry about having to pay for your HD or DVR Receiver, as you’ll get an instant online rebate! You’ll see this deal up on the website. You’ll still have to pay the low monthly fee for HD, DVR or HD/DVR service, but equipment won’t cost you a thing. And you can also know that you’re getting a good quality receiver that has received favorable reviews from customers and offers the latest in advanced features. Other companies often charge for their equipment and may charge for installation. This isn’t true with DIRECTV.

Right now you can lock in savings for an entire year, after a mail-in-redemption, with the offer ending February 26, 2008. You can save $10 per month on qualifying packages and receive 4 premium networks -- HBO, SHOWTIME, Starz and Cinemax -- free for a full three months! This gives you tons of entertainment and movies of every genre.

Too often, smaller companies are so strapped financially that they can’t even consider offering these special deals. They simply don’t have the financial backing. With DIRECTV it seems like the only thing that doesn’t change are the special offers. The promotions, deals and instant rebates are all just par for the course.

Sports fans have always been attracted to DIRECTV and the first to choose it over the competitors. Why is this? Well, one reason is that DIRECTV has always been the top source for exclusive sports packages -- sports coverage you can’t get anywhere else. Cable doesn’t offer exclusive sports programs and neither does Dish.

So what exactly does DIRECTV offer? A lot of people have heard of the NFL Sunday Ticket and NFL Sunday Ticket SuperFan packages. These exclusive packages take you far beyond typical NFL coverage. Programming includes up to 14 games a week, compared to only 4 on cable. You can watch your favorite NFL teams wherever you are!

Say you're a Patriots fan and you've moved to the Mid-West. You don’t want to miss out on your favorite team! The NFL SUNDAY TICKET allows you to keep up with your favorite teams no matter where you are. And if you get the SuperFan package, you’ll get over 150 games in HD, equalling a whopping 9 games in HD per week. You’ll also get 8 games on one screen with Game Mix and highlights on Red Zone channel from FOX and CBS games.

The NASCAR HotPass, designed for the NASCAR enthusiast, has interactive features which give the viewer more dimensionality to the sport and a closer look at the fast-paced races. It is truly an unbeatable experience to view the road like the driver does.

Every Spring, DIRECTV subscribers have the option to add the NCAA Mega March Madness package, the ticket to the action leading up to the FInal Four Semi-Finals and college basketball at its best! The 2008 season is almost upon us and proves to be just as exciting as last year. You can watch out-of-region games from the first three rounds of the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship. The regional games will continue to be aired by your local CBS broadcast network.

Another exclusive sports package on DIRECTV is the US Open Interactive on USA, a celebration of tennis at its finest with five live matches plus USA’s featured match on the US Open Mix Channel. Exclusive sports packages like these are the name of the game on DIRECTV. Why go with Dish or cable when you’ll be locked into just okay sports programming? With DIRECTV, you’ll have access to all the games of the sport of your choice!