They value new customers more than old. The reason is long time customers can opt out whereas new ones get stuff that looks "free" but with re-up requirements. Those are like accounts receivables and that's what shareholders want to see-not the long time customers-like me-as that adds to the investment portfolio. Moreover, what's supposedly free is not actually "free". You are giving up something-namely your right to get out of the deal unless you decide to pay the get out of jail fees. Finally, within two years every thing we now consider TV will be streaming video-like Hulu, Amazon, etc. And that will make the "agreement" you have with Direct TV even more cumbersome since you will be able to stream all your "regular" channels via that source (actually you can do that now). Forget about the Dish as every thing will be through your computer.
I met an AT&T rep at our house this morning who explained Direct TV's business model. Even though they own Direct TV there is no love lost between the divisions. He was here as we recently purchased a 4K Raku TV and Direct TV is the only service that broadcasts in 4K-AND (naturally) you need a Direct TV 4K box. He said there are only a very few channels that are 4K quality and you need to pay extra for those channels. Moreover, the new 4K boxes are not trouble free and the AT&T guys who have to keep coming out time and again to try and fix the problem-like him-are simply getting tired of the problems. He said wait and look seriously at "streaming". Naturally, this was not happy news since I just purchased the new TV. When I told him all TVs on sale now appear to be selling the new 4 K content he said something to the effect that "engineers can't stop doing stuff".
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/31/2018 08:32AM by waterfield.
