Contributor
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3 Messages
Grandfathered XTRA Package vs Premier Package
I have an old XTRA Package I have been grandfathered into. My price has recently been jacked up to 160.99. I have HBO/SHO at 29.98. The regional sports fee is 19.99. That adds up to 210.96, before services and taxes.
While looking into ways to move to a current package to cut my cost, I see the Premier package and it looks like a very similar cost. Let me bounce this off you:
On the web page www.directv.com/satellite I see Premier package priced for new users at 169.99 for 24 month contract + taxes and fees, but otherwise priced at 199.98 with "req’d $10/mo. TV Access fee and Regional Sports Fee", the cost I assume would apply to me, a current customer.
I don't know whether that "req’d $10/mo." is for a TV access fee only and I would still have the 19.99 RS fee I would still have to pay, total 29.99 between them; or that means the $10 covers both the TV access fee and RS fee together. That's the way it reads to me, anyway. You tell me?
Let's say for now the $10 fee covers both. That would mean 199.98 + 10 = 209.98 grand total before services fees and taxes.
In addition, with the Premier package I would appear to get the following I do not get on my grandfathered XTRA package:
- HBO MAX included (not extra)
- SHO included (not extra)
- Cinemax
- The Movie Channel
- Starz/Encore
- Flix
- HDNET Movies
- Next Level Sports
- NFL Red Zone
- Willow (cricket)
- All Regional Sports Networks
- A few other channels I don't care about (Cowboy Channel; Hallmark Mystery; Outdoor Channel)
Do I have that part right?
So to sum up the packages and costs, it looks like I would get a lot more channels on the current Premier package for $209.98/month (again, assuming the $10 above cover the TV access fee and the regional sports fee), versus the grandfathered XTRA package I'm paying $210.96 for, at what is essentially the same cost.
Am I seeing this the right way?
Juniper
ACE - Expert
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23.3K Messages
6 days ago
The $10 would not cover the Regional Sports Fee as well. Depends where you live on what the cost is. So that would be on top.
Billing model has changed over the years, primarily late 2015. So receiver services and TV fees were moved around. As an existing customer, it is suggested to NEVER go by the pricing on the website for new customers. Fees can be different and of course you don't get new customer specials. You need to log into your account to compare options, including seeing the full breakdown of your services/fees.
Being on a grandfathered package, it might not allow you to compare package cost difference as you must call in for a manual review.
Premier (which includes HBO, Cinemax, Starz/Encore, Showtime, Sports Pack) will be a noticeably higher cost than Xtra with 2 premium packs. Historically it was the cost of Ultimate with 4 premium packs, which made it the better value in that scenario. So that will be a jump from what you have now as you would be going up both package and add-ons in that cost. And as a note, the Sports Pack portion does NOT remove the Regional Sports Fee.
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Juniper
ACE - Expert
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23.3K Messages
6 days ago
To keep it simple:
Log into your account go to manage your package.
Compare the cost of Xtra + HBO/Sho vs Premier. That will be your cost difference. All other fees would remain the same.
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Tal_Flood
Contributor
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3 Messages
6 days ago
I see that Premier has a bottom line price of $231.99, nothing broken out the way it is on the web page I have listed above.
Doing the math from before, I would assume that the $199.98 I see as the higher price on the package on that page, "TV access" fee of $10.00, plus $19.99 for regional sports package would add up to $229.97. That's $2.02 less than the fee I see on that page. Is that right? What would the extra $2.02 be for?
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DIRECTVhelp
Community Support
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255.5K Messages
6 days ago
To address your inquiries regarding the price difference and to assist you in choosing the most suitable option, we have a specialist available, @Tal_Flood. Sending you a DM. Rhyan, DIRECTV Community Team
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baseballisback
ACE - Professor
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8.3K Messages
5 days ago
One way to get Showtime:
Register for Paramount+, but don't actually pay.
Register for SportsLine.com with the same email address you used for Paramount+.
When it asks for a promo code, enter code BASKETBALL. This will get you the Showtime content (but via the Paramount+ app) for $39.99/yr. You'll also get your local CBS affiliate on the Paramount+ app and there won't be commercials in the archives.
It won't get you Showtime channels via your DirecTV box, but at $39.99/mo, it can't be beat.
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Juniper
ACE - Expert
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23.3K Messages
5 days ago
Xtra $160.99 + HBO/Sho $29.98 = $190.97
Premier (includes HBO/Sho/Cinemax/StarzEncore/Sports Pack) = $231.99.
Your TV fees, Regional Sports Fee, etc. remain the same. They are separate from the package costs.
That means you would be paying $41.02 more upgrading to Premier.
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Tal_Flood
Contributor
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3 Messages
4 days ago
This doesn't even try to answer my question—in fact, it is explicitly not answering my question. But that's okay, don't bother.
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DIRECTVhelp
Community Support
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255.5K Messages
4 days ago
We've sent you a DM to assist you with your billing inquiry, please check your messages. You can also contact us at DIRECTV Customer Service - Phone Support & Chat John, DIRECTV Community Team
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Juniper
ACE - Expert
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23.3K Messages
2 days ago
@Tal_Flood
I'm sorry. My perception is you are trying to understand the cost difference and what you get for that difference. As such, I honestly thought I was answering your question.
The website offers should never be used to compare options for an existing customer. You don't get those specials and it doesn't break down the cost is the most convenient way for your existing service. Logged in and managing your account is the way to get the best info, though understandable Premier can cause confusion for some as it bundles package and premiums into one.
Just trying to help. What is still not making sense for you?
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