movie purchase/rent

DTV doesn't set the prices the content providers do, all DTV does is collect it.

The content owners set the pricing. Though sounds like that one had a pricing conflict which obviously be an error.

You are not entitled to free purchases. That is not a feature of being a DirecTV customer. That doesn't change because you are on the Premier package. And by the way that wasn't the best (highest) package possible as there has been the Titanium package which was $10,000 a year. If you had that one then PPVs were included. But since you a regular customer like the rest of us, you have to pay for PPVs as normal.

I would caution on the "purchases". They are not transferable if you were ever to go to another service. And not guaranteed to continue with replacement boxes. Think of those as long term PPVs instead of having a 24-72hr/1-3 day rental period.

Thank you very much for your response!

I just feel that as customers they keep trying to add channels and make us pay on top of what we already pay rather than including them in the highest "normal" customer package.  I have never heard of anyone paying $10,000 per year for a "Titanium" package.  At least with my cell phone package, they have incentives to try to keep you as a customer and change you to packages that include new features or reduces your monthly fee, rather than increasing it.  DirecTV wants to charge us an additional $6.00 per month for MGM+, which only the older movies are free, and then STILL charge an additional fee to watch any of the newer movies on that channel.  Why wouldn't they just include it because I have a much larger selection of movies included in Amazon Prime for free.  It is getting to the point that satellite TV will become obsolete due to the prices they charge.  I mean, $14.99 just to RENT a movie for 2 days!  That is just unethical compared to other options available.  Just food for thought.  

Thanks again for your input!!

DirecTV is a subscription based service. You pay for a selection of channels delivered by satellite. The channels are subject to change, but thankfully does not happen often. So you pay for the delivery method.

PPVs are just that. Pay-Per-Views are timed rentals. It is up to the content owners what is available when and for what cost. They are optional, not something anyone is entitled to unless you're paying for Titanium which is practically 'everything'.

Some PPVs are around $5, others higher. Just depends. If you don't like the cost than you could buy the DVD or such instead.

Some channels are premium so they are add-ons. Not all channels negotiated to be in a pack but have their own options. So MGM negotiated their own deal.

And yes channels can have paid content through their On Demand in addition to what they provide free. Many channels are capitalizing on binge watches or impulse buyers. The TV providers simply provide the connection, but it is the networks you are charging for that extra content.

Nothing unethical about this. Pay TV is a luxury service, not anything we are entitled to. The channel/content owners can charge whatever they want for the extra content. You have the freedom to not purchase it. Not liking it doesn't make it unethical. And remember costs have gone up over the years. You're not expecting to pay less than $1 for a gallon of gas or a cup of coffee are you? And streaming providers are starting to catch up, some more than others, as they need to keep up to be sustainable.

Just the reality of the situation.

The titanium package was very short lived and hasn't been offered for a very long time I doubt that  customer service reps have any clue that it existed at one time. For reference it was available the first time I worked for directv which was from 2004-2008 by the second time I worked for them it was no longer offered which was from around 2012-2015

I was just using the Titanium as reference whenever someone complains they have the highest package but feel it is wrong they don't have EVERYTHING.

@Juniper yes I understand why you mentioned it 

AND, the "reality of the situation" doesn't apply as to expecting to pay $1 for a gallon of gas or a cup of coffee.  That isn't even a reasonable comparison to this because I don't pay them $300 per month for services.  And then, YES!  If I were paying $300 per month to them, I would expect a discount.  And, I DO receive gas for $1.99 per gallon per a program that I have that includes a discount on the fuel.  And, I don't drink coffee but, another subscription allows me to a huge discount on Starbucks and several other locations, for coffee.  So, DirecTV can definitely provide some sort of discount to those of us paying $300 per month for services rather than trying to charge $24.99 just to rent a movie that I can get FOR FREE from other subscriptions.  I'm just saying that they are pushing people to cancel their subscriptions with them, not strictly due to this issue, but several others that I could get into, but I won't elaborate on now.  I just talked to 3 people this past weekend that have canceled their service and now paying a very minimal amount for basically the same channels (minus the ones that no one I know even watch) and movies they desire, for FREE, which right now DirecTV are still charging for.  And, the movies that they are trying to charge $24.99 just to rent for the night are only $6.99 with other services.  Plus, some of the local channels are ALSO canceling with DirecTV because they won't negotiate their charges.  So, that should tell you something.  I understand that I have the choice to not rent the movie, but it is supposed to be a convenience for the services we pay for, but then they raise the rates on all the perks that we used to have included and then are coming out with these "extra channels" that honestly should be included if you have the "Premier" plan.  So why pay for an MGM+ channel only to have to pay for the movies on top of the subscriptions, because the movies included on that channel are ALL movies you can get for FREE anywhere else!  That is why is say "unethical", because these channels are made up just to entice someone to pay for something they don't need to be paying for on top of what they already have.  And, before you say, you have the choice not to subscribe to that channel, which is very true, the fact that they are even TRYING to promote it IS UNETHICAL.     

I’ve recently started watching series Chicago Fire.  I have set all episodes on any channel to record.  With exception of the current season 12 on NBC, they r on USA channel 242 n ION channel 305.  Often, catch part or all of the same episodes I’m  recording.  However, when I go to watch recordings, randomly certain episodes r unavailable unless i pay for them.  Same now with Law n Order SVU etc n same 2 networks.  It’s completely ridiculous, unethical n I would think illegal.  

I’ve spoken with Direct TV n they tell me they’ve never heard any other complaints.  I’ve been a customer since they started, back when we had to install ourselves.  I’ve called several times n always mention that, as well as moving up the ladder speaking with supervisors n or managers.  They’ve credited my account $20 this month to reimburse $2.99 ppv charges.  I’ve also pointed out that we r their customers n they r the networks customers so they need to work this out with the networks.l on ur behalf.  Some networks negotiate for more $ n Directv increases our costs  accordingly.  It is simply ludicrous to be charged xtra for programming I record I’m already paying for. N not charged to watch real time.  think the term is “double dipping” n Directv said they would look into it.  I’m considering bringing this practice up with the FCC.  Perhaps the merger with AT&t has something to do with it.  T meantime I plan on asking for that credit every month.

As stated before it is the content owners that are charging you for their programs from their online servers not DTV and there is nothing DTV can do to change it.  The FCC can't stop content providers from selling their programs using the internet.  Hopefully those episodes are still airing on the sat channels so you can record them.

I’m not streaming anything from the net.  I’m merely watching n recording programming provided via Directv satellite.  Ive been their customer for better part of 30 years n never experienced before.  From other posts here it’s apparently been happening since at least 2020.  This is not OK whomever responsible.   I find it difficult to believe that the FCC, as the regulator for all broadcasting could condone such a practice.  N if ur correct with the FCC rules n regulations n guidelines, they’re gonna have to explain n justify why this is permissible n legal.  From what I’ve read this is not happening with Comcast nor any other providers.  Curious, Have u spoken to the FCC yourself regarding this specific issue?

Yes, you are recording from the internet as On Demand only comes from the internet and are the only recordings the content providers can charge for. When you used search to set up series recordings with all channels it includes On Demand.  If you look all On Demand channels start with a "1" then the channel number like 238 Reelz

@Laughingwolf 

Episodes that require payment are NOT from the satellite. Those recorded from On Demand which is delivered BY INTERNET.

Content owners are adding additional paid content on top of their free On Demand library. There is nothing illegal about this as the content owners can charge whatever they want for the additional content.

Look at the recordings in the guide. Every single one that has a charge will be a 1000 number, such as 1242. Those are from internet, not the satellite. It is suggested when recording a series to do so in the guide, not using the 'search' option, so that it records only from that channel.

This has been available for years and the FCC has no issue with it. You may not like it but welcome to supply and demand. As long as binge watchers are willing to pay for extra content that is DOWNLOADED FROM INTERNET the content owners will continue charging.

Related info just so you're not surprised: Over the years more networks are disabling FF/REW for content from On Demand. The fact this is FROM INTERNET gives the content owners a loophole to treat it just like content on their own website to make sure advertisements (that they sell the space for) show. This is allowed by the rules, but as it disables an included feature delivered by DirecTV equipment, I find this unethical.

In any case asking (begging) for a credit every month is not the solution. Just make sure you don't record from On Demand. You choose to accept the PPV charge it is not your right to go back and request a credit. Now that you should understand how it works, you can avoid this issue in the future.

Ty, yes I do see that, however not an issue if I’m sitting on my couch watching n the all of the ones on the guide showing as recording appear as they r recording from the same network im watching as on the guide.  So for some reason the one im watching n also recording on usa channel 242 n or ion channel 305 are somehow being “overridden “ by a ppv channel??  That’s insane!!