Should I switch to Direct TV from Dish for Pitt coverage?

[DC_Area_Panther]

Here's my situation--

(A) I live in the DC Exurbs and get Verizon phone and DSL Internet packaged. FIOS is not available and probably won't for years because I am too far out to the West.

(B) Verizon is offering Direct TV bundled with my phone and DSL for an additional $28.99/month for basic service--$59.99 for upper tier service for first 12 months on a 24 month contract.

(C) I have had Dish because I can get their SportsPak (lots of sports channels including Root Pittsburgh) with only one tier above the basic tier of service. I pay about $90 month for Dish.

(D) I have zero interest in network tv programming or movie channels--I only watch college football and basketball (mainly Pitt) and an occasional NFL game plus news and weather,

So, here are my big questions--

(1) If I switch will I lose any Pitt FB & BB coverage? (e.g., Root Sports, MASN, etc.) I do get ESPN3 through my Verizon DSL service--so I guess I won't lose that Pitt coverage if I switch.

(2) What tier of Direct TV service will I need to match my present Dish Pitt sports coverage?

(3) How much should I expect my bill to jump once the promotional period ends?

Any advice would be appreciated. The Dish and Direct TV sites aren't helpful as they promote all kinds of programming I don't care about and so just "muddy the waters."

 

[load1079]

Here's my situation--

(A) I live in the DC Exurbs and get Verizon phone and DSL Internet packaged. FIOS is not available and probably won't for years because I am too far out to the West.

(B) Verizon is offering Direct TV bundled with my phone and DSL for an additional $28.99/month for basic service--$59.99 for upper tier service for first 12 months on a 24 month contract.

(C) I have had Dish because I can get their SportsPak (lots of sports channels including Root Pittsburgh) with only one tier above the basic tier of service. I pay about $90 month for Dish.

(D) I have zero interest in network tv programming or movie channels--I only watch college football and basketball (mainly Pitt) and an occasional NFL game plus news and weather,

So, here are my big questions--

(1) If I switch will I lose any Pitt FB & BB coverage? (e.g., Root Sports, MASN, etc.) I do get ESPN3 through my Verizon DSL service--so I guess I won't lose that Pitt coverage if I switch.

(2) What tier of Direct TV service will I need to match my present Dish Pitt sports coverage?

(3) How much should I expect my bill to jump once the promotional period ends?

Any advice would be appreciated. The Dish and Direct TV sites aren't helpful as they promote all kinds of programming I don't care about and so just "muddy the waters."

I'll try to help since I'm a long time out of market DirectV customer...

1. No, it should be exactly the same. What is available on Dish would be availabe in the DirecTV sports package. You'll get Root sports Pgh, but keep in mind games where other entities own the rights (MLB, NHL, sometimes live college sports - but you can usually find someone carrying a game) will be blacked out. The local sports programming is definitely available though
2. Sports package or tier. Not exactly sure what they call it. But it contains Root Sports Pgh and all of the Fox Sports type channels. Specially tell them that's what you want on the phone and they can quote you. I would avoid doing this on the website.
3. Tough to comment since I get all of the premium channels and all of the major sports packages, so my bill is outrageous. They do have pretty good deals and they are very easy to negotiate with in my experience if you need something lowered. They gave me the NHL package for 60% off when I threatened to cancel it.

 

[California Panther]

I'll try to help since I'm a long time out of market DirectV customer...

1. They do have pretty good deals and they are very easy to negotiate with in my experience if you need something lowered. They gave me the NHL package for 60% off when I threatened to cancel it.

Yes, you can deal with DirecTV, just tell them you are going to cancel something and they'll offer you all kind of lowered prices and deals to keep it. Been doing that for years.

 

[Tomster6758]

I Do the exact same as California

 

[bjcst27]

Plus right now I think that u would get the Sunday ticket for free

 

[crharris8892]

And I you'll eventually be able to stream your DTV channels on a tablet or phone too if you have AT&T since they are now part of the AT&T company.

 

[DC_Area_Panther]

Thanks guys! It sounds like I might be able to save about $45 month over my current Dish bill since I discovered the Direct TV Sports Pack costs about $14 month. I think I am going to make the switch.

 

[razzaba]

Thanks guys! It sounds like I might be able to save about $45 month over my current Dish bill since I discovered the Direct TV Sports Pack costs about $14 month. I think I am going to make the switch.

Before you switch, find a friend who has Directv to "refer" you. They give you $10/month off in bill credits for 10 months, or $100 basically. They just have to give you their account code, and you have to reference it with the Directv agent BEFORE you sign up.

If you can't find a friend, let me know and I will give you mine. I have had directv for about 8 years or so down here in NC and get pretty much every Pitt game.

 

[WNYPanther]

Just have to make sure that DirecTV has a current contract with whatever local station carries the ACC Raycom games or hope youre close enough to get it with a digital antenna. I only mention it because DirecTV and Dish are both notorious for dropping locals.

 

[ncyajleel]

Yes, you can deal with DirecTV, just tell them you are going to cancel something and they'll offer you all kind of lowered prices and deals to keep it. Been doing that for years.

True that. Tell one you are switching to the other and they will give you anything you want.

 

[load1079]

Just have to make sure that DirecTV has a current contract with whatever local station carries the ACC Raycom games or hope youre close enough to get it with a digital antenna. I only mention it because DirecTV and Dish are both notorious for dropping locals.

You definitely can't get the ACC Raycom games on DirecTV unless you live in a market with an affiliate, which are heavy Southeast and not much else. Have to go the ESPN3 route since apparently DirecTV doesn't think that a guy living in Chicago needs access to the Charlotte WB affiliate (and I don't, except for Pitt's two ACC games of the week)

 

[Joe the Panther Fan]

I only mention it because DirecTV and Dish are both notorious for dropping locals.