SPECTRUM VS. DIRECT TV?

Shanus · ‎05-17-2010

We’re having a heck of a time w/ Spectrum canceling channels I watch and refusing to carry others w/ shows I’d like to see. We have no other cable co. in our area (yet). Direct TV is only other choice.

Can you comment on pluses and/or minuses?

Wendy Lou Hoo · ‎01-31-2017

We have direct tv, and our main complaint is the price. Almost $100/month with no premium channels. We even have to pay $10 extra for HD channels. We don't even have a DVR. I've seen the Spectrum commercials and wished we had that in our area, but we don't. The price Spectrum advertises is only $29.99/month. Of course, our direct tv often goes out when it rains, as all satelitte tvs do. Picture quality is good, and like all satellite packages, we have tons of unwanted infomercial channels in our lineup.

Hooty · ‎03-09-2010

@Shanus, We have had Spectrum for about 6 mos. now and we love it, we have phone, internet, and TV! Never had direct TV so I cannot comment of that!

deepwaterdotter · ‎03-09-2010

We have Spectrum. It is pricey, but no problems with outages or service. As for channel selection, I guess we don't require a lot of variety and are happy with our lineup.

chickenbutt · ‎03-09-2010

We've been with Charter (which changed its name to Spectrum when they bought up some smaller cable companies around the country) for decades and it's always been fine.

I cannot remember a time when they took away channels.

You couldn't pay me enough to change to satellite - either DTV or Dish - as we live in a wind-prone area and there are so many downages, not only due to wind but regular weather episodes.

With Charter/Spectrum, downages are few and far between.

Oh yeah, and plus my Tivos wouldn't be compatible with DTV anyway. I like cable.

HerRoyaLioness · ‎03-13-2010

I had no choice when Spectrum bought out Time Warner and all they have done is raise my price from $120 to $150. I called and CS was not nice. I said take off the phone service, I don't need it. OK, but then the price would be $165. If I switched to Spectrum's (they say I'm really Time Warner, go figure that one) line up with the channels I have now, it would be $260. I only have basic cable, no movie or special channels. I can't even record anything.

I wanted The $29 rate (for each service), but that is for new customers they told me. As for no contract, what that really means is they can raise the price anytime they want. I am kind of stuck between a rock and a hard place as many people are with these cable companies.

Direct TV is a lot cheaper, but our apartment complex doesn't allow it. I have heard minor complaints about it. Mys sister and her husband had to cut some tree branches down, but it has been fine since.

excpa · ‎09-12-2015

I have spectrum and noticed they moved a lot from broadcast to digital upper tiers. It costs more, which is probably why they do it. Have you tried one of the streaming services? All need wi-fi, but they may be worth it to you. They are for me. I find spectrum customer service chat lines to be excellent. The last time I managed to mess up my wi-fi I spent almost an hour with the rep and he, very patiently, kept working on it until everything was up and running again. I haven't heard great things about Direct TV service, so I wouldn't switch, just based on the service. Spectrum is always adding channels in my area...mostly not ones that I care about.

qvcfreak · ‎03-10-2010

I pay $120 for Directv. I have the Choice package and pay extra for the ESPN extras and HD Channels And because I’ve been with them for 25 plus years I get the genie free

KatieB · ‎03-10-2010

@Shanus I would probably go with Spectrum. I have DirectTV now and if it even looks like rain, the TV goes out. When it snowed a week or two ago the TV was out over 24 hours until snow mellted.... I had Time Warner before Direct TV and the TV never went out. Also with Direct TV, if the power goes out, so will your phone.... The cost is not all that great either...

hckynut · ‎03-10-2010

@Shanus

All major TV Providers sign new contracts with networks. Not sure of the duration, as they seem to vary. Moving to DirecTV or any other provider does not eliminate possibly losing channels that are your favorites.

You mention DirecTV, isn't Dish Network Satellite available in your area? I have had DirecTV, dropped it in favor of Dish Network, and never went back. Does Dish drop channels? Yes they do, but it is possible with any provider. If they don't get the viewers to pay for certain contract packages?

hckynut(john)