DIRECTV in the Community

We live in the digital age where information is instantly available and technology changes almost daily. In such a culture as this it is hard to feel a personal connection to many of the products and items that we use each day. We are not able to encounter the same people, voices or faces when we need to contact customer service and that can leave customers frustrated. Some major corporations are becoming aware of the “disconnect” between the consumers who use and need their products and their companies. Some are taking steps to improve the situation. Interestingly, the digital satellite television provider DIRECTV makes a point of working to establish a relationship with its customers, staff and communities and prove that they are a company that cares.

The company has a strong policy of “corporate citizenship”, donating profits as well as products to the communities where DIRECTV employees live and work. The company also gives to non-profit groups with nationwide causes or efforts. The focus of the company’s charitable efforts is currently around issues such as health, education and disaster relief. The company looks for ways to promote healthy lifestyles for its customers, staff and communities through programs such as “Fast Forward to a Cure”, company blood drives and employee gift matching programs. They focus attention and energy on improving educational methods, especially in the K-12 years with their programs such as “DirecTV Goes To School” and “DirecTV4Schools”. 

DIRECTV also uses creative broadcasting in support of disaster victims or relief zones. They helped to create mobile command centers during the California wildfire outbreak in 2007, provided emergency shelters with television equipment after the Hurricane Katrina disaster and sent installation teams and equipment to the hardest hit areas of Peru following the earthquake in 2007. 

Their charitable efforts are aimed at improving their communities while increasing awareness of local and national concerns and they use their highly recognized corporate identity to further these goals, proving that their corporate resources are not used only to improve the “bottom line” or yield higher profits. 

The company also establishes connections to its staff by actively seeking their input and acknowledging the critical role they play in keeping DIRECTV ahead of its competitors and up to date in the innovative world of digital media. Through the participation, feedback and input from its more than 7,500 employees the company is able to understand the changing technology needs of its 16.8 million customers as well as the viewing preferences and patterns of television viewers. One of DIRECTV’s state goals is to be of benefit to the future of the television experience. By seeking a highly diversified pool of experienced information, through its many employees, DirecTV is educating its entire staff and leadership about the future direction of television and television programming. 

DIRECTV has received the highest performance rating in the American Customer Satisfaction Index for seven years in a row, offering further proof that the digital satellite provider is working to train its installation and sales staff, telephone operators, technical staff and executive officers that people matter. With over 16 million clients to keep satisfied that is a lot of care and concern from the staff of this innovative company.

DIRECTV Goes Green

Companies and individuals across the nation are making every effort to “go green” to save our environment. The push for environmentally friendly changes has been moving forward at a rapid pace over the past year. As we just pushed past earth day even our sports teams are getting involved such as the Boston Red Sox’s celebration of Earth Day on the field.

DIRECTV subscribers have the option to do their part in saving the environment. As an added benefit the satellite television provider is offering their subscribers a one-time bill credit to make the switch. This initiative could significantly save trees across the nation. Each year Americans throw away enough paper and wood products to heat up to 50 million homes. The amazing part of this fact is that this would provide heat for 20 years!

The rate of global warming has accelerated over the past 30 years and NASA continues to record high temperatures. Atmospheric carbon dioxide has increased by 31% since the year 1800. Ice in the Arctic Sea continues to melt. Over 400,000 square miles of ice have melted to date. The sea level has risen over the past 100 years. The statistical evidence has been piling up showing the effects of global warming on our planet.

DIRECTV understands that even simple changes can make a large difference. This satellite television provider has millions of customers. Imagine the impact this could have if every customer decided to move to paperless billing. The leading provider of high-definition satellite TV programming is staying a step ahead of the competition by advertising this initiative.

DIRECTV subscribers can opt to have auto bill pay which saves paper and envelopes used when writing your bills. Paperless billing will significantly reduce paper by allowing bill viewing online. Subscribers can also receive updates on offers and new programming, such as the latest HD channel additions, through email.

DIRECTV is telling the world, “Goodbye Paper. Hello Green.”

This program offered to satellite TV customers is an excellent way for you to begin the transition to “going green.” You will have the satisfaction that you are doing something to help the environment in the process. There are multiple ways that you can work towards helping the environment including considering some of the new green HDTVs on the market today.

This satellite television provider is the nation’s leading provider of television entertainment with over 200 channels available to fill our leisure time. DIRECTV HD provides viewers with an incredible 95 channels in stunning high-definition. Dish Network and cable companies are having trouble keeping up with this satellite provider that remains on the cutting edge of technology.

Subscribers have a wealth of content available including premium sports packages and movie packages. Many family channels are available in high-def such as the Disney Channel and Nick HD. Whether you are looking for baseball or classic films you can find it among the amazing programming on DIRECTV HD.

Friday Night Lights to Debut on DIRECTV

Season 3 of NBC’s hit series Friday Night Lights will return to television following Super Bowl 2009.  However, you can catch the season premiere before anyone else with DirecTV.  DirecTV will broadcast new episodes of the series beginning in October.  The decision was reached after NBC, Universal Media Studios and DirecTV came to a deal to form a partnership.  This is a major event, considering that satellite TV subscribers will get to see new episodes of a hit TV show before traditional network viewers.  NBC will continue to broadcast the show on Fridays (the third season premiering after the Super Bowl), while DirecTV gets the rights to broadcast 13 new episodes beginning October 1, 2008 on its channel 101.

How did NBC come to this agreement?  NBC spokespersons stated that it was an innovative deal that would be a “win-win” for all three parties, not to mention the many fans who make Friday Night Lights a big ratings success.  It was said to be a mutually beneficial agreement arrangement and one that may represent a new business model.  NBC surely realized that with this deal, they were not directly competing against DirecTV, since most DirecTV subscribers watch NBC to begin with.  However, by previewing the series a few months early via satellite TV, the network could raise interest in the show, while DirecTV profited in the short-term.

Ever since its debut in 2006 Friday Night Lights has earned a large fan following as well as multiple awards in the industry, including an Emmy, a Peabody Award and a Television Critics Association prize.  The show has also been named one of the best on television by magazines such as Entertainment Weekly and Time.  What type of viewers enjoy this football-themed show?  According to Media Life Magazine and Nielsen Media Research, FNL’s most popular fan base is among affluent viewers.  Perhaps this means that people involved in professional or college football are the ones who relate most to the series.

Just what is Friday Night Lights about?  The series is actually based on a book titled Friday Night Lights: A Town, a Team, and a Dream.  The book was published in 1990 and was originally intended as a journalistic work, one fact-based analysis of a high school football team in Odessa, Texas.  The book was made into a movie in 2004, starring Billy Bob Thornton and directed by Peter Berg, who is now an executive producer on the TV series.

The story follows the community of Dillon, Texas and how the trials of a high school football team seem to affect the entire town.  The series has an ensemble cast, though one of the main characters is Panthers’ football coach Eric Taylor, played by Kyle Chandler.  He is married to Tami Taylor, played by Connie Britton, who is a guidance counselor at Dillon High, and is the father of Julie Taylor, played by Aimee Teegarden.  Other important characters in the series are the star quarterback Jason Street (played by Scott Porter) who suffers an injury that ends his football career, and star running back Brian Smash Williams, played by Gaius Charles.

The idea of the series is that as exciting as football can be as a sport, there is always a human drama going on behind the scenes, or better yet, behind the catches.  DirecTV states that it is honored to be part of a groundbreaking TV deal that promotes a great series in Friday Night Lights.

DIRECTV for your Apartment

DIRECTV has been branching out to many locations in recent years, far beyond just the proverbial suburban house. Now you can find DIRECTV in public bars, in restaurants, in hotels, college dorms and hospitals throughout the country, thanks to the company’s business packages. Additionally, the company also offers special mobile installations, such as DIRECTV Mobile that can be used inside cars, boats or recreational vehicles. The DIRECTV Airborne installation allows TV viewers to be entertained even aboard an aircraft!

However, despite all of these great scientific achievements, it is an odd fact that DIRECTV is still not available in every household. DIRECTV is available in 100% of all U.S. homes. However, this leaves the apartment complex population (as well as town home vacationers) in question. You may live in an apartment complex and wonder if you have the option of DIRECTV at all. Is it true that only homeowners have the privilege of ordering satellite television and that apartment dwellers are stuck with cable or analog TV?

It’s not necessarily true or untrue. It will largely depend on the apartment complex, the landlord and various technical factors. You don’t need a giant satellite dish, merely a small satellite that can be hooked up in your yard or patio. You have the ability to set up a satellite dish from your own condo or apartment, or the landlord can set up a DirecTV System for your entire building. You may think that just because your apartment brochure only offers the option of cable that satellite TV is out of the question. However, this may not be the case.

Try asking your landlord, property manager or homeowner’s association about the option of satellite TV. The first question will be if you can install a DIRECTV satellite system on your rooftop. If this is not possible then many residents have been allowed to keep a dish installed on a private patio or even a balcony. This is because satellite TV will only work if you as the homeowner or renter can have a clear view of the southern sky.

The law is on your side in this regard, as the Federal Communications Commission has ruled that local governments and homeowners associations cannot enforce “unreasonable restrictions” on satellite dishes that are one meter or smaller in size. However, you have to remember that the landlord has final say because the complex is his or her property.

He or she may feel that such an installation will require structural modifications that are impossible or problematic for their complex. Therefore, since you abide by the terms of your rental agreement, you may be restricted from ordering DIRECTV . Nevertheless, many apartment owners have allowed DIRECTV into their properties, especially considering the benefits this technology has over cable.

DirecTV usually asks that apartment leasers get written or verbal permission from their landlord, unless the rental lease agreement implies that permission is not needed. After getting this consent, you can present a permission form to the installed on the day of your satellite dish installation.

It never hurts to ask, and you may be surprised at how many apartments landlords are willing to bring DIRECTV into their homes.

Video on Demand Launched by DIRECTV

DIRECTV is widely believed to be on the verge of launching a Video on Demand service sometime during the second quarter of this year. The service will be broadband-enabled and will require a high-speed Internet connection in order to operate. Through this service, satellite subscribers will have the advantage of choosing from among thousands of selections for viewing whenever they wish.

Several areas around the country have served as testing ground for the video on demand service over the past few months. Some of the first areas to be test were particular locations in Mountain Time Zones. The service was launched as a test pilot there last fall, offering approximately 2,000 movies and shows. CNN and Discovery were just two of the networks to be included in the launch. At the time no programming in HDTV was included; however, DIRECTV stressed that they were working diligently on making programming in HDTV available.

DIRECTV owners can utilize a broadband connection in order to download both high-definition television shows and movies as well as standard definition programs and movies. 

In addition to being able to download programming, users will also be able to have certain shows sent directly by DIRECTV to their DVR. It is anticipated that the service will be a welcome addition to DIRECTV users. It has been estimated that at least half of all current DIRECTV subscribers already have high-speed Internet connections and will be ready to take advantage of the service as soon as it becomes available. A HR20-700 HD DVR is necessary to take advantage of the service. It is connected to a Broadband Internet line using either a power line device, home plug, Category 5 cabling or wireless network.

Consumers can choose from one of two ways to receive their videos. One method is an automatic transmission of certain movie titles which can be stored on the DVR of subscribers and then ordered whenever the subscriber wishes to view them. A second method would be through an Internet download that is streamed to the set-top box of the subscriber.

According to DIRECTV, approximately 3,000 movies and television shows will be offered as soon as the service is launched. In some cases, a small fee may be required for certain movie titles. Pricing is expected to be about $3.99. Numerous non-movie based programs are free of charge; however. In direct comparison to other providers, including Comcast, it is expected that this new service by DIRECTV will be quite economical. While Comcast does offer a large selection of free content, movies tend to run about $5 each.

It has been anticipated that this new service will help to counter the video on demand services which have already been offered by phone companies and cable operators for quite some time now.

Although the service has only been available in beta until this point, it certainly appears as though many satellite subscribers will be able to take advantage of the service throughout the country very soon.

DIRECTV Hardware Breakdown

There are many features available with DIRECTV that bare repeating.  It does offer some distinct advantages over regular TV as well as cable TV.  It offers a wide selection of options while discounting the price compared with most cable providers.  Furthermore, there are options offered with DIRECTV that cannot be found from any other source.  Start by considering some of the receivers of the DIRECTV Satellite system.  Receivers are what capture the signals and allow content to be played back at the viewer’s leisure.  DIRECTV as well as other manufacturers had been producing receivers, however DIRECTV now designs their own models. 

The newest standard receiver for DIRECTV is the D12 Receiver.  This receiver is offered with minimum packages.  The next receiver to consider is the HD Receiver, a special product that can receive an addition HD signal, which broadcasts in 1080i resolution, a much sharper picture than standard television.  The H21 Series is the newest model of HD receivers.  The Plus DVR receiver is a standard (non-HD) system that also has a built-in Digital Video Recorder.  This allows you to program recordings based on content, not on a timer.  With this feature you don’t have to worry about missing a program or recording on the wrong channel—common complaints about the old VCR system.  The R16-300 offers 100 hours of stored programming.  If HD is what you really want then you can order the HD-DVR receiver, which is the most advanced receiver, bringing the features of HD and DVR together.  However, the advantages continue as this receiver also features Media Share, an option that enables you to store photos and music.  The HR21 is the latest model of HD-DVR receiver.  These receivers are for “everyday consumers.”

There is also a line of receivers that offer a little something extra, called the DIRECTV Pro system.  The Pro Receiver offers both HD and DVR features, as well as a larger capacity hard drive and Media Share.  The DIRECTV Satellite-To-Go is actually a portable satellite system that brings together a receiver, an antenna and a TV set to take with you anywhere.  With these portable receiver you can sample the best entertainment even if you’re on the road at a hotel or in an RV.

Along with these receivers, there are also remote controls that can make your home theater experience more enjoyable.  The company’s Universal Remote is an infrared remote, while the Universal RF Remote offers radio frequency.  What does this mean?  Namely, that you don’t have to point the remote any more.  You can change the channels from other rooms, fast-forward scenes through fast-forward through walls and adjust volume through an entire level of floor.  (Now please, no poltergeisting friends and family during their favorite shows!) 

DIRECTV has something for everyone, whether you are looking for a wide selection of entertainment, more control over recording or just better quality resolution.  These special receivers available from Satellite DIRECTV provide much more comfort to your home theater at a price you can afford.