I heard that Direct TV was buying out Dish Network. Dish has the very good and popular Rural Channel (RFD) that offers a lot of farm programs. Does anyone know the truth about the buy out. I have Direct TV and have been planning to change to Dish just to get the RFD channel, but I dont want to go to the trouble if in a few months Direct may offer it to. P.S. I emailed Direct TV and asked about the RFD channel and they replied that they had no plans to ad it to their lineup, but they didnt comment on the buy out.

-- Red Neck (Secesh@CSA.com), January 09, 2002

Answers

Directv is not buying dish it's the other way around. If that happens we will only have the one to choose from not two! I would hate to see that happen! Dish has a very limited line up, can't get some stations on dish that directv has!! I have directv and thought about switching, looked at dish and they required a major credit card and wanted to tie up $249.00 on that card for one year!! And you don't own the equipement!! You only rent it! I bought my Directv equipement new for $69.00 and no major cc required!! Much better deal!!!

-- (sunny59859@yahoo.com), January 09, 2002.

We have Dish tv and own the equipment. They run specials often, offering free installation. In our area Dish is $10 per month cheaper than Direct TV.

-- Grannytoo (jacres40@hotmail.com), January 09, 2002.

The good thing about renting the equipment is that if something goes kerflooey, they take care of it. If you own it, it's your responsibility.

-- Mary Zastowny (foxpawz@gamewood.net), January 09, 2002.

We have Dish Network and we own the box and dish. But we droped them the only thing I miss is the HGTV channel.

-- ruby (mcfays@aol.com), January 09, 2002.

Sonny, Might want to check your facts. Dishnet does now and has always done direct monthly billing. You can do a credit card payment but they deduct on a montly basis NOT all at once. They do have some program that requre you to go to credit card payments to get into some plans but other plans dont.

Dishnet has never leased equipment, Your buy it, usually free or mimial cost with a 1 year commitment.

-- Gary (gws@columsbu.rr.com), January 09, 2002.

DirecTV stated that if new equipment was required (when they combine with Dish Network) then it would be provided 'free of charge' to existing customers.

-- Mike (uyk7@hotmail.com), January 10, 2002.

We have Dish Network and we watch RFD all the time. It's a great channel. John Lyons horse training, Western Horseman training shows, High School Rodeo, 4H, tons of breed specials, sheep, cows, horses, donkeys, draft horses, just everything. Crop reports, uses of chemicals, how tractors work, farm toys, new inventions by farmers. And people can make a hour video and send it in to be used, like the different breed clubs. Ours is channel 9409.

Dish Network is allot better than Direct TV. We got ours for free when Primestar went down. I spent allot of time comparing them both. The service is excellent, never a problem. The one thing I would like to have is local channels, still can't get Louisville, which is stupid. We get Atlanta. Switch to Dish. And if you want to upgrade a little, you can get internet access also.

-- Cindy in KY (solidrockranch@msn.com), January 10, 2002.

We had Primestar before Directv and there was nothing to buy when Directv took over. Previously we had already paid Primestar for the "lifetime" lease deal. So all our equipment was simply replaced with Directv equipment. I'm hoping that the same thing occurs when and if Dishnet buys Directv. We pay no monthly fee (other than programming of course) and have only had to call our local Directv reps occasionally for minor problems...no charge to us! The RFD channel sounds interesting, but if there is a "hassle" for us with any future changeovers, then we'll just go back to our four local channels...no problem!

-- Marcia (HrMr@webtv.net), January 10, 2002.

Same here Marcia. When we had Primestar, TCI was the local provider and we had excellent coverage including the major networks. It cost us $10/month for the rental unit. Nothing to buy and only one year contract for service. Got practically all the stations, HBO, Showtime, Cinemax the whole enchilada for $60/mo.

After Directtv took over, it was a nightmare trying to retain what we already had...the networks. We had to prove that we couldn't get the local signal. Only after much letter writing and complaints to the FCC did we finally get Fox (SFO), ABC (Atlanta) & PBS (Philly). Never heard back from NBC or CBS local affliates. Then some unknown outfit called Pegasus started sending us bills for service. After our cty atty. determined who it was, and checked it out, did he allow the billing to go forward. There was no advance notice from Directtv, just these outlandish bills, for nearly double what we'd already had paid.

I've heard from some Dish Network people wanting to switch us (again) over n/c. But, they are extremely limited in coverage and they don't offer internet couplings. Right now I've got my internet and Directtv/Pegasus in one package.

-- matt johnson (wyo_cowboy_us@yahoo.com), January 11, 2002.

We had primestar then Direct took over. I hate Direct I can't understand most of what goes on with the remote and we were being billed by direct and pegusas (i believe) it could have been one or the other and another company. I was fit to be tied when I realized that I had been paying two companies for the same service. I only found out when I got a bill and remembered just paying the other than did some paper work searching and going thru checking statements. I was on the phone pronto. It seems that the company that switched the dishes was charging us for there package deal (what ever that was, I can't remember). I miss Primestar but then again I do watch television very rarely but I always hear the thing in the back ground, there is one t.v. junky who lives here, he could watch a blank screen and be happy just knowing the t.v. works.

-- george (bngcrview@aol.com), January 11, 2002.

What I really miss with Primestar, also is the free monthly guide! $39.99/yr. for the Directv guide is too rich for my blood...or maybe I'm just stubborn to pay for it :-)!!!

-- Marcia (HrMr@webtv.net), January 11, 2002.

Primestar (TCI) was great. Directtv is a rip-off! I don't pay for their ridiculously priced guide-book, that was wrong half the time. When something better (and cheaper) comes along, I'll look into it.

-- matt johnson (wyo_cowboy_us@yahoo.com), January 11, 2002.