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Q: |
What programming does DIRECTV offer? |
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The DIRECTV® service features more than 225 available channels of entertainment. Customers have access to popular networks like Disney Channel, CNN, ESPN and TNT, as well as up to 55 pay per view choices a day including major Hollywood films and special events. Hit movies start as often as every 30 minutes and they cost only $3.99 each when you use your remote control to order. DIRECTV also offers an unprecedented professional and collegiate sports subscription lineup, including NFL SUNDAY TICKET™, NBA LEAGUE PASS, NHL® CENTER ICE® , MLB EXTRA INNINGS SM , MLS DIRECT KICKTM , ESPN GamePlan and ESPN FULL COURT. There's even more! The SPORTS PACK premium service and TOTAL CHOICE® PREMIER programming deliver sports action from across the nation. Plus, adult channels like PLAYBOY TV are available on an a la carte basis. |
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How can I find out what programming is coming up? |
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There are four easy ways:
1. You can find complete monthly listings in the programming section at DIRECTV.com. You can also check out the online program guide.
2. The on-screen guide lists programs up to 36 hours ahead of time.
3. Your monthly DIRECTV bill contains an insert with a listing of upcoming movies and special events. |
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Q: |
Why doesn't DIRECTV present every channel I want to see? |
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Programming commitments are driven by customer preference. They are designed to balance the interests of adults, children, and the whole family. We regularly poll customers to determine their interests. |
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Q: |
Does DIRECTV offer channels on an a la carte basis? |
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You may add individual premium services to your TOTAL CHOICE® or TOTAL CHOICE® PLUS base package. We offer these premium options: HBO® , Starz® Super Pack , SHOWTIME UNLIMITED® , Cinemax® , and our SPORTS Pack. Adult channels like PLAYBOY TV are also available on an a la carte basis.
The TOTAL CHOICE® PREMIER base package includes all premium services available on DIRECTV so you don't have to worry about missing any of your favorite programs. |
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Does DIRECTV offer music channels? |
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Yes! Through an alliance with Music Choice, DIRECTV offers up to 36 different audio-only channels that range from choices like Soft Rock, Jazz and Country to Hit List, Easy Listening and many more. Visit the Music Choice page for more information about this service. |
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Q: |
What channels will DIRECTV be offering in the future? |
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It is a DIRECTV policy not to disclose information about any pending or potential programming offers. However, they do speak with a wide array of programming providers and constantly evaluate services based on the level of customer interest. |
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Q: |
How do I order pay per view movies and special events? |
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The easiest way to order is with your remote control. Just make sure that you have a DIRECTV subscription and that your receiver is continuously connected to a land-based phone line.
You can also order pay per view on DIRECTV.com. Finally, you can call DIRECTV Customer Service to order, however there is a $5 fee for each order called in. Pay per view event purchases are non-refundable. |
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Q: |
What is a letterbox movie? |
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A: |
The shape of a theater screen is wider than the shape of a TV screen. So, when movies appear on TV, the left and right sides of the image are usually cut off and you miss about 30 percent of the film's original picture. The letterbox format, preferred by many film buffs, displays movies on a television screen as originally intended by the films' directors. That's why you see black bars at the top and bottom of the screen when you watch a letterbox movie on your television. The TV screen has been adapted to accommodate the film's entire picture. In order to fit the whole picture on the screen, the image has to be reduced. There is no extra charge for letterbox movies with DIRECTV® Pay Per View . |
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Q: |
Are movies available on pay per view before or after they come out on home video? |
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Movie studios release films to the video rental market before making them available to pay per view services. However, the period between the home video release and pay per view release now can be as little as 30 days. There are several advantages to watching movies on pay per view.
First, DIRECTV is not just another pay per view provider! DIRECTV® Pay Per View Movies offers a great selection of the latest pay per view movies well in advance of premium cable and broadcast television networks. You can even preview the first five minutes of non-adult movies so you can make an informed "rental" decision. DIRECTV® Pay Per View brings you the most exciting events like boxing, wrestling, soccer, music and more. With as many as 55 different movie and event choices a day, DIRECTV® Pay Per View services offer you more viewing options than cable or any other satellite service. |
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Q: |
Can weather interfere with my reception? |
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A: |
Television reception on the system is highly reliable year-round and nationwide. DIRECTV® service is only minimally affected by weather, under extreme conditions. If a signal interruption happens at all, it is usually less than one minute long. If you suspect your system is having a weather-related problem, visit our Technical Support section for more information. |
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Q: |
Is the DIRECTV signal compatible with surround-sound technologies? |
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The DIRECTV® System is compatible with Dolby Pro Logic Surround-Sound and Dolby Digital. To get true surround-sound, you will need a Dolby Pro Logic or Dolby Digital surround sound processing unit. Basically, you will be able to experience surround-sound with DIRECTV® programming if your home theater system has surround-sound capability. If you have more questions, contact your equipment manufacturer or salesperson.
Programming, pricing, terms and conditions are subject to change. |
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Q: |
How do I activate Secondary Audio Programming (SAP)? |
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The specific steps depend on the brand and model of your receiver. Your owner's manual will give you the details. |
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Does DIRECTV offer local channels? |
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Yes, DIRECTV offers local channels in most major U.S. cities and their surrounding areas, always in digital quality. Eligible customers can order different packages that include local channels. Please visit our local channels page to find out if local channels are available where you live. |
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Q: |
Should I update my Favorite Channels lists now that I get new local channels? |
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Yes. If you created any Favorite Channels lists you'll want to consider adding your new local channels to them. |
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Q: |
Will the local channels additions affect my pre-set Locks & Limits? |
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If you've used your on-screen menus to set spending or ratings limits, those will remain in effect, even on the new local channels. If a channel that you locked out moved, you'll need to lock it out at its new location. |
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Q: |
Why do you charge for local channels and PBS? Aren't they free? |
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DIRECTV® local channels have the same low price nationwide. In cable, the cost of local channels is part of what you pay for service - you can't really tell how much they cost. Most consumers can get DIRECTV® local channels, but a small number live in an area where they can't. Therefore, the charge is separate for local channels service so only customers receiving the service have to pay for it. |
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Q: |
Can I receive local channels from another part of the country? |
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Under federal law, DIRECTV can provide local channels only within a local TV market. For example, they can provide San Francisco stations in San Francisco and surrounding areas within that TV market. Federal law requires them to respect local TV markets boundaries established by Nielsen Media Research. Distant broadcast network feeds from New York and Los Angeles are available only to customers who cannot receive an over-the-air signal from a local TV station or to customers who get waivers from their local TV stations. |
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Q: |
When I do a signal meter test, why do some transponders show zero signal strength? |
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You may find you have zero signal strength on some satellite transponders (usually transponders 4, 12, 18, 20, 26 and 28). This is normal; with DIRECTV's new satellite they simply don't use those transponders to deliver a signal to your part of the country. |
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Q: |
What are your plans to offer local channels in more cities? |
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Today DIRECTV offers local channels to more than 90% of the nation's TV households, with even more local market launches planned in the near future as they launch new satellites. |
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Q: |
I don't want new local channels. Can't you put things back to the way they were? |
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Sorry, DIRECTV can't return to their prior local channel offering. They are actually required by law to carry this expanded local lineup in the cities they now serve. |
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The following questions and answers are for customers who see their local channels in the 800s and 900s. |
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Q: |
I can't find my local channels. Where did they go? Why did you move them? |
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Your local channels are still in the 800s and 900s. In the on-screen program guide, look for channels with your city's abbreviation, then tune to that channel to watch programming. Once you've tuned to the channel, it may take a few moments for the data specific to that channel to appear. DIRECTV had to rearrange the channels in the 800s and 900s because they added so many local channels. |
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Q: |
Why does my on-screen guide have city abbreviations in the 800s and 900s, rather than complete program listings? |
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Because DIRECTV now carries nearly 300 local channels across the country, they are reusing numbers in the 800s and 900s for several cities. At first when you pull up your on-screen guide, you see data that's "shared" by various cities. Your complete program information will appear after a few moments. |
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Q: |
Some DIRECTV® Receivers get local channels on their over-the-air numbers (2 - 99). Why doesn't mine do that? |
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Like most electronics technology, satellite receivers have improved over the years. For example, newer DIRECTV® Receivers have higher speed processors (just like PCs have incorporated faster chips). Newer DIRECTV® Receivers also show the local channels on numbers that correspond to the exact local channel numbers in your area (between 2 and 99). They also have more internal memory to hold more program guide data. |
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Q: |
Why is there a delay in getting complete data on the channel banner when I tune to a local channel? |
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A: |
Your receiver now toggles between two on-screen program guides: (1) The national guide brings you channels we distribute nationwide. (2) The local guide carries only channels available in your area. The delay happens when your receiver loads the local guide information. The best way to view your local channels is to enter the number of the channel with your remote control and go directly to the channel. |
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Q: |
I sometimes get local channel information quickly and other times there's a long delay. Is something wrong with my receiver? |
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No. Many receivers are timed to download the guide information every few minutes. When you tune to a local channel, the timer may be about to go off, or it may have just gone off. Therefore, your time lag could be a couple seconds one time and a couple of minutes the next. |
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Q: |
How can I minimize the impact of the local channel information delay? |
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There are several things you can do. Since the delay only happens when you switch from a national network channel to a local network channel, there's no delay when you surf among national channels or among local channels. Once you've gotten your local channel data, check out the programming information you want before you go back to a national channel. Also, you can use your receiver's custom features, such as the favorite channels list, to eliminate the local channels from other cities from your guide. This will make it easier to remember the numbers of your local channels. |
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Q: |
Can I eliminate the delay by re-setting my receiver? |
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No. This delay is now part of the receiver's normal behavior. Keep in mind that there's no delay in acquiring video and audio on your local channels. The delay is only in the detailed guide or banner information. |
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Q: |
Is DIRECTV® sports programming affected by sports blackouts? |
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A: |
As a provider of the most comprehensive sports programming lineup in the digital home entertainment industry, DIRECTV must pay close attention to sports blackouts and restrictions. |
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Q: |
I believe I'm outside of the sports blackout area. Why am I still getting blacked out from games? |
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You may have been blacked out from a game even though you seemed to be outside the blackout area. This can happen if a TV station near the team's home stadium has networked the games to a TV station nearer to you. For example, a person who lives near Houston, more than 150 miles from a San Antonio Spurs station's territory, might be blacked out from a game if the San Antonio television station networked the signal to a station in Houston.
In DIRECTV's agreements to carry games produced by various leagues and associations, they are subject to clauses that keep them from carrying events near where the game is played, aired or broadcast locally. In addition, networks like ESPN and TNT have signed contracts with certain cable TV operators that prevent some events from being distributed by anyone else in their franchise area.
In some cases, if a game is blacked out from certain DIRECTV channels, you may be able to see it on another DIRECTV channel, or on one of your local broadcast channels. |
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Q: |
Why is my regional sports network territory different from my cable Regional Sports Network (RSN)? |
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The area of in-market availability for each regional sports network is determined by the companies that provide the RSNs to us, such as Fox Sports Direct.
The constraints of C-band satellite systems, cable systems and our system differ slightly, which is why RSN territories sometimes differ from one delivery system to the next.
Most people get the same Regional Sports Network from us as they would from cable. But in some areas of the county, there are differences — your home RSN from us might be different from your home RSN on cable. This is because Regional Sports Networks base their service on ZIP codes for satellite customers, but on county boundaries for cable customers. This difference is necessary because of the technical differences in how the satellite and cable signals are distributed. |
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Q: |
Why do I need to have a land-based phone line connected to receive sports programming? |
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In order to comply with the blackout rules established by each professional sports league, DIRECTV requires sports customers to have a continuous land-based phone connection to their DIRECTV® Receiver.
Programming, pricing, terms and conditions are subject to change.
Sports Subscriptions cannot be canceled, transferred, refunded, or credited (in part or in whole) after the season starts. |
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Q: |
Does DIRECTV offer a Spanish-language programming service? |
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Yes. DIRECTV PARA TODOS® offers the most comprehensive Spanish-and English-language programming service at an affordable price. It features more than 50 Spanish-language channels, including sports, movies, news, music and educational networks. It includes English-language broadcast channels with alternate Spanish-language audio access. To get DIRECTV PARA TODOS® programming, you'll need a DIRECTV® Multi-Satellite System.
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Q: |
Does DIRECTV offer programming in additional languages? |
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Yes! DIRECTV is proud to offer Cantonese, Mandarin, South Asian (Hindi and Tamil), Italian, Spanish and Vietnamese-language programming. |
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Q: |
Are English-language DIRECTV® broadcasts available in other languages? |
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If a program is available in an alternate language, you can use your remote control to select "Alternate Audio" from the on-screen guide menu. Keep in mind that DIRECTV is only a programming distributor; it is up to the program originator to decide whether to provide a program in another language. |
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Q: |
I've heard of DIRECTV Latin America. What is that? |
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DIRECTV Latin America, LLC is a multinational company owned by DIRECTV Latin America Holdings, a subsidiary of The DIRECTV Group, Inc.; and Darlene Investments, LLC, an affiliate of the Cisneros Group of Companies. DIRECTV Latin America and its principal operating companies have offices in Buenos Aires, Argentina; São Paulo, Brazil; Cali, Colombia; Mexico City, Mexico; Carolina, Puerto Rico; Fort Lauderdale, USA; and Caracas, Venezuela. For more information on DIRECTV Latin America please visit www.DIRECTVla.com .
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Programming, pricing, terms and conditions are subject to change. |
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Q: |
What is the DIRECTV PARA TODOS® service? |
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DIRECTV PARA TODOS® offers the most comprehensive Spanish- and English-language programming service at an affordable price. It features more than 50 Spanish-language channels,* including sports, movies, news, music and educational networks, and up to 175 English-language channels.
*Includes English-language broadcast channels with alternate Spanish-language audio access. |
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What sports programming is available? |
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With DIRECTV PARA TODOS® service, you'll have access to a range of sports from boxing to soccer, including the best from the world of international soccer. There is exclusive access to the NFL SUNDAY TICKET™ package, as well as sports subscriptions like MLB EXTRA INNINGSSM , MLS DIRECT KICK ™ , NBA LEAGUE PASS, and more. |
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What equipment do I need to receive DIRECTV PARA TODOS® programming? |
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If you already have DIRECTV, you'll need to find out if you have a Multi-Satellite System. Check by tuning your TV to Channel 400. If you can't get this channel, you can order the Multi-Satellite System online.
If you are considering getting DIRECTV, request a Multi-Satellite System when you make your purchase, whether online or at retail. Spanish on-screen guides available on select models. |
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Can I install the DIRECTV Multi-Satellite System by myself? |
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No, standard installation is included with all systems. |
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Q: |
Can I still use the DIRECTV System equipment I have now if I get a Multi-Satellite System? |
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Yes! For an additional fee, the equipment you have now can be relocated to another room in your house, so members of your family can watch different programs in the two rooms. DIRECTV can "mirror" the English portion of your programming subscription, plus Univision and Galavisión, on the second receiver. It's only $4.99 a month for the programming on the second and each additional receiver in your home, provided all receivers are continuously connected to a land-based phone line. |
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Can I still use the DIRECTV® System equipment I have now? |
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You may want to install your existing set-top receiver in another room of your home. That will give you access to any English-language DIRECTV® programming you receive today. And you'll continue to have access to Univision and Galavisión with your DIRECTV System equipment. |
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Q: |
I have children at home. Can I control the programming they see on the DIRECTV® Multi-Satellite System? |
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Yes. A special feature called "Locks and Limits" lets you restrict access to channels and programs so you can make sure they are viewing age-appropriate shows. You can even set a spending limit on pay per view purchases, to help stay within the family budget. Learn more about these features in your System Manual for more details. |
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Q: |
Is the DIRECTV PARA TODOS® service available outside the United States? |
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No. DIRECTV PARA TODOS® is a service offered only to DIRECTV customers who reside in the United States. However, you can get DIRECTV in Latin America. For information about our service and programming in Latin America, visit www.DIRECTVla.com . |
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