The DIRECTV bundle packages offered today are designed to get you into a new satellite dish system at little to no cost, and they offer a ton of programming. Is a DIRECTV bundle right for you? Lets take a look at the options available to you today, and then you will have the information you need to decide if DIRECTV or Dish Network is the better choice for your situation.
The DIRECTV Family bundle is the first option available. This is a bare bones package, offering around 50 channels of high quality digital programming. Local channels are included in this DIRECTV bundle, as they are with all of the other options we discuss here. Installation of the satellite dish is also included here, and the price is a low $29.99 a month. This DIRECTV bundle is best for families with small kids, where the parents don’t really watch much TV.
The DIRECTV Choice bundle is a good place to start for most people trying out satellite television service for the first time. This package offers 150 plus channels when you count both audio and video networks. If you go with just the base package without HD or DVR service, you are looking at an affordable price tag of $34.99 per month for the first year. After one year, the Choice bundle price is $55.99 a month.
If you can spare an extra $5 per month, the ChoiceXtra bundle is a great way to round out your satellite TV package. For that $5, you will get another 50 channels, bringing your total to 200+ audio and video channels. Though many of these channels are second-tier, if you have a specific interest in life your sure to find a channel or two that your will really enjoy with the DIRECTV Choice Xtra bundle.
Now the next two DIRECTV bundles build on the ChoiceXtra package. The Plus DVR package takes all of the channels from the previous setup, and adds in the convenience and time savings of a digital video recorder to your DIRECTV bundle. This starts at $44.99 for one year, then goes up to $65.99 per month.
The DIRECTV Plus HD DVR adds not only a DVR, but also all of the HD channels carried in the ChoiceXtra bundle. This one starts at $54.99 a month and then increases to $75.99 a month after the DIRECTV promotion ends. Currently, there are more than 130 total HD channels available through DIRECTV satellite, but you won’t get that many unless you go to the King of all DIRECTV bundles – the Premier package.
The DIRECTV Premier bundle is the all you can watch TV offer. Basically, you get everything here. All of the standard cable TV channels, all of the audio channels, and most importantly, all of the premium movie channels. Several feeds of HBO, Starz, Cinemax, and Showtime are included, and the price is around $110 per month. You also get the DIRECTV Sports bundle, which provides you non stop sports with several regional and lesser known sports channels. Do remember you will pay for DVR service and HD in addition to the base price.
Promotions vary with the DIRECTV Premier bundle, as often you can get the package for free with the NFL Sunday Ticket during late summer and early fall. Other times of the year the price is often dropped for the first three or four months of service.
Other DIRECTV bundle incentives usually include free installation, and a discounted or free HD DVR unit. Check with DIRECTV customer service by calling or visiting their website to find out exactly what the current offers are before you subscribe.
Now there are a few other DIRECTV bundles available in addition to the base packages that we have already discussed, and what we are talking about here are the premium sports packages that can be added on to your base package. Whether it is football, baseball, basketball or hockey there is something for everyone on satellite television. These prices are approximate, and based on either the most recent season or on the upcoming season if pricing has been released. There is often an early bird discount on some of these packages, so check with DIRECTV well before the season starts and you might get a better deal. Some packages also are available starting mid-season for a reduced rate.
NFL Sunday Ticket bundle $300
Superfan bundle $100 (Only available with Sunday Ticket)
NBA League Pass bundle $199
NHL Center Ice bundle $199
MLB Extra Innings bundle $209
ESPN Gameplan bundle $129 (College football)
ESPN Full Court bundle $109 (College Basketball regular season)
NCAA Mega March Madness bundle $69 (NCAA Tournament coverage)
So hold on to your wallet sports fans, as DIRECTV certainly offers just about every enticement you can think of when it comes to sports programming. There are a few freebies out there, as DIRECTV sports does give you free additional coverage of the major tennis and golf tournaments like the Masters and Wimbledon. In addition, the NASCAR Hotpass was also offered free to subscribers in 2009.
Carefully compare the DIRECTV bundles offered with what Dish Network and your local cable company offer. Chances are you will find a package that meets your entertainment needs at an affordable price.
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