Yes Super Fan is an add on to the Sunday Ticket for an additional $99. So if you want ST and SF it will cost you $400!
I sent Direct TV an email inquiring about the pricing and saying I thought that was too high etc.
My Email to Direct TV
Customer - 08/10/2009 08:03 PM
I am a Direct TV customer and the only reason I use Direct TV is for Sunday Ticket. Last year the cost was $99 and I felt that was a fair price for something that you virtually only use one day a week for 4 months. This year the price has gone up to $299. In my opinion that is a rediculous price for this package and if this is going to be the price for this season and into the future I will no longer be a Direct TV subscriber. You had a good thing going but I fear you have become greedy and I hope that if the price does not come way down that Direct TV looses business. Shame on Direct TV for making a great program NFL Sunday Ticket virtually impossible to watch for the normal family.
Here was Direct TV's response to my email:
Subject
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NFL Sunday Ticket
Discussion Thread
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Response (Ma Lourdes D - 100260014) - 08/11/2009 04:27 AM
Thanks for writing us.
I sincerely understand your sentiments towards the price of the NFL SUNDAY TICKET 2009 season. The price might sound like a lot, but NFL SUNDAY TICKET 2009 gives you the most NFL games you´ll find anywhere, for a very reasonable price all for about less than $18 each week ($299.95 ÷ 17 weeks = $17.64).
Over the years the cost to deliver NFL SUNDAY TICKET has increased, but we've done our best to keep the price increases to a minimum.
We know you have a choice when it comes to programming providers, and we must work hard to earn your business. We'd like to speak with you to see how we can help you, so please call us at 800-531-5000 so we can assist you.
Sincerely,
Ma. Lourdes D. - 100260014
DIRECTV Customer Service
Catch up to 14 games every week this fall with NFL SUNDAY TICKET, now available at directv.com/nfl
My reply to this email:
Customer- 08/11/2009 07:25 AM
.
I know that explanation sounds great in your marketing meetings and focus groups, but remember this is a program that is on one time per week. So really it is $18 every Sunday. In relation to all the movie channels and other programming this is proportionately much higher. How is this not like HBO, SHOWTIME or something similar and cost $30 or so/month?
The country is in a recession, people are being laid off, and your company chooses to raise the price on this package by roughly 200%. I can not think of a single industry that takes a 200% price increase in a single year. This is greed, plain and simple! Some bean counter informed top top level execs that the increase in price, while it might loose some loyal customers, will yield a higher profit margin. That might be right in the short-term, but long-term loyal customers are far more profitable.
I also believe that Direct TV may have signed a new deal with the NFL to have exclusive rights which gives you the power to charge whatever you like for the program (I am not 100% certain on the new contract and exclusivity). Just when I was starting to be a fan of Direct TV.
I'm sure your company will get plenty of people to pay for the program but it will be your meat and potatoe customers (like myself) that will not be able to. I hope those people are like myself and choose not to continue service with Direct TV since he/she will not be able to afford NFL Sunday Ticket. I hope the decision to raise the price of Sunday NFL Ticket to $300 proves to be a major mistake long-term for Direct TV. I will be moving my service if the
price does not come down by the start of the season.
Direct TV's response to my email:
Subject
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Re: NFL Sunday Ticket [Reference #: 090810-007674]
Discussion Thread
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Response (Raymond D. - 100186556) - 08/11/2009 07:33 AM
Thanks for writing us back.
I understand your concerns regarding your programming options. We appreciate your business and we want to keep you as a customer. For your reference, our best programming offers are usually online. By registering at
http://directv.com and signing up for email alerts, you'll also find out about any special deals as they become available. Just go to
http://directv.com/register to sign up.
If you still are not satisfied, we need to speak with you to help you get the programming you're looking for at the best possible price. Please call us at 800-531-5000 so we can assist you. We look forward to hearing back from you real soon.
Sincerely,
Raymond D.
Employee ID 100186556
DIRECTV Customer Service
Catch up to 14 games every week this fall with NFL SUNDAY TICKET, now available at directv.com/nfl.
The last email was basically a blow off saying quit emailing us. If you don't like the price TS!