OK here's how my deal went down: called DTV yesterday - gave them the typical spiel of "I'm a long time loyal customer, considering other options"....they immediately gave me $10 off bill for 12 months, plus $7 off for DVR service for 1 yr = $204, plus an instant $120 discount off NFL Ticket. Told them I'd consider it but it wasn't good enough.
Called back today, told them I was ready to walk because they claimed I had not called in to cancel my Ticket auto-renewal due to the strike; they added a immediate $60 credit on top of the $120 reduction for the Ticket offered yesterday. This all happened after 3 occasions where I was put on hold after being told "let me see if I can find anything better for you". So, the net/net for me is this: autorenew price = $324; total of all credits = $384, so DTV is paying me $60 to watch football this year. I am going to call again today to see if I can get the Ticket To-Go rolled in free.
Not bad, I would say.....my moral of the story: stick to the 3 "P"s : Persistence, Patience, Politeness (but Firm !!)
Good luck to all my fellow ex-pats.....