Exactly! I get the early bird $270 "deal," kinda pissed because it went up again. I only have the basic service with 2 boxes (non-HD) and no movie channels. The only reason I have it is because of the Bills. I pay $270 to watch about 12 Bills games a year (I tend to go to 4 or so games per year). I rarely watch any other football with the package.
This is the first I've heard of side deals, I admit to not paying much attention to the threads on this. Is DTV offering lower prices on ST if you call and complain? I've been a subscriber since 2000, except 2002-04 when one of my apts didn't allow a dish on the roof (I know they can't do it, but it wasn't worth the fight; besides I went to McFaddens every Sunday).