Sunday Ticket

[nucci]

Just now, mattynh said:

Do the math....its better than that

I did the math.....Just explaining how it works...I don't get the ticket for free but discounts cover it

[kevnallen]

1 hour ago, Marv's Neighbor said:

I'll still go to my BILLS Bar and watch.  If they win, we celebrate together,  if not, we may find something else to do, and not bother going to watch.  That avoids the annual groveling with Direct TV,  

 

Based on the season. If the BILLS Win, I lose, because the bar bill is higher.  If they lose, I at least break even, or could end up a couple dollars ahead.

 

Plus, for the price the Sunday ticket, you can get wings and a few beers if you go to a bar. The main downside is you usually have to get to the bar early to get a decent seat.

[Ned Flanders]

2 hours ago, nucci said:

Yes but I don't think it matters. I know non AT&T people getting the same offers

I hope I'm wrong, but after reading posts on this board and over at DBS Talk, seems the best deals are going to existing AT&T wireless customers.

 

We'll see what happens when I do the dance with the AT&T next month.

[nucci]

5 minutes ago, kevnallen said:

 

Plus, for the price the Sunday ticket, you can get wings and a few beers if you go to a bar. The main downside is you usually have to get to the bar early to get a decent seat.

or sit is the comfort of your home with same wings and beer and not have to worry about getting a decent seat...plus switch to other games or Red Zone Channel....best channel ever created

[klos63]

39 minutes ago, Ned Flanders said:

I hope I'm wrong, but after reading posts on this board and over at DBS Talk, seems the best deals are going to existing AT&T wireless customers.

 

We'll see what happens when I do the dance with the AT&T next month.

I am not an At&t wireless customer, I received a great deal.

[Marv's Neighbor]

2 hours ago, nucci said:

I didn't grovel.  I asked if I could get the same discounts as last year and they said yes. I can't watch Bills games with strangers...I don't really like people

Being at a bar, after a couple pops, it's easier to "like" the unlikeable.   It's also better if the BILLS win.I

[eball]

8 hours ago, plenzmd1 said:

 

I have conventional DTV and SR maz package, as well as the app on Firestick..on Sundays I have two TVs on the porch..one hooked up to dish box, one just uses Firestick so Bills on one TV and Redzone on the other

 

 

Sounds almost identical to my setup.  Main TV (DTV) on the Bills, Firestick TV on Red Zone (since there is usually a delay).

[EmotionallyUnstable]

Our area is experiencing a black out of CBS through DTV currently due to lack of a contract and a fall-out in negotiations. I’m going to use this as a bargaining chip for sure . However, I’ll likely ask for what I have now just to continue with the deal (60 a month)

[BuffaloMatt]

19 hours ago, Augie said:

Painless? That sounds....confusing to me! I dreaded the process so much I just rolled over years ago and pay whatever they charge (which my wife likes to tell me is A LOT!). 

 

Maybe I try again this year. The ONLY reason I have DTV is to watch Bills games. I have lousy AT&T four daily use, but they dumped NFLN so at draft I went back to DTV a bit. I’m an idiot, but I subsidize the rest of you by paying full freight, so you’re welcome.....

You and me both!

[MILFHUNTER#518]

16 hours ago, albanyfan said:

I just took out a new two-year discounted contract with the “choice” cable package, that includes the free Sunday ticket. And, I’m leaving an overpriced cable package. The directv price is low enough to cover the $240 penalty when I drop it for the 2nd year. Once I pay the penalty...I think...I’m once again, a new customer, qualifying for the free Sunday ticket for the next year and reduced rates. So... no haggling, but I’m out the $240...

so..am I thinking this out right? 

As of last year there was no annual contract, that must have changed.

 

I asked a rep about that a couple years ago when I was indeed in a contract, the whole cancel and then re-up to get ticket for free scheme. She said I couldnt do that, you had to be a new customer without direc tv for at least 6 months...

[cr02pica]

I actually have DirecTV Now and found that if you get an Android box you can also download a VPN app to trick the box into thinking your in Buffalo. Not complicated at all, just logged into my VPN and chose an IP in Buffalo. I hope it still works come time for the season, but if not, I'll just resort to the NFL Reddit streams like I've done for a few years now. I'd be willing to pay for SundayTicket.TV if they offered it to everyone, but I'm not paying $100+ a month for a TV package any more!

[plenzmd1]

1 hour ago, cr02pica said:

I actually have DirecTV Now and found that if you get an Android box you can also download a VPN app to trick the box into thinking your in Buffalo. Not complicated at all, just logged into my VPN and chose an IP in Buffalo. I hope it still works come time for the season, but if not, I'll just resort to the NFL Reddit streams like I've done for a few years now. I'd be willing to pay for SundayTicket.TV if they offered it to everyone, but I'm not paying $100+ a month for a TV package any more!

thats a great idea..I am not quite sure what you mean by an android box..care to help us elderly folks out?

[batmanfreek]

11 hours ago, plenzmd1 said:

 

Hmm, used to be could only stream if for some reason you could not get a dish to work. Now that they have a streaming service, maybe you can stream only. Having said that , I do not believe you can buy stand alone Sunday Ticket unless you are a student, but again I can be wrong there. 

They are kind of lax on the whole “can only buy the streaming option if your place doesn’t allow a dish/no signal” I’ve heard of some people using a friend’s address and what not. It’s a nice little option but with other ways to “acquire” the game I’ve moved away from doing Sunday Ticket.  And having just recently moved to Vegas 2 weeks ago, I know of two Bills Backers bars here and can always watch at a sports book. 

[plenzmd1]

7 minutes ago, batmanfreek said:

They are kind of lax on the whole “can only buy the streaming option if your place doesn’t allow a dish/no signal” I’ve heard of some people using a friend’s address and what not. It’s a nice little option but with other ways to “acquire” the game I’ve moved away from doing Sunday Ticket.  And having just recently moved to Vegas 2 weeks ago, I know of two Bills Backers bars here and can always watch at a sports book. 

the streams just scare me from a reliability standpoint..4th quarter tight game..i don't want to be hunting down another stream. May not happen often, and it may be just me not understanding how far they have come...but remember a couple years ago trying to watch a preseason game on a reddit stream...bad experience

[Augie]

12 minutes ago, plenzmd1 said:

the streams just scare me from a reliability standpoint..4th quarter tight game..i don't want to be hunting down another stream. May not happen often, and it may be just me not understanding how far they have come...but remember a couple years ago trying to watch a preseason game on a reddit stream...bad experience

 

I complain about the cost, because I know what I pay is obscene, and I’m too lazy to fight the battle. (Maybe this year...) The truth is I like the reliability and even some redundancy. I dislike AT&T for daily use. It’s a bit crappy at times (service sucks ALWAYS). I have DTV only for Bills games, but it’s my backup when AT&T cuts out on occasion. 

 

I’m not a reckless spender in many areas, but this is clearly one.  I may be sufficiently inspired to make the ugly phone call. I used to take on this battle years ago, but I’m tired......

[Ramza86]

Yeah. Ive had direct tv for almost 20 years now. 

 

All you need to do is call loyalties and tell them to hook it up with promotions so youre paying the same monthly with the Sunday Ticket package. 

[sabres431]

20 hours ago, EmotionallyUnstable said:

Our area is experiencing a black out of CBS through DTV currently due to lack of a contract and a fall-out in negotiations. I’m going to use this as a bargaining chip for sure . However, I’ll likely ask for what I have now just to continue with the deal (60 a month)

 

We are currently in a dispute with NBC, FOX, and ABC.  I definitely will be using that as a bargaining chip.

[Real McClappy]

On 7/10/2019 at 8:46 AM, MikeSpeed said:

After 12 years I finally cancelled my Direct TV service. I found myself only watching a handful of cable channels. Most of what I watch is on the national networks that I can get on an antenna. I'm losing a couple of shows I like, but not enough to justify the cost. It's the Sunday ticket that's going to hurt, which is the only reason I kept it for so long. I'll most likely sign up for it online unless I can find other options.

Cancelling my DTV this week as well. Will use the current Sat. base for a HD antenna. 

There is to many ways to stream games free online now a days to rectify the ridiculous cost of DTV when already getting bent over for internet service.

Edited July 11, 2019 by Real McCoy

[PetermansRedemption]

27 minutes ago, Real McCoy said:

Cancelling my DTV this week as well. Will use the current Sat. base for a HD antenna. 

There is to many ways to stream games free online now a days to rectify the ridiculous cost of DTV when already getting bent over for internet service.

My reason so far with keeping DIRECTV was/is the cost to value over most streaming services. I looked into “cutting the cord” and by the time I get a Netflix subscription and a HULU/VUE/SLING subscription I’m at the $50 a month I pay for DIRECTV. I hate that dish on my roof but until they stop giving me a good amount of credits per month, they have me suckered in. 

[MikeSpeed]

18 minutes ago, Bills2ref said:

My reason so far with keeping DIRECTV was/is the cost to value over most streaming services. I looked into “cutting the cord” and by the time I get a Netflix subscription and a HULU/VUE/SLING subscription I’m at the $50 a month I pay for DIRECTV. I hate that dish on my roof but until they stop giving me a good amount of credits per month, they have me suckered in. 

So you do not have any of those streaming services now? I'm not sure how your DTV service is so cheap considering my taxes and fees alone added up to almost $50.00/ mo.

[PetermansRedemption]

6 minutes ago, MikeSpeed said:

So you do not have any of those streaming services now? I'm not sure how your DTV service is so cheap considering my taxes and fees alone added up to almost $50.00/ mo.

I currently have nothing but DIRECTV. My last bill (and the bills prior to that) was $47/month. I have the choice package I believe. It isn;t the lowest package but it isn’t the highest package either. I think its a middle of the road one. My main problem with streaming is I really couldn’t find something that had every channel we desire, and that we currently have with DIRECTV. I was calling back in December to cancel and cut the cord after 5 years with DIRECTV. But they kept my bill cheap and gave me the free Sunday Ticket for this year. In return I had to agree to a 1 year contract, which expires this December. At that time I will call to cancel again and see if they give me the same deal. 

[YoloinOhio]

On 7/9/2019 at 8:39 PM, klos63 said:

You still need sunday ticket to watch it, you just don't need a dish.  Same as my Amazon firestick

probably redditt.com - that's how I watch baseball and hockey

I just did an online chat. Got the same deal as Nucci.  Lowballed me at first and i just mentioned what I got before and what Nucci got and they gave me the same thing. I also asked for movie channels. Just be nice about it - not to be greedy but.... it never hurts to ask..., Showtime, Starz and Cimemax free for 3 months and discounted HBO for the year.  it's painless and they expect it. Just make sure you ask for what you want and you'll likely get it. You'll feel great after.

Did you actually say that you want what Nucci got? Like not by his name but you know what i mean 

[klos63]

9 minutes ago, YoloinOhio said:

Did you actually say that you want what Nucci got? Like not by his name but you know what i mean 

Well, he's my brother, so i said my brother got this deal....

[Orlando Tim]

19 hours ago, Augie said:

 

I complain about the cost, because I know what I pay is obscene, and I’m too lazy to fight the battle. (Maybe this year...) The truth is I like the reliability and even some redundancy. I dislike AT&T for daily use. It’s a bit crappy at times (service sucks ALWAYS). I have DTV only for Bills games, but it’s my backup when AT&T cuts out on occasion. 

 

I’m not a reckless spender in many areas, but this is clearly one.  I may be sufficiently inspired to make the ugly phone call. I used to take on this battle years ago, but I’m tired......

Augie if you are watching games by yourself i would definitely consider dropping DTV completely and just going to a straight streaming service. You could watch game at a Bills bar in ATL and still spend less money on the year.

[YoloinOhio]

7 minutes ago, klos63 said:

Well, he's my brother, so i said my brother got this deal....

Oh I see

[Dante]

On 7/9/2019 at 4:03 PM, psuscott16 said:

There are many non legal ways to do it.

It seems that the non legal ways are never reliable. Either the quality sucks or you get disconnected. You end up f'ing around way too much to get any enjoyment out of it. 

[Augie]

16 minutes ago, Buffalo Timmy said:

Augie if you are watching games by yourself i would definitely consider dropping DTV completely and just going to a straight streaming service. You could watch game at a Bills bar in ATL and still spend less money on the year.

 

You may be underestimating my ability to consume food and drink!  ?

 

I kid!  I know I could get by cheaper, but I know how I prefer the game experience. I enjoy games at the big Bills bar here, but if I’m not AT a game I prefer being in charge of my food, drink and the remote. It’s worth it to me to be in control. DTV is fairly reliable and gives me more peace of mind than streaming. So I pay......

[Plano]

i watch every year on shared accounts (i stream, they watch on tv) for super cheap, one flat rate. not a bad way to do it. and pretty sure its legal too! lol

[billsfanmiami(oh)]

Did the online chat negotiation. Took some effort but got it for free. 

[DuckyBoys]

Our service was out for almost three weeks before those clowns finally sent a tech to fix the outside equipment which was fried by a electrical strike.  Really want to cut the chord but hate going to bars and hoping they will have the Bills game on.  Their customer service is rude and sucks  I'll try this online chat shenanigan but not very hopeful

[YoloinOhio]

4 hours ago, billsfanmiami(oh) said:

Did the online chat negotiation. Took some effort but got it for free. 

What did you say to get it for free??

[billsfanmiami(oh)]

48 minutes ago, YoloinOhio said:

What did you say to get it for free??

 

Had to play the game. Took probably 30+ minutes on the chat. They started by asking if I had a figure in mind, to which I replied I’d like to keep my bill where it is now for another 12 months. (Last year I got ticket covered plus some extra discounts). They started with like 16 off a month for 6 months for the ticket. I said I was hoping for more than that, loyal customer, blah blah blah. They  made two more offers that were lower, but I’d still end up paying around $120 for the ticket. I pulled out the heavy artillery and said I never ask for any other discounts, I have outdated equipment and I’m still waiting on a service call to permanently mount the dish at our new house 3 months later. And that I’ll cancel service if they’re willing to treat a loyal customer like that. So finally I ended up getting ticket for free and my bill won’t change for 6 months. I wanted 12 but I guess I’ll play the game again in 6 mo. 

[EmotionallyUnstable]

Did the online chat this morning. I typed "Customer Loyalty" into the chat, received an automated response and was forwarded to 'Nilton'....

 

After 5 minutes of administrative bull, he asked what we were looking for. My first goal was to secure our cable at a reasonable cost. We get the most basic SELECT package for 54 bucks (on promotion). I simply stated that I thought it was a fair price for what we were receiving, especially given the CBS blackout, and hoped to extend the promotion.  In another five, he said it was possible and locked us in for another 12 months at that price. It was simple, pleasant and worth the 20 minutes of time while I put down the crossword and drank my coffee.

 

What was WEIRD, however, was that following this dialogue I immediately asked about Sunday Ticket and RedZone. Nilton, repeatedly states, that there was NO WAY to do a promotional price or deal at this time. I even asked if he could sign me up for the regular package at full price and he said NO! He continually told me to try back closer to the season when prices and promotions will be at their peak value. I find this extremely weird and have never experienced this before. Even after expressing that I know others have received deals and promotions and asked as to why it was possible for others but not our account, I was met with:

 

Nilton: I can not assure you that information but no worries, I assure you that we will have promotions available soon for the NFL.

 

Anyone ever experienced this before?!

[Ned Flanders]

10 minutes ago, EmotionallyUnstable said:

What was WEIRD, however, was that following this dialogue I immediately asked about Sunday Ticket and RedZone. Nilton, repeatedly states, that there was NO WAY to do a promotional price or deal at this time. I even asked if he could sign me up for the regular package at full price and he said NO! He continually told me to try back closer to the season when prices and promotions will be at their peak value. I find this extremely weird and have never experienced this before. Even after expressing that I know others have received deals and promotions and asked as to why it was possible for others but not our account, I was met with:

 

Nilton: I can not assure you that information but no worries, I assure you that we will have promotions available soon for the NFL.

 

Anyone ever experienced this before?!

Yes, I've had that told to me in years past.   The whole thing is a crap shoot...depends on the CSR, the day and who knows what really else.

[YoloinOhio]

12 minutes ago, EmotionallyUnstable said:

Did the online chat this morning. I typed "Customer Loyalty" into the chat, received an automated response and was forwarded to 'Nilton'....

 

After 5 minutes of administrative bull, he asked what we were looking for. My first goal was to secure our cable at a reasonable cost. We get the most basic SELECT package for 54 bucks (on promotion). I simply stated that I thought it was a fair price for what we were receiving, especially given the CBS blackout, and hoped to extend the promotion.  In another five, he said it was possible and locked us in for another 12 months at that price. It was simple, pleasant and worth the 20 minutes of time while I put down the crossword and drank my coffee.

 

What was WEIRD, however, was that following this dialogue I immediately asked about Sunday Ticket and RedZone. Nilton, repeatedly states, that there was NO WAY to do a promotional price or deal at this time. I even asked if he could sign me up for the regular package at full price and he said NO! He continually told me to try back closer to the season when prices and promotions will be at their peak value. I find this extremely weird and have never experienced this before. Even after expressing that I know others have received deals and promotions and asked as to why it was possible for others but not our account, I was met with:

 

Nilton: I can not assure you that information but no worries, I assure you that we will have promotions available soon for the NFL.

 

Anyone ever experienced this before?!

I have - it was last year. so annoying 

[Watkins90]

On 7/10/2019 at 2:46 PM, cr02pica said:

I actually have DirecTV Now and found that if you get an Android box you can also download a VPN app to trick the box into thinking your in Buffalo. Not complicated at all, just logged into my VPN and chose an IP in Buffalo. I hope it still works come time for the season, but if not, I'll just resort to the NFL Reddit streams like I've done for a few years now. I'd be willing to pay for SundayTicket.TV if they offered it to everyone, but I'm not paying $100+ a month for a TV package any more!

You can just buy Sunday Ticket Streaming without being a Direct TV customer with a dish. 

[JOFUS311]

Did the chat today, took about 5 minutes.  Told them my financial situation has changed and without a bill reduction I would need to cancel and the entire reason I have it is for SUNDAY TICKET.

 

They signed me up for SUNDAY TICKET MAX at $69.95 per month for 6 months ($419) -

 

Then gave me $15 off Sunday ticket for 6 months ($90) and $30 of my entire bill for 12 months ($360) for a total discount of $450. 

 

Which means I get Sunday ticket MAX for free this season.  All I pay is my normal bill, which is $67.98 a month after taxes for (1) DVR 4K receiver plus their most basic channel package.  Over the course of the year I pay a total of $840 to DirecTV.  If I was to go to bars to watch the Bills game with my wife we would average a food / drinks / tip tab of about $125 a week (we like to live well!) minus the 2 times they play jets (on my local stations) and 1 time they have Monday or Thursday night game (So 13 bar tabs at about $125 each), I would be spending approx. $1625 a year at bars watching bills football.  So In essence I get to save 50% of my yearly NFL budget, watch the games in the comfort of my home and do as I please while I'm there.  Wanna smoke a joint and watch the game pants-less?  No problemo, I'm home!  I get the audio for my game, since most bars have the home team Audio on I'm deep in Jets / Giants territory).  And when the weather is nice I can drag a TV outside with a long HDMI and extension cord and watch the game from my backyard.

 

 

[Jerome007]

I'm north of the border, in Quebec. I used to see 8-12 Bills games a year on TV, now it's 6-8 and I hate it. Patriots have the lion share. I watch some games online, but yeah, sometimes there are streaming issues, or I miss the first 10-15 minutes till I find the reliable one.

 

I must not be alone to prefer to record the game, start to watch it about 60-80 minutes later. I can skip all the ads and be live by the 4th quarter. Mostly, my kids will watch it with me on TV but not so much if from the web. So I might pay up t his year. I want to see ALL the games. Internet is there though, but it's just not the same. No Bills backer bars in my area or I'd go for sure. 

[nucci]

26 minutes ago, Jerome007 said:

I'm north of the border, in Quebec. I used to see 8-12 Bills games a year on TV, now it's 6-8 and I hate it. Patriots have the lion share. I watch some games online, but yeah, sometimes there are streaming issues, or I miss the first 10-15 minutes till I find the reliable one.

 

I must not be alone to prefer to record the game, start to watch it about 60-80 minutes later. I can skip all the ads and be live by the 4th quarter. Mostly, my kids will watch it with me on TV but not so much if from the web. So I might pay up t his year. I want to see ALL the games. Internet is there though, but it's just not the same. No Bills backer bars in my area or I'd go for sure. 

Have you tried this...I used when I was in Germany for Thanksgiving and watched Bills-Dolphins on my phone

https://watch.dazn.com/en-US/sports/

Edited July 12, 2019 by nucci

[Heitz]

On 7/10/2019 at 5:14 PM, plenzmd1 said:

the streams just scare me from a reliability standpoint..4th quarter tight game..i don't want to be hunting down another stream. May not happen often, and it may be just me not understanding how far they have come...but remember a couple years ago trying to watch a preseason game on a reddit stream...bad experience

 

FWIW, I haven't had any reliability issues in the past few years, using the "online only" version.

 

About that, their "verification" for DTV service is just an online question "Can you get DTV?".  No, we good

 

I did get the email from them last week saying I was getting a "deal":

 

To show our appreciation for loyal fans like you, we are providing you with a special rate for the 2019 season NFL SUNDAY TICKET.TV TO GO service. 

 

You will receive a confirmation email after each monthly payment of $69.49 (four easy payments total, using the same payment method from last season; the first charge will occur in mid-August, a few weeks before the start of the season). 
 

Which is funny, because last year I paid $63.12 ($252.48). The crazy part is I live in VT, so there's 2 games on regular TV; I go to the opener, so 1 more I'm not watching; I typically take vacation to Europe in the fall, so 2 more "no watching" games; there is always at least a couple on TV so there are 2 more "DTV blacked out" games.  So like $250 for half the season...but damn, I DO like knowing I have access to watch my Bills!