I’ve been with DirecTV (DirecTV) since 1995, they have always provided great service but a recent change has really irked me. At first glance, the announcement that DirecTV was switching from Music Choice (MusicChoice) to XM satellite radio (XM). You were getting more channels, that people pay $12.95 a month for, for no additional cost. I was worried about losing Sounds of the Season, the old DirecTV channel 819. This channel played a great assortment of Christmas music continually from around 11/10-1/5. It was the perfect channel for decorating, Christmas parties and gift wrapping. XM does indeed have a few Christmas channels but they do not start until after Thanksgiving (not a big deal). So, I tune to channel 819 “Holly”, turn on the surround sound and go about decorating. Now the sound quality is not as good as Music Choice, but honestly, I’m not an ‘audiophile’ so I don’t really care, its good enough for my ears.

Commercial free? HA! That is bull! I’m decorating and after 2 songs I hear a bunch of people wishing merry christmas, happy holidays, stuff like that to their friends and family, then a number to call so I can do that, then a commercial that this station is brought to you by the United States Postal Service. How is that Commercial free? It’s annoying, it makes you stop and listen when franky all I want is some background music, not announcements. Hell, FM radio does this for free and better quality. Why DirecTV moved to XM we can only guess ($$$$$). Please DirecTV bring back MusicChoice!! I would not mind XM in my truck (my truck), however I already have Sirius (Sirius) in there. The disc jockeys don’t annoy me when I’m in the car or when I am listening to a talk station but when I’m home I want music, not talk.

DirecTV – Your going to be in some trouble. Verizon and their FIOS (Verizon FiOS) TV service is really going to put a dent in your base. I commend you on getting MPEG4 satellites up, but until you partner with a high speed internet provider and tie that back to your system for ondemand type of programming, your going to be losing customers. I’m waiting patiently, but Verizon is already here with FIOS internet, and TV is supposed to come online this Spring with DVR, HDTV & MusicChoice for less money…. it may be time for me to move from DirecTV after 10+ years.