Well, we wrote about it a few weeks ago and now it’s all but official. Likely you’ve seen a new item on your playlist that is telling you the same thing I am, but in case you missed it, here it is:
Any PPV movies or programming you order from Direct TV will now expire in 24 hours.
In my previous blog post, I pointed out that my recent PPV movies suddenly came with an expiration date, and a few of which I lost entirely because I didn’t get to them before it was too late.
That obviously was just a taste of things to come.
I used to like to record PPV movies to watch at a later date whenever I felt like it, but that’s not going to work anymore. The only upside to this news is that I’ve noticed Direct TV’s high definition On Demand library growing a bit. In fact, you can go download and watch Once or Bourne Ultimatum right now.
Anyways, the main thing you need to know about this post: If you order a PPV movie, start watching it, and suddenly get tired and go to bed, you’d better finish it before 24 hours are up or you’ve lost $4.99.
The only caveat is that if you don’t ever start the movie, I don’t think you get charged at all.
So what do you think? Does this limitation upset you? For those of you who don’t have Direct TV, don’t think you are off the hook. It’s only a matter of time before your provider does the same thing.
I checked my recorded list last night and had this bizzare message recorded on it. How lovely eh? They do clearly point out MOVIE studios are to blame, but its still annoying, I wonder if they start losing any business on this avenue, if movie studios change their minds…
Bollocks
Hate it – but on the upside, the only time we have ever used the PPV feature is when DirecTV is giving us free movies to watch. We have never actually purchased any. Still, it’s pretty lame and we have started seeing the messages show up in our list. What a joke.
The Trousered Ape’s last blog post..American Idol (2008) – Week 8 – Top 3
I’ve purchased tons of PPV movies
What is “Bollocks”?… I dunno what that is..
@ Cap’n – it’s British slang. Look it up.
The Trousered Ape’s last blog post..American Idol (2008) – Week 8 – Top 3
I just like saying ‘Bollocks’.
Scotty Dub’s last blog post..Step aside Gen Y, old is the new young
…oh… thats what it means
@ Cap’n – lol. And now you know.
The Trousered Ape’s last blog post..Who was Jesus of Nazareth? – Part 2 of 10 with Dr. Craig
Yeah, add Bollocks to the weird words I like to say…
Preferably, you say it with a British accent. It’s more fun that way.
I just watch Hugh Grant and do what he does…
“oh bugger off!”
once the again, the consumer is getting hosed. 24 hours is a simply ridiculous time frame. looks like i will be spending more time at blockbuster. at least there i get 5 days and get to watch the dvd bonus features as well.
But they aren’t in HD! Unless you got Blu-Ray
Blu hearts Mike
The Trousered Ape’s last blog post..Who was Jesus of Nazareth? – Part 2 of 10 with Dr. Craig
Who doesnt have Blu-Ray!!? Oh wait..scratch that…
No blue ray yet for me. going to wait it out until prices fall on the players. hopefully, at some point, they will. Not too mention, with having a DVR, we just do not watch as many DVD’s as we used to.
as for renting dvd’s, i am cool with watching them for comedies. however, i probably will opt to go pay per view if it is an action movie in hd.
This is the first time I rented a movie in the last 9 months & now they say O must watch it in 24 hours even when I have Tivo’d it???
What a BUNCH of CRAP DIRECTV…
That will be the last time I buy one until you change your “policy’…. I have too many constraints on my time during the day which is why I got a DVR in the first place..
When you put this policy in place you will find more & more people stop watching your PPV movies thereby cutting off your revenue stream..
Then there is the lease fee for the Dirctv DVR’s too.. starting to like satellite less & less.. think I will get my OTA antenna & Netflix subscription going this year..
Directv DVR’s suck Big time Not only do you have to pay an upfront $200 Lease fee, and pay 15 a month lease fee for an HD one. You must return the thing at the end of your “lease” as they call it. Then you find out it is NOT WARRANTED it is delivered to you As is & it may be a Refurbished item. If you want to guarantee no problems you must now pay them a “protection plan fee” of 5.99 a month on top of everything else. Otherwise you are still on the hook for their lease fee plus shipping of $20 if their DVR equipment breaks down. This whole lease deal is back-end loaded to hose the customer for $$$$. Add to that the 24 hour PPV viewing policy which exist for Wrestlemania & Boxing & UBF fighting (Those items can cost $60 per view; you’ve got a company whose fee policy has gotten as crazy as a Banking institution. ) They might as well hand you a book of fee explanations when you get an upgrade or get new equipment. Now we find out even though you lease the receiver ; you can take the content with you to your vacation home, RV or anywhere where the machine can’t get a satellite feed otherwise it will reboot in 20 minutes. Built in Obsolescence. Why bother with a DVR . Might as well get a DVD an start recording Directv. So you can view the content on your own terms. Have witnessed the things Directv has done since it bought Replay TV and has eliminated its deal with Tivo. Trust me, Id rather have the Tivo then a Directv DVR anyday.. YMMV