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DirecTV Reassures Sunday Ticketers About Lockout Billing

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By KD Drummond Updated
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Roger Goodell jumps into a black SUV, escaping the media. He escapes the wrath of a certain fan as DirecTV makes a smart move and doesn't start the meter on the Sunday Ticket payments.
Roger Goodell jumps into a black SUV, escaping the media. He escapes the wrath of a certain fan as DirecTV makes a smart move and doesn't start the meter on the Sunday Ticket payments.

For those of us remote-view Cowboys fans fortunate enough to have line of sight and a plot to secure the dish, DirecTV's Sunday Ticket and the Red Zone Channel have moved fandom to a whole new level. I spent two years racing downtown to a sports bar in order to watch Dallas play when I was renting a home with no line of sight and an uptight landlord. He knows that tree could have been trimmed. DirecTV offers a service that once you get a taste of, you can't live without it.

They know it, too. The fees from the package that brings fans every single Sunday game live in (mostly) high definition are a key point in the current NFL work stoppage. Monies promised to the league by DirecTV and other broadcast partners have been tied up in federal court as illegal lockout insurance. Judge David Doty appears to be waiting on a stay hearing ruling by the Appeals Court before awarding damages in the TV Money case. 

The money is astronomical. When I first got the Ticket, I believe I paid somewhere around $200 or so for the season. The cost is now a whopping $54, for six payments! The subscription is also set to auto-renew, you know that sneaky little feature that internet order companies use to get repeat business based on the forgetfulness of the consumer. Don't remember to cancel? You're locked in for another millennium! Well the billing cycle for Sunday Ticket has come around for the 2011 season, and DirecTV has responded to it's consumers with the following brief.

Don't worry fans—you won't pay until they play

 NFL SUNDAY TICKET™
Dear KD,

Your NFL SUNDAY TICKET™ subscription is set to automatically renew for the 2011 season. Due to the NFL's uncertain labor situation, DIRECTV is offering all
subscribers a no-risk policy. There will be absolutely no charge for your NFL SUNDAY TICKET subscription until it is confirmed that the 2011 NFL season will begin.

What happens with your NFL SUNDAY TICKET subscription during the dispute?

•  A balance of $0.00 will show for the NFL SUNDAY TICKET portion of your bill.
•  Once an agreement is reached, your subscription will renew for six easy payments of $53.99 each.
•  If any games are cancelled from the season schedule, the balance on your bill will be adjusted accordingly.

Oh well... I was really looking forward to something to complain about. 

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