stuck in DTV contract, where can I get Nick

[coastiewifern]

If I am stuck in my Direct TV contract where can I get Nick for my kids? They don't want to watch on the computer so a way to stream to the tv is best. I know nothing about it though. What are my options?

 

[pixiewings71]

Plug your computer into your TV. You can't get out of the contract? I know people who have....

 

[Nayan]

What do they want to watch on Nick? Not everything is online or available for streaming. Google 'where to watch <show> online'. They have some stuff on Netflix but not much.

 

[coastiewifern]

Plug your computer into your TV. You can't get out of the contract? I know people who have....

OK admittedly stupid but do I have to buy a special cable to do that? I only have mac computers. And then I would just watch online? Is there a streaming service that I could do as well?

 

[coastiewifern]

What do they want to watch on Nick? Not everything is online or available for streaming. Google 'where to watch <show> online'. They have some stuff on Netflix but not much.

spongebob, figure it out, icarly, drake and josh

 

[Kathryn Merteuil]

OK admittedly stupid but do I have to buy a special cable to do that? I only have mac computers. And then I would just watch online? Is there a streaming service that I could do as well?

I don't know about the streaming service, but hooking up to a (newer) Mac to a HDTV is pretty easy. Use the Thunderbolt port (which actually looks like a lightning bolt to me). For $6-and some change, you can get an adapter that is Thunderbolt at one end and HDMI at the other end.

You have to do a couple things in the "settings" to make it work. Something about in displays tell it to mirror, and the sound tell it to go to hdmi or something. Once you do those two things the display will show up on your TV and the sound will also go through the tv. When you unhook it, it all goes back to normal.

 

[ksloane]

I haven't been with directv in years, but with all these channels that have been removed, if I wanted out of my contract, I'd be throwing a major fit and trying to get out. They are not providing the services you signed up for.

 

[Nayan]

I haven't been with directv in years, but with all these channels that have been removed, if I wanted out of my contract, I'd be throwing a major fit and trying to get out. They are not providing the services you signed up for.

In the fine print it says they can add or remove channels at any time and since you have signed a contract you have agreed to this. It also says they will charge you an early termination fee if you cancel the contract. It's one big reason I have and stay with cable. No contract.

 

[vicki_c]

I guess what I don't understand about the OP's question - it's not going to last forever with the Viacom/DirecTV thing, IMO. It's a temporary problem which they are apparently continuing to negotiate and I believe will be worked out shortly. It's only been about a week.

Aren't these potentially complicated solutions for something that should be resolved in the near future - buying cables, changing settings, etc.? I would just think that most people, even kids, can go a few weeks without particular channels.

I have to say that my kids barely seemed to notice (they are 13 and 11) although they actually watch quite a bit of stuff on the Nick channels. They seem to have just found other things to watch or do.

 

[disneymagicgirl]

They finally worked out the Disney Jr thing.....so just be patient.

 

[Colleen27]

Do you have a gaming system? My kids seldom watch Netflix on the computer - they watch on the Wii, Xbox 360, or blu-ray player. Not everything Nick offers is available through Netflix but the biggies are - Spongebob, iCarly, Dora, Blues Clues, Drake & Josh, etc.

My kids haven't even noticed that Nick disappeared yet, because for the Nick shows they like they'd rather flip to Netflix and watch without commercials.

 

[DOREEN1779]

I am upset also! My 4 year old is REALLY upset! I called and complained and they gave us 3 months or STARZ package for free. If the outage continues, I will have to reconsider my package options or cancel. 80% of our TV usage for the kids are on three of those kids channels.

 

[Bmousey]

I would suggest net flix also.....only downside is having to hit play on each episode of a particular show....there is no way to set up a program to continously play episode after episode....not that I know of. But kids usually get the hang of it pretty fast!

 

[JB2K]

Actually, DirecTV's dropping of certain Viacom-owned channels could be grounds for a subscriber to leave without paying penalties (since it was DTV who broke the terms of the contract).

OTOH, I read DTV added the 24/7 version of "Disney Junior" to their lineup, last weekend (I suspect to compensate preschoolers for the loss of Nick Jr.).

 

[Nayan]

Actually, DirecTV's dropping of certain Viacom-owned channels could be grounds for a subscriber to leave without paying penalties (since it was DTV who broke the terms of the contract).

No. Viacom was the one who said D* had to take the channels off. By law, D* or any other cable/sat provider cannot show any programming without permission from the content owner, which in this case is Viacom.

 

[Bmousey]

I would suggest net flix also.....only downside is having to hit play on each episode of a particular show....there is no way to set up a program to continously play episode after episode....not that I know of. But kids usually get the hang of it pretty fast!

 

[coastiewifern]

I am trying to be patient and see if they get it worked out. That is why I haven't called yet to complain. But I feel if I have to pay for Netflix Dtv should reduce my bill to help cover that. My DH would like to stay with Dtv for the NFL ticket. Summer is the worst time for this to happen. During the school year they don't watch much tv but with the heat this summer they are indoors and watching more tv. Definitely missing their Nick

 

[TomD]

Here is what I did.
I called directv. At the prompt I said cancel. Got the retentions dept. I knew I had @ 2 months left on my contract. I told the girl I wanted to cancel and was asked why. I was VERY polite and said I was not getting the channels I signed up for and I was almost out of contract that it was worth it to me to pay the fee and switch to dish. I was prepared to do this.

After a few more questions/statements here is what I was offered

20/mo off my bill for 15 months
$8/mo DVR fees waived for 24 months
$5/mo credit for 3 months for this viacom hassle
NFL Sunday Ticket package Free
Showtime for 12 months free

Also they are coming tomorrow to put up a new dish and give me 3 new dvr's no cost to me

 

[vicki_c]

The channels are back as of this morning per DirecTV on Facebook (didn't check myself).

 

[Nayan]

Yep, they are back on according to everyone over on the D* boards. We also got our local channels back here in FL and wherever else Hearst took them off.