DirecTV: turning streaming into cable

I understand that for many people, change is hard. But if change saves money, why not at least consider change?

This is one of the most frustrating things about people moving from cable to streaming: expecting the same experience.

To me, if you want the full cable experience, including the high fees, just stay with cable. But people are not like that.

One thing that used to really frustrate me was when I people would move to the area I lived because of the economy. Their state was having higher taxes and high unemployment and all kinds of troubles, so they'd move to where I lived to get work and benefit from a better economy.

Then, they'd vote like they voted where they came from. They never realized that the reason the economy was so bad was that the people they were electing were totally incapable of running a state or local government and would raise taxes and cause economic problems. So they'd vote like they used to, then things would get worse because of the incompetents they'd elect. That was frustrating.

Now, the cable refugees are turning streaming into cable. Or allowing the streaming companies to turn streaming into cable.

DirecTV is rebranding again. They do this a lot. It was DirecTV Now, AT&T TV Now, AT&T TV, and other names. Now, it's changing from DirecTV Stream to simply DirecTV. Just like the satellite service.

Satellite TV and cable TV are pretty much the same thing. They are expensive services (after an introductory offer) that rent equipment to you and raise the price a lot.

DirecTV is now launching a new streaming box called Gemini, and just like cable (or satellite) you rent the box.

And the new streaming box not only comes with a monthly rental fee, but you also get to pay other fees as well:

DIRECTV STREAM is also now known as DIRECTV internet if you use one of DIRECTV’s streaming players. The price will now be $64.99, just like with cable, but it will come with a $15-a-month fee. The good news is DIRECTV will give you a two-year price lock guarantee if you use the DIRECTV streaming player.

There is also a new up to $13.99 a month sports fee for new DIRECTV internet customers who accept a new Gemini or older Osprey streaming player.

Great. Just great. Just frikkin' great. Bringing all the worst of cable and satellite to streaming.

If you are wanting the full cable/satellite experience, including all the fees and rentals, do me a favor. Stick with cable or satellite. Don't come to streaming and bring all the garbage from cable and satellite with you. Either learn new things, or you will not only experience the same problems as before, but you'll bring those problems to streaming. My Streaming Life doesn't need all that garbage. If you want cable or satellite, stick with that and stay away from streaming.