DirecTV Adds PPV Restrictions on DVRs

So, while DirecTV was doing good in the eyes of some by launching another satellite successfully to add channels, they have also made an adjustment in their methods of how customers watch pay-per-view on their DVRs, one that I believe is for the worse. While DirecTV DVR owners in the past have been able to purchase a movie on PPV and then record it on their DVRs for future viewing (however long you chose, I believe), starting April 15, you will only have 24 hours to watch your movie.

This is a similar step as to what Apple has done with movie rentals on the Apple TV: pay $2.99-$4.99, watch for 24 hours, but Apple one-ups DirecTV by giving you 30 days to watch the movie while DirecTV is basically forcing you to watch the movie right then and there, something that subscribers with non-DVR receivers have had to deal with since the beginning.

I wish DirecTV wouldn’t have done this. It’s just one of those things that show how greedy Corporate America is anymore, by squeezing every last nickel and dime out of you. Even worse, they aren’t lowering the price of the rentals to maybe entice you to purchase the PPV title more than once. Once the very dim upside, any titles purchased before April 15 will not be affected.

Ars Technica

DirecTV Press Release