Direct TV Info needed

[murry135]

Now that we are full timing in our Landmark I am looking for the contact info for the Direct TV department which handles changing zip codes for correct programing as we travel. Does anyone know that tele # and depart name?

 

[VMooreSR]

I think its called Distant network Services (DNS), and I think you have to submit some paper work if it hasn't changed and they still offer it.
1-800-531-5000 and mention “DNS” to the customer service representative should get to the right department.
Vince

 

[danemayer]

I think the main customer service # can handle a change of service address. Make sure to be clear that you want the service address changed, but not the billing address.

DNS is for Distant Network Services. That's where you pay extra to get New York or Los Angeles stations with coverage all over the country. No service address updates are ever needed, but you don't get the local stations where you're camping. It costs extra and requires certification.

 

[JamesL73]

Not sure which receiver you’re using but with my current DISH receiver, I can change the zip code myself in the receiver settings. It’s part of initial setup. I’ve had Direct in the past and I remember being able to do the same thing.


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[RickL]

Here’s my take on this issue. I moved my home equipment into my Oshkosh (suggested by the Directv tech as they (Directv) were totally confused as to what I was doing. The tech gave me good info in setting up my system and once done it works great.

Then an on the first move I called to change the area I was now in. Talk about a pain. They wanted an exact address and I was in a Texas state park. I clearly told the person I talked to what I was doing but after I had an issue and called back found out that the rep changed my billing address to the state park. The guy I spoke to, the directv number, NOT the ATT phone number, stated the last rep totally messed up my account. So he put everything back in place, locked in the billing address (there is a check box within thier system to check) and then explained to call in if possible, Monday- Friday 8:00-5:00 CST (to be safe) as then you get to actually get to talk to someone in Denver. Must be the Directv phone number though.

Now on when I call most of the time I get someone in the states who understands what full time RVing means. All I have to do is provide them with my current zip code for the service address and a reminder to not uncheck the billing address. Here’s the beauty, my bill is $60.00 per month, not the $73.00 for DNS service. Yes I have to call, but it’s worth it for me to NOT get LA or NYC channels. I want the local ones I am at. So far it’s a 2 minute conversation to change. (As a side note I did get transferred to one of thier overseas call centers due to call volume this last time and was able to get someone who understood what I was doing. I was able to only provide a zip code after I explained what a rep in Denver told me. He said “I don’t think I can do that but let me see. Sir, he is correct I can change it with a zip code only”.

 

[SNOKING]

I now make my service location changes via a chat session with Directv. I change is twice a year, between Washington and Arizona. Billing is set up for auto payment, so no issue of billing address ever occurs. Chris

 

[DickO]

We do this several times a year. I call 1-888-388-6683. This is the moving division. I get the best results here. You will need an address of where you are staying. Once I got someone that had NO idea what an RV is. She was going to send a tech out. I just ask for a retention specialist and it was taken care of.

 

[For20hunter]

We have been calling the Directv Customer Service number for 10 years when we travel and just give them the new "service address" of where we are staying. Takes about 10 minutes on the phone and then its fixed. So far they do not offer the service of the user being able to do it online, but said that "it may happen in the future". It's really not that difficult to call them and change it. We are able to keep it the same if we travel within 350 miles of the service address as a crow flies. When we go further than that is when we have to call and change our service address.

Rod

 

[NWILSON]

Amazing how everyone gets a slightly different story. I was told to advise them I want to use a "Temporary Address". As long as it works is all I care. They did tell me it was previously available on the "Profile" page online but at present it does require a call.

 

[murry135]

Thanks everyone for your input. It seems that there is several ways to accomplish what I was looking for. As of now I have what I want, East Coast DNS, at no charge since I linked the service back to our old/sold address for physical location only. All works good now, will save all this info if needed in the future.

 

[gorr]

Has anyone else had trouble moving their Directv service address while traveling? We have never had an issue before this trip. We arrived in Colorado Friday, called to change the service address and was told that was impossible. After spending over 4 hours ,talking to 16 people, and three different days, we were told again today that we would have local channels within 24 hours. Not sure it believe it will happen this time.

 

[NWILSON]

Has anyone else had trouble moving their Directv service address while traveling? We have never had an issue before this trip. We arrived in Colorado Friday, called to change the service address and was told that was impossible. After spending over 4 hours ,talking to 16 people, and three different days, we were told again today that we would have local channels within 24 hours. Not sure it believe it will happen this time.

They told me to use the term "temporary address" when calling. I haven't tried since January but we've done it several times without a problem.

 

[WBG]

Has anyone else had trouble moving their Directv service address while traveling? We have never had an issue before this trip. We arrived in Colorado Friday, called to change the service address and was told that was impossible. After spending over 4 hours ,talking to 16 people, and three different days, we were told again today that we would have local channels within 24 hours. Not sure it believe it will happen this time.

I have had several very BAD experiences with DirectTV over this very issue. Sometimes the rep will change it quickly and easily - NO Problem - other times they refuse stating that the law will not allow them to change it (which is in fact the case - something I am sure they lobbied for so they would not have to deal with RVers requesting location changes all the time. So for us it has been a crap shoot, sometimes it works, most of the time it does not. DISH has the same policy (the same law applies to them) but they may look the other way more easily. DNS is not attractive because it would mean that we would have to purchase an additional receiver that we would only use on trips. Plus, we are not really interested in only getting East or West coast stations, would much prefer to see the local folks in action.

 

[SNOKING]

Directv has in the past switched service locations twice a year. We will see when we arrive in Arizona Oct 1st if they are changing their policy. Dish has been much more lenient on address changes. Chris

 

[wdk450]

Not sure which receiver you’re using but with my current DISH receiver, I can change the zip code myself in the receiver settings. It’s part of initial setup. I’ve had Direct in the past and I remember being able to do the same thing.


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James:
Maybe your newer receiver is more advanced than my older one, but changing the zip code in the receiver setup for me simply changes the antenna aiming angles recommended on the aiming screen, but does nothing for the received programming. In fact, the way that the home satellite systems work, and the way that local, network and "cable" broadcast stations want to protect their "broadcast signal property", I am SURE that you would have to inform the signal provider (the satellite company) of where you are, what services you are paying for, so that the satellite company can send an enabling code addressed to your receiver's serial number on their data stream, to "enable" your receiver to get the signals you are entitled to.

Otherwise, I could have simply changed my receiver's zip code to pick up the blacked out (here) Giants baseball game last night!

 

[Bookoo]

Last fall before heading south for the winter we took the box out of our home, installed it in the Rv and ordered a box for the house for 7 dollars a month. We changed addresses 6 times learning to ask for tech support and not get caught in customer support. My wife usually had it all changed before I had the Rv set up.

 

[wdk450]

I was once advised (maybe on this forum) to say to the rep at the Dish network phone number: "I wish to change my SERVICE address". I remind them that I am an active RV'er. Dish has a current set of TV commercials and a sweepstakes aimed at the RVing and outdoor markets, and they are friendly to those markets. The rep usually asks me for my EXACT current address (if in an RV park, they want to know the space number), but you can really make up or use any local address you choose. On the other side of the coin, sometimes I like to keep seeing my Bay Area sports channels wherever I am, but know when I get more than about 250 miles from the address I give the rep, I will lose the local networks spotbeam for that address. If I don't care about the local network signals, or can pick them up on my Over-the-air TV antenna, I can give the Dish rep an address like in Sacramento, where the 2 Bay Area sportschannels (not carried on spotbeams) are enabled. That ruse let me watch my Bay Area Baseball in 2013 all the way from California to Elkhart and back.

On another note, about 3-4 years ago (?) when ATT bought out Direct TV, a Denver newspaperman got an interview with a major ATT corporate figure now high up in the Direct TV subsidiary. This guy was quoted in saying that ATT was not interested long term in continuing the Direct satellite service, but wanted to redirect existing and new Direct TV customers to Direct TV over broadband internet.
https://www.bizjournals.com/denver/...ectv-parent-at-t-to-phase-out-satellites.html