I've had DirecTV since they launched in 1990, and use their internet service when deployed for disasters. I have UVerse internet at home because I have no other choice in service where I live that can give me the up and down speeds that AT&T can right now (not happy about that because I do not like AT&T), and would never have their TV.
I like DirecTV. They have always given me service like I actually matter. They respond respectfully, and quickly when anything does happen, which is not very often. Their improved signals allow for the non-HD channels to come through even when it's raining hard which used to be a problem, and the HD channels only get rain fade if it's a frog strangler of rain with the darkest of clouds that look like Lucifer himself is inside them. I get all the channels. My bill is a bit more than yours will be, but Yes Ma'am likes all the (I call them) weird channels like Hallmark and I like all the sports and news channels, and we both like all the movie channels. So... we get them all, and the big old bill to go along with them.
I've always been happy with them. Their service guys are pretty good, and we've only had one that was basically a brain dead idiot, but when I called back to politely tell them that the guy didn't have a clue what he was doing, they sent a supervisor that day to fix the problem right then. I couldn't ask for better customer service. So far, AT&T hasn't screwed up the phone tech service folks. I was concerned that it would be shipped off to India or Bangladesh when AT&T bought DirecTV, but so far (fingers still crossed) I still get a polite person here in the US that we can both understand each other and that actually can understand what I'm telling them, and they can tell me what to do to fix it in ways that's easy to understand as well.
What I like about the system's tech support, is the TV will give you a three digit code, like 712, that you give the tech support when you call. That'll be the receiver telling you what's wrong so you can tell the tech support the way they need to hear it without nontechnical terminology that just confuses everyone. The numbers stop me from saying "the thing-a-whatchie is not working" and you saying "I can't get the do-hickie to work right" when in fact we have the exact same problem. Most times, it's a simple fix that doesn't take long, and you're good to go. Every now and then the problem may take a little while to fix, but if you ask, they'll give you credit on your bill for the down time - you have to ask though. Most problems can be fixed by unplugging the unit from the wall and letting it reset on its own.
Don't worry though, problems are few and far between. I may have made it sound like a lot, but remember, I've been dealing with them since 1990, and their system has improved by light years since then.
Plus, when a tree goes down and takes out the cable, you'll still have DirecTV up and running. All you'll need is a generator in case the same tree gets the power line as well.