If I'm not mistaken, this is common. I know when I signed up for Dish, I know I was going to get a few movie channels for free for three months, but it is known that if you don't cancel after those three months you will be charged. I think that's the point. The last time, I simply told them I didn't want the movie channels at all. The rep was surprised and said, "But they're free for 3 months." I acknowledged that but told her I knew I'd forget to cancel, so I just didn't want the channels to begin with. If you're not going to keep the channels, it really is a good method.