The functional operation of Direct TV does not seem to be a priority for the crew which may be somewhat understandable considering all the issues the crew has to worry about. I have been on flight where the system was not working and no one said a word.
I was flying CLE-EWR last week and I paid for the service. The flight had a ATC delay so it was an hour before we took off and this help me pass the time. I put my credit card in not long after I boarded before I was asked to pay as I knew how the system worked and I had my own headphones. After take-off the announcments were made by the FA and on the system that the free trial would be ending soon and explained the cost, but I already paid and the system was asking me to pay again. I asked the FA but she could not help me and said to pay again and request a refund which I did.