Smithsonian Channel - 6 bucks?

[coasterFL]

It looks like an interesting channel based on what I see in the guide on my Tivo. Called and was told it is part of a package with the Mav ultimate fighting channel, Universal channel showing old Charlie's Angels shows and a MGM old movie channel. I don't even want to mention the Hallmark made for tv movie channel. What do these channels have in common? I don't understand the package deal.

I miss the days of my old C-band satellite dish. You pick a channel outside of a package and you only pay for that channel! Is Time Warner negotiating pricing for Brighthouse to blame like always?

[HDOrlando]

Time Warner does the talks.

I think they also carry Smithsonian HD on a tier.

I've been frustrated by this too as I want this channel and NBC Universal but do not want to pay $6. I got the Movie pass for $7 just for FearNet and had hoped it would be on the HD Pak so I can get everything I want but unfortunately, that didn't happen.

May Smithsonian eventually go to Digital basic.

[jcarrera]

... I don't understand the package deal...

My opinion is that it is a strategy. No ONE of the channels in the package will draw enough total buyers if packaged as a per channel buy. But there are some who want one, say, Smithsonian; some will want UFC; some will want...whatever.

From BHN standpoint, they get 'enough' return by doing it that way. From the customer standpoint, you have to buy multiple useless (to you) channels to get the one you want. You see it as having to pay $6 to get one channel, and since you aren't going to watch any of the other channels, that is true. But BHN says you are only paying $1.50, or whatever it divides out to, per channel, and that technically is true also.

It is merely a matter of whether you are interested in what is delivered, or what is watched.

I do have to wonder though, if there is not a per channel price that would draw more TOTAL revenue (the additional people who would pay X for one channel, but won't pay $6 package to get it). $6 sounds insignificant. But it actually is an additional amount to a current $1xx bill that is often already viewed as "too much."

[Steve Mehs]

To get Smithsonian HD with DirecTV you need their HD Xtra package which is a $10 add on. When Dish Network carried Smithsonian HD, (they've since dropped it), it too was in the premium HD Platinum tier. All of the MSOs have a 'premium' HD package that consists of niche channels that are HD only, for the most part. There is no SD feed of Universal HD or MGM HD, and I don't believe Smithsonian has one either. Now this is not always true, there are no SD feeds of HD Theater or Palladia, but those are included at no additional cost. And on the opposite side, RFD TV has an SD feed, but TW/BHN only carries the HD feed and puts it in the paid tier. But you get the idea. The reason Time Warner told Mark Cuban to go F himself was because he wanted HDNet to be a basic channel and TW wanted to keep it in the premium HD Tier.

[isaacmorseMI]

To get Smithsonian HD with DirecTV you need their HD Xtra package which is a $10 add on. When Dish Network carried Smithsonian HD, (they've since dropped it), it too was in the premium HD Platinum tier. All of the MSOs have a 'premium' HD package that consists of niche channels that are HD only, for the most part. There is no SD feed of Universal HD or MGM HD, and I don't believe Smithsonian has one either. Now this is not always true, there are no SD feeds of HD Theater or Palladia, but those are included at no additional cost. And on the opposite side, RFD TV has an SD feed, but TW/BHN only carries the HD feed and puts it in the paid tier. But you get the idea. The reason Time Warner told Mark Cuban to go F himself was because he wanted HDNet to be a basic channel and TW wanted to keep it in the premium HD Tier.

HD Extra is 4 .99/month not 10/month.


DIRECTV: Premiums : HD Extra Pack : Overview

[Steve Mehs]

Oops, I was thinking of DirecTV penalty for wanting HD. Aka HD Access fee. That is or was $10. Not sure if they're stilling raping people by charging them for the same content twice or not.

[isaacmorseMI]

Oops, I was thinking of DirecTV penalty for wanting HD. Aka HD Access fee. That is or was $10. Not sure if they're stilling raping people by charging them for the same content twice or not.

It looks like they're offering Free HD for new customers. Don't know if it's for the life of the account like Dish though.