AMC-14 Satellite Slated for March 15 Launch

**Jim5506** · 02-21-2008 10:22 AM

Originally Posted by mdonnelly

There are five HD channels (Tennis, MOJO, WFN, Smithsonian, and MGM) already uplinked to both 129 and 61.5. They could turn those on today if they wanted to.

Dish is not currently concerned with new HD channels they are busy testing and configuring the new all MPEG4 services for later this summer.

Probably no new HD until Mid May or June.

**Poke** · 02-21-2008 10:27 AM

Maybe we might see some new HD before then so right now it's hard to say..

**Raymie** · 02-21-2008 10:29 AM

This will be on the News Monitor later today.

**mike123abc** · 02-21-2008 11:57 AM

Originally Posted by Jim5506

Dish is not currently concerned with new HD channels they are busy testing and configuring the new all MPEG4 services for later this summer.

Probably no new HD until Mid May or June.

Actually it appears Dish is more interested in HD LiL than national HD. They have 27 markets announce by June, 6 by the end of next month... So, I suspect they want E12/R1 to be in spot mode doing locals before they add more national channels. They have capacity freeing up at the end of next month when SA drops (2 Transponders - TPs). AMC-14 when it gets in place, probably May, will give them four more TPs for national coverage. By the end of May they are looking for about 6-8 TPs more for national use and a lot of spot action at 61.5. If they move more internationals by the end of the year they will have a ton of space at 61.5.

**nlk10010** · 02-21-2008 12:04 PM

Originally Posted by DishSubLA

So now that 61.5 will have a fresh sat, does this mean we will see some new HD? Many have been saying the 129 has the capacity. As I see it, Dish simply could not add any new HD (to their satisfaction) at only 129 as many can only receive 61.5 reliably. Dish had to have capacity at both locations to mirror.

If it's true they have capacity now for more national HD then you already know how important national HD is to DN.

DN isn't going to change its stripes simply because it has some new sats up. They will continue to do what they've always done; perhaps add some new national HD but only when it suits them (e.g. right price) and, it seems, they'll be concentrating on HD LILs and the new MPEG-4 service (just IMO). You may NEVER see MGM-HD, Smithsonian-HD, SciFi-HD, etc. Then again you may, just don't assume they HAVE to be turned on because they're "up there".

**BatteryDude1975** · 02-21-2008 04:42 PM

Originally Posted by mdonnelly

There are five HD channels (Tennis, MOJO, WFN, Smithsonian, and MGM) already uplinked to both 129 and 61.5. They could turn those on today if they wanted to.

Whooo!! If thats what type of HD channels they are working for then we are the luckest people in the world. Those five channels arent anything to get excited about. If anything it just pisses me off even more for not having more HD than we do. Looks like they are more worried about finding a deal on some generic channels than they are about getting what their subs are asking for. What about USA,SCI-FI,SPEED,FX,MTV,DISNEY,VH1,ESPNEWS,BRAVO,CARTOON NETWORK,CMT,CNN,FOX NEWS,WEATHER CHANNEL,SPIKE,ABC FAMILY. What we get is WORLD FISHING NETWORK,TENNIS? Are you serious? Cant wait to watch me some fishing in HD. Im sure there are some who would,but they should be getting channels thats for all the subs. If thats all they can do,then Dish Network may as well kiss there subs goodbuy.

**Poke** · 02-21-2008 05:12 PM

I would not worry Dish will have about the same as Direct does in HD along with everyone else..

**jimijam28** · 02-21-2008 05:49 PM

why is so hard to understand once they get more room they will add these hd channels - your not missing much on channels like weather or mtv anyways.

**mike123abc** · 02-21-2008 06:16 PM

Originally Posted by jimijam28

why is so hard to understand once they get more room they will add these hd channels - your not missing much on channels like weather or mtv anyways.

It is not hard to understand when you look and see tons of empty space just sitting there on 61.5/129. Dish appears to be taking its time doing anything. Yes they appear to want to use the empty space in spot beams for locals, but they just seem to waste endless time doing nothing. They are probably working on new uplink centers, new fiber lines to those centers, etc, but it is not visible, just looks like they are just twiddling their thumbs and disappointing us.

**tigerfan33** · 02-21-2008 06:22 PM

Originally Posted by mike123abc

It is not hard to understand when you look and see tons of empty space just sitting there on 61.5/129. Dish appears to be taking its time doing anything. Yes they appear to want to use the empty space in spot beams for locals, but they just seem to waste endless time doing nothing. They are probably working on new uplink centers, new fiber lines to those centers, etc, but it is not visible, just looks like they are just twiddling their thumbs and disappointing us.

I do believe Scott and Bob mentioned in the podcast that Dish is building several new uplink centers. The big question. When will they be operational??