Team Summit: General Assembly Notes

**vegassatellite** · 05-18-2008 07:27 PM

Originally Posted by M Sparks

I can see your point here, but I still maintain that anyone that would call you to COMPLAIN about the removal of channels is an idiot. I mean, I suppose it's about as useful as calling a CSR...they can't do anything either.

I've never used an installer, so I didn't know you could handle ordering programming.

Most techs I know won't perform this service. We, on the other hand, take ownership of our customers. We know that having a local guy to call is what makes the difference in who they choose for service. It really adds another dimension to customer service that people can't get anywhere else. Funny thing is, this type of service really ought to just be "business as usual". I really like being that "guy" that customers tell their friends about when they tell them "I got a guy".

**BobMurdoch** · 05-19-2008 11:47 AM

Originally Posted by Scott Greczkowski

While the receiver is called a 722s, it is not a 722 at all.

This is a totally brand new box.

And when its released it would not surprise me to see it have a different name.

Just call it the 822 and end the confusion....

I think they are just asking for trouble with a box SO different from one already in the line.... We're not talking only a bigger hard drive like we've had before.....

**drdroo** · 05-19-2008 11:53 AM

Originally Posted by BobMurdoch

Just call it the 822 and end the confusion....

I think they are just asking for trouble with a box SO different from one already in the line.... We're not talking only a bigger hard drive like we've had before.....

+1

**Pepper** · 05-19-2008 01:29 PM

Don't worry, when it's released it will be the "High definition DVR receiver for two rooms of television with integrated Internet streaming capability"

**Smith, P.** · 05-19-2008 01:37 PM

It will be handled same way as:
- DP962 -> ViP622/722
- DP411 -> ViP211k
...

**kaman** · 05-19-2008 02:13 PM

ANYONE, regardless of their location, can subscribe to ALL the RSN Channels (for an extra monthly charge, of course). So in this sense, they are certainly "national" channels, even though the channels might be named with a "local" name, such as "Fox Sports Detroit", etc.

Even though you may subscribe to the Fox Sports Detroit Channel (and live in CA), any professional sporting events and many college events will be blacked out on every RSN, except your local RSN (s). Since the professional/college sporting events are virtually the only HD programming the RSNs offer (at the present), people are questioning if it is misleading to call the RSNs a "national HD" channel.

The channel itself might be "national", but the HD-parts of their programming (i.e. pro sports) certainly are not. There's the rub.

**drdroo** · 05-19-2008 03:50 PM

Originally Posted by kaman

The channel itself might be "national", but the HD-parts of their programming (i.e. pro sports) certainly are not. There's the rub.

Yeah that's another dimension to the problem of RSNs that really grinds my gears.

**comollitd** · 05-19-2008 04:14 PM

Originally Posted by vegassatellite

Most techs I know won't perform this service. We, on the other hand, take ownership of our customers. We know that having a local guy to call is what makes the difference in who they choose for service. It really adds another dimension to customer service that people can't get anywhere else. Funny thing is, this type of service really ought to just be "business as usual". I really like being that "guy" that customers tell their friends about when they tell them "I got a guy".

I don't understand why you would wish for the end of VOOM. Isn't it better for your customer base if there are more true HD channels to select from rather than few. If the answer is more channel space for allocation of the "22 New HD Channels, then I don't understand the fact at one point both the VOOM and new channels co-existed.

**waltinvt** · 05-19-2008 04:15 PM

Originally Posted by kstuart

Such as what ?

I have the cable feed of NESN-HD (they DO carry it 24/7) and quite often there is something on there in HD when the Dish channel is off.

I think Jerry Remmy's pre & post game shows are in HD as well as Sport's Desk and other shows.

I haven't had either (Charter's or Dish's) feed for very long, so I'll pay more attention but I think others (maybe Scott) have also stated that NESN-HD carries more HD than almost any other RSN in the country.

**vegassatellite** · 05-20-2008 01:18 AM

Originally Posted by comollitd

I don't understand why you would wish for the end of VOOM. Isn't it better for your customer base if there are more true HD channels to select from rather than few. If the answer is more channel space for allocation of the "22 New HD Channels, then I don't understand the fact at one point both the VOOM and new channels co-existed.

VOOM ended its own run as a pay TV satellite provider with only 35,000 customers before being taken over by DISH. With carriage by DISH, VOOM essentially expanded to literally millions of subscribers. Now instead of taking this newfound subscriber base and creating a set of awesome channels, they took the low road and instead just looped their programming. Voom's demise was a suicide in my opinion. They killed the golden goose that was DISH for them. I understand that channels like Discover, etc., will loop programming from time to time, but they have a much more vast library and also have a name known to every subscriber. Discovery is not in danger of losing its relevance to the average viewer any time soon.

The way VOOM just went for the loop and easy ride I'm sure was a real slap on the face and embarrassment to Charlie Ergen. Here is DirecTV adding lots of top-name channels to their HD lineup and all VOOM gives Charlie is a loop of the same tired content. I can see why Charlie cut the feed the first chance he got and did it so judiciously. Like a Roman Emperor deciding the fate of a gladiator who fought so weakly, he turned the thumb down.

I'm sure if things played out differently, perhaps Charlie would have opted to carry VOOM on a lesser used satellite such as 118.7. However, VOOM proved to be such an embarrassment that Charlie has decided to cut them without mercy.

VOOM was not a big selling point for our customers so its removal is no big deal to us. I know both the new additions and VOOM co-existed at the same time. However, I do expect new HD additions and the removal of VOOM will allow for that. Mainstream channels in HD, even if just the logo will do more for our bottom lines than VOOM ever will. I understand that this is an ordeal for the videophile, but there aren't that many out there and channel recognition is still what sells systems.