Retailer Chat Recap - July 10, 2008

[harshness]

It should just be AT100/200/250. HD access should be included with the HD receiver lease fee. One (and only one) $5-10 HD add-on pack for HDNet and such.

What you propose is similar the model that DIRECTV is using and it pretty much precludes a reduced-cost HD only package.

Charging an HD access fee per receiver is a highly objectionable CATV model and that's not a good example to follow. It is a hard enough sell on the DVR fee and for that your actually getting something special.

[harshness]

It wasn't that long ago their packages were "metals" named. Maybe they realized there might be less confusion with platinum, gold, silver, etc., than with essentials, ultimate, etc.??

It beats the heck out of using the same one or two words in most of your programming package names (Choice, Choice+, Choice Xtra, Choice Xtra+).

[harshness]

My understanding was that D11 will mostly be for locals...

Your misunderstanding. D11 represents half of DIRECTV's national HD capacity going forward. In theory, it offers just about 1/3rd of their HD LIL capacity.

[harshness]

So, there was NO COMMENT made about the DTVpal this time??

My local dealer said that he can't get any updated information on the DTV converter boxes. He was decidedly annoyed when I showed him the DTVPal website.

[harshness]

Satelliteracer just announced that Universal HD will be in MPEG 4 as well as HD NET Movies, 2 HD-lite channels in the HD Extra Pack, by the end of this month. D10 is maxed for capacity, which would mean D11 will be moved into place in the next few weeks and turned on.

Don't you suppose they could simply send them from the current satellite using MPEG4???

[tigerfan33]

Don't you suppose they could simply send them from the current satellite using MPEG4???

Yes. If it were that simple. Obviously it is not.

[Geronimo]

It beats the heck out of using the same one or two words in most of your programming package names (Choice, Choice+, Choice Xtra, Choice Xtra+).

My favorite D* package name was always Total Choice Limited.

[dmendenjr]

Happy to have the additional channels but whomever thought up the Turbo name for the new packages needs kicked in the privates!

Exactly what I was thinking; I can hear the radio ad now:

15 second spot for radio:
<script read in MONSTER TRUCK ANNOUNCER voice>
DISH HD TURBO TURBO TURBO!
To celebrate the TURBO HD Experince dish is adding brand new turbo TUR-bo TURBO charged channels! Turbo charge your planet with Planet Green Green Green!! Turbo charge your emotions with Lifetime and Lifetime Movie Channel! Did I say TURBO??!

((and so on and so forth))

---

Now, if they were adding more adrenaline soaked channels like Speed, Spike, FX or Rush - I would get it... but planet green and the lifetimes?

[ashutto20]

New or current DISH Network subscribers who commit to DHA-24 will also receive HBO and Starz free for the first three months of their subscription.

I'm looking to add hbo by Aug 1st...can someone explain to me what the above statement means and what I need 2 do to subscribe? thanks in advance

[Fitzie]

This is great news for those of us with the AEP package. This gives me Encore HD, more Max HD, More HBO HD, and CBS C HD, all of which I wanted! I think Charlie had mentioned in one of his chats that the Lifetime channels were on the upgrade path, so that is no surprise.

IIRC, Charlie also mentioned in one of his chats that there will probably be a modest increase in all rates after the new year. I'm guessing $5 bucks, to cover additional programming costs. It that's all it is, I'll be happy. As soon as I get my HD locals, speed HD, ESPNU HD (when it launches), etc.