Smithsonian HD dropped and replaced with Crime & Investigation HD

**mike123abc** · 02-01-2009 10:56 PM

Dish would probably be better off eliminating the Platinum tier. It might have been a good concept with VOOM in there, but now it is quickly becoming a ghost town. If Dish really wants to grab a bunch of customers they would just eliminate the Platinum tier, fold the channels that want to cooperate into AEP (like they do with the NBA network), and eliminate the HD upcharge all together.

If Dish were to offer HD with no upcharge they would be adding subs, not losing them. Right now $20 is pretty much impossible to justify, and the $10 is barely just because the other providers do it. Cable says free HD, but you still have to rent a box or cable cards from them.

If AEP was free HD, it would be a big win, free DVRs and Free HD with AEP would have a lot of people signing up.

**Scott Greczkowski** · 02-01-2009 10:57 PM

My understanding is that Smithsonian wanted more money for the channel yet were only planning about 200 hours of new programming for the next year.

That would make the repeats worse then VOOM.

I am not upset that its gone nor am I happy about it being gone. I am neutral on it as I did watch the channel from time to time, yet I can understand the number of repeats being an issue when this is a channel many were paying extra for.

**dennispap** · 02-01-2009 11:04 PM

Dish updated the website for the platinum package.

**Carl B** · 02-02-2009 12:16 AM

Originally Posted by dennispap

Dish updated the website for the platinum package.

Still not worth the 10 bucks a month they charge for it.

**wonko** · 02-02-2009 12:36 AM

I had been trying to decide whether to keep Platinum or not. I do watch HDNet Movies, and some Universal. But dropping a real HD channel for semi-HD reruns of shows I didn't want to watch the first time around pushed it over the edge. Just canceled Platinum online. I can use the extra $10 to offset my Netflix sub.

**Koilvr** · 02-02-2009 01:53 AM

Irish people suck. stupid leprechauns....Smithsonian was awsome. Thanks for makin it go away Charlie

**Don Landis** · 02-02-2009 02:28 AM

I wanted this channel but after seeing it, I was really disappointed. In reviewing the schedules I rarely selected anything from it. Very disappointing! Unless they improve their lineup of shows, AFAIC, Dish did the right thing if they wanted more money. I like History and Science and Discover channel for this genre. Lots of repeats there too but the programs are all very engaging. Smith, I recall the only interesting shows were the tours through the Museum.

**justthinking** · 02-02-2009 02:51 AM

Have you guys seem the new dish pricing??
TurboHD Gold w/ DVR Advantage + Local + Platinum would cost $75 not counting any additional receivers..
Even a more modest Turbo HD Silver w/ DVR & Local would cost $55..
Why is the price for paid tv & cell phone services can only increase but not decrease even if economy is not doing well??

**HDRoberts** · 02-02-2009 05:47 AM

Originally Posted by Scott Greczkowski

My understanding is that Smithsonian wanted more money for the channel yet were only planning about 200 hours of new programming for the next year.

That would make the repeats worse then VOOM.

I am not upset that its gone nor am I happy about it being gone. I am neutral on it as I did watch the channel from time to time, yet I can understand the number of repeats being an issue when this is a channel many were paying extra for.

Wow. Nice perspective. Only around 4 hours of new programming a week. That means around 164 hours of reruns a week. Yet they wanted MORE money?

Can't say I blame Charlie much.

**catnap1972** · 02-02-2009 06:37 AM

Originally Posted by HDRoberts

Wow. Nice perspective. Only around 4 hours of new programming a week. That means around 164 hours of reruns a week. Yet they wanted MORE money?

Can't say I blame Charlie much.

If that's Charlie's barometer, he could probably drop 3/4 of the channels Dish offers. Repurposed network crap isn't what I'd consider "new" programming.