Dish Programming Changes (Effective August 1st)

[PHXHoward]

Good news: Platinum HD is now free.

Bad News: You will be paying more for HBO, Starz, and Showtime if you switch to the Free Platinum program.

Since I don't subscribe to the premiums, it is a good change for me.

I think that this is what it is. If you don't make any changes to your programming, the new prices don't kick in for you but if you want to add the free platinum, well that is a programming change.

[JonE]

no habla dish-panol

What he said.

[DJ Rob]

At Team Summit, we brought up to Charlie and his staff how anything more than 3 or 4 basic packages starts to get really confusing.

[dangue]

I think that this is what it is. If you don't make any changes to your programming, the new prices don't kick in for you but if you want to add the free platinum, well that is a programming change.

That's how I read it as well. If you subscribe to multiple premiums and get a bundled discount you may not want to elect to switch HD packages to get Platinum for free because that would constitute a change in programming and you'd no longer be able to get the bundled premiums discount.

My interpretation may be wrong. One thing I know for sure is that Dish needs to STOP changing package names and contents on customers. They're intentionally or unintentionally making it more difficult to compare old and new packages and it's just going to piss people off.

My big question is, is the demise of DVRAdvantage just a name change (locals still included in that bundled price) or a substantive change where locals once again be a separate charge.

Dish PR, Marketing and anyone responsible for getting information out to the public is really holding the company back. They've done a lot of great things HD programming wise this year (Sorry Turbo subs, I know the sentiment is not universal), and then they release a statement like this which will drive people away from using Dish.

[purwater]

I've been thinking about adding the HBO and Starz for $22. Might be a good time to do so if we get to keep that price.

[PHXHoward]

My big question is, is the demise of DVRAdvantage just a name change (locals still included in that bundled price) or a substantive change where locals once again be a separate charge.

That is a great question. If locals are no longer bundled in with DVR as they are in the "Advantage" plan, than that is another price hike. It makes since to get your programming all worked out before Aug. 1st and then don't change a thing.

I was excited over the last couple of days that Platinum would become free but now I'm thinking it isn't going to be free at all if accepting "HD + Platinum" means new fees from the loss of bundling.

[jgarrison]

More package stupidity. Once again their marketing department is failing them.

[peano]

So what happens to AEP with all the HD? Does it go down $10?

[trumanhorn]

It really seems like there is a concerted effort to phase out the HD only Turbo HD packages (given the lack of new HD included in those and the absence of them from the press release). I really love my Turbo package...I hope they don't abandon it for me.

[riffjim4069]

Again, haven't customers repeatedly told Dish Network what they want and how to win back customers:

- Get rid of the metal packages (Top100, 200, 250 and AEP)
- Drop the TurboHD and roll them into the above packages
- One DVR fee per account
- Improve HD picture quality

Viola! Easy to understand (especially for CSRs), easy to administer, and a better value for all.