Customer Service Rep Confirms Fox News HD Channel For February

[ducttape38]

First of all, I'm new to the forums, so hello Take this with a post of salt, as this was just one CSR and he may have been misinformed, but I figured it was worth sharing.

After hearing about Dish's rate change for their TurboHD packages, I called Dish CS after contemplating a switch to DirecTv. I told them that I wasn't happy with a price change of $10 when there was no promise of anything new (besides the 14 channels that don't include a halfway decent news broadcast, I'm looking at you CNN).

So after asking the CSR (who was really helpful) about upcoming HD channels, he told me 100% for sure that Fox HD was coming in February as they have renegotiated contracts. With this, he said Fox Buisness HD would also becoming soon but he could not give an ETA, saying that Fox needed to upgrade their end before they could provide the channel. Along with this, he said that Dish would adding several other HD channels (including the 14 already posted) including two new ESPN Hockey and Soccer channels, VH1 and VH1 2, and that Dish will be the exclusive provider to launch Versus 2 HD later this year.

How much of this is true? I have no clue...can anybody else confirm this? If it is indeed accurate, it looks like there be brighter days ahead for those of us who don't enjoy CNN

[jacmyoung]

CSRs usually do not know what they are talking about, but I would definatley wait till 02/09 to find out before making the move.

[ducttape38]

Originally Posted by jacmyoung

CSRs usually do not know what they are talking about, but I would definatley wait till 02/09 to find out before making the move.

True about the CSRs, but this guy seemed absolutely certain. At the very least, its a glimmer of hope for better programing. I'll stick with them until at least the end of February to see what happens.

What's happening on 02/09 by the way, forgive my ignorance.

[Slamminc11]

Unless the CSR is sitting in the Dish programming office and sitting in on the negotiations, (and considering there isn't a call center at the Dish corp offices...) then the CSR can't tell you when, what, or how any channel will be coming to Dish.

[JonE]

As a former CSR myself, (not for DISH) I know they're kept in the dark more often than not. And all it takes is one guy starting a rumor to get it spread throughout the call center. Not saying it won't happen (it would be nice to have another option other than CNN) but I'll wait and see.

[fkent484]

Words to live by, "it's not a lie, if you believe it." - George Castanza.

[dahenny]

You know full well E* will have to sweeten the pot a little to justify a price increase, else people will flee in droves. Heck, FNCHD would certainly lure me away from the Absolute pac.

[alebowgm]

I would get it in writing if the reason you are staying is because of Fox News HD. This way if it doesn't come you can opt out...

[vtjman]

uh, as far as I know, there is no VH1 2 even in sd form, nor is there, or would it make much sense for a versus 2 either. Come to think of it, I don't think ESPN has a soccer or hockey channel. This guy sounds like he knows NOTHING at all, I would not believe anything he says.

[jayn_j]

We hear misinformed, unsubstatiated rumors second hand from CSRs every single day, but when it is something we want to believe, there is a rush of people jumping on it and trying to add substance.

Seriously folks, think of 100 monkeys on 100 typewriters. Sometimes they type a word, but that don't make it Shakespere. Heck, we've proven again and again that we can't even believe Charlie.

It ain't real till you see it on the guide.