I've considered dropping Dish before, but only while I was mad at them. Both times the issues were resolved to my satisfaction, or more. I have no problem with the company itself.
About 15 years ago when my service went from $50 to $70 a month I said if the price of my service goes over 100 bucks a month, I'll cut back. I have, a little. But now with the latest not-so-insignificant price increases my level of service has reached just a hair under $200 bucks a month.
For perspective: $200 a month was about what my car payment was for my first and second new cars. And I owned them after 4 years. $200 a month will take care of my Bengals' season ticket AND my sister-in-law's AND a spare, plus parking, PLUS tailgate supplies for the season! $200 bucks a month will give me a darned good cruise every other year.
So... what is my alternative?
Drop the level of service? I considered that, but there is no level of service where I don't get a massive amount of bloatware and the few basic channels I do watch.
I'm a TV/Movie junkie. But I find myself watching mostly local channels lately. Most of the cable shows I liked have ended or will be ending this year and/or are available on Hulu for free eventually, or on the relatively cheap Hulu plus. Netflix is not a replacement for the premium channels, but Netflix + Hulu Plus + HBO Now + Channel Master DVR plus would come very close to replacing what I have now (and actually watch) and run about $40 a month, after the initial cost of the DVR (249-300 bucks.). I could even try to go without the DVR plus at first. That still leaves me with just under $160 a month in savings and I can watch just about every program I ever watched.
As of this moment, my ISP doesn't have (published) download caps, but I know that could change. I have plenty of bandwidth with my current plan so there would be no cost incurred there at the moment.
So talk me down! What am I overlooking with this possible change? I currently have a 622, 612, 211 (without DVR).
All my TVs are web enabled or have a Roku or web enabled BluRay player with the apps mentioned above.
About 15 years ago when my service went from $50 to $70 a month I said if the price of my service goes over 100 bucks a month, I'll cut back. I have, a little. But now with the latest not-so-insignificant price increases my level of service has reached just a hair under $200 bucks a month.
For perspective: $200 a month was about what my car payment was for my first and second new cars. And I owned them after 4 years. $200 a month will take care of my Bengals' season ticket AND my sister-in-law's AND a spare, plus parking, PLUS tailgate supplies for the season! $200 bucks a month will give me a darned good cruise every other year.
So... what is my alternative?
Drop the level of service? I considered that, but there is no level of service where I don't get a massive amount of bloatware and the few basic channels I do watch.
I'm a TV/Movie junkie. But I find myself watching mostly local channels lately. Most of the cable shows I liked have ended or will be ending this year and/or are available on Hulu for free eventually, or on the relatively cheap Hulu plus. Netflix is not a replacement for the premium channels, but Netflix + Hulu Plus + HBO Now + Channel Master DVR plus would come very close to replacing what I have now (and actually watch) and run about $40 a month, after the initial cost of the DVR (249-300 bucks.). I could even try to go without the DVR plus at first. That still leaves me with just under $160 a month in savings and I can watch just about every program I ever watched.
As of this moment, my ISP doesn't have (published) download caps, but I know that could change. I have plenty of bandwidth with my current plan so there would be no cost incurred there at the moment.
So talk me down! What am I overlooking with this possible change? I currently have a 622, 612, 211 (without DVR).
All my TVs are web enabled or have a Roku or web enabled BluRay player with the apps mentioned above.