12/08/08 Charlie Chat Will be Deal Breaker !

[dslate69]

MMA is the fastest growing sport in America right now. SPIKE-HD has a Live FREE HD event tonight and another one on Saturday. A new Ultimate Fighter series runs a couple of times a year in HD on Spike as well.
Spike is trying to position itself as the Men's network (kind of the Mojo for the masses). Now some of you would rather watch ice skating, I'm sure but you can't deny the appeal of such a channel in HD that provides Live sporting events. The programming will only get better as more subscribers have it in HD.
I used to watch G4 a lot, until I became an HD snob so those that will say you don't ever watch Spike that may be the reason.

And for the guy that thinks DISH doesn't have the space to put up a few HD channels; you are not as informed as you think you are. DISH just converted a handful of mpeg2 to mpeg4. Case closed; no need for a rebuttal. On top of that if you poll the subs here you will find DISH could get rid of 90%+ of the HD-PPVs and no one would shed a tear.

 

[HDRoberts]

"Don't try and tell me there are huge technical restrictions preventing the launch of a few more networks. That's bull. "
So I can assume you think Dish is deliberately keeping these channels from their subs? Dish can simply flip a switch and everyone is happy....Question.....Are you willing to pay full price for these services?

Yes, they are deliberately holding off reasonable negotiations with these companies to save a buck. But the fact is there is no TECHNICAL reason they can't launch some additional HD. Yeah, it's more than flipping a switch, but they also don't have to completely rewire Cheyenne, either.

And I think most are willing to pay a few bucks extra to get a more compete HD lineup. As far as prices going up everywhere, that would happen eventually. What I've heard is that providers don't charge any extra for the HD version. But they do want to renegotiate the deal for SD and HD. That would happen when their contract expires anyway.

 

[allargon]

- Dish did focus groups and found that only 1 out of 20 Dish subscribers had even heard of Voom when it was available.

- If you divide the Voom thread views by the number of posts in the thread, you'll find that only a handful of the same people are reading it.

- When Dish canceled Voom, they were privately suprised at how few people called to complain.

You realize only 1 out of every 10 Dish subscribers has HD service right? So, that would mean half of Dish HD subscribers have heard of Voom.

Anyhoo, I hope Charlie will give me a nice Christmas. I have a feeling I might have to wait until Valentine's Day!

 

[scsa]

Thanks HD Roberts for the info I will check back hopefully it goes great.

 

[kstuart]

Case closed; no need for a rebuttal.

In over 20 years on the Internet, every time that statement appears, the sentence preceding it is actually false. And the record is still 100%. Here is why:

EchoStar 5 has to be removed from service very soon, it is almost out of fuel. It is the sole satellite at 129, providing hundreds of channels. If Ciel-2 does not make it to the correct orbit today, hundreds of channels would have to be added to 110 and 119.

So, there is no available bandwidth on Dish Network until a working Ciel-2 arrives at 129.

But when it does arrive, it will add even more bandwidth by moving local channels to spotbeams, and by covering the full 32 transponder frequencies.

PS I could be wrong, but I don't know of any sporting events on Spike, just comedy/entertainment presented as sports. Regardless of that, it is highly likely that Spike-HD will be added to Dish by early February.

 

[HDRoberts]

So, there is no available bandwidth on Dish Network until a working Ciel-2 arrives at 129.

But when it does arrive, it will add even more bandwidth by moving local channels to spotbeams, and by covering the full 32 transponder frequencies.

Well, in 2 hours, Ciel-2 should separate from from the Breeze-M. What excuse will Dish offer then? They most certainly have space for 7 channels on 110 (and the EA). They just uplinked them last week.

 

[scsa]

Hd Roberts I wouldn't be surprised to see by monday the channels that were added you know the temp channels to be filled with new ones I mean they mentioned that add about 150 channels by year end I doubt they would say that and then suddenly stop saying it or not doing it I mean I saw the commerical yesterday about the 150 channels by year end so they did not stop promoting it. I think they might be waiting for tonight and the launch of the satellite.

 

[HDRoberts]

Nahh. After tonight, same will say Dish was to wait to make sure it works. Then when it's online at the end of January. Then they will hold off to "save us money." Charlie is never out of excuses.

But don't worry, they will start promoting UP TO 200 channels by year end to keep of with DirecTV and D12.

 

[scsa]

true.

 

[kstuart]

Nahh. After tonight, same will say Dish was to wait to make sure it works. Then when it's online at the end of January.

At the Charlie Chat, Charlie said that they would not make the end of December deadline to add HD markets because of the delay in the launch of Ciel-2 (due to previous failure of the upper stage).
That strongly implies that some HD markets will be added at 129 on spotbeams on Ciel-2 when it goes online in January.
As far as the 110 TMP channels, they would not uplink them if they did not plan on making them availabe, and want to make them available.
Dish cannot charge for channels that they do not make available, and they cannot advertise channels that they do not make available, so they have incentive to add channels.
While booster separation in 1.5 hours will be a big milestone, there have been many satellites that have not survived intact from the launch (e.g. EchoStar 4 among others).
So, it would not be unreasonable for them to wait for the test at 138 until they add channels at 110.

 

[db2]

Nahh. After tonight, same will say Dish was to wait to make sure it works. Then when it's online at the end of January. Then they will hold off to "save us money."

Then they will have to "test" the channels in NA mode before they go live. Then they will have to "finalize" deals to carry the channels. Then they have to wait until (insert industry tradeshow here) to launch them all and make a big splash. Then they have to "shuffle existing channels around...

 

[HDRoberts]

While booster separation in 1.5 hours will be a big milestone, there have been many satellites that have not survived intact from the launch (e.g. EchoStar 4 among others).
So, it would not be unreasonable for them to wait for the test at 138 until they add channels at 110.

Unfurling the solar panels should happen pretty quick, too, which was where E4 started to go wrong. But, yeah, they can wait until they turn everything on without a hitch, but that should be by the end of the month. Full testing will take longer, but they should know pretty quick if the sat is DOA.

 

[Pakbackr]

I haven't read all the postings on this thread, so if I am saying something that has already been said, I apologize in advance. But as a HD-snob, I could really care less about the loss of Voom. I discovered I didn't really miss it at all. That said, I am still on the verge of leaving Dish when my contract expires in Feb for one reason...the audio blips on recorded shows from my local ABC channel. It only happens on this one channel, and only on recorded or paused shows, but trying to watch Grey's Anatomy when every other word is inaudible is driving my wife bonkers. I don't care if DISH isn't at 150 HD channels by the end of the year (I don't even believe there are that many out there). DISH would be much better off by spending their time and talents in fixing the problems that are really turning people off!

 

[kstuart]

That said, I am still on the verge of leaving Dish when my contract expires in Feb for one reason...the audio blips on recorded shows from my local ABC channel. It only happens on this one channel, and only on recorded or paused shows, but trying to watch Grey's Anatomy when every other word is inaudible is driving my wife bonkers. I don't care if DISH isn't at 150 HD channels by the end of the year (I don't even believe there are that many out there). DISH would be much better off by spending their time and talents in fixing the problems that are really turning people off!

You might be encouraged by this email received by another user with this problem:

I know this is taking awhile and I am sorry. Engineers have stated
today that we hope to get a fix out in the next production release which
will correct some of the audio dropouts. They are hoping to have the
next release out by the end of the year if not sooner. I know this is
frustrating. If I get any other information on this I will email you as
soon as possible.

EchoStar Broadcasting Corporation
Quality Assurance Department

 

[andyin137]

Having said that it was nice to see someone actually follow through on their vow, I also have to agree that this was the stupidest possible time to "draw a line in the sand".

In 5 hours, Dish Network will actually, for the first time, be free to add a bunch of new channels, because their desperately needed replacement satellite will be (hopefully) successfully launched into the correct orbit (removing the possibilty of having to cram 110 and 119 with channels carried by the dying EchoStar 5).

The satellite wlil be online in January, and Dish usually sets new pricing in February, so the obvious time to draw a line in the sand would be mid-February.

But it's just TV, everyone should sign up with whatever service they like...

The reason I am leaving Dish is that they had plenty of time to notify all customers of their inability to do the 150 HD by end of year,instead they kept advertising.I dont like a company that keeps its customers in the dark.Be honest with the Customers ,tell us whats going on ,on a regular basis.
Also trapping people in contracts and expecting Customers to fullfill their obligations ,yet not fullfilling theirs.Just bad business practices,also very tired of dealing with overseas CSRs who know nothing about product.Sure my Cable company (Comcast)my be not considered great by any standards but they at least have a local office and can help you if you cant resolve by phone.Also on demand is auctually pretty good.May cost a little more but in the long run it may not ,as when cable goes down you dont have to pay extra to have them come out and fix.The way are Cable system works in my area is if their is a problem you wont lose all your programming at once.you may lose some channels but not all .When your dish goes out most of time your left without any TV at all,until its fixed.Also just tired of worrying everytime the wind blows or a tree grows in front of dish that I will be without service .The little extra it costs for Cable is worth it to me and now that everything (all channels ) have to be digital by february their shouldnt be a picture quality problem.

 

[dslate69]

I haven't read all the postings on this thread, so if I am saying something that has already been said, I apologize in advance. But as a HD-snob, I could really care less about the loss of Voom. I discovered I didn't really miss it at all. That said, I am still on the verge of leaving Dish when my contract expires in Feb for one reason...the audio blips on recorded shows from my local ABC channel. It only happens on this one channel, and only on recorded or paused shows, but trying to watch Grey's Anatomy when every other word is inaudible is driving my wife bonkers. I don't care if DISH isn't at 150 HD channels by the end of the year (I don't even believe there are that many out there). DISH would be much better off by spending their time and talents in fixing the problems that are really turning people off!

I think you are in NC, if not ignore.
It's not just abc. Just happened to me when the credits for Two and a Half Men ran on WRAZ 50 and it was only buffered after a few minutes of being paused.

 

[dishcomm]

Yes, they are deliberately holding off reasonable negotiations with these companies to save a buck. But the fact is there is no TECHNICAL reason they can't launch some additional HD. Yeah, it's more than flipping a switch, but they also don't have to completely rewire Cheyenne, either.

And I think most are willing to pay a few bucks extra to get a more compete HD lineup. As far as prices going up everywhere, that would happen eventually. What I've heard is that providers don't charge any extra for the HD version. But they do want to renegotiate the deal for SD and HD. That would happen when their contract expires anyway.

Wouls available space on their birds come to mind? Naaah...
You know this for a fact. Dish is deliberately keeping HD channels you believe you are entitled to locked up and away from you.

Let me tell you something right now. YOU may be willing to pay more but I thnk that is a very very small percentage of subs.
You heard?......Ok sure.

 

[dishcomm]

The reason I am leaving Dish is that they had plenty of time to notify all customers of their inability to do the 150 HD by end of year,instead they kept advertising.I dont like a company that keeps its customers in the dark.Be honest with the Customers ,tell us whats going on ,on a regular basis.
Also trapping people in contracts and expecting Customers to fullfill their obligations ,yet not fullfilling theirs.Just bad business practices,also very tired of dealing with overseas CSRs who know nothing about product.Sure my Cable company (Comcast)my be not considered great by any standards but they at least have a local office and can help you if you cant resolve by phone.Also on demand is auctually pretty good.May cost a little more but in the long run it may not ,as when cable goes down you dont have to pay extra to have them come out and fix.The way are Cable system works in my area is if their is a problem you wont lose all your programming at once.you may lose some channels but not all .When your dish goes out most of time your left without any TV at all,until its fixed.Also just tired of worrying everytime the wind blows or a tree grows in front of dish that I will be without service .The little extra it costs for Cable is worth it to me and now that everything (all channels ) have to be digital by february their shouldnt be a picture quality problem.

Dish does not charge "extra" for reapirs visits. There is a modest truck roll fee of $29 if a sub is DHPP. If not the visit is more. But in most cases, Dish waives the fee...
Why would a tree grow in front of your dish? Why would the wind disprupt your service. Prehapsd you have a substandard install. Call dish and ask for a tecxh to come and fix it.
One thiung that gets me is when I get to customers home on a service call, the customer complains of having the problem for an extended period of time. By the time I get there the customer is so aggrvated they often vent on me. As thouhg I cause their frustration. However I take this in stride and schmooze the customer into calm like a couple of shots of good smoothScotch...
One thing I cannot disagree with is the overseas call center. I would say fully 75% of the customers hate that site. Dish may be saving a few bucks by using Mumbai to answer their phones but customer satisfaction and morale is at an all time low.

 

[Fitzie]

dishcomm said "...morale is at an all time low."

Human nature is funny. When i came over to Dish from the local cable company (in 2004) my local cable had no HD, and I think Dish had 8 or 10 channels. Then Dish got Voom, and added other HD channels, and had a better signal and a better receiver than DirecTv, and it was cheaper, and I was very happy.

Now, Dish has 2 or 3 times as much HD, and a better receiver, and a signal thats as good if not better than it was 4 years ago. In the meantime, our local cable started carrying HD and they're all the way up to about 14 channels now. DirecTv had good luck with their satellite launches, and now have a few more HD channels (after 3 years of being way behind). From what I hear, their receiver still sucks compared to the 622/722 etc. series issued by Dish. After several years of being famous for carrying "HD-lite" DirecTv is now credited with a decent signal, and has more lil HD.

But Dish now has a new sat. My HD locals have just gone on the air on Dish. So I'm still very happy. And my morale is high. Life is weird.

Best regards,
Fitzie

 

[kstuart]

One thing I cannot disagree with is the overseas call center. I would say fully 75% of the customers hate that site. Dish may be saving a few bucks by using Mumbai to answer their phones but customer satisfaction and morale is at an all time low.

Actually, it is not the overseas aspect of the call center, it is simply that it is not "in house". My experience is that CS reps in India are equally (if not more) competent than the average US call center that also does calls for several different companies.

It is only when you have in-house CS reps that only represent your product, that you get knowledgeable people.