Free HD for Life?

[JSheridan]

This is from a Dish Network Retailer email from our distributor today:

Existing Customer Accounts Already Subscribing to the $10/mo. “HD & Platinum” Add-on Before June 3, 2010 – Existing customers who were subscribing to the $10/mo. “HD & Platinum” package prior to June 3, 2010, will be automatically grandfathered into “HD Free for Life” without being required to enter into a 24-month “HD Free for Life” commitment OR pay the $99 HD Programming Upgrade Fee. These customers will experience no price change due to their participation in this offer; they will receive “HD Free for Life” for the life of their account and will be charged for the $10/mo. HDPlatinum add-on package.

Existing Customer Accounts NOT Subscribing to the $10.mo. “HD & Platinum” Add-on Package Before June 3, 2010 – Existing customers who were NOT subscribing to the $10/mo. “HD & Platinum” package prior to June 3, 2010 may choose to participate in “HD Free for Life” by logging into their online customer account (or creating an online account if they do not have one yet) and selecting the “HD Free for Life” option, which will be indicated.
After selecting the “HD Free for Life” offer, customers may choose either the 24-month “HD Free for Life” commitment and accept the terms of the agreement within the online form, as well as set up Credit Card AutoPay AND Paperless Billing if they are not set up with them yet –OR– the $99 HD Programming Upgrade Fee and provide a credit card number for this charge (also within the online form).

 

[Scott Greczkowski]

Existing Customer Accounts Already Subscribing to the $10/mo. “HD & Platinum” Add-on Before June 3, 2010 – Existing customers who were subscribing to the $10/mo. “HD & Platinum” package prior to June 3, 2010, will be automatically grandfathered into “HD Free for Life” without being required to enter into a 24-month “HD Free for Life” commitment OR pay the $99 HD Programming Upgrade Fee. These customers will experience no price change due to their participation in this offer; they will receive “HD Free for Life” for the life of their account and will be charged for the $10/mo. HDPlatinum add-on package.

YIPPE! Thanks for sharing!!

That is GREAT news!!!

 

[yaz96]

YIPPE! Thanks for sharing!!

That is GREAT news!!!

BUT - they will still now be charged $10 for Platinum package.

 

[///M AZING]

Ok, I'm a little slow today.. I already pay $10 for the HD add on. So my bill should drop by $10 per month? If not then whats the big deal?

 

[Ghpr13]

BUT - they will still now be charged $10 for Platinum package.

Yes, that what I don't get...We just are taking a step backwards! "HD for Life" is a very vague title. As the HD transition proceeds isn't the natural course going to be all HD anyway? Plus, as per every sub's agreement, E* retains the right to change anything at anytime...I don't see where this is much of a "win" for us subs
Ghpr13

 

[Scherrman]

I don't se how this is a step backwards. It may not be Any change for some people. This promo is not meant for existing subs. It is obviously for gaining more new subs. I I believe it will work.

 

[radiator65]

Not really a step back. If you already have the HD&platinum you keep it for $10. At least they didn't break it up again and pay $10 for HD counterparts of SD channels and $10 more for the Plat. channels, as it was before. I think its great.

 

[Dah-Henny]

At least folks here at satguys have a few weeks to get their house in order before the June 3rd date.

 

[Ghpr13]

I don't se how this is a step backwards. It may not be Any change for some people. This promo is not meant for existing subs. It is obviously for gaining more new subs. I I believe it will work.

Not really a step back. If you already have the HD&platinum you keep it for $10. At least they didn't break it up again and pay $10 for HD counterparts of SD channels and $10 more for the Plat. channels, as it was before. I think its great.

OK, I guess looking at it like that it's not a step backwards, and it is geared for new subs, but I still feel the term "Free HD for Life" is a bit vague.
Let's just hope in August E* doesn't come out with the new "Platinum Plus" or "Titanium" pack for only $10.00 more/month.

 

[///M AZING]

Not really a step back. If you already have the HD&platinum you keep it for $10. At least they didn't break it up again and pay $10 for HD counterparts of SD channels and $10 more for the Plat. channels, as it was before. I think its great.

So a new customer can choose free hd, or upgrade to free HD & Plainum for extra $10 per month?

 

[RollTide1017]

This is from a Dish Network Retailer email from our distributor today:

Existing Customer Accounts Already Subscribing to the $10/mo. “HD & Platinum” Add-on Before June 3, 2010 – Existing customers who were subscribing to the $10/mo. “HD & Platinum” package prior to June 3, 2010, will be automatically grandfathered into “HD Free for Life” without being required to enter into a 24-month “HD Free for Life” commitment OR pay the $99 HD Programming Upgrade Fee. These customers will experience no price change due to their participation in this offer; they will receive “HD Free for Life” for the life of their account and will be charged for the $10/mo. HDPlatinum add-on package.

Thank you for this info.

I can sleep tonight!

I'm just fine with no change, and now if I ever decide to get rid of Platinum it will save me $10.

 

[tigerfan33]

With recent addition of hd in the platnium pack, I will be keeping it for now. The big thing is not having to sign up for the 24 month commitment.

 

[dangue]

With recent addition of hd in the platnium pack, I will be keeping it for now. The big thing is not having to sign up for the 24 month commitment.

Agreed.

 

[AKGolf]

Any idea how Alaska is affected by this?

 

[Stargazer]

So let me get this straight. Those that already had the HD & Platinum shall reman getting the same channels at $10 per month without having to do anyting but will still get the HD (without Platinum) for Free if they choose to drop the Platinum without commitment or cost?

Something makes me wonder if they are trying to get $99 or 2 year commitments out of people while they can before they announce that everybody gets HD without a charge (as simple as that) and it not being considered a premium anymore. Reminds me of DVR for life with those DishPlayers. Some know what happened with that deal.

 

[Rob052067]

Essentially, it boils down to your own personal preference as to whether or not you want to save $10/mos and drop PlatinumHD. Dish's new and improved group of 14 channels available in the PlatinumHD package is actually pretty decent and very competitive with offerings from other providers.

DirecTV HD Extra pack is $4.99 for 6 channels: Crime & Investigation HD, HDNet Movies, MGM HD, Palladia HD, Smithsonian HD and Universal HD. (HDNet is included in standard HD service.)

Cable varies, but here in Columbus, Time Warner's Gold HD pack is $6.95 for only 4 channels: MGM HD, Smithsonian HD, MAV HD and Universal HD. (HDNet & HDNet Movies are no longer available from TWC nationwide.)

WOW cable here in Columbus charges $7.99 for their HD Pack that includes only 3 channels: HD Theater, MGM HD, and Universal HD.

Insight cable here in Columbus charges $10 for their HD Pack that includes only 4 channels: HD Theater, HDNet, HDNet Movies and Universal HD.

AT&T uVerse charges $5 for their HD Premium Tier which includes 6 channels: MGM HD, Palladia HD, Smithsonian Channel HD, ShortsHD, HDNet Movies, and World Fishing Network HD. (HDNet is included in standard HD service.)

 

[Hall]

DirecTV HD Extra pack is $4.99 for 6 channels: Crime & Investigation HD, HDNet Movies, MGM HD, Palladia HD, Smithsonian HD and Universal HD. (HDNet is included in standard HD service.)

Cable varies, but here in Columbus, Time Warner's Gold HD pack is $6.95 for only 4 channels: MGM HD, Smithsonian HD, MAV HD and Universal HD. (HDNet & HDNet Movies are no longer available from TWC nationwide.)

WOW cable here in Columbus charges $7.99 for their HD Pack that includes only 3 channels: HD Theater, MGM HD, and Universal HD.

Insight cable here in Columbus charges $10 for their HD Pack that includes only 4 channels: HD Theater, HDNet, HDNet Movies and Universal HD.

AT&T uVerse charges $5 for their HD Premium Tier which includes 6 channels: MGM HD, Palladia HD, Smithsonian Channel HD, ShortsHD, HDNet Movies, and World Fishing Network HD. (HDNet is included in standard HD service.)

Thank goodness for competition, eh ? I'm positive that TWC here offers more than (6) channels in their HD Pack... But when they competition only offers that low number, why should any provider offer much more ?

 

[RandallA]

“HD & Platinum” package prior to June 3, 2010, will be automatically grandfathered into “HD Free for Life” without being required to enter into a 24-month “HD Free for Life” commitment OR pay the $99 HD Programming Upgrade Fee.

Thank you. That's how I understood it in the beginning but then the commitment and $99 fee started and got very confused.

 

[old corps]

This is actually a concern we have been talking about in the Pub Members forum. I do think that in light of any kind of news on TIVO this week on the earnings call and at Team Summit, that the concern got a lot a littlle bigger by a number of us, myself included.

That is my biggest concern. I think the recent additions to the Platinum pack are great, especially since it now appears that those of us that have HD & Platinum for $10 will be grandfathered in. I wouldn't even have a problem with a new 24 month agreement if it weren't for this Tivo thing. Yeah, I know, the VIPs are supposed to be exempt for now but as this stands now ain't NO way I'd do an agreement. It doesn't matter to me how good the programming is, if I don't have working DVRs the service is useless to me. The only TV we ever watch live is sports. Can not stand the obnoxious commercials that take up a third of the program! Just my .02.:rant:

Ed

 

[Brodieb]

This is from a Dish Network Retailer email from our distributor today:

Existing Customer Accounts Already Subscribing to the $10/mo. “HD & Platinum” Add-on Before June 3, 2010 – Existing customers who were subscribing to the $10/mo. “HD & Platinum” package prior to June 3, 2010, will be automatically grandfathered into “HD Free for Life” without being required to enter into a 24-month “HD Free for Life” commitment OR pay the $99 HD Programming Upgrade Fee. These customers will experience no price change due to their participation in this offer; they will receive “HD Free for Life” for the life of their account and will be charged for the $10/mo. HDPlatinum add-on package.

Thanks for the info. Glad to hear I do not need to sign up for 2 more years or switch to paperless or auto pay to keep things the same on my bill.

I do plan to keep the plat pack since it has good content now.

Kudos to Dish for doing the right thing by us existing subs!