CONFIRMED(?)- Dish Discontinuing Absolute HD Package

[Mark_AR]

Gonna guess you have (2) dishes, one pointed at 110/119 and one at 61.5... You need to point at 72.7 or 129 to get those channels. You might be missing more than those three too !

Not to get off topic, but I have 3 dishes and a DP44 switch

110/119 - First install - 2000
61.5 - When I went HD - 2003
77 when they added KY3 Springfield Mo Local - Aug 2009

Now do I need another dish or can I spin my 61.5 to 129? Is everything on 61.5 mirrored on 129? I don't want to lose anything important.

 

[Dah-Henny]

Spinning to 129 would be okay.

 

[yaz96]

OPPS. You're right. I fell for the Dish website misinformation again. The Dish HD list I posted was the HD avaialble with the America's Top XXX SD packages not the "HD only" packages. I fixed it and posted BOTH Dish HD lists, so people can see the HD missing in the Dish America "HD only" style packages.

Talon Dancer

Check out the the Dish Latino HD packages on that pdf file I posted. They have channels that are not in the "America" packages and are reasonably priced. That's the way I might go, if I have to.

 

[Dah-Henny]

MARK_AR...Of course if you wanted just one dish, the 1000.4 would do good for your needs.

 

[zojirushi]

Check out the the Dish Latino HD packages on that pdf file I posted. They have channels that are not in the "America" packages and are reasonably priced. That's the way I might go, if I have to.

Just be prepared to receive mailings from Dish in Spanish (not your invoice though). I had Dish Latino Dos a few years back because of the value and getting Fox Soccer Channel (but losing the ESPNs). I once even had a Dish Network CSR call me and just start speaking in Spanish from the outset (trying to upsell me on something)...

 

[Hall]

...but I have 3 dishes...

Who does your installs ?

I'm not positive, but I believe 61.5' doesn't mirror everything (HD) that 129' does now. 72.7' might... As already stated though, just re-point the 61.5' to 129'.

 

[lsilvest]

so that would be
AT120 = 39.99--120 is $24.99, 120+ is $29.99 200 is $39.99
h

I compare the 200 as closest to duplicating the channels in Absolute - some give and take with additions that someone may or may not want. If you like sports, as I do, then the addition of RSN helps offset the $10 increase over Absolute.

 

[whatchel1]

Nat Geo

I compare the 200 as closest to duplicating the channels in Absolute - some give and take with additions that someone may or may not want. If you like sports, as I do, then the addition of RSN helps offset the $10 increase over Absolute.

It doesn't have Nat Geo which bugs me. To get it you have to go to the 250.

 

[TalonDancer]

I compare the 200 as closest to duplicating the channels in Absolute - some give and take with additions that someone may or may not want. If you like sports, as I do, then the addition of RSN helps offset the $10 increase over Absolute.

.... for the next 6 mo., $20/mo* more for the following 6 mo. and $35/mo* more from then on. I think that is why one of the early posters said they were told that the promo pricing was to ease the transition --- into paying Dish more than double the $29.99 of the current Absolute package

Talon Dancer

* assuming you keep the $10/mo Platinum package after the 6 mo. promo expires.

 

[lparsons21]

It doesn't have Nat Geo which bugs me. To get it you have to go to the 250.

They are pretty slick in those tiers, aren't they. I juggled around what I want to watch and looked at the lineup to see if I could make a change that would significantly lower my bill with AEP+HD+HD PLAT @$132/month by going to a lower tier and adding the premiums I watch most.

The lowest I could go was the T200+HBO/SHO+HD+HD PLAT @$111.

Going below the T200 lost Golf, FX, Bravo, and AMC which I would really miss.

 

[kyleorton]

Like others have mentioned, I wouldn't do anything until Dish Network physically boots you off the Absolute HD programming package. Hopefully Dish Network will have a change of heart should there be enough backlash.

Absolutely. This package is still the best fit for my needs but I'm looking at the alternatives. I really hate introductory pricing or a discount that takes me for a few months and I'm not thrilled that HD for life is going to require a 2 year contract. I was hoping there'd be a whole home HD DVR solution before I re-upped. As more people get a call, I'm hoping to have good reports of how they will negotiate.

As far as programming that will affect me I will watch Big Ten Network during basketball season and probably a couple of the news channels with the 200 package. I'll be losing Hallmark Movie Channel, but those films never needed the HD touch.

 

[zim2dive]

Originally Posted by zim2dive
so that would be
AT120 = 39.99--120 is $24.99, 120+ is $29.99 200 is $39.99

It looks like you editted in my quote... those are the promotional prices.... AT120 retail price *IS* 39.99 according to Satellite TV Programming & Digital TV Packages - DISH Network

discounts are nice, but I've been a customer for 3-4 years.. discounts run out and I always look at what the final price will be to evaluate my purchasing decisions.

 

[lsilvest]

.... for the next 6 mo., $20/mo* for the following 6 mo. and $35/mo* more from then on. I think that is why one of the early posters said they were told that the promo pricing was to ease the transition --- into paying Dish more than double the $29.99 of the current Absolute package

Talon Dancer

* assuming you keep the Platinum package after the 6 mo. promo expires.

I didn't include the Platinum because it's not important to me. Biggest problem is there is no real match channel for channel. The ones that get bit the worst are those that have become used to a channel that's only available in the 250 or above where the cost for one channel would be out of the question. I'm lucky because the 200 will work well for me until the 12 mo increase which is not going to happen for me under any circumstances. I know what I'm willing to pay for the service and in 12 months it will be past my tolerance level. Won't bitch about it, will just leave. Been around long enough to know there is nothing I've never been able to live without.

 

[TalonDancer]

.... I'm lucky because the 200 will work well for me until the 12 mo increase which is not going to happen for me under any circumstances. I know what I'm willing to pay for the service and in 12 months it will be past my tolerance level. Won't bitch about it, will just leave. Been around long enough to know there is nothing I've never been able to live without.

Taking one of the 'promo deals', with an exit plan for when it expires, is certainly a viable strategy. A lot can happen in 6-12 months. For example, I'm pretty sure Dish will change the names of their packages --- at least once

Seriously, meaningful changes to packages and prices could happen in the next 6-12months. For example we will probably know the fate of the Dish America HD packages. And maybe even whether the whole idea of "HD only" style packages is dead.

Talon Dancer

 

[lparsons21]

I agree. That makes the most sense to me too, even though I don't have a dog in this hunt.

 

[Koilvr]

I have absolute and I been getting dish cals and I was wondering why as I let it go to the voicemail. I am now looking to see what to do. I have the 922 and love it but, I have no clue what deals or packages to go to. I might keep my mouth shut as long as I can to keep absolute, but once force would I get a great deal or not? I live NatGEO but for 250 not worth it.

 

[hammerdown]

I've been on HD Only then Absolute for as long as they have been offered. When I moved to a new place a few weeks ago "the system automatically switched me to Dish America" without my knowledge, request, or approval. It took me three days, multiple unsuccessful chats & calls, and emails to CEO to finally get it back with ERT.

I have not gotten the call saying I have to switch. I know lots of channels I watch are only in the Gold and Platinum packs, so I they will have to offer me something very special to keep me around. Which I doubt they will, because I threatened to leave many times when they "accidentally" took my Absolute and they did not give a sh*t if I left or not.

 

[FitzAusTex]

Can someone with Dish America Silver or Gold confirm if they actually get MSNBC HD? It would be sorta weird for it to have been added to Dish America/TurboHD when none of the other channels like Speed HD were added for those folks.

Also is anyone with Dish America Gold who doesn't subscribe to Starz, getting Encore (E) HD?

That "Focus On" Dish retailer pdf lists those two, but I'm not so sure that these two are correct.

 

[mrc54]

Can someone with Dish America Silver or Gold confirm if they actually get MSNBC HD? It would be sorta weird for it to have been added to Dish America/TurboHD when none of the other channels like Speed HD were added for those folks.

Also is anyone with Dish America Gold who doesn't subscribe to Starz, getting Encore (E) HD?

That "Focus On" Dish retailer pdf lists those two, but I'm not so sure that these two are correct.

Check out the" DISH HD Infomation" sticky.

 

[Hall]

I see that without paying for the "Platinum" add-on, I (we) lose HD Theater, HD Movies, Universal HD, and more ? I know the Epix channels are new but we've been watching/recording more and more from those and they'll be add-ons too.

This is really going to suck...