Social Feed

hdtvtechno
· posted in TV Shows
HDNet Programming Highlights
March 2005
[All times Eastern - Schedule Subject To Change]

SPORTS
Horse Racing - Big Cap at Santa Anita - LIVE Saturday, March 5 HDNet takes you there, when Santa Anita holds their signature race, the
$1 million Santa Anita Handicap ("Big Cap"), a race won in the past by such Thoroughbred racing legends as Seabiscuit (1940), Round Table (1958), Affirmed (1979), Spectacular Bid (1980) and John Henry (1981, 1982). Widely acclaimed as one of the most beautiful settings for racing found in the world, Santa Anita Park is the "Great Race Place". Famed for its art-deco style grandstand, which seats 26,000 guests, and view of the San Gabriel Mountains, Santa Anita features a one-mile oval dirt track and a 7/8-mile turf course.

HDNet Boxing from the Manhattan Center - Saturday, March 5, 9:00 pm ET A full night of explosive boxing action from New York, NY. The stage is set for up and coming boxers hungry to make their mark on the boxing world.

NHL Relived - Fridays, 9:00 pm ET
Every Friday night you can see highlights of HDNet's 2003-2004 NHL season matches, featuring three games condensed to two hours. 20 weeks of the best hockey in crystal clear high definition. Also on slate are the complete replays of the NHL ALL-STAR match and playoffs.

SERIES PREMIERES
Smallville: Season 3 - Thursday, March 3, 9:00 pm ET-- PREMIERE "Smallville," The WB's highest-rated series of all time that is in its fourth season on the network and its third on HDNet. The idyllic town of Smallville, Kansas, never seemed the same after the meteor shower that rained down 12 years ago - the day Clark Kent arrived on Earth and the day strange things started happening in Smallville. Starring Tom Welling (Clark Kent), Annette O'Toole (Martha Kent), Kristin Kreuk (Lana Lang), Michael Rosenbaum (Lex Luthor), and John Schneider (Jonathan Kent).

Zippo Hot Tour - Sunday, March 6, 10:00 pm ET-- PREMIERE HDNet chronicles the "Zippo Hot Tour", as more than 60 up-and-coming unsigned rock bands from eight U.S. cities compete for their chance to win a showcase with a major record label in New York City, and become one of the next big rock bands. The "Zippo Hot Tour" is an eight part concert series visiting Austin, Ann Arbor/ Detroit, West Palm Beach/Ft.
Lauderdale, Minneapolis, Pittsburgh, San Diego, Raleigh/Durham and Denver/ Boulder, providing semi-finalists with national exposure.

SPECIALS
InFocus: Stalingrad (3 part series) - Tuesday, March 1, 8, and 15, 10:00 pm ET For the first time ever, the Battle of Stalingrad - which claimed hundreds of thousands of lives and marked the tuning point of World War II - is portrayed not only from a German perspective. Hear eyewitness accounts of a name forever associated with the horrors of war:
Stalingrad.

InFocus: Don Quixote (2 part series) - Tuesday, March 22 and 29, 10:00 pm ET-- PREMIERE Master Cellist Mstislav Rostopovich has played Richard Strauss' Don Quixote many times, but now at age 75, Rostropovich has decided to make this performance with the Saito Kinen Orchestra his last. Join the symphony's rehearsal sessions high in the mountains of Japan's Nagano Perfecture as they prepare for a master musician's final public performance.

2005 United States National Snow Sculpting Championships- Friday, March 4, 8:00 pm ET-- PREMIERE Since 1996, the nation's top snow sculptors have headed to the resort town of Lake Geneva, Wisconsin to compete in the "granddaddy" of snow sculpting competitions. The Championships feature 15, three-member teams as they create intricate sculptures from three-ton, 10-foot-high blocks of snow.

HDNET CONCERT SERIES - Sundays, 9:00 pm ET
Morrissey: Who Put the "M" in Manchester? - March 6- PREMIERE It's Manchester, it's Morrissey, it's his birthday and the first time he's been home for twelve years. Filmed in May 2004 in his hometown, this live show, shot in HD, brings to life one of the UK's most colorful artists. Performing a mixture of classic songs and new tracks from his Album, You Are The Quarry, this really is Morrissey captured at his very best. The former front man of seminal eighties band, The Smiths, who were recently voted No.1 in the NME's poll of the Greatest Artists of All Time plays Manchester's MEN Arena where he performs his first solo album in seven years. Tracks include: Irish Blood English Heart, First of the Gang to Die and There is a Light That Never Goes Out.

The Funk Brothers - Night of Motown - March 13 The Funk Brothers are the unheralded heroes and the sound behind Motown music! They were the band behind most of the biggest Motown hits ever- such as "You Can't Hurry Love", "Reach out, I'll be there"...and countless other classics. In this monumental performance the Funk Brothers are reuniting on stage to serve up a slice of musical history!
An all-star line up of musical legends featuring The Four Tops, Sam Moore, Jacksoul and Joan Osborne! The energy of the crowd euphorically fills the atmosphere as The Four Tops take the stage and deliver a medley of some of their best work. This earth shattering collection of musical nostalgia comes to an end with a phenomenal performance of "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" sung by each musical guest, who are in turn, backed by The Funk Brothers...the men who created the timeless Motown sound that we continuously fall in love with, young and old, over and over again.

Velvet Revolver - March 20- PREMIERE
A concert that follows the debut release of their first album; Velvet Revolver, the five-man powerhouse of a rock band, finally brings something new to the scene. While Velvet Revolver inevitably offers a few echoes of its members' illustrious pasts, their sound is defiantly forward-looking and truly fresh. The band features Guns N' Roses founding members Slash and Duff, as well as Stone Temple Pilots vocalist Scott Weiland.

Oscar Peterson and Oliver Jones - March 27- PREMIERE Witness history in the making as Oscar Peterson brings down the house with this riveting performance! Internationally renowned pianist Oscar Peterson delivers one of the premier performances of his career before a dazzled and adoring audience. With over 50 years of musical experience,
7 Grammy's and countless other awards...the votes are in! This jazz legend, captured in high definition, is a wonderful gift to offer viewers worldwide! With show-stopping numbers such as "When Summer Comes" and "Requiem", Peterson demonstrates that he is truly in his element when in front of his Grand Piano, grabbing a hold of and hypnotically commanding the viewers' attention and not letting go until the very end.

WEEKLY PRIMETIME SERIES
Sundays
8:00 p.m. - HDNet World Report - HDNET ORIGINAL HDNet World Report is redefining the way we look at our world. We've developed an editorial and technological approach that brings the biggest news stories from around the world into our viewers' homes in stunning 1080i resolution. Produced as long-form news documentaries, these half-hour shows premiere every Tuesday and Sunday on HDNet and are the only news programming of its kind to be shown entirely in high-definition. Topics of upcoming programs include Cuba after Castro and Costa Rica.

8:30 p.m. - True Music - HDNET ORIGINAL
True Music is HDNet's concert series program highlighting some of the most exciting, up-and-coming bands. In addition to concert footage shot in spectacular 1080i high definition, True Music also includes interviews and backstage footage that puts you in the action like never before. This month, True Music, hosted by Katie Daryl, features Chevelle, The Damnwells, Supercell, The Fall Semester, Matchbook Romance, Mouse on Mars, and Trivium.

9:00 p.m. - HDNet Concert Series - HDNET ORIGINAL
See list above under "Specials"

10:00 p.m. - Zippo Hot Tour
See list above under "Series Premieres"

10:30 p.m. - Beyond Warped Live Music Series Beyond Warped tour takes viewers on a 2-month journey across North America. Live performance and in-depth interview from more than 30 bands captures the unique lifestyle and thrusts viewers into the heart of emerging music. Bands this month includes: The Phenonmenauts, River City Rebels, Juliette and the Licks, and Groovy Ghoulies.

Mondays -- "Guys Night In"
8:00 p.m. Andy Richter Controls the Universe While in the office, Andy Richter fantasizes about what might happen at work, while we see what actually happens. Starring Andy Richter, Irene Molloy, James Patrick Stuart, and Paget Brewster.

9:00 p.m. - Get Out! - HDNET ORIGINAL
In its second season, host Lindsay Clubine takes viewers to exciting locations to experience all of the local color, fun, and nightlife of cities around the U.S. From South Beach to Orange County and from Phoenix to the Bahamas, Get Out! traverses the country looking for the hip, trendy and cool, all in amazing 1080i HD.

9:30 p.m. Face 2 Face with Roy Firestone - HDNET ORIGINAL Roy Firestone's deeply personal, probing interview approach has made him a favorite among sports fans and celebrities alike. In this original series, he brings his signature style exclusively to HDNet, with an in-depth interview show profiling famous athletes, artists and entertainers.

10:00 p.m. Bikini Destinations - HDNET ORIGINAL This original HDNet series combines some of the world's most beautiful women and some of the world's most beautiful locations into a fascinating, high-definition travel experience. Some of the locations this month include Lake Powell, Las Vegas, and Cancun.

10:30 p.m. - Art Mann Presents - HDNET ORIGINAL Legendary television host Art Mann joined the HDNet team in February 2005, bringing High Definition cameras along on his exciting travels.
Art visits with people and goes to places that most people only dream about. Art Mann Presents, exclusively on HDNet.

1:00 a.m. - The Sex Files
It may be the subject of more discussion, angst, energy, pleasure and pain than anything else known to humankind. But hardly anyone understands what REALLY goes on when sex takes centre stage in our thoughts and actions The Sex Files mixes science and instinct, myth and reality, illustration and infatuation, fetish and fantasy, and does it with humor, openness and fascinating tales from the trenches. For a new perspective on this oldest of human activities, The Sex Files is a must-watch.

Tuesdays -- "The World Like You've Never Seen Before"
8:00 p.m. HDNet World Report - HDNET ORIGINAL HDNet World Report is redefining the way we look at our world. We've developed an editorial and technological approach that brings the biggest news stories from around the world into our viewers' homes in stunning 1080i resolution. Produced as long-form news documentaries, these half-hour shows premiere every Tuesday and Sunday on HDNet and are the only news programming of its kind to be shown entirely in high-definition.

8:30 p.m. Smart Travels
Host Rudy Maxa takes us on an incredible journey through Europe in this, his third season of Smart Travels. Join Rudy this month as he guides us through Germany, Italy, Prague, Buda Pest, Stockholm, and Sweeden.

9:00 p.m. Designing America
Host Jocelyn White takes viewers on tours of celebrities' homes, and gets tips from successful interior designers. This month Jocelyn visits Wyoming and Houston.

9:30 p.m. Higher Definition - HDNET ORIGINAL Weekly original series; pop culture writer Robert Wilonsky talks with filmmakers, actors and other celebrities about the making of entertainment in the age of high-definition.

10:00 p.m. HDNet InFocus
See above under "Specials"

Wednesdays - "Danger and Drama"
8:00 p.m. Hack
"Hack" is the story of Mike Olshansky (Matthew Borish), a disgraced former cop seeking to rebuild his life. After he was discovered taking money from a narcotics crime scene, Mike lost both his badge and his family. He now drives a cab through the streets of Philadelphia to make ends meet, helping his fares with their personal and criminal problems in effort to gain redemption, aided by his former partner-in-crime and on the job, Marcellus Washington (Andre Braugher), who remains on the force; his next door neighbor, Liz Garza (Jacqueline Torres), a former nun turned probation officer; and Jamie Farrell, a young former con man trying to go straight.

9:00 p.m. The Agency
A smart and exciting series, "The Agency" shows the problems facing intelligence agents today. Well acted by a wonderful cast featuring Gil Bellows, David Clennon, and Will Patton, this is a very fun show to watch. Instead of relying on theatrics like the series "24" and "Alias,"
"The Agency" is grounded in reality and focuses on the men and women who work to keep this country safe.

10:00 p.m. Robbery Homicide Division
A compelling drama that looks into the lives of the Robbery and Homicide Division of the Los Angeles Police Department. Intense, bold and intelligent, the detectives in this elite unit work only high-profile crime wherever it occurs in Los Angeles. Veteran Detective Sam Cole -- sometimes outrageous, always strategic -- heads the team. Cole has a hunter's raw instinct, along with both the intellect and the wit to pursue L.A.'s most vicious and complex crimes. Also on the squad is Sargeant Alfred Simms, who has a droll sense of humor and high level of skill with a shotgun. Detective Sonia Robbins is Spanish-speaking and specializes in pathology. Together, Cole's unit will confront the city's highest-profile crimes and criminals in America's most exciting urban landscape. Starring Tom Sizemore, Barry "Shabaka" Henley, and Klea Scott.

Thursdays - "Out of This World"
8:00 & 9:00p.m. - Smallville
HDNet presents two new back-to-back episodes each week from the acclaimed series from The WB. Through a multi-year deal with Warner Bros, HDNet has first-run cable HD rights to Smallville. HDNet will be the first and only place off-network for viewers to see all episodes of the acclaimed series in high-definition. "Smallville," The WB's highest-rated series of all time that begins its fourth season this fall on the network, is a brand new look at the classic Superman story. The idyllic town of Smallville, Kansas, never seemed the same after the meteor shower that rained down 12 years ago - the day Clark Kent arrived on Earth and the day strange things started happening in Smallville.
Starring Tom Welling (Clark Kent), Annette O'Toole (Martha Kent), Kristin Kreuk (Lana Lang), Michael Rosenbaum (Lex Luthor), and John Schneider (Jonathan Kent).

10:00 p.m. Haunted
After havin
g a near-death experience, ex-cop-turned-private-eye Frank Taylor learns that he has t
he ability to see and communicate with restless ghosts of murdered people who ask for his help in solving their deaths. Starring Matthew Fox (Frank Taylor), Russell Hornsby (Marcus Bradshaw), and John Mann (Simon).

Fridays
9:00 p.m. - NHL Relived on HDNet
See above under "Sports"

-----------------------

HDNet MOVIES
Programming Highlights
March 2005
[All times Eastern - Schedule Subject To Change]

NOW SHOWING - Feature films, premiering weekly on HDNet Movies
Drugstore Cowboy - premieres Tuesday, March 1 at 8:15 pm EST
Sliver - premieres Friday, March 4 at 11:45 pm EST
Arlington Road (HD Premiere) - premieres Saturday, March 5 at 8:00 pm EST
The Virgin Suicides - premieres Tuesday, March 8 at 8:15 pm EST
Flesh and Bone - premieres Saturday, March 12 at 8:00 pm EST
Fled (HD Premiere) - premieres Monday, March 14 at 8:00 pm EST
Frank and Jesse - premieres Saturday, March 19 at 8:00 pm EST
Detroit Rock City - premieres Friday, March 25 at 10:05 pm EST
Extreme Measures (HD Premiere) - premieres Sunday, March 27 at 1:15 am EST

CHILLER THEATER - Contemporary and classic horror movies every Fri.
Night
Sliver - premieres Friday, March 4 at 11:45 pm EST
Night of the Comet (HD Premiere) - premieres Friday, March 11 at 11:35 pm EST The Stranger - late night Friday, March 18 at 12:05 am EST
Brainscan - Friday, March 25 at 11:45 pm EST

HDNet Movies CLASSICS - Memorable classic movies every Sunday Night

In The Heat of the Night (HD Premiere) - premieres Sunday, March 6 at 8:00 pm EST Battle of the Bulge - Sunday, March 13 at 7:00 pm EST
The Getaway - Sunday, March 20 at 8:00 pm EST Vera Cruz - premieres Sunday, March 27 at 8:00 pm EST

ART HOUSE CINEMA - Independent features and documentaries every Tues. Night

Drugstore Cowboy - premieres Tuesday, March 1 at 8:15 pm EST
The Virgin Suicides - premieres Tuesday, March 8 at 8:15 pm EST
Who is Cletis Tout? - premieres Tuesday, March 15 at 8:00 pm EST
The Saint of Fort Washington (HD Premiere) - premieres Tuesday, March 22 at 8:00 pm EST
I Like It Like That - Tuesday, March 29 at 8:15 pm EST

IN THE SPOTLIGHT - A showcase of Hollywood Screen Legends On Saturday, March 5, HDNet Movies shines the spotlight on actor Jeff Bridges
Arlington Road (HD Premiere) - 8:00 pm EST
Fearless - 10:00 pm EST
Tucker: The Man and His Dream - 12:05 am EST


NOT AVAILABLE ON DVD - Movies currently unavailable on DVD
Premieres
The Legend of Billie Jean (HD Premiere) - premieres Wednesday, March 2 at 8:00 pm EST
Sliver - premieres Friday, March 4 at 11:45 pm EST
Night of the Comet (HD Premiere) - premieres Friday, March 11 at 11:35 pm EST The Saint of Fort Washington (HD Premiere) - premieres Tuesday, March 22 at 8:00 pm EST

Returns
See program schedule for specific dates and times

Battle of the Bulge
Downhill Racer
Easter Island: Mystery and Magic
June
Justice
My Man Adam
Operation Delta Force
Slaves of New York
The Stranger
To Kill a Priest
0 Replies · 1840 views
Scott Greczkowski
Staff member HERE TO HELP YOU! Cutting Edge
Last reply · posted in The Chit Chat Club
Sometimes a thread gets so many posts in it that is can cause issues for the server so that why today we introduce The Song Name Game Part 3!

So let the game continue!

The last song was added by Bobby who posted...

One Meat Ball - Andrews Sisters

CONTINUE ON AND HAVE FUN! WELCOME HOME TO SATELLITEGUYS.US!

Here are the original rules for the game as posted by WebbyDude back in 2006. http://www.satelliteguys.us/threads/68645-Song-Name-Game

Just name a song title and the band who performed it. The next person does the same thing, but needs to list a song title or band name which includes a word from the previous entry. Pick songs from any genre.

Example:

Long Live Rock and Roll -- Rainbow

Rainbow in the Dark -- Dio

Another example:

Ride the Lightning -- Metallica

Lightning Strikes -- Ozzy Osbourne


Get it?


An additional note: we all know that song titles, sometimes, use profane words. Because this is a family friendly website it is advised that you clean up that title up a bit. This is accomplished by using something like sh!t instead of the real word. Thanks....
68606 Replies · 2677993 views
  • Like
Reactions: c-spand
Bobby
I Wish I Was Eighteen Again - George Burns
harshness
I Wish - Stevie Wonder
  • Like
Reactions: gms49ers
EatMyVolts
Lonesome Road -- The Wonder Who?
long_time_Dish
Lonesome Loser - Little River Band
H
Long LONESOME Highway-Michael Parks
JSheridan
Lifetime Supporter
Last reply · posted in DISH Network Support Forum
I know HipKat said that they were working on conversions but we got the official news yesterday right from Dish that starting next month all DMA's will be on the western arc, and all customers will be assigned to that. That's gonna mean a lot of customers around here aren't gonna get Dish unless there are exceptions. Too many mountains and trees.
156 Replies · 4357 views
Foxbat
Unless Dish acquires DirecTV and its mid-USA satellite slots, I may not have Dish Network to reach 40 years. Or, I guess we could buy a new house…
  • Like
Reactions: charlesrshell
S
Unless Dish acquires DirecTV and its mid-USA satellite slots, I may not have Dish Network to reach 40 years. Or, I guess we could buy a new house…
have charlie buy you a new house :biggrin :clapping
  • Like
Reactions: charlesrshell
T
Well, I didn't immediately think of broadcast, where there are all kinds of digital "subchannels"- I remember back when digital broadcast began that supposedly the 6mhz channel would likely support just 1 HD program and that the added subchannels would likely have to remain SD. I don't watch enough broadcast to know. Are there a lot of the subchannels in SD-only, and how do they do that, like are they in 4:3 or some kind of low-res widescreen?
  • Like
Reactions: charlesrshell
Foxbat
have charlie buy you a new house :biggrin :clapping
Unfortunately, I don't think my social proximity to Charle Ergen provides any special perks. Maybe if Foxbat, Jr. were to marry his daughter…🤞🏻🤣
S
Unfortunately, I don't think my social proximity to Charle Ergen provides any special perks. Maybe if Foxbat, Jr. were to marry his daughter…🤞🏻🤣
that would be one hell of a convo :biggrin.
  • Haha
Reactions: charlesrshell
osu1991
Well, I didn't immediately think of broadcast, where there are all kinds of digital "subchannels"- I remember back when digital broadcast began that supposedly the 6mhz channel would likely support just 1 HD program and that the added subchannels would likely have to remain SD. I don't watch enough broadcast to know. Are there a lot of the subchannels in SD-only, and how do they do that, like are they in 4:3 or some kind of low-res widescreen?
New more efficient encoders. I think there's around 60 channels/sub channels now in the Tulsa dma. 480 widescreen for most of the sub channels, but some have 2 HD channels and a couple of SD sub channels while others have 1 HD and 5 or more SD sub channels. If they moved to mp4 or hevc encoding they could do higher bitrates for SD or more HD or even 4K in that 6Mhz channel. That could render some early digital tvs unable to tune though as they may not have the codecs for that. Considering 4K tvs have been on sale for years, I think it would be a very small minority of TVs with the problem. I'd rather see that happen and keep ATSC 1 than continue the move to a DRM enforced ATSC 3 world.
  • Like
Reactions: charlesrshell
S
Last reply · posted in The Chit Chat Club
The title was to catch everyone's eye lol! But it is a thought I've been having as I dev a Roku app for a client. You see many MAAANY years ago I got really interested in cable TV channels and even chatted with a regional carrier, Insight about what it took to get a channel number. It was surprisingly easy although prohibitively expensive.



You could petition, reserve a high channel number, they monitored performance and if they liked you, you'd get lower channel number overtime and cut into ad overlays.



Roku has a similar setup. Make an app, if it has a strong, original linear component you could get channel assignment on The Roku Channel.



As mixed as my feelings are on the current media landscape, I can't help but feel a little excited interest when I scope out the apps in the Roku store.
2 Replies · 57 views
navychop
Hmmm. I think Roku will last. But will Firestick? With their backing, I guess so. Apple TV STB? Of Course. Walmart? Seems someone ought to go, but with their backing?….

Off brands have, as probably expected, very short lives.
S
Hmmm. I think Roku will last. But will Firestick? With their backing, I guess so. Apple TV STB? Of Course. Walmart? Seems someone ought to go, but with their backing?….

Off brands have, as probably expected, very short lives.
All of those services have FAST Channels. FAST is a linear online broadcast stndrd. You notice how their linear channels all have some overlap? They are gettting paid for every second those streams are up without really having to do their own accounting. Best part is they don't even facilitate any of the stream bandwidth. Over glorified app stores on some android hardware. No reason NOT to stay in the game.
K
Pub Member / Supporter Lifetime Supporter
Last reply · posted in TV Shows
Season 2 order already in hand:

'Star Trek: Starfleet Academy' Renewed for Season 2, Tatiana Maslany to Guest Star in Season 1

I've not been optimistic about this show based on what I've read so far. Seems to be aimed at a younger audience. Interesting though that Tatiana Maslany will have some sort of role.
94 Replies · 3735 views
harshness
Females wearing any clothing is unthinkable on Ferenginar.
  • Like
Reactions: Foxbat
long_time_Dish
Females wearing any clothing is unthinkable on Ferenginar.
Was never a huge of the Ferengi-centric episodes in Trek...
Jimbo
Was never a huge of the Ferengi-centric episodes in Trek...
Me either ...
They turned out to be a Poor adversary ....
Foxbat
They got their proper due on "Deep Space Nine"
  • Like
Reactions: long_time_Dish
long_time_Dish
They got their proper due on "Deep Space Nine"
And too many episodes centering on/around them as well...
SuperDish_Fan23
Last reply · posted in DISH Network Support Forum
Why are ViP922s So rare? like its crazy how ebay has none, i checked everywhere, also, i got a ViP222k now, which is actually activated!
35 Replies · 1116 views
S
I looked for wrecked trains on ebay and those are hard to find too!
Almighty1
I remember this in the news too...

Bobby
I remember this in the news too...

That is a misnomer. In the old days you subscribed to telephone service. That included the telephone line and one telephone. An extension cost $1 a month extra. So that $14,000 over 42 years was for the service not the leased telephone. There is no way they paid $28 a month for 42 years for a leased telephone.
SuperDish_Fan23
Why are ViP922s So rare? like its crazy how ebay has none, i checked everywhere, also, i got a ViP222k now, which is actually activated!
Whoever still has their 922, please let me know i just wanna see photos of the ui and other stuff
S
Whoever still has their 922, please let me know i just wanna see photos of the ui and other stuff

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wL6dsORmXg
T
Slicker guides never did much for me
  • Like
Reactions: charlesrshell
Almighty1
That is a misnomer. In the old days you subscribed to telephone service. That included the telephone line and one telephone. An extension cost $1 a month extra. So that $14,000 over 42 years was for the service not the leased telephone. There is no way they paid $28 a month for 42 years for a leased telephone.
Good point as part of that time mentioned was before I was even alive.

While reports from the family's case focused entirely on the equipment rental charges, media records show that Ester Strogen originally started by paying $29.95 per quarter ($9.98 per month) in the 1960s for her combined telephone connection.
The actual base cost for standard residential telephone service over a 42-year period (spanning roughly 1964 to 2006) reveals how basic connection costs evolved compared to the equipment rental fees:

Historical Phone Service Rates
  • 1960s – 1970s Base Rate: Standard local phone service was heavily subsidized and tightly regulated under the Bell System monopoly. A basic landline package with unlimited local calling typically cost between $5.00 and $10.00 per month.
  • 1980s – 2000s Post-Deregulation Rate: Following the AT&T divestiture in 1984, base line service rates steadily climbed due to the introduction of subscriber line charges, touch-tone fees, and local infrastructure adjustments. By 2006, basic flat-rate local residential phone service hovered around $15.00 to $25.00 per month (excluding long-distance packages and taxes).
The True Lifetime Service Bill

Assuming an average baseline connection fee of roughly $12.00 a month over that 42-year span, the line connectivity itself would have realistically accumulated to approximately $6,000 in raw cash payouts.
When you bundle the actual service costs together with the escalating equipment rental fees, the total cumulative out-of-pocket phone expenses over those four decades easily crossed $12,000 to $14,000. Long-distance phone calls—which were billed entirely by the minute back then and could cost up to 15 to 30 cents per minute—would add significantly more to that historical total depending on usage.

The widely publicized calculation stems from a viral news story from 2006 involving a widow named Ester Strogen. Her family discovered she had been continuously leasing two rotary dial telephones from AT&T for 42 years.
The total cost—which actually came out to more than $14,000 by the time the lease was canceled—was calculated based on the following legacy telecom structure:
  • The Monthly Fee: At the time her granddaughters discovered the charges, the ongoing leasing fee was $29.10 per month for the two outdated phones.
  • The Math: Over 42 years (504 months), paying roughly $24 to $30 a month accumulates to between $12,000 and $14,600 ($29.10 × 504 months = $14,666.40).
Why did this happen?
Prior to the landmark breakup of AT&T ("Ma Bell") in 1984, consumers were legally not allowed to own their phones; they were required to lease them directly from the phone company.
When the laws changed and phone ownership became legal, AT&T spun off its rental division into a company called QLT Consumer Lease Services. Millions of customers, particularly elderly individuals who were used to seeing a single unified phone bill, simply never realized that the small recurring "equipment lease" line-item could be canceled by buying a cheap phone at a retail store.

Yes, leasing absolutely cost that much in reality, and the math is entirely accurate. However, the calculations performed by the family did contain one major historical nuance: they multiplied the final 2006 rate across all 42 years, which means the actual total cash paid out was likely a bit lower.
The original viral story focused on 82-year-old widow Ester Strogen from Canton, Ohio, who paid $29.10 a month for two black rotary phones until her family intervened in July 2006.
The reality behind how the cost reached that staggering total breaks down into two distinct phases:

Phase 1: The Historical Base Rate (1960s – 1984)

When Strogen first got the phones in the 1960s, renting was a legal mandate and cost a fraction of the 2006 price—usually just a few dollars a month.
  • The "Insurance" Mirage: In exchange for that fee, Ma Bell promised free, lifetime maintenance. If the phone broke, they replaced it instantly at no extra cost.
  • The Cost-Plus Reality: Because these solid-state phones were built like tanks out of heavy plastic and steel, they almost never broke. Consumers paid a continuous premium for decades for a repair service they rarely used.
Phase 2: The Deregulation Rate Hikes (1984 – 2006)

After AT&T was forced to break up its monopoly in 1984, the rental side of the business was shifted to Lucent Technologies and later a legacy holding company. To maximize profit off a shrinking customer base, they steadily increased the monthly rental fees over the next 20 years.
  • By 2006, the rental cost had quietly ballooned to roughly $14.55 per phone per month.
  • When the family discovered the $29.10 monthly charge, they looked back at the 42-year span and estimated the collective loss at over $14,000.
Even adjusted for historical inflation—where $2 a month in 1964 had the purchasing power of roughly $20 today—Ester Strogen and hundreds of thousands of other elderly Americans realistically paid thousands of dollars out-of-pocket for standard desk phones they could have purchased at retail for $10.

The exact out-of-pocket dollar amount Ester Strogen paid over those 42 years was never publicly determined, as neither AT&T nor the family had access to monthly billing records stretching all the way back to the 1960s.
The figures reported in the media are entirely mathematical estimates based on the 2006 rate. The two primary numbers used to define the "cost" are:
  • The Stated Media Total: More than $14,000.
  • The Exact Family Formula: $14,666.40. This was derived by taking her final recorded bill of $29.10 per month and multiplying it across the full 42 years (504 months).
What the True Cash Cost Likely Was

Because AT&T did not charge $29.10 a month back in 1964, the true historical cash sum she handed over was lower than $14,000. In the 1960s and 1970s, basic phone lease fees were generally bundled into standard service or itemized at just $1.00 to $2.00 a month per phone.
If we realistically assume she paid lower base rates for the first 20 years before the post-1984 deregulation price hikes took effect, a realistic estimate of the actual cash paid is between $5,000 and $7,000.

The Real Cost When Adjusted for Inflation

While the family's $14,000 calculation overestimates the raw cash paid, it actually underestimates the true economic damage when factoring in the time value of money.
Paying $2.00 a month for equipment in 1964 sounds minor, but due to severe inflation during the 1970s, those early single dollars had the purchasing power of roughly $20.00 each in 2006 terms. If you adjust every historical lower monthly payment upward to account for inflation, Ester Strogen realistically lost the equivalent of well over $15,000 in modern purchasing power by renting instead of buying.
  • Like
Reactions: charlesrshell
S
Slicker guides never did much for me
me either. sometimes it seems like things disappear when they start changing sh*t around :biggrin
  • Like
Reactions: charlesrshell
S
I looked for wrecked trains on ebay and those are hard to find too!
you would be better off looking in ca for a train wreck to nowhere :biggrin :p
  • Like
Reactions: charlesrshell
jcrandall
Staff member HERE TO HELP YOU!
Last reply · posted in DIRECTV Programming Forum
So...DirecTV advertises the Choice package with 95+ bonus channels for Satellite customers. You don't want 90+ of the 95...

Excluding PPV, premium networks, infomercial, shopping, religion, and non-English programming, there are 7 channels on satellite that are not on streaming:
NFL Network, MavTV, FE TV, Free Speech, NASA, INSP, and Pursuit. I'm pretty sure a couple of those are public interest that they have to carry to meet an FCC quota on satellite.

I hope they get called out for this advertising because that is ridiculous. One big network, NFL, will probably get added to streaming when their next agreement comes up, and the rest are likely very low viewership.

What about streaming, what do you get extra with the Choice package that isn't on Satellite:
Two stations - one of which is an internet TV - Fox Weather, and Heros & Icons (a diginet). Nothing special here to look at either.

If they cleaned up a couple of their agreements, added a few public interest stations to streaming, they could probably have their lineups match. It's close now, if you take out all the garbage on satellite that they earn money on. If they can sell infomercials on satellite, why can't they on streaming, seems like a miss. A bigger miss, including those stations in the "bonus channels just for satellite customers." Pretty sad marketing right there.

1681344805401.png


Attached is a comparison sheet of satellite vs streaming for the three main packages if anyone is interested.

MOD EDIT: See Post #3 for an up to date list of what channels are available on sat but not on streaming/internet, see Post #21 for an up to date list of what's available in the app for streaming customers, but not for sat customers.
243 Replies · 31895 views
K
WNPX/28 Nashville (The new home of the Predators) and WMYD/20 Detroit (the new home of the Pistons) are testing on the stream server.
harshness
One might get the impression that what DIRECTV does, or doesn't, is becoming far less consequential than it used to be.
M
One might get the impression that what DIRECTV does, or doesn't, is becoming far less consequential than it used to be.
K
WPLG/10 Miami is now available to stream customers

The CW stations WCWW/25 South Bend and WBKP/5 Marquette are testing on the stream server

Last week they also added a bunch of CW stations that are still not available to sat customers:
WETM-DT/19 Elmira
WJET-DT/25 Erie
KLFY-DT/11 Lafayette LA
KARD-DT/15 Monroe
WVBT-DT/44 Norfolk
WTWO-DT/3 Terre Haute
WFXV-DT/34 Utica
KFDX-DT/4 Wichita Falls
M
Well, that was fast ! DTV Stream brought back WTCN's HD signal today.

I have to assume the station signing up a week ago as the Miami Heat affiliate here (to carry their games) did the trick. NBA magic !!!

Or the station engineer took care of the problem after hearing about it.
  • Like
Reactions: KyL416
D
WNPX/28 Nashville (The new home of the Predators) and WMYD/20 Detroit (the new home of the Pistons) are testing on the stream server.
Channel 28 Nashville hasn't been added so far, correct?
K
WNPX Nashville and WMYD Detroit were added to stream about 2 months ago.

They also now have PRDTRS/651 for those in Predators territory outside of the Nashville DMA and PISTONS/663-2 for those in Pistons territory outside of the Detroit DMA.
TheForce
Supporting Founder Pub Member / Supporter
Last reply · posted in The Phone & Tablet Zone
Apple Fall Hardware Event takes place today, September 9, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. PT / 1:00 p.m. ET. It marks the debut of new CEO John Ternus and the expected reveal of Apple's first foldable phone.
132 Replies · 1476 views
comfortably_numb
Can't remember if I've posted this yet..


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nfL5seXJyWU
  • Haha
Reactions: slow_poke_pete
Foxbat
If you ponied up for an iPhone Duo, keep it away from anything other than your soft, fleshy fingertips. No fingernails, no dust, sand, dirt, or other particulate matter. And don't bend it more than it needs to. Zack has destroyed $2,000 of Apple hardware to get those views, which should cover his expenses.
​
  • Like
Reactions: comfortably_numb
comfortably_numb
No fingernails, no dust, sand, dirt, or other particulate matter

And definitely no medieval chain armor!
  • Haha
Reactions: Foxbat
harshness
medieval chain armor
Aka "mail" or "maille".
Foxbat
IFixIt has published their Teardown and they had some positive things to say about the iPhone Duo. It still showed some dust ingress into the hinge assembly but seemed otherwise well-sealed.
​

But with a considerable number of reports of the main screen dying with similar failures, AppleCare+ should be a no-brainer for this phone.
S

most carriers do. that's why they send updates that slow phones down!! i buy unlocked phones no effect to me
S
IFixIt has published their Teardown and they had some positive things to say about the iPhone Duo. It still showed some dust ingress into the hinge assembly but seemed otherwise well-sealed.
​

But with a considerable number of reports of the main screen dying with similar failures, AppleCare+ should be a no-brainer for this phone.

hope you have apple care a screen job is 1000.00 :oops:. can we say over priced garbage!!!
meStevo
Lifetime Supporter
Last reply · posted in The Sports Section
Schedule drops tomorrow. Mandatory mini camps in June. Hall of Fame game August 6th.
127 Replies · 2322 views
  • Like
Reactions: Jimbo and dfergie
rvvaquero
Jerry Jones and Jimmy Johnson had an argument about who was responsible for the dynasty building of the early 90's Cowboys.

The rest of us figured it out in about 3 years, Jerry has had over 30 years but still can't admit it. It's all he lives for, to show everyone he can put together a winner. I don't think he can. His kids only know what he taught them.
Y
Jerry Jones and Jimmy Johnson had an argument about who was responsible for the dynasty building of the early 90's Cowboys.

The rest of us figured it out in about 3 years, Jerry has had over 30 years but still can't admit it. It's all he lives for, to show everyone he can put together a winner. I don't think he can. His kids only know what he taught them.
Johnson built it, but without the Herschel Walker trade, it never happens.
  • Like
Reactions: b4pjoe
b4pjoe
Johnson built it, but without the Herschel Walker trade, it never happens.
Jerry made himself General Manager after he bought the team but make no mistake Jimmy engineered that trade. As well as a lot of others at the time.
rvvaquero
Jimmy Johnson is a football guy. Jerry Jones is a marketer (hustler).

When I see a football player get a 15 yard penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct (like taunting) in a close game, I often wonder what he was thinking. Was he thinking, I'm doing everything I can to make this a better team and help win a championship? Or, was he saying to himself, I want everyone to notice how great I am?

Johnson inspires one, Jones the other.
  • Like
Reactions: b4pjoe and Mike0616
meStevo
Got to unfurl and hold the flag at Allegiant for the anthem today - amazing experience.
  • Like
Reactions: Mike0616 and Foxbat
TWiT Tech Podcast Network
· posted in TWiT Tech Podcast Network
0 Replies · 10 views