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hckyfn80

Last reply Feb 8, 2011 · posted in DIRECTV General Forum

Horrible Installation Tech?

I've been with DTV for going on 6 years and the last 3 I have had my dish setup on a tripod on 2nd floor apartment balcony with no problem. I recently moved to a different complex. I made sure that this unit, also 2nd floor, was facing the same direction as my old location. I called Mover's Connection and they sent an installation tech out yesterday (2/5).

The tech had a noon – 4pm window and showed up at 5pm. He took 2 steps through the front door and said, "this is an apartment, I can't install in an apartment." What? After we squashed that ridiculous objection, he took another two steps onto the balcony and declared that he couldn't do the install due to line of sight problems (he claimed a wall was blocking the way). He pointed out a neighboring unit's dish as an example of the way the dish had to face. He then left.

Here's the issue: I did as much research as possible to ensure this unit faces the right direction. I used dishpointer.com. Per the site, my unit has clear, unobstructed line of sight to 99W through 103W (Directv-9 through Direct-12 satellites). Ironically, the neighbor's dish the tech used as an example is Dish Network!! And it is without a doubt pointing at 119W (Dish's Echostar XIV). So, what's going on here? This guy is supposed to be the expert. He didn't even try to get a signal. He also didn't have any sort of device in hand to test if the DTV signal could be picked up from the balcony. Here's the real kicker to me, even if I'm wrong and he is right, the 119W direction he claims DTV needs to face could easily have been achieved with a tripod right out of the front door (many other units in the complex have taken this approach).

So, what gives? Was this tech just a joke? What are my next steps? Is there a particular DTV # or department I should call? One thing is for certain – I'm missing the Super Bowl now :-( If it turns out that I can indeed get DTV here, I'm going to be hopping mad!!

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kjlued

Feb 6, 2011

Office of the president will be a D* corporate number and not the HSP.
The number is not hard to maintain and I am sure somebody here can either give it or the email to you.
You won't get a hold of the President himself but just one of his many staff members.

I know when somebody calls, a solution is resolved extremely fast.
It usually involves in my area a Mastec supervisor going out there that day or the next and if the install is in my routing area, me often going out there the same day as supervisor or the next day.

Basically as soon as you get a hold of somebody, you will be installed within a couple days no matter what it takes (as long as it can be done).

However, I would just try rescheduling normal first as it will most likely yield the results you are looking for.

hckyfn80

Feb 6, 2011

kjlued said:
Office of the president will be a D* corporate number and not the HSP.
The number is not hard to maintain and I am sure somebody here can either give it or the email to you.
You won't get a hold of the President himself but just one of his many staff members.

I know when somebody calls, a solution is resolved extremely fast.
It usually involves in my area a Mastec supervisor going out there that day or the next and if the install is in my routing area, me often going out there the same day as supervisor or the next day.

Basically as soon as you get a hold of somebody, you will be installed within a couple days no matter what it takes (as long as it can be done).

However, I would just try rescheduling normal first as it will most likely yield the results you are looking for.

Unfortunately, the results I was looking for was to have the installation completed yesterday so that I could enjoy the Super Bowl on my new 47" LG LCD HDTV!! Thanks for your advice though. Out of curiousity and not trying to put you on the spot, you seem to know quite a bit about the office of the president approach...have you not provided the number/email because you don't know it or because you can't due to being affiliated with the company?

kjlued

Feb 6, 2011

I don't know it.

I will PM you my number.
If you have the dish and other equipment from your old place, I will walk you through the set up so you can catch the Super Bowl (even if it is just a temporary set up).
If not, you will have to just go some place else to watch it.

raoul5788

Feb 6, 2011

hckyfn80 said:
Unfortunately, the results I was looking for was to have the installation completed yesterday so that I could enjoy the Super Bowl on my new 47" LG LCD HDTV!! Thanks for your advice though. Out of curiousity and not trying to put you on the spot, you seem to know quite a bit about the office of the president approach...have you not provided the number/email because you don't know it or because you can't due to being affiliated with the company?

No chance you can get your local Fox channel ota?

Liquidforce88

Feb 6, 2011

raoul5788 said:
No chance you can get your local Fox channel ota?

Yea go get you a cheap Wal-Mart HD antenna and a piece of premade coax. Watch the super bowl in full HD. Then take it all back when you get Direct installed.

Does anyone close by have a Directv dish you could tape into for a temp signal?

kjlued

Feb 6, 2011

He does actually have the dish and the tripod....and even the cable but the connectors are torn off.
Which makes it even more sad that the installer did not do the job.

hckyfn80

Feb 8, 2011

Interesting follow-up: so, I called D* back to schedule another tech to come out and try again (time slot is for Tuesday from noon - 4pm). According to the phone rep, the previous technician didn't even mention LOS issues in whatever he logged on the work order. Apparently he only noted that we "needed apartment complex approval." That seems pretty ridiculous to me considering there is an abundant amount of dishes all over the complex and I had my lease in hand and there is no clause prohibiting dishes whatsoever. To me, this only adds credence to the theory that the tech just didn't want to be bothered with the install. I guess we'll find out tomorrow for sure though. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

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Anony55

Last reply 24 minutes ago · posted in DISH Network Support Forum

DISH Has Made it Impossible to be a VIP211k Owner

For quite a while now, people with a VIP211k have been losing their recordings on their activated external HDDs... even when there's nothing physically wrong with HDD. I believe this is an intentional and underhanded tactic that Dish is pulling in an attempt to force users away from the VIP211k.

They are obviously regretting that they ever let users have a "non-dvr" dvr in the first place. You would think they would be happy charging you a $40 one time fee... and then be happy letting the customer be the one responsible for HDD failures.

Dish clearly hates the 211k bitter-clingers. This recording deletion problem is intentional (IMO), and I think it is just one more tool that they are using. Hopper and a 2-year agreement... that's what they want you to have. Think about that... a 2-year agreement... with a company $30 Billion in debt (that's with a B). What happens when all that debt causes them to drop the channel that may have been your whole reason for having Dish in the first place? Guess who's stuck with a service that no longer suits their needs... for the remainder of the 2-year agreement.

On top of that, they don't want you to install it yourself. I purchased and installed all my equipment myself. That used to be common. Now, they lie to me and tell me that my dish must be updated to use a Hopper. Funny thing is... they don't even know what dish I have because they didn't install it, and I didn't tell them. If you ask what type of dish/LNBs the hopper needs... good luck getting an answer. All they know is that whatever you have needs to be upgraded by an installer.

It is quite apparent to me that they care much more about staying in their box, than they do working with the customer. That's too bad, because it hasn't always been that way. It's like they are totally unaware of the current business environment that they are trying to compete in.

I have been a customer since 2010. I will be cancelling my service before the next period. Yeah, I know, my $1,200 a year won't make a difference to them. It just seems like they have forgotten who needs who, especially when you consider the competition in today's streaming world. But hey, they will have succeed in forcing me off the 211k.

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Nebugeater

Dec 22, 2025

Got a 211k that works fine, and I no longer need it if someone wants to throw me a few bucks and pay shipping. Not tied to my account as of last week. Used with a tailgater and got a wally

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tparker

Sep 30, 2026

Nebugeater said:
Got a 211k that works fine, and I no longer need it if someone wants to throw me a few bucks and pay shipping. Not tied to my account as of last week. Used with a tailgater and got a wally

Is the 211k still available? If so, I'm interested.

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Nebugeater

Oct 2, 2026

tparker said:
Is the 211k still available? If so, I'm interested.

Actually, it is. A couple of people PMed me when I posted this, and when I asked for an address, they never responded. Then I just sort of let it go. Send me a PM to continue the discussion

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Anony55

Yesterday at 6:18 PM

Well, after nine months of being on pause, I finally figured out that I was wasting $5 a month. So I cancelled. For the first time since 2010, I no longer have a Dish account.

I do have to say that I did appreciate the account pause option. That just gives a person some time to see what the fallout of cancelling will be... without having to go all the way over the cliff first.

Since I never once had an "oh shoot, I need Dish Network for..." moment, the decision was a lot easier.

Funny enough, when I called to cancel (for real, not playing the pricing game), all of a sudden, they were offering me deals that I was told before that I couldn't get without changing out my VIP211k. Now, I could have had those specials with them just sending me a new card for the receiver. LOL!

Of course, my mind was already made up because of having not missed the service while on pause. That, and the fact that I bet the 211k still kills recordings.

All in all, I'm glad that I had Dish for all those years. I just outgrew the need, and they pressed the issue by deleting recordings. I would have eventually went this route without the deleted recordings issue. But, for sure, that did hasten the outcome.

I'll still pop in at this site from time to time. Believe it or not, I still have a C/Ku BUD that I intend on playing with again if life ever slows down.

Reactions: slow_poke_pete, zippyfrog, Foxbat and 1 other person

dishstaller

Today at 11:31 AM

Nebugeater said:
Actually, it is. A couple of people PMed me when I posted this, and when I asked for an address, they never responded. Then I just sort of let it go. Send me a PM to continue the discussion

Unless things have changed at Dish, which is entirely possible, they won't activate the 211, even as a replacement. I gave one to a customer a while back....which when I turned it off I made sure to tell the CSR I wanted it freed up so another customer could use it, I was assured it was.....and when they called to swap out there's they were told it couldn't be done. Now like I said, things MIGHT HAVE CHANGED.

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Anony55

24 minutes ago

dishstaller said:
Unless things have changed at Dish, which is entirely possible, they won't activate the 211, even as a replacement. I gave one to a customer a while back....which when I turned it off I made sure to tell the CSR I wanted it freed up so another customer could use it, I was assured it was.....and when they called to swap out there's they were told it couldn't be done. Now like I said, things MIGHT HAVE CHANGED.

It hasn't changed. When I cancelled my service the other day, they told me I didn't need to return the receiver (which I already knew because I purchased it).

But in addition to that, the young man told me not to sell it, but to take it to a recycling place. The reason he gave for the advice was because 211Ks can no longer be activated.

So as far as the VIP211k goes... once grandpa dies, he's dead.

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Therm

Last reply 42 minutes ago · posted in DISH Network Support Forum

Am I the only one that hates what Dish did to their mobile app?

I thought I would come here and find lots of complaints about the update to the dish anywhere mobile app, but am not seeing any. It used to look just like the desktop webpage. Now you can no longer filter by sports channels or movie channels. Plus that they made it look like a big button telephone and you see fewer channels in the screen which requires more scrolling. Yes I realize you can look at sports then select which sport you want to look at, I just liked being able to see all sporting events in the guide with all other channels being filtered out. Am I alone in the wilderness on this?

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dishstaller

Today at 12:56 PM

I really dislike change for the sake of change

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dishdude

Today at 2:51 PM

I like the new look, it's a lot cleaner. I'm using it on one of those Onn streaming devices when I travel.

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Therm

Today at 3:39 PM

dishdude said:
I like the new look, it's a lot cleaner. I'm using it on one of those Onn streaming devices when I travel.

Yes a lot cleaner, glossier, and less functional. Someone trying to justify why they are making a big salary. "See look shiny"

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navychop

50 minutes ago

"Big salary." Charlie. "?Big?"

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Tampa8

42 minutes ago

Seems in some ways better. Nicer layout, as others said maybe cleaner. Moving ahead in the guide is better.

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Foxbat

Supporting Founder Pub Member / Supporter Lifetime Supporter

Last reply 55 minutes ago · posted in Internet Television (IPTV) Discussion Forum

New Apple TV 4K released, plus other Apple Home devices.

Apple has finally released their Apple TV 4K with built-in Siri and a microphone so it can respond to your queries even if you don't have the remote. It also increases in price, to $299. I had been planning on updating my current Apple TV 4K streamers, but that's $600 for the two of them, and that's a pass at this point.

At $299, it had better come with 256 GB of Storage, Gigabit (or better) Ethernet, the latest HDMI tech and standards, and one year of free Apple One. But it probably won't…

Apple TV 4K

Apple TV 4K. New Siri AI and hands-free control. Stunning picture and immersive HomePod surround sound. Works with your Apple and smart home devices.

www.apple.com

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Ronnie-

Tuesday at 9:19 PM

Meh. The 4Ks I have will do everything that these do that I need them to do.

Which that's most tech these days for anything released the last four to five years.

It's honestly a testament to how good the previous gen Apple TVs were and are.

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navychop

Tuesday at 9:31 PM

Ronnie- said:
It's honestly a testament to how good the previous gen Apple TVs were and are.

Don't tell them that. They'll adopt planned obsolescence.

navychop

Yesterday at 12:55 PM

Outside of gaming, would Joe Sixpack notice any difference?

KAB

Yesterday at 7:46 PM

navychop said:
Outside of gaming, would Joe Sixpack notice any difference?

Not a bit. IMO, Apple's are slow to boot up. Time is about the same with 1st gen and 3rd. Roku runs rings around them in that department. I only reason I stuck, is the Apple infrastructure, which has it's definite advantages. But $300 is a deal breaker. Later, Apple!

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slow_poke_pete

Today at 12:08 AM

navychop said:
Don't tell them that. They'll adopt planned obsolescence.

they all do that anyways.. ever notice your cell phone slows down when you come up for an upgrade.. :what

. apple's been making money off of software and not hardware for a while

ncted

Today at 9:00 AM

KAB said:
Not a bit. IMO, Apple's are slow to boot up. Time is about the same with 1st gen and 3rd. Roku runs rings around them in that department. I only reason I stuck, is the Apple infrastructure, which has it's definite advantages. But $300 is a deal breaker. Later, Apple!

Yeah, they boot up a bit slower than Roku, but the OS does a lot more, so it makes sense. How often are you booting them up that is a differentiator? Aside from OS updates, mine are on all the time. I will say the ATV4K is generally quicker than the Roku Ultras I have, when it comes to launching apps and responsiveness, not that the Roku is sluggish.

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navychop

Today at 2:31 PM

slow_poke_pete said:
apple's been making money off of software and not hardware for a while

What software? For iPhones? I tried to buy some image s/w IN THE APPLE STORE! They had none, and could not offer ANY s/w for iPhones

ncted

58 minutes ago

slow_poke_pete said:
apple's been making money off of software and not hardware for a while

I assume you mean services, like iCloud and Apple Music, and not actual software sales. Services have been growing quickly for Apple, but hardware still brings home the bacon. As for where Apple's revenue comes from, the iPhone is still king with 49.58% of revenue as of June 2026. Services comes in second with 28%. iPad, Mac, and Wearables/Home makes up the rest. So, that is 72% coming from hardware. Their profit margin is around 25%, FWIW.

I am skeptical the AppleTV 4k makes them much money on the hardware though, which I suspect is what you were getting at.

ncted

57 minutes ago

navychop said:
What software? For iPhones? I tried to buy some image s/w IN THE APPLE STORE! They had none, and could not offer ANY s/w for iPhones

You should have looked in the APP STORE instead.

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navychop

55 minutes ago

Will do!

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cpdretired

Supporting Founder

Last reply Today at 3:29 PM · posted in DISH Network Support Forum

Dish Offers

Several Dish offers showed up today in my account. Once you choose one the rest are removed. Offers were Showtime, Starz, AMC and others.

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bnewt

Sep 23, 2026

Just checked my account and it shows mgm+ at 8.00 per month, but that has red line drawn thru it and shows 0.00 per month. But it doesn't say how long this lasts,...... 1 month, 3 months, forever. I called customer service to get an answer, and they said nothing like that exists. Should I add the offer or not? Already paying them too much, but want to take advantage of something free.

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slow_poke_pete

Yesterday at 11:45 PM

bnewt said:
Just checked my account and it shows mgm+ at 8.00 per month, but that has red line drawn thru it and shows 0.00 per month. But it doesn't say how long this lasts,...... 1 month, 3 months, forever. I called customer service to get an answer, and they said nothing like that exists. Should I add the offer or not? Already paying them too much, but want to take advantage of something free.

look again mine says free for 1 month

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Almighty1

Today at 2:13 AM

slow_poke_pete said:
look again mine says free for 1 month

Not for me, mines has no mention of how long aka the offer period and the Terms and conditions the $0.00 is good for. All I see is one can lose $5.00 if you decide to remove it before day 31 after you add it to the account.

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slow_poke_pete

Today at 6:02 AM

Almighty1 said:
Not for me, mines has no mention of how long aka the offer period and the Terms and conditions the $0.00 is good for. All I see is one can lose $5.00 if you decide to remove it before day 31 after you add it to the account.

View attachment 194817

wonder why it says that

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Almighty1

Today at 3:07 PM

slow_poke_pete said:
look again mine says free for 1 month

You have a different offer that is free for a shorter timeframe which is different than the one that I and bnewt saw without defining the promotion period as I sent the question to DISH Care via Facebook Messenger and this is the response I got back 20 minutes ago.

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Almighty1

Today at 3:29 PM

slow_poke_pete said:
wonder why it says that

Answer 2 minutes ago from DISH Care via Facebook Messenger:

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TWiT Tech Podcast Network

Today at 2:23 PM · posted in TWiT Tech Podcast Network

This Week in Space 232

Time for another AWESOME video from the TWIT Network!

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4Edq2eavsQ

Direct YouTube Link - This Week in Space 232
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed

0 Replies · 9 views

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TWiT Tech Podcast Network

Today at 1:52 PM · posted in TWiT Tech Podcast Network

Tim Cook, Elton John & King Charles: A Royal Tech Event

Time for another AWESOME video from the TWIT Network!

View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/oRVxjGm0qtE

Direct YouTube Link - Tim Cook, Elton John & King Charles: A Royal Tech Event
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed

0 Replies · 8 views

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TFLEV

Today at 1:22 PM · posted in TFLEV

Watch the New Tesla Roadster Jump, Fly and Barrel-Roll in Mid-Air!

Time for another AWESOME video from TFL Electric Vehicles!

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MyF_RH1m0mc

Direct YouTube Link - Watch the New Tesla Roadster Jump, Fly and Barrel-Roll in Mid-Air!

0 Replies · 14 views

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TWiT Tech Podcast Network

Today at 1:22 PM · posted in TWiT Tech Podcast Network

The Apple HomeView

Time for another AWESOME video from the TWIT Network!

View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/0k5iT-OlpdE

Direct YouTube Link - The Apple HomeView
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed

0 Replies · 7 views

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osu1991

Pub Member / Supporter

Last reply Today at 12:59 PM · posted in TV Shows

Frisco King - Paramount Plus

View: https://youtu.be/RHYQYYm5jLM?is=cwxm9t1efsWNl6yy

December 18, 2026 Paramount plus

2 Replies · 62 views

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Howard Simmons

Today at 11:36 AM

osu1991 said:
View: https://youtu.be/RHYQYYm5jLM?is=cwxm9t1efsWNl6yy

December 18, 2026 Paramount plus

Another Tulsa King spin off.

dishstaller

Today at 12:59 PM

Howard Simmons said:
Another Tulsa King spin off.

But.....if you like Tulsa King....looks like you would probably like this as well. I don't mind spin-offs as long as they don't involve a sassy niece who moves from the big city

TheRatPatrol

Last reply Today at 12:50 PM · posted in TV Shows

NCIS

Anyone else watch this show? Any guesses as to what was in the box Gibbs gave to Abby that was on her desk? It look liked it was glowing.

I also heard that someone was leaving the show at the end of this season. Any guesses as to who thats going to be?

2132 Replies · 214695 views

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Jimbo

Monday at 11:41 PM

View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/BIdMzUBHvjw?feature=share

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Jimbo

Tuesday at 6:25 PM

Jimbo said:
View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/BIdMzUBHvjw?feature=share

Howard ...
You don't like Tony, or Tony as the Director (he's only been there for 30 seconds now) or you don't like NCIS ?

Reactions: Howard Simmons

Howard Simmons

Yesterday at 1:19 PM

Jimbo said:
Howard ...
You don't like Tony, or Tony as the Director (he's only been there for 30 seconds now) or you don't like NCIS ?

Tony as the director.

Jimbo

Yesterday at 2:13 PM

Howard Simmons said:
Tony as the director.

Would you rather have LaRoche ???

Reactions: Howard Simmons

dfergie

Yesterday at 4:37 PM

I liked this episode and a toned down Tony...

Reactions: Jimbo

Howard Simmons

Today at 11:30 AM

Jimbo said:
Would you rather have LaRoche ???

No. Bring in someone new.

Tony is not serious enough for me. Parker is too close to the team and Tim is too young to take over IMO.

Jimbo

Today at 12:50 PM

Howard Simmons said:
No. Bring in someone new. Tony is not serious enough for me. Parker is too close to the team and Tim is too young to take over IMO.

I don't think Tim and Tony are that far apart in Age ...

Remember what Tony said to Tim when they first got back together ...
Tony said: I am the New Tony, Tim .... (something to that effect)

Tony has changed, he's been running his Security Business ... I'm sure he has grown up.

Give it time ... your judging the New Tony from the old Tony.

It sounds like Tim won't be around the Team much longer either.

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Horrible Installation Tech?

DISH Has Made it Impossible to be a VIP211k Owner

Am I the only one that hates what Dish did to their mobile app?

New Apple TV 4K released, plus other Apple Home devices.

Apple TV 4K

Dish Offers

This Week in Space 232

Tim Cook, Elton John & King Charles: A Royal Tech Event

Watch the New Tesla Roadster Jump, Fly and Barrel-Roll in Mid-Air!

The Apple HomeView

Frisco King - Paramount Plus

NCIS