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I paid my Dish bill online yesterday morning, the day it was due (Note: Not an overdue bill, paid on time). Nevertheless, something like 36 hours later watching TV tonight, a big nagging box that obstructed the center of the screen came up asking me to pay the bill. I clicked cancel and it came back again a few minutes later, while I was playing with my dog and away from a remote, so I had to stop playing with the dog, find the remote, and tell it to go away again.
This is after I got two automated calls the day before yesterday and then again yesterday, even though I still had till midnight last night to pay the bill without it being overdue. This happens a lot with Dish.
My concern isn't so much that their system doesn't seem to have totally figured out I've paid my bill. I have a confirmation number and everything to contact Dish if they try to cut off my service or something, and when this has happened in the past, they've never cut off service- eventually they figure it out themselves. I don't think that's going to be an issue.
The issue I have is that it is seriously ANNOYING. I know it's minor in the scheme of things, but I run into this a lot and it's an irritant I never had with cable.
If I have an overdue bill, I understand the nagging phone calls and stuff obstructing my screen, but I've never had an overdue bill with Dish. I paid this on-time and I've always paid on time. It seems to be Dish policy to start nagging you if you get anywhere close to the due date on a pre-paid (the only option I was given when I signed up) account, though. And I've talked to the DIRT team about this before and there is no opt-out.
Anyhow, I'm just saying, you annoy your customers with stuff like this, it's something they consider when their contract expires. Might not cause me to switch by itself, but I could see it being one thing among many that makes me switch eventually. I don't like the idea of paying for something to annoy me.
This is after I got two automated calls the day before yesterday and then again yesterday, even though I still had till midnight last night to pay the bill without it being overdue. This happens a lot with Dish.
My concern isn't so much that their system doesn't seem to have totally figured out I've paid my bill. I have a confirmation number and everything to contact Dish if they try to cut off my service or something, and when this has happened in the past, they've never cut off service- eventually they figure it out themselves. I don't think that's going to be an issue.
The issue I have is that it is seriously ANNOYING. I know it's minor in the scheme of things, but I run into this a lot and it's an irritant I never had with cable.
If I have an overdue bill, I understand the nagging phone calls and stuff obstructing my screen, but I've never had an overdue bill with Dish. I paid this on-time and I've always paid on time. It seems to be Dish policy to start nagging you if you get anywhere close to the due date on a pre-paid (the only option I was given when I signed up) account, though. And I've talked to the DIRT team about this before and there is no opt-out.
Anyhow, I'm just saying, you annoy your customers with stuff like this, it's something they consider when their contract expires. Might not cause me to switch by itself, but I could see it being one thing among many that makes me switch eventually. I don't like the idea of paying for something to annoy me.
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I had to go back thru the thread to see who was defending Dish in here, but I didn't see it. All I saw were acknowledgements of the problem and suggested solutions to work around it.
I lasted about two weeks when I cancelled my cable and Internet without a replacement about a year ago when the cable company's prices got too high for me to handle. It was making me miserable and I then realized I had to figure something out- thus leading me to Dish network for television, and a mobile "broadband" card for Internet. I have to admit, I may have some complaints about Dish from time to time, but it definitely worked out better for me than the mobile "broadband" thing which was a worse experience than even AOL on dial-up back in the 90s.
So I went back to cable Internet only eventually, when I qualified for the new customer promos again- of course that almost fell through when they gave me a run-around that involved filling out forms on the Internet only to be told to go to their office, several trips to their office that included them telling me they couldn't offer me the Internet offer even though I'd tried to sign up online and was told to come to their office, telling me that I couldn't complete my sign-up because it had been less than 72 hours since I had tried to sign up online (and been told to come in), three trips from them to my apartment, a missed installation, them claiming they couldn't verify my identity (Even though I was their customer at the same address 6 months prior), them trying to backtrack on the deal, etc. and so on. It all ended with me writing a letter to the consumerist and conferencing with corporate VPs on the phone and stuff.
Honestly, I was all set never to deal with them again- some of the conversations I had with people at points would have made sailors blushed, I was livid. Until someone very high in their hierarchy basically let me set my own terms for the first year of net access. I told him I need x, y, and z including a particular price (Lower than anything advertised), and he agreed to it- and the service has been great since. But when I occasionally allude to having issues with the cable company, I'm not exaggerating, I'm understating it.
Which is part of why I want to be happy with Dish for my television. And to Dish's credit, they are generally very easy to deal with in terms of logistics. I called them up, they took a card number for payment and set an appointment, they showed up and installed it, and I was good to go. If I need to change packages, I make a few clicks on the computer. I like all that. But they definitely have issues to work on, like some of the stuff I've mentioned in this thread.
It's frustrating in the television field to find it's all about tradeoffs. No one provider really seems to get everything pretty much right. I don't think it's impossible that one could one day, though- there are companies in other fields that I've been very happy dealing with all around and think I get a good bargain with (i.e. the sports I want for a price that isn't too much of a sacrifice). I'd love to see Dish Network or one of the other providers evolve into a company like that one day. Anyone have any ideas on how we as consumers can help make that happen?
I hadn't really thought of it that way. I do enjoy episodic television sometimes, but I'm mostly content with waiting for it to hit DVD and getting it a disc at a time from Netflix. I caught up on Dr. Who recently and have been working my way through The Borgias that way. That's something that doesn't really work with sports- somehow if the game isn't live or at least close to it, the suspense is just gone for me and most sports fans I know.
I don't know whether to be scared of that future or to hope to comes really soon. On the one hand, it could wind up making things cheaper (No general TV package to buy) and easily being able to guarantee one gets one's teams games all the time (Rather than missing certain channels that might telecast an occasional game). On the other hand, it could turn into something too exclusive where the equipment and the expense is out of reach of folks like me. Probably be somewhere in between, I guess. We'll have to wait and see. We're living in interesting times.
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Lifetime Supporter
Thanks to Fitch Ratings ( who gives the ratings on Credit and debt, as approved by the SEC, so they have accurate numbers) we have the totals.
DIRECTV's video subscriber base is the third-largest traditional multi-channel video programming distributor (MVPD) in the U.S. with about 8.2 million subscribers at the end of 1Q26.
The last time it was reported, it was 8.8M at the end of 2Q25, so only a 600,000 loss for 3 quarters, which is a major improvement, since for many years before that, it was losing 500,000 a quarter, 2 Million a year.
It is now losing less than Dish/Sling combined, I believe the Genre Packs are helping to retain and get subscribers.
DIRECTV's video subscriber base is the third-largest traditional multi-channel video programming distributor (MVPD) in the U.S. with about 8.2 million subscribers at the end of 1Q26.
The last time it was reported, it was 8.8M at the end of 2Q25, so only a 600,000 loss for 3 quarters, which is a major improvement, since for many years before that, it was losing 500,000 a quarter, 2 Million a year.
It is now losing less than Dish/Sling combined, I believe the Genre Packs are helping to retain and get subscribers.
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have you tried to call in and threaten to cancel and see how that works out??? have you tried going back onto directv.com and making a new acct for discounts posing as a new sub.. it worked for me when ATT destroyed it
I got a big discount for returning.have you tried to call in and threaten to cancel and see how that works out??? have you tried going back onto directv.com and making a new acct for discounts posing as a new sub.. it worked for me when ATT destroyed it
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, the deal breaker was id'e be stuck with an HR-54 and not an HS-17. and there's no more wired gemini's for new subs or that's what i was told. and billing and tech support is still in the ATT eco system
they offered me the new customer deals and a 300.00 prepaid visa to leave DISH along there were going to waive the 49.00 activation fee
, the deal breaker was id'e be stuck with an HR-54 and not an HS-17. and there's no more wired gemini's for new subs or that's what i was told. and billing and tech support is still in the ATT eco system
Personally, IF I ever went back with Sat, I would definitely take the HR54 ... but each set up is different from house to house, what works for you ... in reality, I would probably go streaming instead, as my needs have changed, I no longer need a portable recvr to use while camping.they offered me the new customer deals and a 300.00 prepaid visa to leave DISH along there were going to waive the 49.00 activation fee
I've had a H3 receiver for years but just recently began watching and recording 4k content. I'm consistently having the display revert to the upper left quarter of the screen after fast forwarding or pausing the playback of 4k recordings.
Some research I've done blames it on the Hopper as not having the processing power to quickly shift between the FF or pause playback formats and it leaves the playback device in a mode thinking that it's no longer receiving a 4k stream. So it displays the 1/4 image.
I've found that I can quickly recover back to a full screen 4k display by using the remote sequence Pause / Info / Resume.
I've tested this on two different monitors, but they're both LGs, so maybe it's the TVs, and not the Hopper? Is this a known problem? Anyone else experience this?
Some research I've done blames it on the Hopper as not having the processing power to quickly shift between the FF or pause playback formats and it leaves the playback device in a mode thinking that it's no longer receiving a 4k stream. So it displays the 1/4 image.
I've found that I can quickly recover back to a full screen 4k display by using the remote sequence Pause / Info / Resume.
I've tested this on two different monitors, but they're both LGs, so maybe it's the TVs, and not the Hopper? Is this a known problem? Anyone else experience this?
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Pub Member / Supporter
Pissed off at the crappy healthcare costs
My health Insurance renewal for 2027 just came in. Going from $827 a month to $1,187 a month. Deductible going up a $1k to $9,350. Max out of pocket also going up $1k to $11,000. Doctor co-pay of $40. Urgent Care co-pay $50. ER 50% coinsurance after deductible. That's all in network. Out of network is double, should it be needed.
Have to think about this. I'm really tempted to just go without now. I only go to the doctor once or twice a year. I pay out of pocket for Tirzepitide and can do without the Rosuvastatin (crestor) now. Really tired of spending over $10k a year and getting nothing out of it.
After years with Blue Cross I switched last year to Ambetter as my Blue Cross premium was going from $1200 to $1800 for a Silver plan and the Bronze plan was still going to be $1300 at BCBS. Ambetter was $827 for the same coverage with a Bronze plan. Didn't think it would jump this much so soon.
I'm guessing a Silver plan is probably over $2,000 a month for 2027.
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Such a scam. Healthcare.gov shows me cheaper individual plans available for 2027 from ambetter that ambetter doesn't show on their website. Looked it up. I've spent $68,000 in premiums the last 5 years and got nothing out of it except a few doctors visits and labs.
S
have you even been abroad. talk about the cost of health care the whole cost of living in merica is a scam. were taxed to death so bad everyone's a slave to the govt. explore the cost of living in other countries it might blow your mind!!!Such a scam. Healthcare.gov shows me cheaper individual plans available for 2027 from ambetter that ambetter doesn't show on their website. Looked it up. I've spent $68,000 in premiums the last 5 years and got nothing out of it except a few doctors visits and labs.
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Looks like dish is Bankrupt. Filling tomorrow Tuesday June 30th
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www.aboutamazon.com
Amazon to acquire Globalstar and expand Amazon Leo satellite network
Globalstar satellites, radio frequency spectrum, and operational expertise will enable Amazon Leo to add Direct-to-Device (D2D) services to future generations of its low Earth orbit satellite network.
www.aboutamazon.com
S
www.foxnews.com
SpaceX reportedly seeks 80,000 cell sites to become a wireless carrier | Fox News
SpaceX is reportedly pursuing 80,000 cell sites to turn Starlink into a wireless carrier that could compete with Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile for cell coverage.
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Can't remember where or who I saw predict this.
It wouldn't surprise me to see Elon soon own all of DISH / Echostar in the future.
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elon and charlie will have a sat phone network.. i just have a gut feeliingCan't remember where or who I saw predict this.
It wouldn't surprise me to see Elon soon own all of DISH / Echostar in the future.
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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....
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....
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Over the past few weeks, I have had problems connecting to streaming services (Netflix, HBO et al). When I go to the TV's native Channels, I have no problem. The Dish internet troubleshooter shows I have a good internet connection. I'm wondering whether it's an issue with my internet provider or a problem with the Dish software on the Hopper Plus. Anyone else seeing this?
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After having continuing trouble with my eight+ year old Dell Inspiron laptop I am looking to hopefully catch a good deal on new one. My options to buy is Costco and Sam's Club. It seems like a lot of new laptops are 2 in 1 which I do not need. I use the laptop to mainly surf the web and keep up with my finances, money and bills. I would like to have at least a 15" screen and having a touchscreen is a plus. The keyboard would need to lighted also. I don't game any. It would have to be Windows instead of and not Mac. The brands I see the most are Asus, Dell and HP. My two last laptops has been Dell's. Of these brands are there any standouts over the other brands. My budget (hopefully) is $600+-. Also while researching I noticed that do not have ethernet ports.
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I had an old Wireless Joey replaced by a Wireless Joey 4 (Android TV) - still have a Hopper 3 without the Hopper Plus. What do I have to do to get the EPG to show channel logos instead of "Dish"? This is annoying as hell and it's been this way for over a month…
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Pub Member / Supporter
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Was raining yesterday so I went to Sams up in Dothan to stock up on some things. Haven't been there in quite a while. I was amazed at how large most of the TVs were. When I walked in they had a 100 in Vizio (I think it was Vizio) that was marked down to something like $1,200. The first rows of TVs were all in the 80 in + sizes. The next couple of rows had the "smaller" models....those 75 and under. I was amazed at how small the 75s looked when lined up with the larger screens.
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I remember buying my 1st Sony .... a whopping Big 27" CRT XBR .... $1200.
Yep....because they weren't going to get any bigger and the CERTAINLY weren't going to get any cheaper.I remember buying my 1st Sony .... a whopping Big 27" CRT XBR .... $1200.
I remember MANY years ago I went into Sams Club and saw a thumb drive on sale for $49.88....the storage capacity was a whopping 256mb....yes, MB. I just KNEW that was as cheap as they could ever go and there was simply NO way they could fit any more memory into something that small.
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