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navychop
Pub Member / Supporter Lifetime Supporter
Last reply · posted in Blockbuster At Home Support
Over the holidays, somehow we lost the return mailer to our Dish/BB disc. No problem, I'll just drop it off at a local BB store. They wouldn't take it without the mailer, which apparently has an important bar code on it. So I went to the BB site online and looked at the FAQs. First, they say just wait for your next disc, and return both in the next mailer. Well, I only have the 1 disc out at a time plan, so that's a non-starter. And brings into question the value of that bar code.

The next suggestion is to go to the Que, and next to the disc out select Report Problem. Then select "I lost or damaged the return envelope." This brings up the option of e-mailing them using an online form. Fine. Except here's where it gets interesting. You enter some ID, and a subject line, and fill in a narrative block. You also are to select a category under a drop down labeled "Blockbuster @Home." Only there are no drop down options. Hmmm. Ok, hit Continue anyway. Which, of course brings up the error message: "Category - Please select an item under Blockbuster @Home." Of course, there's still nothing to select and no way to override and submit. Sigh. On to Plan D, calling on the phone.

I discover the option levels when calling have deepened. But, with a little patience I got thru to a human. I know it was a human because no one would make an AI so clueless. I've generally had good experiences with Dish on the phone, but this guy? He was a bit difficult to understand, and not because English might not be his first language. I'm pretty sure English IS his first language. I think the guy was just unable to communicate well, and had no idea what I was talking about or how the system works. OK- the first string is not likely to be manning the January 1 night shift. After about 3 tries I MIGHT have gotten an envelope to be sent to me. Not sure, because he kept insisting on it's for my "first disc." Must be in the script. And he seemed to say it would be 7-10 days for me to get it. And did not seem to understand it was for me to return the disc, kept referring to sending me "the" disc. ??? I guess the best way to describe the conversation (no Chat option at BB) would be to parody it: "I need a new return envelope." "I can send you a disc." "No, I have the disc, I just need to return it." "Ok, you can return it after 7-10 days." .......

OK, not too bad of an experience, IF we actually GET the proper return envelope. But Dish/BB should really fix that flaw in the site. And there was no way to alert the webmaster. And they don't want to just give me an address to mail the thing back to. Heck, the inner sleeve, which we still have, has a bar code and I'd think that would be enough.

I've got a feeling it might be a long time before I get my next SG-1 disc. Now, to tear this house apart again, hoping to find that envelope.
8 Replies · 2708 views
G
I would have tried the online chat before calling. Your problem is usually better understood as well as taking less time, both in the initial wait and conversation time.
lucky86
All the discs I have right now are from in store rentals so I can't see what options you would have if you have a disc out by mail. But I also have lost mailers in the past. From what I remember, when I chose the option to return the disc in the same mailer as the next disc, Blockbuster sent me out the next disc in my queue right away and I put them both in the same sleeve when I sent them back. Thats odd that its not working for you. I would honestly call blockbuster directly and ask them for assistance. The dish CSR is just going to tell you to do what you already tried. Blockbuster: (866) 692-2789
yaz96
Over the holidays, somehow we lost the return mailer to our Dish/BB disc. No problem, I'll just drop it off at a local BB store. They wouldn't take it without the mailer, which apparently has an important bar code on it. So I went to the BB site online and looked at the FAQs. First, they say just wait for your next disc, and return both in the next mailer. Well, I only have the 1 disc out at a time plan, so that's a non-starter. And brings into question the value of that bar code.

The next suggestion is to go to the Que, and next to the disc out select Report Problem. Then select "I lost or damaged the return envelope." This brings up the option of e-mailing them using an online form. Fine. Except here's where it gets interesting. You enter some ID, and a subject line, and fill in a narrative block. You also are to select a category under a drop down labeled "Blockbuster @Home." Only there are no drop down options. Hmmm. Ok, hit Continue anyway. Which, of course brings up the error message: "Category - Please select an item under Blockbuster @Home." Of course, there's still nothing to select and no way to override and submit. Sigh. On to Plan D, calling on the phone.

I discover the option levels when calling have deepened. But, with a little patience I got thru to a human. I know it was a human because no one would make an AI so clueless. I've generally had good experiences with Dish on the phone, but this guy? He was a bit difficult to understand, and not because English might not be his first language. I'm pretty sure English IS his first language. I think the guy was just unable to communicate well, and had no idea what I was talking about or how the system works. OK- the first string is not likely to be manning the January 1 night shift. After about 3 tries I MIGHT have gotten an envelope to be sent to me. Not sure, because he kept insisting on it's for my "first disc." Must be in the script. And he seemed to say it would be 7-10 days for me to get it. And did not seem to understand it was for me to return the disc, kept referring to sending me "the" disc. ??? I guess the best way to describe the conversation (no Chat option at BB) would be to parody it: "I need a new return envelope." "I can send you a disc." "No, I have the disc, I just need to return it." "Ok, you can return it after 7-10 days." .......

OK, not too bad of an experience, IF we actually GET the proper return envelope. But Dish/BB should really fix that flaw in the site. And there was no way to alert the webmaster. And they don't want to just give me an address to mail the thing back to. Heck, the inner sleeve, which we still have, has a bar code and I'd think that would be enough.

I've got a feeling it might be a long time before I get my next SG-1 disc. Now, to tear this house apart again, hoping to find that envelope.

are you really surprised?
navychop
I would have tried the online chat before calling. Your problem is usually better understood as well as taking less time, both in the initial wait and conversation time.

(no Chat option at BB)

BB does not offer that. But using the Dish one would work, I guess, since the phone call went to Dish anyway.
navychop
All the discs I have right now are from in store rentals so I can't see what options you would have if you have a disc out by mail. But I also have lost mailers in the past. From what I remember, when I chose the option to return the disc in the same mailer as the next disc, Blockbuster sent me out the next disc in my queue right away and I put them both in the same sleeve when I sent them back. Thats odd that its not working for you. I would honestly call blockbuster directly and ask them for assistance. The dish CSR is just going to tell you to do what you already tried. Blockbuster: (866) 692-2789

Now that's a thought, I might just do that.
navychop
are you really surprised?

I've had good experience calling, but you're right, many have not.
navychop
IT'S A MIRACLE!

The return mailer showed up today. Of course, there was no bar code on it outside of the Post Office one, but it WAS marked "Replacement Mailer" so maybe a bar code could have gone in that spot.
GaryPen
From what I remember, when I chose the option to return the disc in the same mailer as the next disc, Blockbuster sent me out the next disc in my queue right away and I put them both in the same sleeve when I sent them back.
But, as he said, he's on 1-disk-at-a-time plan, which means there is no next disc and mailer until he returns the disc he already has out.
Scott Greczkowski
Staff member HERE TO HELP YOU! Cutting Edge
Last reply · posted in SiriusXM Satellite Radio
Some of the channels start next week.

3 Replies · 11 views
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comfortably_numb
My favorite is probably Holiday Pops.
TRG
TRG
It's not even Halloween yet.
Scott Greczkowski
I like the Jimmy Fallon channel. This will be its third year. I like that it's all fresh each year. Also fun when he pops on live from time to time.
dishstaller
Pub Member / Supporter Lifetime Supporter
Last reply · posted in The Chit Chat Club
Terrible tragedy. You would think that they would have safe guards in place that would prevent something like this from happening. I guess if you are going to ride in a passenger train it might be best to get a car near the rear.

1 Replies · 12 views
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Jimbo
Terrible tragedy. You would think that they would have safe guards in place that would prevent something like this from happening. I guess if you are going to ride in a passenger train it might be best to get a car near the rear.

They will have to look at the switching sections to determine WHY 2 trains were on the same track ... at the same time.
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....
68644 Replies · 2679520 views
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gms49ers
Show Don't Tell - Rush
harshness
Show and Tell - Al Wilson
sdfntx
On with the Show - The Rolling Stones
gms49ers
The Show Must Go On - Pink Floyd
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Bobby
If Love Must Go - Dobie Gray
osu1991
Pub Member / Supporter
Last reply · posted in The Chit Chat Club
4 Replies · 68 views
Bobby
Rest in peace.
sdfntx
Sorry to hear this. R.I.P.
FTA4PA
R.I.P.
dishstaller
My Mom was a huge McMillan & Wife fan.

RIP
TRG
TRG
Pub Member / Supporter
Last reply · posted in Local Radio Discussion
22 Replies · 692 views
dishdude
It's probably been 2 decades since I've listened to an AM radio station. Very rarely listen to FM any more.
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dishstaller
Very rarely listen to FM any more
That goes for a lot of people. I've been advertising on radio for more than a decade now and am very familiar with this subject. While it is still a valuable tool, it has far less impact than it did just a few years ago. The best reaction I get is from a local Country music station....they play a mix of older and newer music and have a very big footprint.
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Jimbo
That goes for a lot of people. I've been advertising on radio for more than a decade now and am very familiar with this subject. While it is still a valuable tool, it has far less impact than it did just a few years ago. The best reaction I get is from a local Country music station....they play a mix of older and newer music and have a very big footprint.
Do you do any Ad's on Satellite ?

If Not, why not, because it's not Local ?
dishstaller
Do you do any Ad's on Satellite ?

If Not, why not, because it's not Local ?
No, just regular FM stations. One is the country station I mentioned and the other is a Talk Radio station which used to get fantastic results but honestly, since the death of Rush Limbaugh, talk radio just doesn't do as well. There were two guys who had an early morning show which was hugely popular here in the southeast but one of them retired a couple years ago and the show just doesn't garner the same numbers as it used to.
S
Haven't listened AM or FM in years
harshness
If Not, why not, because it's not Local ?
You knew the answer before you asked it.

I can't recall having encountered a local ad on Sirius, and I don't imagine it is any different on XM.
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Gary Toma
Staff member Pub Member / Supporter Cutting Edge
Last reply · posted in DIRECTV Technical Resources Forum
The TPN Map Excel Presents all DIRECTV Channels:
​
National (50-States or wide/NAT+PR beams)
Local (Local-Into-Local or narrow/Spot beams)
​
Additional tabs provide:​
OTA the (Over-The-Air) Database
VOD (Video On_Demand) Records
Offline Records
Engr Records
Net Decoder a graphic presentation of all satellites and transponders
​
Domestic Satellites
@99W...... D11, D14
@101W.... D16
@103W.... D12, D15
@110W.... D5
@119W.... D8​

Understanding the TPN Map

Making Sense of the TPN Map Display Conventions
2168 Replies · 943772 views
dtv757
For those dazn nba channels are they sat only or sat & streaming
K
Both, and they just made it official with a multiyear deal that also includes TV Everywhere authentication for the DAZN app, and commercial distribution.

DIRECTV, the premier provider of digital television entertainment in the United States, and DAZN, the world's leading sports entertainment platform, today announced a new multi-year distribution agreement for local telecasts of Cleveland Cavaliers, Indiana Pacers, Memphis Grizzlies, Minnesota Timberwolves, and San Antonio Spurs games for DIRECTV streaming, satellite, and U-verse customers in each team's respective NBA-designated home territories.

These DAZN telecasts will be available to DIRECTV customers who subscribe to the Choice or higher packages and to U-verse TV customers who subscribe to the U200 or higher package. Each of DAZN's team services provides live pregame, postgame, and in-game coverage for the respective team.

In the coming weeks, customers who receive access to these teams via DIRECTV will also be able to login to the DAZN platform at no additional cost using their DIRECTV login credentials.

This agreement also provides distribution rights to each of the five NBA teams to all of DIRECTV FOR BUSINESS' thousands of sports bars, restaurants, fitness clubs, and other commercial venues located within each team's respective region.
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D
DirecTV Satellite Transponder Updates for Oct 28 2026

Comparison of Transponder Data for Oct 28 2026 vs Oct 21 2026:


No changes in system tables for any transponder tuning parameters.

Changes to the use of defined transponders:

1 Transponder cleared of all Streams::
Net 15 TID 12 Beam NAT is a National Transponder on D12@103ca, TPN 13

2 Previously unused Transponders with current APG records::
Net 0 TID 28 Beam NAT + PR is a National Transponder on D16@101, TPN 29
Net 10 TID 126 Beam NAT is a National Transponder on D11@99cb, TPN 3

Stream (PID) counts:

LIVE Streams​
National​
Spot Beams​
Count​
Change​
Count​
Change​
4K​
4​
​
​
​
HD​
264​
​
1449​
​
SD mpeg4​
144​
-1​
194​
​
SD mpeg2​
434​
1​
​
​
RB​
​
​
​
​
Audio​
89​
​
​
​
Push​
26​
​
​
​
Slate​
19​
​
1​
​
​
TEST Streams​
National​
Spot Beams​
Count​
Change​
Count​
Change​
4K​
​
​
​
​
HD​
​
​
1​
​
SD mpeg4​
​
​
​
​
SD mpeg2​
​
​
​
​
RB​
​
​
​
​
Engr Work​
38​
​
​
​
​


The PID count Excel workbook provides much more count detail.

Newly updated tables of Streams on each transponder are available in the DataDigesters TPN Grids

More details of changes in individual channels will follow in the Weekly Analysis
and Gary Toma's Domestic TPN Map Excel files
A few remaps
Weekly Analysis soon
Enjoy
DataDigesters
D
Weekly Analysis for 10/28/2026:
K
ElectionHQ mixes testing with BBC News, CNBC, CNN, FBN, FNC, MSNOW, NewsMax and NewsNation

Some more reshuffles

Updating the TMSIDs for KSBI and KQCW to use the cable feeds with Thunder games instead of the OTA feeds

An additional commercial PPV channel is now on 9530
TWiT Tech Podcast Network
· posted in TWiT Tech Podcast Network
0 Replies · 22 views
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.
175 Replies · 5139 views
S
Even if you are broadcasting old SD-only shows, I would think advertisers would still want their commercials to look good.
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Jimbo
Even if you are broadcasting old SD-only shows, I would think advertisers would still want their commercials to look good.
Advertisers on SD channels are probably Far and Few, very hard to find, they have very few viewers to watch them.
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Mister B
Advertisers on SD channels are probably Far and Few, very hard to find, they have very few viewers to watch them.
I watch mostly SD channels (H&I, Start and ION, etc.). There are plenty of advertisers, this time of the year it is mostly Medicare Advantage plans, auto extended warranties and the occasional walk-in-tub. They know who is watching.
S
I watch mostly SD channels (H&I, Start and ION, etc.). There are plenty of advertisers, this time of the year it is mostly Medicare Advantage plans, auto extended warranties and the occasional walk-in-tub. They know who is watching.
can't forget the little blue m&m's
charlesrshell
can't forget the little blue m&m's
That's what my wife calls my Viagra!!
T
Why didn't Charlie end up launching starlink
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S
That's what my wife calls my Viagra!!
My gf is 29 years younger than me :shh
Almighty1
Why didn't Charlie end up launching starlink
He does not have the resources aka $$$ compared to Elon Musk as in reality, Elon can eat Charlie for lunch or even mop the floor with Charlie if he wanted to.
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S
ment to 20 yrs dam phone
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BradleyD
Dish should use both satellite and internet like they do now for all channels. Use either or or both.... like now but subscribers could choose something like internet only, or sat only, or both.
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S
Dish should use both satellite and internet like they do now for all channels. Use either or or both.... like now but subscribers could choose something like internet only, or sat only, or both.
They have sling tv wich sucks ass it needs a major upgrade
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