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Protecting Satellite TV Subscribers, DISH Network and DIRECTV File Suit in Florida Challenging Constitutionality of Satellite Tax
Suit Claims Discrimination Against Satellite TV Subscribers
While Local Cable is Given Favorable Tax Treatment
ENGLEWOOD, Colo., and EL SEGUNDO, Calif., May 5, 2005 - Defending the rights of hundreds of thousands of satellite TV subscribers in Florida, DIRECTV Inc., and EchoStar Communications Corporation and its DISH Network, the leading providers of satellite TV service in the nation, have filed a lawsuit in the Florida Circuit Court for Leon County challenging the constitutionality of provisions in Florida's communications services tax law that discriminate against satellite TV services in favor of competing services sold by cable.Suit Claims Discrimination Against Satellite TV Subscribers
While Local Cable is Given Favorable Tax Treatment
"Satellite TV provides an affordable alternative to rising cable rates in states where the two services compete on a level playing field," said David Rayner, chief financial officer for EchoStar. "Florida residents have less robust competition in the pay-TV marketplace as a result of the cable-sponsored special tax placed on satellite service. We will continue to oppose unconstitutional and anti-consumer laws that put satellite at a competitive disadvantage to cable."
Under Florida's communications services tax law, satellite customers are forced to shoulder a substantially higher tax burden - 10.8 percent on retail sales - than their cable counterparts, who pay only 6.8 percent.
"This lawsuit is about protecting our customers - many of whom dropped cable for satellite television - throughout the state of Florida," said Mike Palkovic, chief financial officer, DIRECTV, Inc. "Why should they be penalized for choosing the only viable choice to cable? Imposing a statewide tax on satellite TV companies discriminates against interstate commerce in violation of the Commerce Clause of the U.S. Constitution. Beyond the legal implications, this satellite-only tax eliminates the level playing field and discourages fair, market-driven competition between satellite and cable TV providers operating in the state."
Unlike cable companies that must obtain franchises from local governments to use local, tax-supported infrastructure to transmit their programming, satellite TV companies receive their signals from satellites in space and thus don't need to dig up city streets and use public rights-of-way.
Under the Florida law, cable operators' franchise fees -- a cost of doing business -- are used to offset the cable companies' overall tax obligation. Satellite companies in contrast, pay the full amount of the tax, without any offsets. The result is added expense for satellite customers, compared with cable customers
While the majority of states do not discriminate between the taxation of satellite and cable television services, a handful of states have attempted to pass satellite tax legislation - usually with little success. The satellite television industry has aggressively pursued legal action against states imposing discriminatory taxes. DISH Network and DIRECTV encourage their customers and the hundreds of retailers in the state to contact the state agencies and legislators to voice their disapproval. Satellite TV subscribers across the country can visit www.stopsatellitetax.com for more information on how to stop unfair satellite TV taxes in their state.
About DIRECTV, Inc.
DIRECTV is the nation's leading and fastest-growing digital television service provider with 14.4 million customers. DIRECTV, the Cyclone Design logo are registered trademarks of DIRECTV, Inc. DIRECTV (NYSE: DTV), a world-leading provider of digital multichannel television entertainment services, is approximately 34 percent owned by News Corporation Ltd.
About EchoStar
EchoStar Communications Corporation serves more than 11.2 million satellite TV customers through its DISH Network(TM), the fastest growing U.S. provider of advanced digital television services in the last five years. DISH Network offers hundreds of video and audio channels, Interactive TV, HDTV, sports and international programming, together with professional installation and 24-hour customer service. DISH Network ranks No. 1 in Customer Satisfaction among Cable/Satellite TV Subscribers by J.D. Power and Associates. Visit EchoStar's DISH Network at www.dishnetwork.com or call 1-800-333-DISH (3474).
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Contact: Bob Marsocci Steve Caulk
DIRECTV, Inc. EchoStar Communications Corp.
(310) 726-4656 (303) 723-2010
Protecting Satellite TV Subscribers, DIRECTV and DISH Network File Suit in Kentucky Challenging Constitutionality of New Satellite Tax
Suit Claims Discrimination Against Satellite TV Subscribers
While Local Cable Companies Given Favorable Tax TreatmentSuit Claims Discrimination Against Satellite TV Subscribers
ENGLEWOOD, Colo., and EL SEGUNDO, Calif., May 5, 2005 - Defending the rights of hundreds of thousands of satellite TV subscribers in Kentucky, DIRECTV Inc., and EchoStar Communications Corporation and its DISH Network, the leading providers of satellite TV service in the nation, have filed suit in the U.S District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky, challenging the constitutionality of provisions of a tax law enacted last month that would impose discriminatory taxes against satellite TV services in favor of competing services sold by cable television companies.
"This lawsuit is about protecting our customers - many of whom dropped cable for satellite television - throughout the state of Kentucky," said Mike Palkovic, chief financial officer, DIRECTV, Inc. "Why should they be penalized for choosing the only viable choice to cable? Imposing a statewide tax on satellite TV companies discriminates against interstate commerce in violation of the Commerce Clause of the U.S. Constitution. Beyond the legal implications, this new law is simply unfair to Kentucky consumers who subscribe to satellite television, since they will bear the brunt of this new tax."
The new law superficially imposes the same rate of excise and gross revenue taxes on satellite companies as it does on cable; but in reality, satellite companies will be taxed at a substantially higher rate than their cable counterparts. Cable companies are using their local franchise fees - a simple cost of doing business that gives them the right to tear up city streets and use utility poles -- to offset the cable companies' overall tax obligation. Satellite companies, in contrast, pay the full amount of the tax, without any offsets. The result is added expense for satellite customers, compared with cable customers.
"Satellite TV provides an affordable alternative to rising cable rates in states where the two services compete on a level playing field," said David Rayner, chief financial officer for EchoStar. "Kentucky residents will have less robust competition in the pay-TV marketplace as a result of the cable-sponsored special tax recently placed on satellite service. We will continue to oppose unconstitutional and anti-consumer laws that put satellite at a competitive disadvantage to cable."
While the majority of states do not discriminate between the taxation of satellite and cable television services, a handful of states have attempted to pass satellite tax legislation - usually with little success. The satellite television industry has aggressively pursued legal action against states imposing discriminatory taxes. DISH Network and DIRECTV encourage their customers and the hundreds of retailers in the state to contact the state agencies and legislators to voice their disapproval. Satellite TV subscribers across the country can visit www.stopsatellitetax.com for more information on how to stop unfair satellite TV taxes in their state.
About DIRECTV, Inc.
DIRECTV is the nation's leading and fastest-growing digital television service provider with 14.4 million customers. DIRECTV and the Cyclone Design are registered trademarks of DIRECTV, Inc. DIRECTV (NYSE: DTV), a world-leading provider of digital multichannel television entertainment services, is approximately 34 percent owned by News Corporation Ltd.
About EchoStar
EchoStar Communications Corporation serves more than 11.2 million satellite TV customers through its DISH Network(TM), the fastest growing U.S. provider of advanced digital television services in the last five years. DISH Network offers hundreds of video and audio channels, Interactive TV, HDTV, sports and international programming, together with professional installation and 24-hour customer service. DISH Network ranks No. 1 in Customer Satisfaction among Cable/Satellite TV Subscribers by J.D. Power and Associates. Visit EchoStar's DISH Network at www.dishnetwork.com or call 1-800-333-DISH (3474).
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2298 views
TWiT Tech Podcast Network
Time for another AWESOME video from the TWIT Network!
View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/N2oPp-plZEw
Direct YouTube Link - Agentic AI Security: Why Unconstrained Agents Alarm CISOs #shorts
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed
View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/N2oPp-plZEw
Direct YouTube Link - Agentic AI Security: Why Unconstrained Agents Alarm CISOs #shorts
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed
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0 views
TWiT Tech Podcast Network
Time for another AWESOME video from the TWIT Network!
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fHY_0D10LGw
Direct YouTube Link - AI, Coding, and SpinRite
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fHY_0D10LGw
Direct YouTube Link - AI, Coding, and SpinRite
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed
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0 views
TWiT Tech Podcast Network
Time for another AWESOME video from the TWIT Network!
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w8ylZleSQCE
Direct YouTube Link - The OpenCode Cyberattack
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w8ylZleSQCE
Direct YouTube Link - The OpenCode Cyberattack
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed
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0 views
TWiT Tech Podcast Network
Time for another AWESOME video from the TWIT Network!
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uu8iBMhokOk
Direct YouTube Link - Apple's Foldable Phone Is Finally Here
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uu8iBMhokOk
Direct YouTube Link - Apple's Foldable Phone Is Finally Here
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed
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Staff member
HERE TO HELP YOU!
Cutting Edge
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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2676105 views
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!
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760 views
I remember this in the news too...
www.nbcnews.com
$14,000 spent on rented rotary phone
A widow rented a rotary dial telephone for 42 years, paying what her family calculates as more than $14,000 for a now- outdated phone.
www.nbcnews.com
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.I remember this in the news too...
$14,000 spent on rented rotary phone
A widow rented a rotary dial telephone for 42 years, paying what her family calculates as more than $14,000 for a now- outdated phone.
Lifetime Supporter
Schedule drops tomorrow. Mandatory mini camps in June. Hall of Fame game August 6th.
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2154 views
I haven't posted in almost 17 years. Over the air, sat, offline, anything-but-the-internet is still one of my avid pursuits. Been playing with offline tv viewing and offline web browsing. I have great appreciations for this site still being here. It's so hard to find public communities that haven't sold out to social media company.
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Pub Member / Supporter
Hello folks, well my luck ran out last week with a nasty thunderstorm and after 39 years here, finally took a hit. Now, the FTA receivers I had for some years worked great until now. Recently picked up a fairly cheap receiver, online, KOQIT and seems to be good, but for the life of me, I cannot get the HDMI output to work with 3 of my Samsung monitors. I can hook it up to my Samsung TV and its HDMI input and it works fine. The 2 receivers I lost also worked fine with them, so am I going crazy? anyone have come across this or have any suggestions? And, since this is a somewhat cheap unit but works, what is everyone out there using for receivers these days? without breaking the bank? I enjoy watching FTA TV, so I will invest more if needed, what is a really good, detailed unit these days. I'm so use to watching a few of them HD channels. Right now I'm down to composite hookups, yuck! Any help or info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Frank 
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1130 views
Take the cover off, show me pics of the board of the bad one and also the bottom of the board. I'm an old hardware electronics tech plus a satellite dealer; I fixed a lot of FTA and regular receivers. I may be able to fix it for you. And yes, they got hit by lightning; it's best to email me the pics at diamondsatellite@snet.net or call me at 203-232-8888. I give you a 50-50 chance of fixing it; I do have spare parts. my phone is a fliptop phoneHello folks, well my luck ran out last week with a nasty thunderstorm and after 39 years here, finally took a hit. Now, the FTA receivers I had for some years worked great until now. Recently picked up a fairly cheap receiver, online, KOQIT and seems to be good, but for the life of me, I cannot get the HDMI output to work with 3 of my Samsung monitors. I can hook it up to my Samsung TV and its HDMI input and it works fine. The 2 receivers I lost also worked fine with them, so am I going crazy? anyone have come across this or have any suggestions? And, since this is a somewhat cheap unit but works, what is everyone out there using for receivers these days? without breaking the bank? I enjoy watching FTA TV, so I will invest more if needed, what is a really good, detailed unit these days. I'm so use to watching a few of them HD channels. Right now I'm down to composite hookups, yuck! Any help or info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Frank
Gary
More room for the return of the Plague & Pestilence?
S
a good surge protector will help to.Hello folks, well my luck ran out last week with a nasty thunderstorm and after 39 years here, finally took a hit. Now, the FTA receivers I had for some years worked great until now. Recently picked up a fairly cheap receiver, online, KOQIT and seems to be good, but for the life of me, I cannot get the HDMI output to work with 3 of my Samsung monitors. I can hook it up to my Samsung TV and its HDMI input and it works fine. The 2 receivers I lost also worked fine with them, so am I going crazy? anyone have come across this or have any suggestions? And, since this is a somewhat cheap unit but works, what is everyone out there using for receivers these days? without breaking the bank? I enjoy watching FTA TV, so I will invest more if needed, what is a really good, detailed unit these days. I'm so use to watching a few of them HD channels. Right now I'm down to composite hookups, yuck! Any help or info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Frank
Pub Member / Supporter
Now that I'm retired, obviously I have different health care insurance. I take 2 prescriptions. With my old insurance I didn't have to pay for either of them, now I do. It's not a huge amount but it led me to dig a little into the cost of prescription medications. I have been using Walgreens for the longest time. But what I found was that Walgreens price is 4.8 times more for one of my prescriptions and the other is 2.3 percent more compared to the lowest price pharmacy. If you pay for prescription medications you might want to have a look at trumprx and see if you can get a lower price.
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84 views
Actually I take just 2 prescriptions, Atorvastatin and Lisinopril. They cost me $6 each for 100 pills. Next year that will be nothing.That's ok. I probably take enough for the two of us.
God knows what Bobby takes. Maybe so much they count as a meal?
