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Last reply May 11, 2018 · posted in DIRECTV General Forum

DOJ Wants AT&T To Sell DTV Or Turner

I know their was speculation about this when the deal was first announced but this makes its official because the post trial brief was unsealed today. DOJ said AT&T should sell either DTV or the Turner channels to get the deal approved.

DOJ wants Turner properties spun off if AT&T deal is approved

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Claude Greiner

May 9, 2018

I think AT&T is too invested in Directv to just sell them off.

Part of the whole reason why AT&T bought Directv was to have another product and service to sell to customers in a bundle so they can tighten their grip on that customer and stop customers from churn.

AT&T wants your cell phone business, home internet and Tv service. They want home phone also but nobody wants a home phone these days.

There will be a point where Directv doesn't make any sense to use satellites. A few things will have to happen.

#1 AT&T must install fiber to every customer in their foot print.

#2 Directv now needs to go to an internet based set top box solution. Literally plug the genie into eithernet and not connect the satellite.

#3 enough internet providers must offer faster internet so any customers outside of the AT&T footprint can get Directv now.

#4 5g technology must be deployed, where AT&T can use Directv now technology to serve customers via the cellular network.

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NashGuy

May 9, 2018

Claude Greiner said:
I think AT&T is too invested in Directv to just sell them off.

Part of the whole reason why AT&T bought Directv was to have another product and service to sell to customers in a bundle so they can tighten their grip on that customer and stop customers from churn.

AT&T wants your cell phone business, home internet and Tv service. They want home phone also but nobody wants a home phone these days.

There will be a point where Directv doesn't make any sense to use satellites. A few things will have to happen.

#1 AT&T must install fiber to every customer in their foot print.

#2 Directv now needs to go to an internet based set top box solution. Literally plug the genie into eithernet and not connect the satellite.

#3 enough internet providers must offer faster internet so any customers outside of the AT&T footprint can get Directv now.

#4 5g technology must be deployed, where AT&T can use Directv now technology to serve customers via the cellular network.

Yeah, I would agree that AT&T isn't anywhere near the point -- yet -- where they would be OK with spinning off DTV satellite service. It still accounts for a huge majority of their pay TV subs and all those accounts give AT&T a seat at the "big boys' table" when it comes to negotiations with channel providers. But AT&T also knows that satellite TV's best days are behind it at this point. They also know that the traditional cable TV bundle is beginning to crumble a bit (smaller bundles and more a la carte options exist) and average prices are coming down, putting pressure on margins for distributors like AT&T.

So what technology can currently replace satellite as a nationwide pay TV distribution system? The only option is OTT TV -- streaming over the internet to any device, regardless of who provides the internet service (i.e. it could be AT&T or Comcast or T-Mobile or Verizon or Charter, etc.). AT&T is done with managed IPTV -- Uverse TV -- because (among other reasons) it's restricted to deployment over their own wireline home internet network. AT&T needs a next-gen TV system that is nationwide (to transition as many of those nationwide satellite subs over to as possible, and also to bundle with their nationwide wireless phone service). Their wireline footprint is not nationwide -- it's basically just the South, the Midwest, plus California. So the only possible successor to satellite TV is OTT TV. (And because of the internet-based nature of OTT TV, it also allows for the dynamic insertion of more lucrative targeted ads, an advantage it has over satellite.)

I generally agree with your points. Specifically:

#1. AT&T doesn't necessarily need fiber throughout their entire footprint but they do need to upgrade homes from slow legacy DSL to speeds fast enough to sustain OTT streaming video plus other internet activity. So that could be fiber-to-the-home, or fiber-to-the-node (formerly branded as "Uverse internet"), or fixed 5G. On their recent quarterly call, AT&T said they only have 800,000 homes left on legacy DSL, down from 4.5 million four years ago. Meanwhile, they are continuing to aggressively expand their fiber-to-the-home network, which is now available to about 8 million locations and is targeted to hit 12.5 million by the middle of 2019.

#2. Yes, I agree about the need for an AT&T-supplied STB for their OTT TV service and AT&T has said they plan to roll that out late this year. (The CEO refers to it as their "home-centric" OTT TV service.) I think it may be marketed/branded as a different service from DTV Now but it will use the same underlying distribution platform. Here's a link to the STB that AT&T submitted to the FCC months ago which may be what they offer customers. Yes, it will be a simple self-install, just plug it in and connect it to your home network/internet via either wifi or ethernet. DirecTV to Launch Android TV-Based OTT Set-Top Box (EXCLUSIVE)

#3. This isn't really a problem. According to the following report (see chart 5), 89% of Americans in mid-2016 (two years ago) had at least one wired broadband internet provider with download speeds of 25 Mbps or greater available to them. (AT&T recommends a minimum 12 Mbps connection at home for DTV Now users.) 25 Mbps is fast enough to support 2 or 3 simultaneous DTV Now streams at its top HD quality (although in a multi-person household with lots of other folks online at the same time, a higher download speed may be needed). That said, it is true that a significant number of rural Americans do not have a broadband provider available where they live. That's why AT&T has said that satellite TV will shift to being mainly a product targeted at rural dwellers.
https://www.ustelecom.org/sites/default/files/US Broadband Availability Mid-2016 formatted.pdf

#4. 5G connections (whether mobile or fixed home) will certainly provide greater bandwidth for watching video. But today's 4G LTE connections from AT&T and others are already up to the task of allowing mobile viewing of services like DTV Now. Here are AT&T's stated bandwidth requirements for DTV Now:

150 Kbps - 2.5 Mbps - Minimum broadband connection speed for Mobile devices
2.5 - 7.5 Mbps - Recommended for HD quality

So, given all the above, I'd say AT&T is pretty much ready to begin pushing OTT as their primary TV distribution platform. They just need to finish developing their new streaming platform, which is finishing up beta testing for DTV Now currently.

slice1900

May 9, 2018

NashGuy said:
This isn't really a problem. According to the following report (see chart 5), 89% of Americans in mid-2016 (two years ago) had at least one wired broadband internet provider with download speeds of 25 Mbps or greater available to them. (AT&T recommends a minimum 12 Mbps connection at home for DTV Now users.) 25 Mbps is fast enough to support 2 or 3 simultaneous DTV Now streams at its top HD quality (although in a multi-person household with lots of other folks online at the same time, a higher download speed may be needed). That said, it is true that a significant number of rural Americans do not have a broadband provider available where they live. That's why AT&T has said that satellite TV will shift to being mainly a product targeted at rural dwellers.
https://www.ustelecom.org/sites/default/files/US Broadband Availability Mid-2016 formatted.pdf

That quotes advertised speeds. If they checked what speed they were actually getting during peak evening hours (when most people will want to watch TV) the numbers would look quite a bit different, and for 'live' streaming like DTV Now (as opposed to prepackaged streams like Netflix where the app can buffer many minutes ahead) other users in the household can affect you (i.e. when they load a big web page) much more easily if you don't have a lot of headroom.

NashGuy

May 9, 2018

slice1900 said:
That quotes advertised speeds. If they checked what speed they were actually getting during peak evening hours (when most people will want to watch TV) the numbers would look quite a bit different, and for 'live' streaming like DTV Now (as opposed to prepackaged streams like Netflix where the app can buffer many minutes ahead) other users in the household can affect you (i.e. when they load a big web page) much more easily if you don't have a lot of headroom.

I've done lots of speed tests over the years in the prime evening viewing hours on both Comcast and AT&T and my speeds were almost always at or above (the vast majority of the time, above) the quoted download speed for my service tier.

I know you want to believe that there's just no way that AT&T can successfully shift millions of their pay TV customers over to OTT streaming. But the reality is that millions more people than use D* satellite are already successfully streaming OTT video from Netflix, YouTube, Amazon, Hulu, HBO, Showtime, Sling TV, YouTube TV, PS Vue and other sources every evening. And the available amount of bandwidth in our networks is only ever going to rise in response to Americans' increasing internet usage.

Jackonearth

May 9, 2018

AT&T said not long ago they would be launching another streaming TV service this summer, this one without the Directv brand. Maybe they were already planning to drop Directv?

Jimbo

May 9, 2018

Jackonearth said:
AT&T said not long ago they would be launching another streaming TV service this summer, this one without the Directv brand. Maybe they were already planning to drop Directv?

No ....
That would be the ATT branded streaming service ...
Its been talked about here quite a bit.

slice1900

May 10, 2018

NashGuy said:
I've done lots of speed tests over the years in the prime evening viewing hours on both Comcast and AT&T and my speeds were almost always at or above (the vast majority of the time, above) the quoted download speed for my service tier.

That's great for you, but that is TOTALLY dependent on where you are. Talk to Comcast or AT&T customers in other locations and you'll get a completely different story. Places that have completed a DOCSIS 3.1 upgrade or have fiber to the home should be fine, but that's nowhere near 89% of the country.

NashGuy

May 10, 2018

Jimbo said:
No ....
That would be the ATT branded streaming service ...
Its been talked about here quite a bit.

Are you referring to the "AT&T Watch" service that was announced by the AT&T CEO during this testimony in the current merger trial? That's the new $15 bundle of channels that won't include any sports channels. I think it was later reported that it wouldn't include any locals either. I'm sure it will basically boil down to the Turner channels plus other popular channels that aren't owned by ABC/Disney, NBC/Comcast, Fox or CBS. So it'll look a lot like the Turner nets plus several of the nets on Philo.

But I can't figure out why AT&T would want to launch the new $15 bundle as an entirely separate service/app/brand, though. Why not make it the starter tier within DTV Now, which would make it far easier to later upsell customers to any of the larger, more expensive bundles already available in DTV Now? That's why I've been predicting that AT&T Watch will actually be the new brand name for all of DTV Now. (I'm guessing that the CEO accidentally let the new name slip on the stand.) Once the updated DTV Now app, with cloud DVR and the new UI, debuts sometime before the end of June, it will also include the new $15 starter bundle and the whole thing will get rebranded as AT&T Watch. Probably makes more sense from a marketing perspective anyway. As things stand now, they have to explain to folks that "No, you don't have to put a dish on your roof to subscribe to DTV Now." Plus, if AT&T is forced to sell off their satellite service, well, at least their shiny new OTT service would no longer share a brand name with it.

Now, beyond AT&T Watch, there's another brand name that AT&T recently registered, "AT&T TV". I think that's going to be like a higher-end version of DTV Now aimed more at traditional cable TV subscribers who mainly watch at home and want a dedicated STB and remote control to come with the service. AT&T TV will effectively replace Uverse TV and, since it will be OTT and available nationwide to anyone with a home broadband connection, it will eventually replace D* satellite as well, although it will take several years to get the bulk of satellite subscribers transitioned over to it. But once that happens, I could easily see AT&T dumping their satellite TV business. At some point, someone is going to end up with possession of both the D* and E* satellite TV businesses, just as Sirius and XM satellite radio ended up merging. The market just won't be big enough to sustain two separate operators.

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NashGuy

May 10, 2018

slice1900 said:
That's great for you, but that is TOTALLY dependent on where you are. Talk to Comcast or AT&T customers in other locations and you'll get a completely different story. Places that have completed a DOCSIS 3.1 upgrade or have fiber to the home should be fine, but that's nowhere near 89% of the country.

And yet it doesn't seem to be holding Netflix back. If OTT distribution works for them, it can work for AT&T too.

Jimbo

May 10, 2018

NashGuy said:
Are you referring to the "AT&T Watch" service that was announced by the AT&T CEO during this testimony in the current merger trial? That's the new $15 bundle of channels that won't include any sports channels. I think it was later reported that it wouldn't include any locals either. I'm sure it will basically boil down to the Turner channels plus other popular channels that aren't owned by ABC/Disney, NBC/Comcast, Fox or CBS. So it'll look a lot like the Turner nets plus several of the nets on Philo.

But I can't figure out why AT&T would want to launch the new $15 bundle as an entirely separate service/app/brand, though. Why not make it the starter tier within DTV Now, which would make it far easier to later upsell customers to any of the larger, more expensive bundles already available in DTV Now? That's why I've been predicting that AT&T Watch will actually be the new brand name for all of DTV Now. (I'm guessing that the CEO accidentally let the new name slip on the stand.) Once the updated DTV Now app, with cloud DVR and the new UI, debuts sometime before the end of June, it will also include the new $15 starter bundle and the whole thing will get rebranded as AT&T Watch. Probably makes more sense from a marketing perspective anyway. As things stand now, they have to explain to folks that "No, you don't have to put a dish on your roof to subscribe to DTV Now." Plus, if AT&T is forced to sell off their satellite service, well, at least their shiny new OTT service would no longer share a brand name with it.

Now, beyond AT&T Watch, there's another brand name that AT&T recently registered, "AT&T TV". I think that's going to be like a higher-end version of DTV Now aimed more at traditional cable TV subscribers who mainly watch at home and want a dedicated STB and remote control to come with the service. AT&T TV will effectively replace Uverse TV and, since it will be OTT and available nationwide to anyone with a home broadband connection, it will eventually replace D* satellite as well, although it will take several years to get the bulk of satellite subscribers transitioned over to it. But once that happens, I could easily see AT&T dumping their satellite TV business. At some point, someone is going to end up with possession of both the D* and E* satellite TV businesses, just as Sirius and XM satellite radio ended up merging. The market just won't be big enough to sustain two separate operators.

I don't know ANYONE that would go for that $15 package as the MAIN TV programming, theres next to nothing in it. Particularly if its true that the locals are not in it either.

I don't see them selling D* or D Now.
Remember that that $35 package of channels on D* Now is just the beginning, those prices will be going up as well.... there will come a time in the near future that streaming will cost just as much as the Cable /Sat bill.

slice1900

May 11, 2018

NashGuy said:
And yet it doesn't seem to be holding Netflix back. If OTT distribution works for them, it can work for AT&T too.

C'mon, I KNOW you know the difference between live and prepackaged streaming, right? Netflix can buffer many minutes ahead so it can survive hiccups in your internet connection far better.

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NashGuy

May 11, 2018

slice1900 said:
C'mon, I KNOW you know the difference between live and prepackaged streaming, right? Netflix can buffer many minutes ahead so it can survive hiccups in your internet connection far better.

Sure, I understand that live streaming is more challenging. I also know that lots of smart engineers and lots of money on edge cloud hardware, interconnection agreements, etc. are working to overcome that challenge.

The proof is ultimately in the pudding. Tell me about your personal experience using DTV Now or other live streaming vMPVDs., not your theoretical objections as to why live OTT services can't ever work well or be a viable alternative in the marketplace vs. traditional cable/satellite/telco TV.

I can tell you about mine, as a beta tester for DTV Now. Throughout Feb., Apr., and May, it's been WAY more reliable for live TV than satellite (either D* or E*) ever were for me. I could count on one hand the number of times when a live channel failed to begin streaming in a timely manner on DTV Now. (And even then, it was just a very momentary fluke, remedied by switching channels and then back.) My only real gripe was with the cloud DVR, which they were/are still developing, although that's gotten better. But for live TV (which is actually behind by about 60 seconds), DTV Now has been very solid, with HD picture quality that blows Comcast out of the water and is probably slightly better overall than D* satellite.

And again, AT&T and the other vMVPDs are still relatively new. They're continually learning and improving their services, and as more subscribers join, more money is poured into improving the platforms.

The future of all video is OTT unicast streams for on-demand/cloud DVR and at least some live linear channels, with multicast streams being used for some popular live linear channels where technically feasible and efficient (e.g. when the viewer is connected to a network owned by the vMVPD).

NashGuy

May 11, 2018

Jimbo said:
I don't know ANYONE that would go for that $15 package as the MAIN TV programming, theres next to nothing in it. Particularly if its true that the locals are not in it either.

Then you probably don't know any cord-cutters. Look, there a lot of younger folks out there who no longer even watch traditional TV channels. Netflix, YouTube, maybe HBO, and they're good. Some of those folks would be happy to add an inexpensive package of channels that gets them CNN, TBS, TNT, plus lifestyle programming from HGTV, Food, scripted series from AMC, etc.

And then there are cord-cutters who already get their locals for free with an antenna. This $15 package would make a very nice complement to that -- think about it, it would be a lot like what cable TV looked like back in the 80s, back before the number of channels exploded. Is it for big sports fans? No, since there's no ESPN, FS1, NBCSN, various RSNs, etc. But half of the US viewing public doesn't care that much about sports anyhow. And keep in mind that AT&T lets you add HBO to their packages for another $5/mo. If that extends to this new $15 package, wow, that's a great deal. (Also, this $15 package will be free for AT&T's most expensive unlimited mobile wireless customers.)

Imagine if AT&T followed in the footsteps of Sling TV, which offers the $130 AirTV Player that lets you integrate local OTA channels with Sling's streaming channels. If there were a similar device that you could buy for DTV Now/AT&T Watch, you could conceivably pay just $20 a month for your local HD channels plus HBO, CNN, TBS, TNT, and maybe 30 other popular channels, and all of it would be integrated into one UI on a single box. Plug in a USB hard drive to record the OTA stuff and use cloud DVR to record the OTT channels. If executed and marketed properly, that could have huge uptake.

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Jimbo

May 11, 2018

NashGuy said:
Then you probably don't know any cord-cutters. Look, there a lot of younger folks out there who no longer even watch traditional TV channels. Netflix, YouTube, maybe HBO, and they're good. Some of those folks would be happy to add an inexpensive package of channels that gets them CNN, TBS, TNT, plus lifestyle programming from HGTV, Food, scripted series from AMC, etc.

And then there are cord-cutters who already get their locals for free with an antenna. This $15 package would make a very nice complement to that -- think about it, it would be a lot like what cable TV looked like back in the 80s, back before the number of channels exploded. Is it for big sports fans? No, since there's no ESPN, FS1, NBCSN, various RSNs, etc. But half of the US viewing public doesn't care that much about sports anyhow. And keep in mind that AT&T lets you add HBO to their packages for another $5/mo. If that extends to this new $15 package, wow, that's a great deal. (Also, this $15 package will be free for AT&T's most expensive unlimited mobile wireless customers.)

Imagine if AT&T followed in the footsteps of Sling TV, which offers the $130 AirTV Player that lets you integrate local OTA channels with Sling's streaming channels. If there were a similar device that you could buy for DTV Now/AT&T Watch, you could conceivably pay just $20 a month for your local HD channels plus HBO, CNN, TBS, TNT, and maybe 30 other popular channels, and all of it would be integrated into one UI on a single box. Plug in a USB hard drive to record the OTA stuff and use cloud DVR to record the OTT channels. If executed and marketed properly, that could have huge uptake.

Awful lot of IF's ....

navychop

May 11, 2018

I believe a big part of OTT is to force the watching of commercials. Make it either impossible or inconvenient.

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Bruce

Supporting Founder Lifetime Supporter

Last reply 9 minutes ago · posted in DIRECTV General Forum

DirecTV’s Subscribers Number

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.

https://www.fitchratings.com/research/corporate-finance/fitch-rates-directv-proposed-senior-secured-debt-offering-bb-rr2-11-05-2026

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raoul5788

May 19, 2026

They have one less as of May 15th. I just couldn't justify almost $150 a month any more. I went to Fubo. Edit: And I've been a Directv customer for 30 years!

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b4pjoe

May 19, 2026

raoul5788 said:
They have one less as of May 15th. I just couldn't justify almost $150 a month any more. I went to Fubo.

Fubo would be a non starter for me. Missing channels:

NBCUniversal Channels: NBC local affiliates, USA Network, Bravo, CNBC, MSNBC, E!, Syfy, Telemundo, and the Golf Channel.
NBC Sports: Regional sports networks like NBC Sports Bay Area, Boston, California, and Philadelphia are also off the air.
Warner Bros. Discovery Channels: TBS, TNT, TruTV, CNN, Discovery Channel, TLC, HGTV, Food Network, and Animal Planet.
A&E Networks: A&E, History, Lifetime, and Vice.
AMC Networks: AMC, IFC, SundanceTV, and WE tv

Plus most of its live TV channels and sports broadcasts are currently delivered in 720p.

Jimbo

May 19, 2026

b4pjoe said:
Fubo would be a non starter for me. Missing channels:

NBCUniversal Channels: NBC local affiliates, USA Network, Bravo, CNBC, MSNBC, E!, Syfy, Telemundo, and the Golf Channel.

NBC Sports: Regional sports networks like NBC Sports Bay Area, Boston, California, and Philadelphia are also off the air.

Warner Bros. Discovery Channels: TBS, TNT, TruTV, CNN, Discovery Channel, TLC, HGTV, Food Network, and Animal Planet.

A&E Networks: A&E, History, Lifetime, and Vice.

AMC Networks: AMC, IFC, SundanceTV, and WE tv

Plus most of its live TV channels and sports broadcasts are currently delivered in 720p.

YouTube TV

raoul5788

May 19, 2026

b4pjoe said:
Fubo would be a non starter for me. Missing channels:

NBCUniversal Channels: NBC local affiliates, USA Network, Bravo, CNBC, MSNBC, E!, Syfy, Telemundo, and the Golf Channel.

NBC Sports: Regional sports networks like NBC Sports Bay Area, Boston, California, and Philadelphia are also off the air.

Warner Bros. Discovery Channels: TBS, TNT, TruTV, CNN, Discovery Channel, TLC, HGTV, Food Network, and Animal Planet.

A&E Networks: A&E, History, Lifetime, and Vice.

AMC Networks: AMC, IFC, SundanceTV, and WE tv

Plus most of its live TV channels and sports broadcasts are currently delivered in 720p.

Understandable. It's always a choice of price vs channels. The $60/month difference made my choice easier.

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Arctic_fox

49 minutes ago

Jimbo said:
YouTube TV

YTTV don't carry the Regional sports channels

dishrich

9 minutes ago

Arctic_fox said:
YTTV don't carry the Regional sports channels

It does still carry the NBC Sports branded RSN's, but obviously in those limited markets...

so2344

Last reply 53 minutes ago · posted in DIRECTV General Forum

Came back to DirectTV Satellite - Gemini question

Recently came back to DirectTV Satellite service and have two boxes, Gemini and a main HR54.

DirecTV is charging me two "TV access fees" of $10 each, but can only watch TV on the one without the server. Is there anything I can do to fix this?

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FHSPSU67

Apr 25, 2026

First receiver should be free. It is for me.

b4pjoe

Apr 25, 2026

FHSPSU67 said:
First receiver should be free. It is for me.

It is for me too. Back when they merged DIRECTV via Internet and DIRECTV Stream into one service they raised the TV access fee from $7.00 to $10.00 from both streaming and satellite and they eliminated the first receiver free for new customers only. Existing customers weren't affected by the new price and the elimination of the first receiver free policy.

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so2344

May 11, 2026

b4pjoe said:
It is for me too. Back when they merged DIRECTV via Internet and DIRECTV Stream into one service they raised the TV access fee from $7.00 to $10.00 from both streaming and satellite and they eliminated the first receiver free for new customers only. Existing customers weren't affected by the new price and the elimination of the first receiver free policy.

All of this makes me want to cancel satellite again! Customer service said we were getting billed for an old receiver but the call got cut off.

Will call back and try to get this resolved. As of now, only one TV can access satellite service. Would hope they can send another Gemini to be co-located w the main HR54.

so2344

May 28, 2026

Update: after 20 mins on phone with a non North American call center agent, they are sending a tech out. The tech support couldn't understand that the HR54 was at a different TV than the Gemini.

Arctic_fox

53 minutes ago

so2344 said:
Update: after 20 mins on phone with a non North American call center agent, they are sending a tech out. The tech support couldn't understand that the HR54 was at a different TV than the Gemini.

this is why we canceled support and the csr's are garbage even the american ones. it's still under the att system!!!

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Scott Greczkowski

Staff member HERE TO HELP YOU! Cutting Edge

Last reply 57 minutes ago · posted in The Chit Chat Club

Song Name Game Part 3!

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....

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Bobby

Yesterday at 11:08 AM

I Can't Help It (If I'm Still In Love With You) - B.J. Thomas

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long_time_DNC

Yesterday at 3:37 PM

Help Is On Its Way - Little River Band

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sdfntx

Yesterday at 6:00 PM

Little Band of Gold - Sonny James

RaiderPower

Yesterday at 9:13 PM

Band Of Gold - Freda Payne

long_time_DNC

57 minutes ago

Heart Of Gold - Neil Young

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zippyfrog

Pub Member / Supporter Lifetime Supporter

Last reply Today at 12:07 AM · posted in The Phone & Tablet Zone

Purchasing New iPhone

I feel like this was discussed in another thread, but I can't find it. I have T-Mobile and my last iPhone upgrade was in 2020. I want to get a new iPhone, but what is the best way to go about doing it? Should I order the iPhone from T-Mobile directly, or should I buy from the Apple Store? I feel like there are pros/cons to each option.

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navychop

Yesterday at 11:48 PM

I know of no reason to buy from a cell company.

Buying from Apple gets an unlocked phone.

PS- New models come out in Octoberish.

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Foxbat

Today at 12:07 AM

I got a carrier-locked iPhone once, and it was a pain after they got bought by Sprint and I decided to go to T-Mobile and they dragged their feet to unlock the phone. I have been trading in my iPhones since and buying from the Apple Store since then.

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Cactus Jack

Last reply Yesterday at 11:50 PM · posted in DISH Network Support Forum

Three Tuners?

I have a Hopper with Sling. (Don't know exact model.) A couple nights ago, I went into the DVR screen, and noted that it was recording three programs. Yet I was able to view live TV (that was not one of the channels being recorded.) Did something change? In the past, it would only let me watch one of the channels being recorded, or any recording in the DVR menu. Maybe it was streaming, although there was no indication of that?

Apologies if this has been covered; I searched and didn't find anything.

Thanks.

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Cactus Jack

Jun 3, 2026

So I tested.

Started recording three non-network shows and tried to watch live TV, would not do it, because all three tuners were in use.

Started recording two non-network shows and one network show. Still would not let me tune live TV.

Started recording one non-network show and two network shows, then it allowed live TV.

I would assume then that previously I was recording two or three network shows when it allowed live TV; I honestly don't remember what it was doing, and I didn't think to check.

Thanks for replies, everyone.

PS - How does one know whether a program is streaming? Is there a way to force streaming?

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Bobby

Jun 3, 2026

Cactus Jack said:
So I tested.

Started recording three non-network shows and tried to watch live TV, would not do it, because all three tuners were in use.

Started recording two non-network shows and one network show. Still would not let me tune live TV.

Started recording one non-network show and two network shows, then it allowed live TV.

I would assume then that previously I was recording two or three network shows when it allowed live TV; I honestly don't remember what it was doing, and I didn't think to check.

Thanks for replies, everyone.

PS - How does one know whether a program is streaming? Is there a way to force streaming?

There is no way to force streaming. It is a satellite channel or streaming channel except for the rare occasion that the satellite signal fails. If that happens some, not all, channels will automatically change to streaming. You can tell if the channel is streaming by pressing guide on the remote. if it is a streaming channel the guide will clearly show it that way.

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navychop

Jun 3, 2026

Cough, cough, Hopper3!

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Cactus Jack

Jun 5, 2026

Bobby said:
There is no way to force streaming. It is a satellite channel or streaming channel except for the rare occasion that the satellite signal fails. If that happens some, not all, channels will automatically change to streaming. You can tell if the channel is streaming by pressing guide on the remote. if it is a streaming channel the guide will clearly show it that way.

Thanks, Bobby.

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Arctic_fox

Yesterday at 11:50 PM

chokes hopper 3 all the way... 16 tuners vs 3 tuners is a night and day difference. along with a faster processor. i would call in and see if they would upgrade me or you can buy a hopper 3 from solid signal.

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iJustine

Yesterday at 10:52 PM · posted in iJustine

Good Bye, Tim! Last WWDC 🥹

Time for another AWESOME video from iJustine!

View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/YJjxjYvmQ8s

Direct YouTube Link - Good Bye, Tim! Last WWDC

The official iJustine Website's Website
Buy her book!

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Smuuth

Pub Member / Supporter Cutting Edge

Last reply Yesterday at 10:15 PM · posted in SatelliteGuys Classifieds

WANTED DirecTV LCC

Anyone have a DirecTV Local Channel Connector that you'd like to get rid of at a reasonable price? DirecTV is currently in a contract dispute with owner of my local ABC affiliate.

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b4pjoe

Jun 2, 2026

Smuuth said:
Anyone have a DirecTV Local Channel Connector that you'd like to get rid of at a reasonable price? DirecTV is currently in a contract dispute with owner of my local ABC affiliate.

You should ask DIRECTV for one if you are affected by the dispute. I know in the past they have given them out during a dispute. Not sure if they still do that but it is free to ask.

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Smuuth

Jun 2, 2026

b4pjoe said:
You should ask DIRECTV for one if you are affected by the dispute. I know in the past they have given them out during a dispute. Not sure if they still do that but it is free to ask.

I already asked, but the CS agent said they wouldn't do it. They said the only thing they could do is $10/month bill credit.

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Jimbo

Jun 3, 2026

Smuuth said:
I already asked, but the CS agent said they wouldn't do it. They said the only thing they could do is $10/month bill credit.

Take the $10 and Call Back ...

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Smuuth

Monday at 10:22 AM

Jimbo said:
Take the $10 and Call Back ...

I did that. The response was that the LCC is not available. Escalated the issue to a tech support person with the same results.

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Jimbo

Monday at 10:39 AM

Smuuth said:
I did that. The response was that the LCC is not available. Escalated the issue to a tech support person with the same results.

Could be out of them I guess ... I'd keep trying, every 3-4 days.

If they are not out of them as them WHY you can't get one, seeing Your in a Dispute. Thats what they are for.
I would make them give you a real answer, don't let them off the hook.

I had one, and it worked well, but I believe I gave it to another D* friend (also had a AM21), I know I gave them away ...

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Smuuth

Monday at 10:44 AM

Jimbo said:
Could be out of them I guess ... I'd keep trying, every 3-4 days.

If they are not out of them as them WHY you can't get one, seeing Your in a Dispute. Thats what they are for.

According to the tech support guy, they don't have any in stock. He said I should receive an email when and if they have them. I even told him I would accept a refurbished unit.

Jimbo

Monday at 10:45 AM

Smuuth said:
According to the tech support guy, they don't have any in stock. He said I should receive an email when and if they have them. I even told him I would accept a refurbished unit.

I'm not sure your going to find any Refurbished ones as D* doesn't ask for them back.

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Smuuth

Monday at 10:48 AM

Jimbo said:
I'm not sure your going to find any Refurbished ones as D* doesn't ask for them back.

Yeah, I know. At one point, I even had 3 AM21s but gave them away when I got rid of my last HR54 and switched to the HS17.

Arctic_fox

Yesterday at 10:00 PM

Good luck they haven't made them in years. you could poke around on ebay and see if there's any on there. if not why not a tablo or a zapper box with an antenna connected to it

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Smuuth

Yesterday at 10:09 PM

Arctic_fox said:
Good luck they haven't made them in years. you could poke around on ebay and see if there's any on there. if not why not a tablo or a zapper box with an antenna connected to it

I have my OTA antenna connected to my television directly already so watching is not the issue. The reason I want the LCC is so I could record programs if I'm not at home to watch them live, especially since ABC is carrying both the NBA and NHL playoffs.
I have an active search on eBay and there is one there but he wants $180 plus shipping and I am not going to pay that.

Arctic_fox

Yesterday at 10:12 PM

Smuuth said:
I have my OTA antenna connected to my television directly already so watching is not the issue. The reason I want the LCC is so I could record programs if I'm not at home to watch them live, especially since ABC is carrying both the NBA and NHL playoffs.
I have an active search on eBay and there is one there but he wants $180 plus shipping and I am not going to pay that.

a tablo box is cheaper

Amazon.com

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Arctic_fox

Yesterday at 10:15 PM

why invest in hardware that's going to be boat anchors in a few years?

zippyfrog

Pub Member / Supporter Lifetime Supporter

Last reply Yesterday at 10:05 PM · posted in DISH Network Support Forum

Price Increase on Owned Equipment?

Did anyone have a price increase today on their equipment? I own my VIP211k's, and they have been $5.00. My bill that I received last week shows the "add-ons" as being $5.00. However, I just logged into my Dish account, and my "add-ons" are now $10.00. Did the additional receivers go up by $5.00 recently?

As I mentioned, my last bill shows $5.00 and under the notes, nothing is mentioned about a price increase.

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telstar_1

Yesterday at 1:28 PM

Does cable charge box rent?

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RJT79

Yesterday at 4:47 PM

telstar_1 said:
Does cable charge box rent?

The cable company I was with years ago did charge $9.99 for a receiver.

RJ T.
From Illinois

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RJT79

Yesterday at 5:03 PM

zippyfrog said:
Did anyone have a price increase today on their equipment? I own my VIP211k's, and they have been $5.00. My bill that I received last week shows the "add-ons" as being $5.00. However, I just logged into my Dish account, and my "add-ons" are now $10.00. Did the additional receivers go up by $5.00 recently?

As I mentioned, my last bill shows $5.00 and under the notes, nothing is mentioned about a price increase.

I went to try to add the Heartland channel as dummy to see what it would do for me as I own my receiver and have DISH Outdoors and this is what mine shows. (Note however I had to take the 2nd receiver I told you I added the other day off because I was told you can only have 1 receiver when you have a one outlet on the Dish Playmaker and was having issues with the 2nd receiver and I didn't know that and that was done yesterday as well so I am back to one receiver.)

Let's upgrade your package.

Your monthly bill will increase by $6.00 per month.

Breakdown

June 11, 2026 - July 11, 2026
You are changing your programming in the middle of the bill cycle. The bill shown below is your bill for next month including prorations and credits. Your following bill will return to the fixed rate. This bill will take effect from now until July 11, 2026.
Monthly Services
$86.99
Flex Pack
$72.99
Local Channels
$14.00
Add-Ons
$68.98
National Action Pack
$12.00
Regional Action Pack
$12.00
News Pack
$10.00
Paramount+ with Showtime
$10.00
Drama and Classics Pack
$6.00
Heartland Pack
$6.00
Starz Encore Movies
$6.00
On DISH Magazine
$4.99
Starz 2 Mo ($11)
$1.99
Prorated Charges
$7.93
Heartland Pack Jun 11 - Jul 20
$7.93
Order Total
$7.93
Prorated Total
$7.93
Due Today
$7.93

Transition Bill Total
$156.10
Proposed Changes
Your monthly bill will increase by $6.00 per month
Monthly Services
$86.99
Add-Ons
$68.98
FCC Regulatory Surcharge
$0.13
Taxes & Surcharges
$0.00

Monthly Total
$156.10
Prorated Total
$7.93
Order Total
$7.93

Due Today
$7.93

Sounds like an issue with DISH Billing

RJ T.
From Illinois

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zippyfrog

Yesterday at 5:19 PM

I asked again, and the rep I talked to said it is a glitch and that "Access for TV" shouldn't be there - the rep pulled up my future month bills and that charge isn't on it. So I am not going to worry about it right now, but it will be interesting to see when the price changes happen later this year. Will this line item show up? The fact that it is a specific item that is different from anything makes me think it is more than a glitch. But we shall see.

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RJT79

Yesterday at 5:29 PM

zippyfrog said:
I asked again, and the rep I talked to said it is a glitch and that "Access for TV" shouldn't be there - the rep pulled up my future month bills and that charge isn't on it. So I am not going to worry about it right now, but it will be interesting to see when the price changes happen later this year. Will this line item show up? The fact that it is a specific item that is different from anything makes me think it is more than a glitch. But we shall see.

I am hoping they don't add this down the road. Things are expensive the way it is now. Even DIRECTV allows the first receiver free. This would go against DISH and DISH is already loosing subscribers I wouldn't think they would do these kind of tricks but you never know. Always look at your bills for unknow charges. I heard horror stories of people getting charged for things they didn't know were there.

RJ T.
From Illinois

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Arctic_fox

Yesterday at 10:05 PM

telstar_1 said:
Does cable charge box rent?

yes big cable charges crazy dvr fee's and box rental fee's

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teachtom

Last reply Yesterday at 9:21 PM · posted in DISH Network Support Forum

Problem when I switch from Bonus View channels back to regular Dish channels

Hello everyone, new guy here. I'm trying to solve problem I'm having with Dish bonus view channels. When I'm watching the bonus view channels then I switch back to regular dish channels, after few minutes the screen flips to black and after 30 seconds flips back to regular channels and continues to flip back and forth until I turn off TV. After I wait 30 minutes and turn back on , I can use regular channels again. So, its after I switch from bonus view channels to regular dish channels the problem starts. Been trying to fix this for a month, but no luck
Here what I've done.
i contacted Dish support and they sent me a new Joey3, but no help. Switched to a different HDMI input on TV, no help. Used different HDMI cable , no help. Used different electrical wall plug, no help.
Finally got a Dish tech to check it. He ran all systems check and was OK. Finally he brought in a small TV and plugged in the HDMI out from the Joey to the small TV. He could not get the problem to occur on his small TV, so the new Joey was working OK. So, then the problem must be myTV. He made some phone calls and came back with the answer that there must be a problem with the analog to digital switch in my TV. Has anyone ever heard of a problem like this, or is it time to be looking for a new TV? My tv LG OLED65C8PUA. TV has been trouble free til now. Thanks

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HipKat

Yesterday at 5:07 PM

teachtom said:
Hello everyone, new guy here. I'm trying to solve problem I'm having with Dish bonus view channels. When I'm watching the bonus view channels then I switch back to regular dish channels, after few minutes the screen flips to black and after 30 seconds flips back to regular channels and continues to flip back and forth until I turn off TV. After I wait 30 minutes and turn back on , I can use regular channels again. So, its after I switch from bonus view channels to regular dish channels the problem starts. Been trying to fix this for a month, but no luck
Here what I've done.
i contacted Dish support and they sent me a new Joey3, but no help. Switched to a different HDMI input on TV, no help. Used different HDMI cable , no help. Used different electrical wall plug, no help.
Finally got a Dish tech to check it. He ran all systems check and was OK. Finally he brought in a small TV and plugged in the HDMI out from the Joey to the small TV. He could not get the problem to occur on his small TV, so the new Joey was working OK. So, then the problem must be myTV. He made some phone calls and came back with the answer that there must be a problem with the analog to digital switch in my TV. Has anyone ever heard of a problem like this, or is it time to be looking for a new TV? My tv LG OLED65C8PUA. TV has been trouble free til now. Thanks

First off, great TV. I'm torn between the 77C5 or the 77G5.
It sounds like the handshake between the Receiver and the TV is having a problem. Are you using the free cable that came with the Joey or a higher speed HDMI cable?? That's the f irst place I'd look

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RJT79

Yesterday at 5:17 PM

teachtom said:
Hello everyone, new guy here. I'm trying to solve problem I'm having with Dish bonus view channels. When I'm watching the bonus view channels then I switch back to regular dish channels, after few minutes the screen flips to black and after 30 seconds flips back to regular channels and continues to flip back and forth until I turn off TV. After I wait 30 minutes and turn back on , I can use regular channels again. So, its after I switch from bonus view channels to regular dish channels the problem starts. Been trying to fix this for a month, but no luck
Here what I've done.
i contacted Dish support and they sent me a new Joey3, but no help. Switched to a different HDMI input on TV, no help. Used different HDMI cable , no help. Used different electrical wall plug, no help.
Finally got a Dish tech to check it. He ran all systems check and was OK. Finally he brought in a small TV and plugged in the HDMI out from the Joey to the small TV. He could not get the problem to occur on his small TV, so the new Joey was working OK. So, then the problem must be myTV. He made some phone calls and came back with the answer that there must be a problem with the analog to digital switch in my TV. Has anyone ever heard of a problem like this, or is it time to be looking for a new TV? My tv LG OLED65C8PUA. TV has been trouble free til now. Thanks

First off, The analog to digital switch, also known as the digital television transition, is the process of converting older analog television broadcasting technology to digital broadcasting. It's used through coaxial cable for the an antenna during the mandatory switch from Analog to Digital on June 12, 2009. You either had to get a converter for your analog (Tube TV) or use a converter box that has the analog or digital tuner or an HDTV which your is and has the tuner built in. Your TV is HD and using an HDMI Cable and nothing is connected by coaxial cable so this wouldn't apply.

In my theory it probably means a new TV. I had a TV go out on my switching between the Smart Screen from the HDMI inputs before because they went faulty. Sometimes electrical surges can cause this. If you have an older home or rent an older home or apartment sometimes the electrical outlets are not grounded and these days HDTV's need a ground which can cause them to malfunction and go bad quicker. Never plug it directly in an outlet. It will damage the TV.

Hope I could be of some assistance.

RJ T.
From Illinois

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teachtom

Yesterday at 7:33 PM

RJT79 said:
First off, The analog to digital switch, also known as the digital television transition, is the process of converting older analog television broadcasting technology to digital broadcasting. It's used through coaxial cable for the an antenna during the mandatory switch from Analog to Digital on June 12, 2009. You either had to get a converter for your analog (Tube TV) or use a converter box that has the analog or digital tuner or an HDTV which your is and has the tuner built in. Your TV is HD and using an HDMI Cable and nothing is connected by coaxial cable so this wouldn't apply.

In my theory it probably means a new TV. I had a TV go out on my switching between the Smart Screen from the HDMI inputs before because they went faulty. Sometimes electrical surges can cause this. If you have an older home or rent an older home or apartment sometimes the electrical outlets are not grounded and these days HDTV's need a ground which can cause them to malfunction and go bad quicker. Never plug it directly in an outlet. It will damage the TV.

Hope I could be of some assistance.

RJ T.
From Illinois

Thank you for the information. I do keep the TV plugged into a surge protector, but we have had pretty strong thunderstorms/lightning in the last month so that have contributed to my problem.The house was built in 2009 so everything seems to be grounded correctly. We have had a power surge also. Seems like no one fixes anything any more, so just get a new one or live with the problem. Thanks

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teachtom

Yesterday at 7:39 PM

HipKat said:
First off, great TV. I'm torn between the 77C5 or the 77G5.
It sounds like the handshake between the Receiver and the TV is having a problem. Are you using the free cable that came with the Joey or a higher speed HDMI cable?? That's the f irst place I'd look

I think the HDMI cable is good, i used one of my own from my 4K atmos system, i'll switch it with another just to check. Also I have a bid in at Greentoe for 77" G5. Thanks

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HipKat

Yesterday at 8:17 PM

teachtom said:
I think the HDMI cable is good, i used one of my own from my 4K atmos system, i'll switch it with another just to check. Also I have a bid in at Greentoe for 77" G5. Thanks

I hope that works. I'm waiting til Black Friday sales

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Darrell S

Yesterday at 9:21 PM

I've had this problem with my older Sony TV. It happens when I just punch in a regular channel number. The only way it works right for me is to push guide and select a regular channel from the guide screen.

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teachsac

Staff member HERE TO HELP YOU!

Last reply Yesterday at 8:59 PM · posted in TV Shows

House of the Dragon

House of the Dragon, the prequel to Game of Thrones, premieres on HBO Max on 8/21. I will be warching

'Game of Thrones' spinoff 'House of the Dragon' fires up release date at HBO, drops new character pics

The wait’s felt a little like watching for a dragon egg to hatch, but HBO’s hugely anticipated Game of Thrones prequel series finally has a release date. House of the Dragon will debut the first of its initial 10-episode season this summer, the network revealed today in a series of tweets that...

www.syfy.com