Changes coming to SuperStation package???

[Gator Nation]

Today I received a robo-call from DISH letting me know that my SuperStation's package, which I pay for on an annual basis, is being moved to a month-to-month billing status, and increasing in cost by, I think, a buck. They are issuing a credit for the "unused" portion of my annual payment, and that I would now be billed, after Oct. 14, $7 and change each month for the package.

I called DISH to find out what was going on, but the Rep, after checking, could only tell me that the package was no longer available annually. No reason was given. She gave me an 888 number to call for more information. When I called it, the robo-voice thanked me for calling about DishPix, but the number was no longer in service.

Any ideas what may be going on? Is this the first step to doing away with the SuperStation package?

 

[Darrell S]

I don't know about the annual billing, but I have been paying 7.00 for several months now. This package went up in price the same time multi-sport went up to 7.00.

 

[kikenovic]

Under "my programming" I don't see it listed as a package anymore. It lists the individual channels @ $2 each. Kinda cool if you only want like WPIX and WWOR.

 

[Darrell S]

They just started the online individual superstation option recently. You could have subbed to just 1 or 2 by calling, if you could get a CSR that knew what a superstation was.

 

[Gator Nation]

I decided to try a chat with a DISH rep. As usual, good response via this channel. Here is what he told me:

Welcome to DISH Network Chat.
(03) MKtech Rusty M.T7Z: Thank you for your patience.
(03) MKtech Rusty M.T7Z: How may I help you?
MY NAME: Hi Rusty! Today I received a robo-call from DISH letting me know that my SuperStation's package, which I pay for on an annual basis, is being moved to a month-to-month billing status, and increasing in cost by, I think, a buck. They are issuing a credit for the "unused" portion of my annual payment, and that I would now be billed, after Oct. 14, $7 and change each month for the package.

I called DISH to find out what was going on, but the Rep, after checking, could only tell me that the package was no longer available annually. No reason was given. She gave me an 888 number to call for more information. When I called it, the robo-voice thanked me for calling about DishPix, but the number was no longer in service.

Any ideas what may be going on? Is this the first step to doing away with the SuperStation package?
(03) MKtech Rusty M.T7Z: I'd be happy to assist you with your request.
(03) MKtech Rusty M.T7Z: Please give me just 1-2 minutes while I check on that for you.
(03) MKtech Rusty M.T7Z: You would still continue to enjoy the great shows on the Superstations package.
(03) MKtech Rusty M.T7Z: However, because of the high cost of the programming, we have decided to just offer this package on a monthly subscription.
(03) MKtech Rusty M.T7Z: Actually, it has been quite sometime since the package is just being offered monthly.
(03) MKtech Rusty M.T7Z: You were just given an exemption before since you had this package on an annual basis since 1998.
MY NAME: OK. Thank you for checking. I appreciate your help!
(03) MKtech Rusty M.T7Z: I'm glad to answer your inquiries.
(03) MKtech Rusty M.T7Z: It was my pleasure assisting you today! Do you have anymore questions for me?
MY NAME: Not today!! Have a good one--

 

[Claude Greiner]

I used to have it when it you could bundle it with the locals for 8.99

I'm thinking about dropping because it had not been worth the money since UPN went out of business

 

[ScottChez]

It would be worth the money if it was in HD.

I dont watch SD channels much anymore. I would switch to Dishnetwork in a heartbeat if they had the SuperStation package in HD. No other provider offers the SUper Station Package these days.
I wont pay for a SD only package.

 

[sethwell]

It would be worth the money if it was in HD.

I dont watch SD channels much anymore. I would switch to Dishnetwork in a heartbeat if they had the SuperStation package in HD. No other provider offers the SUper Station Package these days.
I wont pay for a SD only package.

+1 Our local CW station is the cheaper CW+ or whatever and is only sd and it is rough to watch. Would love to be able to watch the last season of Smallville in HD.

 

[Peter Parker]

It would be worth the money if it was in HD.

I dont watch SD channels much anymore. I would switch to Dishnetwork in a heartbeat if they had the SuperStation package in HD. No other provider offers the SUper Station Package these days.
I wont pay for a SD only package.

Did anyone else EVER offer one?

 

[bobvick]

Did anyone else EVER offer one?

Not except for on C-Band back in the day. You could subscribe to KTLA, KTVT, KWGN, WPIX, WSBK, WGN, and WWOR.

 

[Bob Haller]

UPN was critical for ME just for star trek.....

those were the days

 

[Peter Parker]

Not except for on C-Band back in the day. You could subscribe to KTLA, KTVT, KWGN, WPIX, WSBK, WGN, and WWOR.

D'oh! Leave it to me to forget C-Band.

 

[bobvick]

UPN was critical for ME just for star trek.....

those were the days

Don't you miss the great picture quality. It was SD but boy did the old analog feeds look great. I bet they would look nearly as good as some of the over compressed HD we get today.

 

[ScottChez]

I wonder if the new STELA LAW (see below) would allow Dish to carry them in HD nation wide now?

If they added it in HD, It would be like back in the old days when I first got the Super Station package in SD. . . . some thing new and exciting and something NO OTHER competitor would have.

I was so excited back in the day when I first got the super station package in SD. Then HD came a long and I stopped watching most SD as the same show came on at later times locally and they had the HD feed. I latter dropped the Super station package because it was only SD.

STELA
==========
Before, the law required a difference in "digital" and "analog," which generally meant "hd" and "sd." The new STELA did not distinguish between the two and only referred to "distant signal." This is because the analog shut-off had occurred prior to the passage of the long-delayed STELA legislation. There no longer was an analog vs. digital distinction. Rather, all "distant signals" at the time of passage (whether SD or HD) were digital.

 

[Peter Parker]

There is nothing in STELA that prevents HD Carriage. They may feel that there would be more requests for syndex. But they sure could do it if they wanted to.

 

[kikenovic]

I know WWOR and WPIX carry a handful of baseball games. Does anyone know if they carry other sports?

 

[dfecarter]

No just a handful of Mets games on WPIX and even fewer Yankee games on MY9. Everyone once in a while a Jet or Giant game will be shown on either 9 or 11 but it's always an ESPN game that's being provided OTA simulcast. Can't think of any other sports, Knicks and rangers have been off on MY9 for many years...

 

[Claude Greiner]

I remember when the Superstations where included in one of the basic packages.

If I remember correctly it was the Top40 and the Top60 back then, and I think they used to be in the Top60.

Then one day DISH Network removed the Superstations from the packaged, and lowered the price of AT60 by a few dollars telling people it was a price decrease when it was really a price increase if you wanted the Superstations.

But like Bob Haller said, it was pretty much good for watching Star Trek several years ago.