Did the Welcome Pack price increase twice already in 2019?

[Slappy White]

We've had the Welcome Pack off and on (mostly on) for the last 5 years or so. Every so often we'll bump up to a more expensive package because we want a/some channel(s) for a short amount of time. Then we switch back to the Welcome Pack.

The price was pretty stable for years:
2015 - $20/month
2016 - $20/month
2017 - $20/month
For the last two years, it went up each January:
2018 - $23/month
2019 - $26/month

With the NCAA conference tournaments and the big dance, we wanted to be able to watch IOWA. The Big 10 app suuuucks, so we needed the Big 10 Network (not available on the Welcome Pack). With the NCAA tourney, some games are on TNT or Tru (neither are included on the Welcome Pack). So we bumped up to the AT Top 200 to get all of these channels. I figured we'd probably keep it for a month and then go back to the Welcome Pack.

Of course it was a totally moronic move in hindsight. The first game IA played in the Big 10 tourney they blew out their opponent. The second game they played in the Big 10 tourney they got blown out by their opponent. So neither of those were must-watch. Then both games of the NCAA tourney they played aired on CBS (locals are included on the Welcome Pack).

IA's run in the tourney over, we were two weeks into the AT Top 200 when I figured we should drop back down to the Welcome Pack. It was cheaper to pay the $5 (change programming within 30 days) fee than it was to keep AT Top 200 for 30 days and then go back to the Welcome Pack. I chatted with a woman who took care of it quickly. When she sent the "Your new monthly total will be..."-message, it was $5 more than we paid in January & February (when the price of the Welcome Pack had already increased from last year). I figured she was talking about the $5 charge you incur when you change programming packages within 30 days of making a change. I figured it was for that first month back.

But now on my billing it looks like the Welcome Pack is $30/month. Did the price really increase twice in the first 3-4 months of the year?

 

[cpalmer2k]

They had separate increases for it this year- one price for existing customers and one for new customers. When you left it and switched back you now pay the “new customer” price.

 

[comfortably_numb]

These price increases to the Welcome Pack were the final straw for me. Had Dish decided to offer guide data for all my local channels, I would have stayed. But paying $26 or $30 for a package that includes very few channels of interest plus a bunch of locals without guide data just wasn't worth it. Don't miss it at all.

Between OTA, FTA, my blu-ray collection and streaming, I have so much TV that I can't possibly watch it all. And it's mostly free (I do pay for Netflix and my work pays for YTTV). So long, Dish.

 

[ncted]

These price increases to the Welcome Pack were the final straw for me. Had Dish decided to offer guide data for all my local channels, I would have stayed. But paying $26 or $30 for a package that includes very few channels of interest plus a bunch of locals without guide data just wasn't worth it. Don't miss it at all.

Between OTA, FTA, my blu-ray collection and streaming, I have so much TV that I can't possibly watch it all. And it's mostly free (I do pay for Netflix and my work pays for YTTV). So long, Dish.

Presumably, they provided guide data for all the channels included in the Welcome Pack, but not all the OTA channels you were receiving?

 

[comfortably_numb]

Presumably, they provided guide data for all the channels included in the Welcome Pack, but not all the OTA channels you were receiving?

Yes, that is correct.

 

[mwdxer1]

I know a lot of people that are doing just that. Streaming is really growing and even more OTA material is showing up streaming. I have Dish, BUD, OTA, Roku, Fire Stick, Chromecast, plus DVDs. But as pricing goes up with Dish, I may cut back in time.

 

[rvvaquero]

I have Dish, BUD, OTA, Roku, Fire Stick, Chromecast, plus DVDs.

Wow. Do you ever just step outside and enjoy one of the most beautiful views on Earth?

 

[joewhite57]

Wow. Do you ever just step outside and enjoy one of the most beautiful views on Earth?

I had a nasty rebuttal ready to fly but deleted both of them. Us old folks enjoy a lt of the simple things! Streaming media included.

 

[rvvaquero]

I had a nasty rebuttal ready to fly but deleted both of them. Us old folks enjoy a lt of the simple things! Streaming media included.

I'm old too, but I still prefer the fresh air and outdoors to a recliner in front of the tube. I figure Hell is full of television, cellphones, and internet forums for eternity. Don't get me wrong, I still enjoy a couple hours of TV per day, but could get it from any one of those sources alone.

 

[brejust]

youtube tv went up to 50 bucks.

i have the welcome pack had it for like 2 plus years. but had the highest package for like over 9 plus years.
dish welcome cheaper. add extra packs and what not.

even flex pack when i had it was good deal.
... prices will eventually go up streaming and cable wise.. hmm
ty for at least welcome pack my isp provider has a 20 dollar pack, but not even close to welcome pack.
...
i am happy with dish movie pack 2

 

[Yespage]

Welcome Pack is why I’m still around. Definitely worth the price for me. I do wish they’d have the OTA guides though. I wanted to record a Champions League game on Unimas OTA but couldn’t because it just shows 12 hr blank slots.

And I’m glad I can stream HBO, so that means I didn’t have to give up Dish.

 

[Bobby]

Welcome Pack is why I’m still around. Definitely worth the price for me. I do wish they’d have the OTA guides though. I wanted to record a Champions League game on Unimas OTA but couldn’t because it just shows 12 hr blank slots.

And I’m glad I can stream HBO, so that means I didn’t have to give up Dish.

You can set up manual timers for those kind of events....

 

[joewhite57]

I'm old too, but I still prefer the fresh air and outdoors to a recliner in front of the tube. I figure Hell is full of television, cellphones, and internet forums for eternity. Don't get me wrong, I still enjoy a couple hours of TV per day, but could get it from any one of those sources alone.

I’m sitting on my back deck right now listing the a cardinal and the grass growing. The grass in louder. Spring in indiana

 

[joewhite57]

I’m sitting on my back deck right now listing the a cardinal and the grass growing. The grass in louder. Spring in indiana

Listening to a cardinal! What is up with spell check these days? Or am I getting older faster?

 

[navychop]

The days certainly seem to be flying by ever faster.


Sent from my iPhone using SatelliteGuys

 

[rvvaquero]

The days certainly seem to be flying by ever faster.


Sent from my iPhone using SatelliteGuys

Life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer you get to the end, the faster it goes.

 

[comfortably_numb]

Life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer you get to the end, the faster it goes.

Geez, that's depressing!