Charlie is not in the business of subsidizing the lazy Consumer Electronics industry.
DVDDAD said:
No that isn't it. The enabling fee allows your ViP receiver to receive HD Channels OTA or HBO-HD and Showtime-HD if you don't subscribe and pay for the HD pack.
Exactly. Charlie has been very clear for many years (from the start of the DishHD promotions including the TV sets) that they do not plan on subsidizing the electronics industry who still refuses to provide OTA tuners in most HD capable sets despite the nearly zero cost at this point. The tuners and TVs are only intended for people who want to BUY HD DELIVERY from Dish network.
It is very frustrating to see the few number of HD sets out there that only tune NTSC, considering the switch that is supposed to be mandated. Of course, the cable companies like this because it makes people rent an HD box (and then they come hook it up with SVideo anyway...).
If you want HD locals OTA without paying the fee, get a non-HD receiver and buy your own OTA tuner or TV that tunes HD.
Or pay the fee or subscribe to a package that qualifies.
While I don't enjoy paying extra fees, I can see why Dish is doing it and I don't disagree with it.