Pricing Update from Dish Network

[Scott Greczkowski]

The following pricing information was sent to Dish Network retailers via email. Thank you to everyone who passed it on to me.

Programming
• “Core” Programming Packages
o “America’s Top” Names – Effective February 1st, the “Classic” programming packages will change names back to the “America’s Top” packages!
o No Price Increases – We will NOT be increasing the price of our core “America’s Top” programming packages on February 1, 2010! Plus, the price of America’s “Everything” Pak will decrease!

• DishLATINO Programming Packages
o No Price Increases – We will NOT be increasing the price of our DishLATINO programming packages for on February 1, 2010! Plus, the price of the DishLATINO Dos programming package will decrease!
o DishLATINO Plus No Longer Available – Effective February 1st, the $34.99/mo. DishLATINO Plus programming package will no longer be available to new customers or existing customers who do not already subscribe to it. Existing customers subscribing to the DishLATINO Plus programming package may continue to receive it unless they change their programming or deactivate (and subsequently reactivate) their account.

• HD Programming Packages
o TurboHDTM Package Name Change – Effective February 1, 2010, the “TurboHD” programming packages will have new names that include “DISH America.”
o No Price Increase for “HD & Platinum” – New or existing customers who subscribe to an “America’s Top” package or DishLATINO Max, and would like to subscribe to an HD add-on package may continue to add the “HD & Platinum” add-on package for $10.00/mo.

• “With DVR” Package (DishDVR Advantage) No Longer Available – Effective February 1, 2010, the “with DVR” packages (formerly known as DishDVR Advantage) will no longer be available. Existing customers subscribing to the “with DVR” packages will be billed separately for each component of the “with DVR” package.

International Programming

• New Eligible Basic International Programming Package – Korean Tiger Pack – Available February 1, 2010 – We are thrilled to announce the launch of a new Eligible Basic International Programming (as defined in the Incentive Payment Structure Business Rules or the Incentive Payment Structure DHA TOO and FlexTV Business Rules, as applicable) package – the “Korean Tiger Pack.” This seven-channel, Korean-language programming package will be available beginning February 1st for just $19.99/month.

Customer Fees

• Simplified Fee Structure – Effective February 1, 2010, we will make certain changes to customer fees designed to help make customers’ billing statements easier to read (and potentially display fewer line items). Additionally, we have simplified our programming and fee pricing structures, so there are fewer pricing options for customers to review. For example, DISH marketing materials will reflect package prices with local network programming included.

o One DVR Service Fee Per Account – Effective February 1st, customers will no longer be charged an individual $5.98 fee per DVR; instead customers with at least one DVR receiver activated on their account will be charged a single $6.00/mo. DVR Service Fee regardless of the number of DVRs they have activated.

o TV2 Receiver Connection Fee
–
New Customers:
? Effective February 1, 2010, new customers will not be subject to the TV2 Receiver Connection Fee, but should still be encouraged to connect their receivers to a land-based phone line or broadband Internet connection to take advantage of certain receiver functionality including:
Interactive TV (DishHOME Channel 100) DISH Remote Access Pay-Per-View (PPV) On Screen Caller ID

– Existing Customers - Effective February 1, 2010, we will change the structure of certain fees, including some that apply to existing customers. ? Some existing customer bills will go up, some will go down and some will remain the same. ? On average, our customer price increases should be less than the customer price increases by most other pay-TV providers in the marketplace. ? Please direct all customers with detailed billing questions to the following link:
www.dishnetwork.com/2010updates (available on 2/1/10) or to call DISH at 1-800-333-DISH (3474).

DISH Network is still the low cost leader and these changes are being made in order to help simplify
the customer experience.

• Fees Related to Additional Receivers – Effective February 1, 2010, the fee structure related to additional receivers on new and existing customer accounts will change. Beginning February 1, 2010, a new Additional Receiver Fee will replace the current Additional Receiver Fee, TV2 Receiver Connection Fee and DVR Service Fee. As discussed above, for certain customers’ accounts, each receiver activated beyond the first will no longer be subject to a TV2 Receiver Connection Fee. Additionally, the DVR Service Fee will no longer be associated with each DVR on a customer’s account; instead a single “whole-home” DVR Service Fee will apply to the entire customer account.

• Changes to America’s “Everything” Pak – In addition to the monthly price decrease (to $99.99/mo. from $102.98/mo.), effective February 1, 2010, only new and existing customers who qualify for DISH Network local network programming in their DMA will be able to subscribe to America’s “Everything” Pak. Customers who do not qualify for local network programming will receive better pricing by subscribing to America’s Top 250 with four premium movie packages. Existing customers who do not qualify for local network programming will be moved to the America’s Top 250 programming package and the 4-pay premium movie packages ($57.99/mo. for America’s Top 250 with $40.00/mo.discounted price for 4 premium movie packages (see the “Premium Movie Package Pricing Not Changing for Q1 2010” section below for actual price of premium movie packages without 4-pay premium move package discount) for a total of $97.99/mo., which is less expensive than America’s “Everything” Pak at $99.99/mo.).

o With the introduction of the “whole-home” DVR Service Fee, the DVR Service Fee will no longer be waived on a monthly basis if a customer subscribes to America’s “Everything” Pak. Effective February 1st, customers will no longer be charged an individual fee per DVR; instead customers with at least one DVR receiver activated on their account will be charged a single $6.00/mo. DVR Service Fee regardless of the number of DVRs they have activated.

• Welcome Packs No Longer Available – Effective February 1, 2010 – The $9.99/mo. Welcome Pack without Locals, the $14.99/mo. Welcome Pack with Locals, the $9.99/mo. DishLATINO Welcome Pack without locals, and the $14.99/mo. DishLATINO Welcome Pack with Locals will no longer be available to new customers or to existing customers who do not already subscribe to them. Existing customers who already subscribe to these programming packages may continue to receive them unless they change their programming or deactivate (and subsequently reactivate) their account.

 

[kstuart]

Well, it looks like exactly what has been previously discussed.

Including the "double dipping for DVRs".

 

[Scott Greczkowski]

Yup but now its not be reporting a rumor, or telling you things and trying to explain what was said on a chat on TV.

This is the real honest to goodness communication sent to retailers in an email.

And I got to say it really matches what I reported here over 3 weeks ago. (Thank you to everyone who gave me the information to pass along!)

 

[wiiplayer]

Where does it say that the core programming packages wil be going down?

I thought the 200 pack will be going from $57.99 to $52.99?

 

[jlhugh]

i am paying 10 bucks for a Duo DVR now and it is going to 17 bucks. how is that a 1.02 increase??

 

[Scott Greczkowski]

Where does it say that the core programming packages wil be going down?

I thought the 200 pack will be going from $57.99 to $52.99?

Only if locals are not available in your area.

 

[Jonhern]

i am paying 10 bucks for a Duo DVR now and it is going to 17 bucks. how is that a 1.02 increase??

They are counting the $5 tv2 connection fee which you are probably getting credit for now.

 

[goaliebob99]

I dont honestly see how dish can double dip, but they are doing it.

 

[Isaacbob]

I thought I read in one of the many previous posts that the TurboHD packages were going to get a price decrease.... any truth to that?

 

[Scott Greczkowski]

Only if locals are not available to you.

 

[tigerfan33]

Simple=Dish version of pay out the ass for some people.

 

[LER]

Damn it. I have AEP and 3 622's. I still get a $23+ increase. Grr. The bad news is TWC sutm), and U-Verse doesn't have enough HD streams.

Guess I get to play CSR roulette when the next bill with this DOUBLE DIPPING garbage hits my account.

Not happy.

 

[Scott Greczkowski]

If your lucky they will give you a $6 credit on your bill for 6 months.

Unfortunately not everyone will get a credit for calling.

 

[Jim S.]

Why does it almost sound like the elimination of the TV2 fee is going to only be for new customers?

 

[Bob Haller]

As discussed above, for certain customers’ accounts, each receiver activated beyond the first will no longer be subject to a TV2 Receiver Connection Fee

Wonder why its said this way?

 

[Bob Haller]

If your lucky they will give you a $6 credit on your bill for 6 months.

Unfortunately not everyone will get a credit for calling.

that credit was in my leaked info.........

altogether too little too late. If more people vothed with their feet err wallet companies wouldnt even try price gouges like this........

 

[jlhugh]

They are counting the $5 tv2 connection fee which you are probably getting credit for now.

yes they are and i will now be charged for it even though they are saying i am not. this is just BS.

 

[Stargazer]

I was wondering how much longer they were going to keep that Welcome Package around. I take it that they are still going to keep the $9.99 locals only package around? I knew they would force everyone into paying for locals eventually as they got locals in most of the cities. They are probably doing this so that they can see more of a financial benefit to bring locals to the rest of the cities and to cover the cost of doing so. Those that do not need the locals will be help offsetting the cost to those that do not have them to make it more financially feasable to and simply things making everybody's bill the same.

 

[kalin21]

now directv take advantage of this ridiculous increase...they may advertise : 5 dollars per additional receiver (with DISH cost 17,14 or 10 )

 

[ryotgz]

Scott,

You mentioned we would want to keep our receivers connected to a phone line/broadband even though they will stop waiving the $5 fee. Besides Remote Access, what's the reason to keep it connected?