Any information that comes from the parties involved is welcome.
These are my activities/plans while we wait.
I have both VOOM and Dish right now (Dish for four years and VOOM for three months). I'd been observing that Dish hasn't added any new HD content in over a year and they did not have a HD DVR that one could lease -- so I thought I had nothing to loose by trying VOOM. VOOM is just terrific. I'd keep Dish until the VOOM HD-DVR released.
I called Dish yesterday to ask what's new in HD content and equipment. They offered the 811 for lease (one tuner and no DVR) and the 921 at $550 purchase (it's also $489 at Costco). Their new DVR was projected to be available in March at $749 purchase with no current plans to offer a lease. They said they "might" have HD network feeds and locals in the next six months, but nothing for sure. Right now they just have CBS -- and they added that a long time ago. As far as the VOOM sat purchase, the Dish rep was aware of it but had not been given anything much to tell customers. I advised them that unless they soon beefed up their HD offerings and offered a leasable HD-DVR that I will likely cancel the service.
So I then called Charter Cable. They offer HD versions of NBC, ABC and FOX in my area with CBS to come "shortly". Negotiations are under way for UPN and WB. They offer a multiple tuner HD-DVR that allows recording of two shows while watching a third (hard drive is only 120 MB, tho). I signed up for their HD-DVR with HD content and normal regular content service for $49 per month with no commitment. Plus, they are throwing in the premium channels for free for three months. If the HD-DVR and PQ lives up to its billing, I'll cut my Dish service to the bare minimum ($5 per month "hibernation" mode) until I see what finally happens to the VOOM and Dish marriage.
Now I can watch the Super Bowl, Simpsons, ER and Dangerous Housewives in HD and still enjoy the spectacular VOOM service until this all shakes out. If Dish picks up the VOOM Originals and other HD content and offers a leasable HD-DVR of some sort (maybe VOOM's) I'll stick with the married company. If not, I'll stick with Charter.
I like rooting for underdogs, so I'd love to see VOOM survive at a minimum as a HD content provider to carriers. I'd like to see senior Dolan pull a clever move on his treacherous son and somehow save VOOM (there is a special place in hell for sons who betray their fathers).
, 'cuz this was a bit off topic! 
