Why is Dish falling behind with HD content?

[bigthrust]

I have been with Dish for many, many years and have been happy for the most part (I love our VIP622). Every TV in my house is HD compatible with an HD receiver. So, I value all of the HD content I can get. So now, as I see it, DirecTV has surpassed Dish in the amount of quality channels being offered in HD. At first the Voom channels were pretty cool and the picture quality was very good. Voom is now getting old and I find it harder to find anything really new and/or interesting to watch. It is time for Dish to add the popular channels that DirecTV is offering, like SciFi. Why does Dish still think it's the HD leader? Why are they not adding the programing that I think we HD lovers really want? I am not one to jump the fence at the first defeat, but Dish appears to be living in fantasy land and not being competitive anymore. I am not sure how long I can hold out waiting for Dish to get it's act together.

 

[tigerfan33]

Without being a smart ass. I will say that they choose to do this. Why?? God, I mean Charlie only knows.

 

[MLBurks]

They were supposed to have a new satellite up and operating by now that would offer new HD content, but there was and is a delay at Sea Launch.

 

[Jim5506]

If you actually count hours of HD programming (not upconverted SD), Dish might still be the leader.

 

[tigerfan33]

If you actually count hours of HD programming (not upconverted SD), Dish might still be the leader.

Do you work for Charlie in the"how to count hd channels dept."

 

[bigthrust]

If you actually count hours of HD programming (not upconverted SD), Dish might still be the leader.

Upconverted SD, should eventually bring real HD. Upconverted SD is a good first step. Dish could at least consider that.

 

[navychop]

The two satellites that have been delayed by launcher problems will help matters. Dish led D* for years in the # of HD channels. Now people go nuts over a few weeks of the reverse situation? It'll be more even in a few months. They have some space now, but they really need the new sats to expand.

 

[darrencp22]

If I say it once more i'll go crazy.. Voom does not make you the HD leader. I realize there are a small gorup of people here who love what they offer. But in reality very few people watch voom at all. For content people care about Dish is far behind.

 

[steve4810]

If I say it once more i'll go crazy.. Voom does not make you the HD leader. I realize there are a small gorup of people here who love what they offer. But in reality very few people watch voom at all. For content people care about Dish is far behind.

That is completely false.

 

[navychop]

Just because that is a belief you hold, darrencp22, does not mean the majority agrees. You can't document "very few people watch Voom at all." The Voom channels count. Always did. Many of us think sports are a waste of bandwidth, but understand that the majority feels otherwise.

No doubt at least some of the new "HD" channels at D* are of interest to many, and will make it to Dish. But it makes no sense to keep changing providers every time someone gets temporarily ahead. In the long run, offerings will be about the same, or one will go under. Not likely to happen.

 

[mike2154]

Exactly which channel do Direct offer in HD that dish does not offer at this time? SciFi and USA are the 2 that stand out to me but I can not think of any other major channels offered by Direct that Dish does not currently offer so all this hubub over a couple of mediocre HD channels, give me a break. Maybe I am missing something but having sci fi and usa both in hd does not make me consider switching to direct as I will patiently wait as dish and direct will offer the same channels in the long run they will simply package them differently just as they do with their sd content.

 

[Ronnie-]

That is completely false.

How?

 

[Ronnie-]

Exactly which channel do Direct offer in HD that dish does not offer at this time? SciFi and USA are the 2 that stand out to me but I can not think of any other major channels offered by Direct that Dish does not currently offer so all this hubub over a couple of mediocre HD channels, give me a break. Maybe I am missing something but having sci fi and usa both in hd does not make me consider switching to direct as I will patiently wait as dish and direct will offer the same channels in the long run they will simply package them differently just as they do with their sd content.

Several Starz channels come to mind, along with quite a few 24/7 RSNs, FX, CNN, CNBC, Weather Channel, Fox Business Channel, MGM, Smithsonian. There may be others, and its possible E* has added one or two that i am not aware of

 

[NightRyder]

Please don't turn this thread into another argument about Voom or a E* vs D* pissing match. The first topic has been beaten to death and the second is why the "War Zone" exists.

NightRyder

 

[darrencp22]

That is completely false.

I couldnt be any more confident that there is a very low demand for Voom. If you can find ratings to the contrary feel free to post them. In fact, I would be shocked if the ratings for all of the voom channels combined are more than a signle HD/Upconvert channel.

 

[darrencp22]

It's quite relevant when someone is trying to make an arguement for Dish being "the HD leader". The only way you can possibly make this arguement is with Voom.

 

[Ronnie-]

Please don't turn this thread into another argument about Voom or a E* vs D* pissing match. The first topic has been beaten to death and the second is why the "War Zone" exists.

NightRyder

Sorry, didnt mean for any post i made to send it that way, just answering a question that was made

 

[bigthrust]

Several Starz channels come to mind, along with quite a few 24/7 RSNs, FX, CNN, CNBC, Weather Channel, Fox Business Channel, MGM, Smithsonian. There may be others, and its possible E* has added one or two that i am not aware of

I second this. Starz, is a good example. If I pay for premium channels and pay for HD content, I want ALL of them if they are being broadcast in HD! Dish gives me 1 Starz HD channel when Starz offers more than 1.

 

[ScoBuck]

Now people go nuts over a few weeks of the reverse situation?

Few weeks? Try 3 months next week.

But the real issue I see it that DISH has kept very quiet.

 

[NightRyder]

The solution is simple. E* subscribers have the same option D* subscribers had when they were behind in HD, switch or wait. E* is not likely to match D* in number of HD channels until later next year when the new satellites launch, so if numbers are important to you or there is a program that you absolutely must have to have in HD, bite the bullet and switch.

For myself, I don't watch channels I watch programs. I only have 4 series I watch that I currently can't see in HD, and only 1 of them is currently showing new episodes, plus I now have almost 100 HD movies archived on my external drives, so I'll wait and see what happens and enjoy the show (or not ).

NightRyder