Questions for the TONIGHT'S Charlie Chat (9PM EST - Dish Network Channel 101)

[Chris Blount]

Post your questions here for the next Charlie Chat:

Monday December 9, 2002
9PM EST Channel 101

Dish does read this forum so ask away.

Also, don't forget that while the Charlie Chat is airing, join us in the DBSTalk chat room for the live Charlie Chat...Chat. http://chat.dbstalk.com

[Bob_Roth]

When will picture quality improve to the level of 2 years ago?

If the engineers are currently working on this, by what specific date will this be achieved? Mr. Ergen, have you set a concrete date for them to meet the target of improved PQ?

[AJ2086]

Hartford locals?

[rolou21]

Why can the rsn's be put on spot beams....Like YES Ntwk..when...when..when???

[rolou21]

If Dish sells some if not all 61.5 frequencies...will the remaining Nyc locals be put on the 110 slot?

[rolou21]

Wil any future software releases include wink interactive instead of Open Tv or both?

[Lyle_JP]

When can we expect Dolby Digital on Encore, Starz! Theater, and the minor Showtime channels (all of which have Dolby Digital available on other systems)?

[Hoosier]

Also will 560 NBATV be shown all year or just during the entire nba season..including playoffs? Bye the way I really like the way dish has set up the league pass!! Awesome!! Much Thanks..
Basketball junkie...............:)

[Steve Mehs]

On the tech side, when will there be a new s/w version for the 50x that fixes the problems caused by 167, if they can't pack slow mo in to 168, so be it, I just want the box to be stable again.

And a minor request for DD on Encore and The Movie Channel, so folks subscribing to AT150 w/o any premiums can have some DD content.

[rolou21]

Speaking of adding DD to other channels...is it due to limited bandwidth or cost of the equiptment that is holding up additional DD channels?

[MAllen]

I was wondering about additional local channels, Jackson, MS in particular. It looks as if central MS is covered by Echostar 8 spotbeam 8-New Orleans?, and Echostar 7 spotbeam 12-Birmingham, both of which give strong signals on my receiver.

Also, I have a PVR 721 when will the latest software be released and when will this unit become OpenTv capable as some of the older units already are?

[gpflepsen]

Omaha locals?

[shilton]

I've mentioned it before...How bout Johnstown/Altoona, PA locals? We are hit by a strong spotbeam (in fact there is a backup beam sitting with NOTHING on it). We have confirmation from an NBC affiliate that they have already reached retrans. consent with E and D as well, so at least some talks have taken place. Also, the Altoona cable company is READY TO FOLD PRACTICALLY, so If Altoona sees locals via satellite, you WILL take over virtually the whole town!

[BRISTOL]

When can we expect NBC, ABC and other HDTV channels on DISH?:shrug:

[Jacob S]

I do not think HD is a very high priority right now like locals are. Locals will probably be a priority for a while now until about 80 or 100 of the LIL markets are up. Maybe by then they can figure out a way of compressing the signal even more allowing for more LIL markets to go up, or a new developement.

[BobaBird]

Originally posted by Bob_Roth
When will picture quality improve to the level of 2 years ago?My car won't go anywhere w/o wheels, can I have 2 of them back? No disrespect intended Bob (oh, and welcome! :hi: ), it's just that 2 years ago doesn't compare well to 5-6 years ago when the service was new. What will it take to get PQ back "on all 4 wheels"? Are you considering moving some AT100 channels to 110?

MAllen, the 721 is supposed to get OpenTV in the 2nd quarter.

A few of the Dish CD channels have been removed with the channels now mirroring somewhat similar ones. When will we get actual replacements?

Will 501/508 owners get to open their Christmas present early? I can't wait for slo-mo, frame advance and better timer management!

[Adam Richey]

WHAT IN THE H-LL ARE YOU THINKING CHARGE $5 FOR ME TO DELETE PROGRAMMING FROM MY ACCOUNT? MY BALANCE IS STILL ALMOST $100! I'VE GOT AMERICA'S EVERYTHING PACK, LOCALS WITH SUPERSTATIONS, AND MORE. I SEE NO REASON WHY YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO CHARGE $5 TO GET RID OF PLAYIN' TV AND THE MULTI SPORTS PACK.

[angiodan]

ESPN HD better be available on DAY 1 !!!

[Geronimo]

Why do you want RSNs on spots? Some of us out of market folks buy them. besides the RSNs were not really set up to match DMAs. I dont think the spots would work for them.

[stugil]

How many more locals can Dish add On Echostar 7,8 especially in the crowded Northeast.

[jrbdmb]

Originally posted by Geronimo
Why do you want RSNs on spots? Some of us out of market folks buy them. besides the RSNs were not really set up to match DMAs. I dont think the spots would work for them.



Right. My request for Charlie and Dish Network is to get Fox Sports West 2 *off* of a spotbeam, and make it available to those of us who buy the Multi Sport Package.

[Mark Lamutt]

When are HBO-HD and Showtime-HD going to move to the 8PSK format, and when are you going to take advantage of the additional bandwidth that 8PSK provides for more HD content? If negotiations make it difficult or impossible to add a national ABC-HD or NBC-HD feed, what about a national WB-HD or UPN-HD feed? You may be able to fit them under the superstations umbrella.

[johnsmith22]

When will the signal on tranponders 22-31 of Echostar VIII be improved to allow reception of programming on these transponders with a 1.2 meter dish in Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands.

[Scott Greczkowski]

Where are the Hartford locals?
Any Chance of adding Trio?
Any HD moving to 110 soon?

[RAD]

How much longer to the 921 is out? Please provide more information on upcoming HDTV STB's to hopefully replace the aging 6000.

[shilton]

Ooops...forgot to ask in my earlier post about LOCALS (Which I really really want so I can tell me cable co. what I think of their $12.95 per month just for basic to get locals!!!)

Will we ever see HBO-Zone??? many cable co's have it...why can't we? HBO is already the most expensive damn premium in the lineup.

[jerryez]

How about the Mobile/Pensdacola locals? We are DMA 62 and you have already added several smaller DMA locals. When are we getting our locals?

[peallen]

How about Memphis locals? PLEASE!!!!!! We are #43!!

[razorbackfan]

No complaints here, I think the service is great. Have a good Christmas.

[cnsf]

What is the status of the YES Network? Are negotiations dead? Are there plans to start them again at some point? Can the NBA League Pass blackout restrictions be addressed for the NY DMA so we can at least watch the Nets?

Is there any chance of carrying NY1 on Dish NY DMA Locals? Why is it not considered a "must carry?" I believe it is a Time Warner station.

[Geronimo]

Since NY1 is not a broadcast station I doubt you will get the response you want. Both providers have shied away from offering these stations. It came up in seeral cities as part of the retransmission consent agreements etc and they both said no every time.

[DarrellP]

DISH PLEASE ADDRESS THIS ISSUE:

When or will the 6000 be able to decode the PSIP data stream? Just give us an answer yes or no, don't leave us in limbo.

Thanks.

[Taz]

Dear Mr. Ergen,
Can you please tell me if the Knoxville Tennessee locals will be coming soon? I would have expected Dish to added them before Directv did since (Charlie) you are from this part of the area ....Oak Ridge TN. so i've been told. which is in the Knoxville DMA.

[cbusbee]

I think most of us would prefer quality over quantity. I would think you could drop 25-50% of your channels and then you could us that bandwith to increase the quality of the channel most people watch: ESPN, HBO, CNN, Networks, etc. Please add more HDTV, especially ABC, ESPN, HDNET. Why not offer just a programming package of HD channels? I would gladly pay $30-40 a month for 6-8 HD channels...Again, quality over quantity. Compression sucks on the new big screen t.v.'s we are buying. I almost prefer to watch SD on my 10 year old 31" Mits instead of my new HD-ready set with your 6000 receiver (an investment of over $3,000)...

[shilton]

Originally posted by cbusbee
I think most of us would prefer quality over quantity. I would think you could drop 25-50% of your channels and then you could us that bandwith to increase the quality of the channel most people watch: ESPN, HBO, CNN, Networks, etc. Please add more HDTV, especially ABC, ESPN, HDNET.

Huh??? Are you kidding? Why in the world would I want to see 25-50% of the channels dropped? Don't you think there is a reason AT150 is now one of Dish's favorite packages? Maybe you don't watch many of the channels...but most of us do. We want MORE, not less. If I wanted less for more money, I'd buy cable!!! (lol)

And for the record, please remember MOST of us today DO NOT have HDTV's so we really would not want to see the programming cut to offer those of you that do better picture quality. I believe for the most part the picture quality will improve once some channel shifting takes place and the next sat that Dish is working on gets launched sometime in the next year or so.

[Jeff43]

Would you please comment on the "USA TODAY" article on dbs theft. How much does dbs theft raise my bill? Would not a simple solution on dbs theft be to turn off dbs receivers that do not get an ok from calling home via telephone hookup? No phone home-no smartcard functions. Hide the callhome feature in the data stream on the program guide.

[guest]

Is Dishnet going to install phone outlets for FREE next to my box?
I don't care to have a 50 foot phone cord running from my box to the nearest phone outlet!!

[Jeff43]

If the article is true on the dollar amount on dbs theft each year-then giving customers like yourself with long phone cord reaches the new plug-in the electrical socket phone extension is cheap. Your phone connection runs on the electrical outlet you use to power your receiver. No more long phone lines to the receivers. For the RV user a free small plug into the receiver phone outlet generic cell phone one way module. Small, cheap and simple.

[Frank Z]

How about dropping all of the shopping networks and replacing them with a single HDppv that shows more than 1 movie per month.

[Jacob S]

How about those that do not have a phone, but choose to have cell phones instead or no phone at all?

Also a lot of people would say that they would want more channels added over adding a little quality to the picture if there is not much of a difference. Most of the customers do not know what a poorer picture quality is like because most of them were added after the quality was good and was dropped to a poorer level. Some would choose quality over quantity until they find out half of their favorite channels are dropped, as one would not get to pick and choose which ones. There has to be sacrifices somewhere for some advantages such as additional channels.

[Joel B]

What are the programming priorities these days? HD channels or getting locals.

And speaking of locals when will Milwaukee get their's?

[Scott Greczkowski]

I am actually planning on getting rid of my landline telephone service.

I have a cell phone that is cheeper, offeres free long distance, and its always with me so I never miss a call.

I know others who have already did this. So the requiring of a phone line is silly that is unless the DBS Company wants to install and pay for a phone line for me. :D

[dbronstein]

I also prefer quantity over quality.

Dennis

[Geronimo]

We all know why they want the land line----for the PPVs. It si not an unreasonavle request and asking them to give you a land line, a jack, or a plug in extension probably is. Plus if they did we would see posts asking when they are getting free phone service.


You have the right to choose no phone service or only cell phone service. They have a right to refuse you service.

[Stu]

When are locals going to be available for Norfolk VA we are #41?

[Ronmort]

When we will be able to subscribe to the following: Wilkes-Barre-Scranton (PA) locals, Yes Network, and MLB EI.

[buddy327]

I'd like to post another request that Dolby Digital is added to Starz Theater, Encore and Showtime 2. Also will we ever get HBO Zone or some of the many Cinemax channels? I enjoy Cinemax and would order it if more than 3 channels were offered.

[Jacob S]

Cable does not require a phone line does it since it had a two way communication? This makes it like a phone line in a way in itself because of this with digital cable, especially if they would offer phone service over the cable line, and with internet through the cable who would need a phone line anyways? You can make phone calls over the internet, just dont know how you would receive them unless you use some phone service that some cable companies have.

[Uncle Peter]

Anymore Basic Channels? VH-1 Country, MTV X, Goodlife TV????? Will we see anymore additions and when?

[Jeff43]

Scott G., If a person drops their landline phone service how does Dish Network get notified for a receivers PPV movies? :confused:

[J.W.]

I just wish I could get better PQ... I would like to get a big screen TV, but I know I will be disappointed! :( SOME AT100 channels are fine, but the Atlanta locals really suck!!!

J.W.

[Geronimo]

Without a land line you would have to call in---assuming you have a cell phine.

[normang]

I prefer PQ over Quantity, how many shopping channels do you need. And how much bandwidth is consumed by those dozen or so channels of educational stuff that I bet has virtually no viewers, why is that there? I could even live with a few less audio channels if it created bandwidth for more HD..

Yes, I know many don't have HD, but it won't be long, only a few more years and you'll need some sort of STB to view digital channels, HD or not.

And if my rates could go down several bucks by merely having a means of enforcing reciever authorization via a phone line, go for it. If you are cell phone only, then get one for your Dish and get a cellular modem or whatever of some sort to let it do the work..

Same thing I think would apply for credit cards, Still don't understand why I need a PIN for a Debit card and not for a credit card, Crecit card abuse would drop significantly over night if every credit transaction required a pin.

I want a limit on the per receiver fee.. $10 max for as many receivers as an account can support, not $5 a box..

Norm

[Geronimo]

The " educational" stuff is required by law. Not sure I can say much about the rest.

[normang]

Geronimo.. if that stuff is required by law, someone needs to change the law, talk about useless waste of bandwidth...

[Geronimo]

Perhaps so but until they do I think E* and D* should comply with it.

[FTA Michael]

Any new channels coming? (Like, maybe with the next rate increase?)

Wish List:
PBS Kids
Trio
BET Jazz
Classic Arts Showcase
GoodLife
B Mania

[Jacob S]

If they would have to have a rate increase, then I am sure they would add some channels so it will not look so bad.

[shilton]

Charlie,
We all know a rate increase will be in the cards. Let's use this as a chance to restructure packages to offer a better "volume discount" to the bigger customer. For example, At50 is the smallest (and probably least popular package). This package coudl EASILY hit $26.00 and still be VERY competitive with cable. That would open the door to reprice some of the bigger packages. AT150 is already MORE expensive than a competing offering from DirecTV, and I believe AT100 is as well. Also, something needs to be done somehow to HBO's increases which are so far out of line with the other Premiums. The secret is BULK PRICING. The more you buy...the more you save. I would suspect that if some of the larger packages were deemed "more affordable" more subscribers would go for them and thus Dish would generate more income. At the same time, if AT50 were raised to say $25-26.00 that would generate money too from those that decide not to upgrade. As a customer, I am concerned about rates spinning ouf control, as the AT150 pak is already more expensive then DirecTV's offering and is also comparably priced with Digital cable from my local provider. I want to keep Echostar, but hope that they will not ultimately price themselves out of the game. Remember, in life the wealthiest get the best tax breaks...If you go to Sam's Club and buy in bulk you save...same theory here. The more you buy, the less you should pay (at least if you consider your "per channel" price. Let's tread lightly on the price increases in 2003 and find a way to more fairly spread the load without increasing ALL customers.

[Mark Holtz]

I very much doubt that the AT-50 package is the "least popular" package. Dish Network has been aggresively pushing that package, and will probably do an extra psuh because of the rate increases in many areas.

Charlie, I've got some friends who are fed up with Cable. I can't wait for the Club Dish certificates. Is there another way to refer a customer to Dish?

[TimL]

I'd like to see Goodlife TV and possibly Trio added..also WMFD TV 68 in Mansfield, Ohio.(Cleveland DMA), Which I couldnt get at all unless I had a very strong antenna pointed directly west. I figure since it is in my DMA ..well why not?...:)

[kore]

Please fix the 721. It's your most expensive unit and doesn't work very well. It would be great to see features such as "Season Pass" and "Wish Lists" such as on TiVo's units. Stability first, though.
Please don't price the 921 out of the market. Judging from the 721's introduction, I see a risk that the 921 might be too expensive for the market to handle. Price it right and I would think you would see a lot of new customers jump to Dish Network.
I have a cell phone for a phone and NetFlix instead of PPV. Requiring a phone connection isn't logical. I wouldn't mind connecting to my cable modem, though. Each person has slightly different set ups and needs, please always keep that in mind.
Picture quality is holding back new subscriptions. I can't count how many times I've had friends over and was showing off my 721. Everything would be fine and I would be ready to give them a Club Dish certificate when the deal breaker was "Why is the picture quality so bad? My cable looks better when I watch ER." Picture Quality is a big deal.

[Jacob S]

Some buy the top-50 package with premiums vs. buying the top-100 or top-150 package, others just buy the top-150 package instead of top-50 with premiums. The cheap package allows people to buy movie packages without having to buy a big basic package. If they would have a smaller intro basic package they might be able to keep some of those subscribers that would otherwise disconnect, and make up for it with more premium subscriptions. They might even have more revenue if they have specialty packages instead of having to start out at $22.99 and go up $9 a notch, like $5 packages with a certain theme, something like the Canadians do on the Bell Systems.

[JimW396@webtv.net]

I live in the US Virgin Islands. I upgraded from a 7200 receiver to the new 721 receiver. I was able to receive the 7 day guide on the 7200 with access only to the 119 bird. Now, I can only receive the 2 day guide. Can you please have the 7 day guide available to those of us that can only receive the 119 signals? Please.
Also, when will the signal on tranponders 22-31 of Echostar VIII be improved to allow reception of programming on these transponders with a 1.2 meter dish in Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands.
Thank you.

[Jacob S]

Why do they have the guide info for 7 days on the 110 anyways if they have guide info on the 119 as well? Why not put it all at 119 so that it will all be in the same place, and so it will be available for everyone? If it takes up too much space then they should not be duplicating it on twice anyways (110 and 119), in which I doubt the guide info takes up that much space.

[larrydj]

What is the status of efforts to correct the latest problems with the Dishplayer? These are the audio and video blackouts, especially after pause, and EPG problems. How about a compensated upgrade to one of the better supported PVRs?

[Jacob S]

Maybe they could offer a deal for the dishplayer owners for a $199 upgrade option as well only make it to where they will not require the customers to have a credit card, or top-150 for a year, and have an exchange.

[Guest]

I would like to second a request for Knoxville, TN LIL. I feel as if I've led friends and family astray by guiding them toward DiSH. Now that they've invested in equipment (including recent PVR upgrades) DirecTV has picked up Knoxville with DiSH not expressing any intent to do the same. The PVR is not nearly as nice when the locals come in OTA. Consequently, I know several of us DiSH subs in Knoxville are thinking about a change to Direct. Life would be much easier for us if DiSH would add the channels.

[Lee L]

I second the question about the DishPlayer. It needs to be fixed. I am really getting fed up with all the 5 minute getting TV info. To have to go to your receivers ahead of time to make sure you can watch TV when you want to is crazy. Time Warner is starting to roll out a real PVR in some markets and their rates for the top packages are competitive with the $100 a month I am paying. Dish, you will lose some customers if you dont treat them better. To suggest that we get a 501 or even a 508 is an insult, even without being restricted to credit card autopay. People complaining about the 721 should look at the recent history of the DP and see what they are in for.


Also, the PQ is so bad now that I cannot in good faith recommend Dish to friends while several transponders sit virtually unused. Just in case anyone cares about the product being delivered to customers anymore.

[Chris Freeland]

Is it true that Chattanooga locals will be added possibly in 2Q 03? Will their be other channels added in near future? Is their any plans for any additional spotbeam satellites without the merger? I know it is too soon, but what is plan B? Any plans on upgrading any remaining AT100 subs that still have a Dish300 to a Dish500 to allow more flexibility and possibly improved pq without dropping channels to do so?

[Scott Greczkowski]

Don't forget the chat is TONIGHT! And as always we will hold a LIVE Chat here at DBSTalk starting at 8:45PM!

Thanks everyone for your questions, keep em coming!

[Jacob S]

Thank you for the reminder Scott. Of course they are going to add more locals, the end of a merger is not the end of the satellite business, and not the end of the world. They were just trying to say things to get them to approve the merger. Yes, it definitely would have helped bring the locals up cheaper and faster, but that does not make it impossible just because there is no merger. I would think that they would at least put up locals where they currently have a spot beam over, at least the ones in the top 80 markets, such as Charleston/Huntington WV (hint hint). I dont think it should just be about market penetration, but where there is a problem with bringing in a signal because of trees, hills, and mountains, like there are here.

I also think it would be fair if Dish did get a little more out of some local cities in which they would not be able to make as much money on to compensate them for uplinking them. Do you have any idea how many more subscribers there would be where I live if they would only add the locals? They would pick up tens of thousands of new subs as a result. I bet some of the local cities would not charge a thing to have their channels uplinked, or very little if anything, and those should be the ones to be focused on more and I think that is what Dish is doing.

Even if subs would only order the locals, Dish would get the $5 on top of the $6 for the package and make something off of it, or at least break even, and some would actually sign up for some packages later on. The subs could get used systems that would not cost more than an outdoor antenna and just pay a small monthly fee to be able to receive the locals crystal clear with the option to buy more channels later. Dish could get some of these used systems by upgrading customers for a small difference in price and then sell the used ones cheap, allowing current Dish subs to upgrade cheap, and allowing new customers.

How about a twist in things, a free refurbished/used system when you sub to locals for a year, or free locals for a year when you buy a system, that way they are getting their money up front. There is a way for Dish/Direct (Direct's hardware is cheaper so it may be able to be implemented cheaper) to do this and get more subs. Local retailers could make money by charging a small install fee without chargeback risk and maybe a small commission if they would sign up for a package under a special deal.

[psecic]

I want Trio, Newswold Intl.

[psecic]

Originally posted by Taz
Dear Mr. Ergen,
Can you please tell me if the Knoxville Tennessee locals will be coming soon? I would have expected Dish to added them before Directv did since (Charlie) you are from this part of the area ....Oak Ridge TN. so i've been told. which is in the Knoxville DMA.

Gawd you must be rich bud.

[Jacob S]

That cable company charging 12.99 just for the locals is only a few dollars higher than what Dish would charge in which would be 5.99 + 5.00 fee for not ordering a minimal package for a total of 10.99. I heard that you cannot order just the locals on Direct, that you have to pay 31.99 (total choice) + 5.99 for them on that service for a total of 37.98.

[DDRio]

WHEN WILL YOU DOUBLE POWER ECHOSTAR 5 TRANSPONDERS?

[Marcus S]

OpenTV for the 6000 and no more excuses about it.

[Jacob S]

echo 5 is not at double power? what is the reason for that? i wonder how many more channels and lil they can add if they would do this and how much they can increase picture quality. is it even possible for them to do double power it?

[jerryez]

I do not think that E* even looks at this forum, let alone this thread. They did not address one question that was posted in this thread. If they read this thread, they would know our main interests are new equipment and new locals.
Chris, why do you think they read this thread?

[Geronimo]

They have mentioned the forums in general and this one in particular. They read it., They may not respond and, in fact, it would be hard to rrespond to requests about every DMA, but they read it.

[Scott Greczkowski]

Fear not, Echostar does indeed read through the forums (we can tell) And while many questions from here never make it on the air they are seen by the top brass at Echostar. Complaints and comments on common themes do ring bells at Echostar and while they are not mentioned on the air work is being done behind the scenes to solve the issues which members are mentioning.

Why didn't they answer any questions here? Hard to say we know they had a lot on their mind with the news of the Merger being terminated the next morning. We also know that both the Charlie Chat and Tech Forum are meant to be marketing vechicals and not meant to be shows with complaints about PQ and Software issues. The shows are made to sell receivers, to sell programming and to let you know about promotions Echostar is having.

The people I have spoke with understand that sometimes the shows that air are indeed nothing more then 60 minute advertisements but they try there best to throw us a bone with some good inside information every now and then. :)

[Jacob S]

Just because we dont get everything that we want and that all questions are not answered does not mean that all questions are not read. Some things take time and they cannot do everything at once. Just look at the new features we are getting on the 721 PVR product. They listened, they reacted. That is one reason why I made my site, to organize all the thoughts and ideas. Mary told me that she would take those ideas to the tech engineers.