The Non Charlie, Charlie Chat....

[Scott Greczkowski]

Well folks thanks to everyone who joined us again for our Charlie Chat... Chat here at DBSTalk.COM.

We were here for the chat but guess who didn't show up for his own chat? Yes folks there was no Charlie on the Charlie Chat.

No real reason for him to show up, nothing to make him look good this month. A bunch of bogus "we would love to add that channel but we don't want raise you bill" B.S. for the entire show.

The biggest news was that GOL TV would be available as part of the AT 50 package later this year.

If you joined us for the chat we hope you had a good time, our chat was a lot better then what you saw on TV.

I hope things pick up for Dish Network soon, this was a depressing Charlie Chat, and I am getting tired of hearing the bogus answers. I don't know about you but I got satellite TV so I could get channels I couldn't get from my local Digital Cable service, not for Charlie to keep my bill low.

And I personally find it offensive that some people will not be able to see baseball games they could see last year because Dish dosent want to pay extra for the entire season (when they had the entire season in the past) At least if they were going to do this they should have alerted customers BEFORE the season started that many games would not be available.

[Steve Mehs]

The biggest news was that GOL TV would be available as part of the AT 50 package later this year.

Not exactly news, since it was mentioned last month :) I think he said AT150, but it was hard to tell.

[Cyclone]

They said AT50 first and then said AT150 the second time for GOL TV. The funny thing is that it will be Spanish language channel with English available via SAP.

Also no new HDTV news, the Senior VP of Programming michael.schwimmer@echostar.com said that there wouldn't be new HDTV offerings until Summer/Fall. I guess to coinside with the release of new HD hardware.

[clapple]

I didn't think they could lower the bar, from last month's non-event Charlie chat. But they underwealmed me again. 20(?) minutes of EcoChallenge? There must be at least 5 people, in the world that care. Including the three, on the show ( including the two pretending interest) and the one that called with the answer. Then 10 minutes (?) of PVR, with no mention of 921. What a waste of time!

[Darkman]

also - more Locals - Apr 30 - Paducah, KY (or something like that)

[bolco]

Originally posted by Scott Greczkowski
....because Dish dosent want to pay extra for the entire season (when they had the entire season in the past)...

I am under the impression that through last year, WUAB-TV (ch.43) in Cleveland carried almost half of the Indians games and it was the last year of their contract with "The Tribe."

During the off season, the Indians raised the rates "significantly." WUAB chose NOT to renew the contract.

Fox Sports Ohio coughed up the ca$h, so now almost ALL of the Indians games are on FSO. Trying to recover the costs, FSO raised the rates to the providers in mid-contract. DirectTV and the local cable company spent the money, but Charlie refused.

I feel that Charlie has a point, "You are required to provide me with your programming for $X per year until the contract runs out."

I feel that the FSO has a point, "For your $X per year, we agreed to provide you with Y number of games...NOW, we are providing you with Y+Y number of games. So, -pay extra for the new programming-, or we will provide you with only Y number of games as stated in our agreement with you."

If there are any Cleveland fans who know better, please fill me in.

Thanks,
Bolco

[pjboud]

Hey, Summer/fall, that's when Adelphia may start offerring HD too.....

Sorry Charlie

Seeya, and keep your PVR that probably won't work,.

[TNGTony]

What? New city on the 30? Peducah, KY is a real place Darkman...Just west of Louisville (Luville)

...can anyone verify? (No offense dark dude, but...Huntsville comes to mind :D)

See ya
Tony

[Darkman]

Haha Tony - You missed the chat or....? :)

hehe - Huntsville - sorry - was a boo-boo (we all make "some" here and there) ;)

But ya.. - Some1 please verify! (Who knows - maybe i was drunk or something...Losing confidence now (Don't even trust myself any longer) - all i know they said Apr 30, Kentuky, and then Peducah (or something like that)) - lol

OH!!! ..Wait!! - I'll go try to check this "sucker" at the Interactive Weather (Good idea - lol - They usually got every town (and "village" - j/k) listed there...) And something that is going to be among Dish's locals - should be there for sure :) :)

brb ... Haha - it was a good idea (i knew it!)... I knew i missplelled Kentuky (it's Kentucky) :(
and ya - Peducah is there - but correct spelling is Paducah....
So official word from Dish - Paducah, KY on Apr 30th...

Geeez - where do they get those names from... And how do they originally arrive at them...??? - lol - still beats me! ;)

P.S. - Sorry Tony... (about having you list every local channel for Huntington...When i saw you do that, i go: "OH! No!" ...). I knew something was wrong somewhere right there and then! (otherwise i might have not even caught my boo-boo)

[Tomsoundman]

As promised in the Chat chat, I will rant about "Paducah" not even being on the DMA chart while my DMA is #61... Looks like I will switch to D* when they have my locals.

[Scott Greczkowski]

Last night's Chat should have been renamed the "Michael Schwimmer Show"

Every question Michael was trying to say "No" with terms making it sound like hes doing it good for the consumer.

The only time is when he got happy was when someone asked (surprise) a soccer question to which a pepped up Michael Schwimmer was happy to answer. Is it me or does it seem like the only thing this guy knows how to negoiate for is Soccer and Cricket?

Did anyone notice last night he gave the woman behind him the mic to answer a question and he wasn't happy with what she was saying an GRABED the mic out of her hands, the poor lady looked like she was going to cry, even my wife mentioned this.

His actions last night just prove to me even more what a jerk Schwimmer can be. I have had some dealings with him and all of them left a bad taste in my mouth.

Charlie I have now come to a point where I am getting fustrated by your attempts to save me money. If I want a certain channel and I am willing to pay for it then what is the problem?

[motjes2]

I pvr'ed the damn chat and I glad I did because it saved a whole 55 minutes. By skipping I was able to watch it in 5 minutes. This so called "Chat" has become the "Wasted Hour Charlie Chat". What a waste of time. They should consider not doing any of these if they have no news to report.

[Tomsoundman]

Scott, I was going to mention what you said last night in the chat about Michael S., VP of Programming. But you just mentioned in above! Thought maybe you didn't want to talk about your experience with him in the past on this website but you did...

[Cyclone]

I'm still at a lose as why Dish is so concerned with having the cheapest satellite service. Isn't that what Teirs are for? Sure the AT50 is cheap and really is a good bargain. But I want more, I pay for more. I hate hearing no.

I'm really afraid that one day you'll need to subscribe to several MSOs to get an equivilent line up to what you see today.

[Randy_B]

Is it me or does it seem like the only thing this guy knows how to negoiate for is Soccer and Cricket?

Judging from the price of the cricket matches, I would say Schwimmer definitely can't negotiate those either. So, what can/does he DO?

He can't even get PBSKids on Dish. He must be a relative?

[dbronstein]

Originally posted by Scott Greczkowski
[B] I don't know about you but I got satellite TV so I could get channels I couldn't get from my local Digital Cable service, not for Charlie to keep my bill low.

Speaking just for myself, I got Dish because I was fed up with the service from AT&T cable. I could get the channels I want and the price was comparable, but the service sucked. So I got Dish and their service is miles better than AT&T's (now Comcast).

Dennis

[dbronstein]

Originally posted by bolco
I feel that Charlie has a point, "You are required to provide me with your programming for $X per year until the contract runs out."

I feel that the FSO has a point, "For your $X per year, we agreed to provide you with Y number of games...NOW, we are providing you with Y+Y number of games. So, -pay extra for the new programming-, or we will provide you with only Y number of games as stated in our agreement with you."

Does anyone know if the contracts with these channels actually specify the number of games? Does the contract with FSO actually say "X number of Indians games, Y number of Cavalier games and Z number of Bluejacket games" or whatever they carry?

Dennis

[dbronstein]

Originally posted by Cyclone
I'm still at a lose as why Dish is so concerned with having the cheapest satellite service. Isn't that what Teirs are for? Sure the AT50 is cheap and really is a good bargain. But I want more, I pay for more. I hate hearing no.

The impression I get is that Dish is more than willing to do this, but the channels don't want to. Like YES - Dish has offered to carry it as a premium channel so only the people who want it have to pay for it, and YES has refused. I think Dish would be perfectly happy making every channel available a la carte, and the customers would be perfectly happy to buy them that way. But the networks don't want it because they'll get into less homes.

Dennis

[Scott Greczkowski]

Tom, thanks for your comments.

If you have been reading this site for any length of time you will notice (or at least I hope you would have noticed) that I call things as I see them. If I see something that I believe that a company is doing wrong I will be vocal about it with my opinion. and by the same token if I see someone or something either company is doing correctly I will also publicly praise them.

I feel being open and honest is the best thing for our members. If we can't give our open and honest opinions about the companies and their employees then it is my opinion that there is no need for our site. We are not a propaganda machine for anyone.

A few people have PMed me about my comments which have been viewed as criticism and asked if my negative comments will hurt my standing with either company. My feeling is that no it does not. When I post my thought I hope the companies pay attention and learn how to improve their product. And if certain higher ups are upset at me and stop talking to me I still have my hidden sources who still feed me the information I am looking for anyways. My comments should always be viewed as constructive.

I was very upset with last nights chat, if I was a shareholder I would be very concerned about Echostar and its future.

On another rant, last night there were some questions about International Programming and again Michael Schwimmer said he would love more International programming but does not see it happening because of all the red tape they must go through to get those channels..... HELLO SCHWIMMER... Don't you read your own PRESS RELEASES stating that Echostar would be offering 100 new International Channels later this year?

I really don't understand all the smoke and mirrors.

But rest assured I will continue to report my feelings on things, both good and bad, I will not be swayed and will always post my honest opinion. And please remember that word opinion, it means my opinion may not be the same as someone else's and that's ok, which is why we have these forums so everyone can voice their opinions.

[Scott Greczkowski]

Originally posted by dbronstein
Speaking just for myself, I got Dish because I was fed up with the service from AT&T cable. I could get the channels I want and the price was comparable, but the service sucked. So I got Dish and their service is miles better than AT&T's (now Comcast).

I will agree with you here, but let's remember what also makes Dish Great is the ability to choose the programming package which is best for you and your family getting the programming you can afford.

Some folks will say that the program providers may not want their new channel to be part of some high end package, and while this may be true I sit and scratch my head wondering how the got a top 50, top 100 and top 150 package setup. Obviously the program providers had to decide where they wanted to go and not everyone could be in the cheep package. Maybe its time for a Top 200 Package with new HD Channel such as ESPN HD and Discovery HD included.

[Tomsoundman]

Scott -

That is the value of the forum, you are right. If we just said happy thoughts about providers, they would pay us for the advertising. Appreciate all you and the other guys do in keeping this forum up, running, and making changes for the better.

[Darkman]

LOL, but...

Scott, I didn't really see him grab the Mike from the chick... (unless i wasn't watching close enough, or missed it or something), but i think i WAS watching it :) - and i didn't see her being ready to cry after that... Actually - i saw it differently... - i think i saw her being cheerfull 'nuff that she was given a Microphone, and she was all "gigles and smiles" there with the other girl :)

On the other note - "On another rant, last night there were some questions about International Programming and again Michael Schwimmer said he would love more International programming but does not see it happening because of all the red tape they must go through to get those channels..... HELLO SCHWIMMER... Don't you read your own PRESS RELEASES stating that Echostar would be offering 100 new International Channels later this year?" - somehow i do not recall that either, but AGAIN i could have missed something...
But even if he said that, maybe he was referring to some specific international ones, that he knows are not coming this summer among the 100 or so new ones...
(like i noticed - 100 new ones - will be specializing in the area of Asia, Phiillipines, Africa, etc)

P.S. - Scott, maybe you guys were too busy "chatting" at your own Chat Chat last night and missed or misinterpreted some datails as well :) (j/k)

[Scott Greczkowski]

P.S. - Scott, maybe you guys were too busy "chatting" at your own Chat Chat last night and missed or misinterpreted some datails as well

It is possible, after all I am only human. :D

[Mark Holtz]

It's obvious that the focus of Dish Network has changed. The name of the game is "locals" and to snag unhappy cable subscribers (like me). If you want a low-end DBS system, there is the Dish AT-50+locals for $29.99 per month.

After that... what? If you don't mind living without the Encore Theme channels, then Total Choice Premiere is looking more tempting. From the equipment standpoint, DirecTV offers a two-tuner PVR for $199-$249 which can be expanded to two 120 GB hard drives (with some trade-offs), while Dish's PVR product is $269-299 for a single-tuner PVR, and over $500 for a dual-tiner 721. In addition, Dish has locked down the drive system to prevent hard drive upgrades.

I got Dish Network because they offerred some things that DirecTV wasn't offerring at the time. At the time, Comcast switched to AT&T, and proptly messed up billing, and the poor Customer service was a final straw for a unhappy cable subscriber. At the time, the only UPN/WB was the superstations while locals consisted of ABC/CBS/NBC/FOX. Now, looking at the schedule:

* Buffy - Ending it's run
* Enterprise - Sorry, Scott Bakula, but I'm about to leap out of this series.
* Angel - I hope that it's renewed.

I still wish for West Coast feeds. I live in California, so subtrace three hours for everything. Sometimes thats good, sometimes not.

But, why did I get a DBS system anyways? Mother pacifier. Since I live at home, and pay rent which in turn pays the mortgage (long story), I pay for the cable/DBS. Otherwise, I wouldn't have it at all, and a friend of mine would be taping stuff for me.

[psycaz]

I loved how on the question about if there is any way to use the cuopons we get for free pay per views over the internet for those who use internet pay or credit card auto-pay- he never answered and just pretty much said yeah we do send them out to customers who use credit card auto-pay or internet pay...

[dbronstein]

Originally posted by Scott Greczkowski
I will agree with you here, but let's remember what also makes Dish Great is the ability to choose the programming package which is best for you and your family getting the programming you can afford.

Some folks will say that the program providers may not want their new channel to be part of some high end package, and while this may be true I sit and scratch my head wondering how the got a top 50, top 100 and top 150 package setup. Obviously the program providers had to decide where they wanted to go and not everyone could be in the cheep package. Maybe its time for a Top 200 Package with new HD Channel such as ESPN HD and Discovery HD included.

Here's a thought - how about offering different packages at the same level? Maybe have 3 different top 100 packages with 10 or 15 different channels in each. I doubt Dish would go for it because it would reduce the need for customers to go to higher packages.

Dennis

[Scott Greczkowski]

I would love an ALA Carte option for all channels, the big problem with this is many of the channels we have now would be gone because of lack of subscriptions. And that would be a bad thing.

It's a catch 22 no matter how you look at it.

[BobMurdoch]

Hey, I myself am ready for an AT200 if it means getting Oxygen, Trio, more of the MTV and VH1 channels, etc..

I applaud his efforts to be a hard negotiator and keep the prices down, BUT there should come a time when he realizes that he can't get the deal that he WANTS and be ready to take the deal he can LIVE with.

Here's an idea..... ditch the ATxxx structure and move into themed blocks. Sports fans can get a sports block (two tiers, one for ESPN and their local RSN(s), one for the MultiSports Pak and some of the more premium channels. An HD pak for those with the equipment. A movie pak for those channels not currently part of the HBO/SHO/MAX/STZ paks. This way people who refuse to pay for AT150 can still be enticed to pay for more programming.

Here's to hoping that Rupert's pulling the DirecTv fish over the side of the boat (assuming the FCC and Justice Depts. don't make him throw it back) can snap E* out of the doldrums and get them leading again. I was starting to get the feeling that they were going to take the lead with HDTV, but ESPN-HD falling by the wayside has told me that E* is slipping again.

And this from one of the big E* cheerleaders. C'Mon Charlie, I've aken a few bullets for ya here over the last year, how about giving me SOMETHING to work with.

Even Cablevision has finally brought Digital Cable to my area. They even have Extra Innings as well. If it weren't for the PVR and the HDTV I'd actually be tempted to (shudder) go back to cable.

Charlie, if I'M getting the itch.... you're in trouble. Snap out of the funk caused when Rupe landed DirecTV and start making E* relevant again. Otherwise, that market share you've been grabbing will do a 180.

[TNGTony]

Originally posted by Tomsoundman
As promised in the Chat chat, I will rant about "Paducah" not even being on the DMA chart while my DMA is #61... Looks like I will switch to D* when they have my locals.

Not to make you feel any better, but just a correction...Paducah is indeed on teh DMA chart at #77.

Two things that Paducah/Cape Gerardeau/Mt. Vernon has over Huntington/Charleston.

1) A less channels to worry about. (8 vs 11 total)
2) It's located in an area where the spot beam isn't overflowing.

See ya
Tony

[Darkman]

Tony, according to the map you follow, what spot # is that Paducah at?

[TNGTony]

Spot 9 at 110°

See ya
Tony

[Jacob S]

I thought my market, #61, was Charleston/Huntington, WV? Maybe it is #62 instead.

[Marcus S]

Hey Folks, he and the executive team are in summit in Mexico. I was not surprised that he did not make it back. Problems are brewing and I don't need to base that on my opinion.

[FTA Michael]

There are a lot of notes here from a historically dull chat!

* The idea of establishing tiers for different interests runs counter to Dish's apparent strategy. Each tier has something extra from every category, so Dish has something to lure every type of viewer. Want Outdoor Life and just plain Outdoor? Gotta get AT150. Want Hallmark or Nick Games? Gotta get AT150. Plus there's the channel space question. I'd love to see an AT200 package, but I don't expect it.

* I want to hear the dirt on Michael Schwimmer, and I want to hear it now. Anyone who treats a subordinate(?) like that on national TV deserves a long, skeptical look.

* But those new international channels? I expect they'll be like all the current international channels, a la carte and expensive. Something like BBC World, added to a tier, would be neither.

Originally posted by Randy_B
Judging from the price of the cricket matches, I would say Schwimmer definitely can't negotiate those either.* On the contrary, the price Dish charged probably had nothing to do with its costs, but with what crazy sports fans (I can identify here) would be willing to pay for a massive serving of (for them) down-home entertainment. If I were stuck in Moscow for a project, how much would I be willing to spend for a playoffs-plus-World-Series baseball package? Especially if I split the cost with several transplanted Americans? Answer: A Whole Lot! :)

* About FSO, it got the extra Indian games, then it raised its rates because apparently, by contract, it could. Other carriers ate the costs, but Dish held the line, because that's what Dish does. It really helps the profit numbers.

Finally, here's my Crazy Unfounded Guess Of The Day: Charlie's in Mexico negotiating his exit from Dish. (I'm probably wrong, but if I'm right, I get bragging rights for a while, don't I?)

[Mark Holtz]

Originally posted by carload
Finally, here's my Crazy Unfounded Guess Of The Day: Charlie's in Mexico negotiating his exit from Dish.Why does that make sense? Look at the Charlie Chats starting with the chat the day prior to the announcement that DirecTV/Dish merger was aborted. Charlie wasn't his normal self.

[reddice]

That is the problem he was so focused on the merger instead of pleasing the customers by adding more channels that people wanted instead of just adding more informercial and shopping channels.

[Cheyenne]

I notice many people still refer to the chats as "Charlie Chats".
Didn't this change a couple years back? I believe they are now refered to as "Customer Chats". I really do not expect to see Charlie attending these as often. Either way... they are lacking any kind of pertinent content as of late and serve little more than a marketing tool.

[DishDude1]

Yes, this last chat was a real waste...

[Scott Greczkowski]

Originally posted by Cheyenne
I notice many people still refer to the chats as "Charlie Chats".
Didn't this change a couple years back? I believe they are now refered to as "Customer Chats".

Nope they are still advertised as "Charlie Chats" on the commercials which air on various channels.

"Join us on the next Charlie Chat where you can talk to Dish Network CEO Charlie Ergen!"

Hope he's having a good vacation in Mexico, because when he gets back he has a lot of work to do.

[Cheyenne]

Thanks Scott, now I see why customers are confused.
Gosh, Has Echostar has been running that promo that long?
They seem to be a little overdue for new promo's, open's, trailer's, etc.
Charlie Ergen has always had a tactic in the past and I'm sure his competitors can't wait to find out what it is.
Maybe he's going to retire... that would throw em off.

[Darkman]

Who really cares - Charlie Chat, Customer Chat, or whatever...
and Who really cares if it is marketting tool or whatever...
It is their "TV", their "time slot", their Chat, their company...
And they can SURELY do - lol - whatever the heck they please and want to do at those Chats (be it talk Locals, or strip Naked - hehe - imagine that)...

All i know - i d rather have these Chats then not have them at all...I enjoy them... - be some really good Chats, or other ones boring...
After all - nobody is making you people watch 'em ;)
Just turn a channel or something...
But you still end up watching them - hoping to hear some interesting piece of info, or them throw you a "little bone" or something...
My suggestion - just watch 'em without any expectations, and if something good comes up - take it as Gravy...
Or do not watch 'em...
But no need to cry over them... Life is too short...

Like example - be it boring or not...- But them throwing a "local bone" - Paducah, KY (Apr 30), made me not regretting watching this Chat... (hehe - i guess - i enjoy hearing those kind of news first hand, rather then just reading it somewhere afterwards, after the "bone was thrown" - LOL

Peace now....

[Cheyenne]

Darkman, obviously others care and you do not.
Simply a post CHat Chat Chat.
No doubt people have option to not view like I have done. Haven't watched a CC since last summer myself. Many viewers do want to watch, but feel the event has been on a downhill slide.
When events start sliding like this they usually get cancelled.
Future of the CC's are in doubt.

[Darkman]

I hope they keep 'em Coming though....
I am sure i am not the only one out there that rather have 'em, then not... and enjoy watching 'em - if for nothing else, then at least just for the hell of it, (as some weird variety, obsession, or something) :)

and just for the fact that there are still lots of People out there that enjoy them Chats... for that fact only - Dish should not cancel 'em, but just keep 'em coming as they normally do!

Keep 'em alive - Dish!!!!!! - hehe

[Darkman]

Everyone / Anyone out there, who still enjoy 'em Charlie Chats, Customer Chats or whatever they are - hehe - say "Yes", "Me" or whatever (j/k - but you are welcome)
:)

[Scott Greczkowski]

Sometimes the chats are good sometimes they are not, I actually LIKED last months chat, but this months got a big thumbs down.

[Darkman]

Scott,
But the question is - "Would you rather live with 'em Chats, or would you rather be without 'em?" ( just a General Question :) )

[Bob Haller]

The p[roblem is we as a group know to much, and studying the goings on with some occasional insider help we know the news before the chat.

Hence chats are boring...

[Darkman]

even so - the bottom line is - i d rather live with 'em, then without 'em - hehehe

[Cheyenne]

How does this thread qualify for a sticky anyway?

[Darkman]

ahaha - good question :)

I guess cuz of the fact that it is was "Charlieless" Charlie Chat - lol

[mattb]

I still wish they did columbus ohio locals on E* but I know that wont happen for a long time due to spot beams current layout.

[tampa8]

Yes, I still enjoy (mostly) the Charlie Chats. But my friends who simply watch TV not "Live it" as we do, REALLY like it. To them it shows Dish really cares. There have been some comments in this thread that I feel are a little over the top. To assume that Charlie didn't show up because Dish is in trouble doesn't hold water. It is just as possible (more possible to me) he had to attend to an important meeting for Dish. And a remark about the stockholders can't be happy? On what is that based? Dish is in pretty good shape, better than Direct TV. And it appears the stock has not taken any big nose dive. Does Dish have problems? You bet. I have been agreeing they very badly misplayed the FSNOH thing. But even in these forums I still see many saying they agree with Charlie for not overpaying for channels, and it seems especially sports channels. They badly messed up with the Dishplayer, or at least the way they have treated those who own them, but I got a good deal for my 508 and it works great. My system (dish, switches, etc.) have worked flawlessly for years. I guess my point is it sure seems that the bad is highlighted and the good is passed over. Both Dish and Direct are vastly better than our local cable.

Ok, I feel better. :)

[RichW]

Look, if it were not for Charlie's vision and tenacious energy in following it, we would be paying $500-700 for a DBS receiver and probably not have local channels vis DBS. The reason I was hoping the merger would go through is that it had the potential of combining Charlie's good vision and financial management with DirecTVs resources and strategic partnerships with equipmetn manufacturers.

[Curtis0620]

And higher prices with no competition. Sure I want that, NOT.

[DoyleS]

Let's face it the chats are only useful if both parties feel they are being served. If the dialog is one sided then there is not much long term value in it. I am a relatively new Dish Subscriber (6 months) and I have had a lot of people ask me how I like Dish and why I didn't choose E* or Digital Cable. I have found myself hedging my comments. For me, the picture quality is not high enough for me to recommend Dish unless I know the person is going to be watching on something less than a 27 inch set. I finally tossed the Sign up a Friend promotion box that was sent out a number of weeks ago because I realized I wasn't going to recommend the service until the PQ improved. I do like the PVR and its features and the AT150 package is well priced but I would never rent a PPV when I can get a DVD with far superior picture quality than what is available on the non HD channels. When more HD material is available along with better HD receivers then things may change.

..Doyle

[RichW]

Originally posted by Curtis0620
And higher prices with no competition. Sure I want that, NOT.

So we got higher prices anyway as the DBS industry matures and neither company can afford to lose money on subscriptions. Price pressure comes more from cable now than from DBS competition and price increases come from the program providers who are upping the cost of the channels. Duopolies seldom serve consumer prices any better than monopolies... and there is a good indication that the will only be one major DBS company left in five years.

[wmayo]

For one thing, it at least SEEMS Charlie wasn't around ... couldn't be ... so he wouldn't have to answer the inevitable rag on his last month's "what's coming" then with excitement and clarity: HD content "E S P N" (almost like read my lips).
Sure, it was not said to be at launch, but that's a virtual promise of SOON.
Now, I actually don't care that greatly about ESPN-HD compared to HDNet (HDNet movies, etc.). But it's would have been a better PR move to have been much more above board and say the negotiations got snagged or something, and "we're going to mat for you" etc, instead of the fluff off like we got.

Frankly - the last HD content was added a YEAR ago. Then they claimed to be the "leader in HDTV." Well, after seeing numerous pages for cable systems with 10-15+ HD offerings, they must drop this claim (unless for DST only).

[kstevens]

Originally posted by Scott Greczkowski


Charlie I have now come to a point where I am getting fustrated by your attempts to save me money. If I want a certain channel and I am willing to pay for it then what is the problem?

Because I'm not willing to pay for it. If they can get it as a premium then so be it, but don't push the cost of a channel that only a few people want on me.

Ken

[Darkman]

hehe
;)

[PeterB]

I was wondering where all those used pom-poms were on ebay were coming from...


Now I know. :)

[Darkman]

PeterB - huh? - didn't get that one :)
One more time please - and in "Simpler English" :)