01-14-02, 08:11 PM
I typed this up in realtime as I was watching, its not as good as TNGtony's Charlie Chat Recaps. But it will do till he gets his up. So here you go.
Its almost time for the Charlie Chat to start. Looks like they have a new instructional video on Channel 101 which almost looks like the DirecTV Customer Info Channel.
Its 8PM and here comes the show, the audio level blows my wife back into the Kitchen. Charlie and Jim are wearing the same outfits they wore earlier today for the Retailer Charlie Chat.
First up - Must Carry. He mentions that you are getting all these new channels for the SAME price of $5.99 (I guess he forgot he just raised the price from $4.99)
Sorry Nashville you need to pay for locals now (haha! That laugh was one echoing in CHarlies head) No UPN in Austin Cincinnati and San Diago) No WB in Indianapolis and Orlando.
Whoops Charlie we had a problem fitting in all the new channels. Charlie yes we did now all the locals are on the 8000's. THe run the video being shown on channel 756(?) The bottom still says after April 1, 2002 you will have to pay for Labor.
We are back from the video. Jim says that your local channels will show up on their regular channel number some time in the future.
Charlie says that to get all the newtworks you need no equipment. No Network Channels require a second dish call 800-333-DISH to get a free Dish, free switch and free install.
Charlie could have dropped markets, he could have moved locals to 61.5 and 148 or he could have put all the non networks on the side "wing" satellites. He chose option 3 to put non network channels on the wing satellites.
Charlie is blaming laws on the problems with Technology. He says things will get fixed.
Jim says "so Charlie all networks are on the core locations right?" Charlie says yup...
Send your comments on Must Carry to CharlieCHat@dishnetwork.com
Charlie says NAB has filed a pitition to the FCC. If NAB is sucessfull then he will have to go to option 1 or 2.
Thats it on Must Carry.
Other Big News.
Price Changes and Programming Changes, everyone is going up $1. Its a lot less then the cable companies.
We have added some channels to AT 150. VH1 Classic, FOx Movie, Soap Net...
Also on AT 100 Speed Channel (Formally Speedvision) is coming to 150, Much Music on 158, WE and on 128 and IFC on 131. These all come on Jan 22nd
Premium CHannels go up $1 but if you have 2 premiums you price just goes up $1 not $2.
The Americas Everything pack is going up $3.
I like 9 customers will not have their price go up, they get a larger credit.
If you are on Digital Home plan you price stays the same unless you change plans then the new price takes effect.
Charlie is never happy about a price increase. He runs an effeciant business. Hes not rasiing prices because Jim's salery is going up.
Programming Costs went up approx 9%, while the raise in price is only 3%.
Now we go on to talk about Disney. Charlie is happy to say Fox Sports is remaining. Negoatiations for ESPN Classic and ABC Family were not good. Charlie said that if they did not agree to the price increases they would oppose the merger with DirecTV. Charlie also said it would not oppose if DIsh agreed to continue to carry ESPN Classic and ABC Family.
ESPN Classic wanted a 50% increase in prices over the next 3 years. Charlie dont want to pay it as its all old programs. ABC Family remains and is an "honest disagreement" they are going to court over it.
ABC Family was supposed to be Kids Programming but now is ABC Reruns.
Raitings have noised dives (Huh? They have gone up over the past few months)
They layed off 1/2 the staff.
Disney has been a good partner but we will not pay hush money. We like having intelegent talks with our programmers. When someone has a lawsuit the lawyers talk and the business guys dont.
They carry 14 Disney owned channels currently.
On the phone its Larry. How does must carry effect customers who qualify for distant networks.
No Change in price they only get the network, they wont get the WB and UP, we want to offer it but today we carry superstations.
James Andrews writes in and asks " I have a problem recieveing the fox network that cost alot how can I get FOX.
Charlie assumes he does not quality for the networks. It all has to with the law, nothing to do with mountains, he suggests writing to FOX for a waver so Dish can sell you channel. CHarlie compains about signal tests and having to pay for it. Charlie says write to the FCC and to the networks. Charlie says its not a consumer friendly law. Jim says to call 1-800-333-DISH and they will lookup what you can get.
Charlie says when they merge with DirecTV they will probably broadcast a city next to you.
Chrissy is on the phone calling about the $3 increse on the everything pack. And why it wasn't mentioned in the letter.
Charlie says a special letter was sent to everyone who subscribed to the everything pack (I didn't get one) Charlie says this is the reason we do this Chat. Caller then asks for HBO Zone. Charlie says we are in negotations. We cant add it because of Must Carry.
Email from Dale - Dale asked about ESPN Classic (Covered) ESPN Classic was a channel that some people liked maybe someday we will have it back. He will not add it if Disney does not support the merger. ESPN has increased 20% a year for the last few years.
Edward on the phone. Wants to know why they are on the 129 satellite. CHarlie has no idea why the Philly channels are not available on the DIsh 500. Jim interupts him.
Charlie says oh Phillidelphia! he did say he did not want to talk about this. Dish had to rent space from another company whih uses KU band satellites and they will install it for free. The show a starband dish showing what they need to put in. The Network channels are on the core satellite the other philly channels are onthe 129 satellite.
He also wants to know about the 721 when is it coming out. Charlie says tune into the tech chat next month for more. It will be out in March or April. Tune in Feb 11th to see it.
Email from Gary who asks if Dish will be carrying the Yankees (YES) Network. CHarlie says they are in negoations, nothing signed yet, the price they are asking is out of line, so no deal yet. Only yankees games will be on CBS.
Michael Swimmer (SP) says they dont want to make non sports folks pay for the channel. they want to put it up on an alacarte basis but the channel does not want to be sold like that. CHarlie says that soon all sports will be on pay services soon.
Charlie says 75% of the folks out there dont watch sports and they are the ones who pay for the sports channels in the basic lineups.
Dwayne Brown writes in about pro sports packages.
Charlie says league passes are the way to go, they should be available to us if the merger goes through.
Jeff is on the phone he has been a customer since 1997. He says that Dish Networks prices are almost the same as cable, why is that.
Charlie says that because companies require them to carry channels that Dish may not want, but they have to carry them. Charlie thinks customers want lower prices and cheeper prices, and he agrees. He hopes the merger will balance the playing field.
Then we talk about the merger, Charlie says they are doing it so that they can better compete with the cable companies. CHarlie says more locals and HD coming if the merger is approved. Charlie says he loves to listen to customers.
We have a TV Land Giveaway - The prize is an Al Hirthfield Giveaway - look at the photo and guess 4 of the characters.
Next up DIsh Latino Max, 80 Channels for $49.95 a month Available January 14th. It comes with AT 50 and all the spanish channels.
Jim says we have more international channels added now has Chinese Channels, both Marderin and Cantonese for $24.99 a month. Call 877-446-2742 to order today.
ALso Polsat 2 has been added its a Polish Channel its $14.99 a month or $10 a month of you get the other polish channels. Now 38 channels in 15 languages.
Next up is the OLYMPICS. We will have it on NBC, MSNBC and CNBC. (I emailed in an asked it they would have the HD feed) Lets see if they answer it..)
We are short on time from Craig, want to know why only 6 cities are availble as distant networks. Charlie says the reason for them is because all other cities will be on Spot Beam when that satllite is launched.
The next question is when will Dish have more LILs available. We are out of space, the must carry law hurt us. We need the merger, Charlie says that they can do over 100 more cities, doing at least one city in each state. Additionaly with Spot Beams they will add a few cities because of the way the spot beams are up, which will be this summer.
Next email is about Superstations, whats the deal, if you have them now then you will have them for awhile. Do not worry. No news is good news.
Pamala Sounders Hughes from NJ wins the print from TV Land.
Heres a call from Fred. He has been a customer for a long time 2 quick questions. 1 I have National Feeds are they going to move? Charlie says no. They will still be in 240 to 250 range.
2nd question from fred about the 4700 OPen TV Upgrade, why has it not been done. Charlie blames the engeneers (again) The update is actually going out, the mic in the peanut gallery is not working. Everyone should be updated within 30 days.
Last email from Tim Mayher - what will the time frame from the merger be and will I need new equipmet. Charlie says what you are watching today you will not ahve to pay extra to get that in at no charge. He will upgrade Apples to Apples you cant go from a 3900 to a HD 6000 unit.
Charlie we are all out of time, next show is a tech forum on Feb 11th. Goodnight all! Up comes the legal scroll. And now back to the Dish ANswer Channel.
This was typed in realtime and was not spell checked. I need to be up early so bed time for me, night all.
Its almost time for the Charlie Chat to start. Looks like they have a new instructional video on Channel 101 which almost looks like the DirecTV Customer Info Channel.
Its 8PM and here comes the show, the audio level blows my wife back into the Kitchen. Charlie and Jim are wearing the same outfits they wore earlier today for the Retailer Charlie Chat.
First up - Must Carry. He mentions that you are getting all these new channels for the SAME price of $5.99 (I guess he forgot he just raised the price from $4.99)
Sorry Nashville you need to pay for locals now (haha! That laugh was one echoing in CHarlies head) No UPN in Austin Cincinnati and San Diago) No WB in Indianapolis and Orlando.
Whoops Charlie we had a problem fitting in all the new channels. Charlie yes we did now all the locals are on the 8000's. THe run the video being shown on channel 756(?) The bottom still says after April 1, 2002 you will have to pay for Labor.
We are back from the video. Jim says that your local channels will show up on their regular channel number some time in the future.
Charlie says that to get all the newtworks you need no equipment. No Network Channels require a second dish call 800-333-DISH to get a free Dish, free switch and free install.
Charlie could have dropped markets, he could have moved locals to 61.5 and 148 or he could have put all the non networks on the side "wing" satellites. He chose option 3 to put non network channels on the wing satellites.
Charlie is blaming laws on the problems with Technology. He says things will get fixed.
Jim says "so Charlie all networks are on the core locations right?" Charlie says yup...
Send your comments on Must Carry to CharlieCHat@dishnetwork.com
Charlie says NAB has filed a pitition to the FCC. If NAB is sucessfull then he will have to go to option 1 or 2.
Thats it on Must Carry.
Other Big News.
Price Changes and Programming Changes, everyone is going up $1. Its a lot less then the cable companies.
We have added some channels to AT 150. VH1 Classic, FOx Movie, Soap Net...
Also on AT 100 Speed Channel (Formally Speedvision) is coming to 150, Much Music on 158, WE and on 128 and IFC on 131. These all come on Jan 22nd
Premium CHannels go up $1 but if you have 2 premiums you price just goes up $1 not $2.
The Americas Everything pack is going up $3.
I like 9 customers will not have their price go up, they get a larger credit.
If you are on Digital Home plan you price stays the same unless you change plans then the new price takes effect.
Charlie is never happy about a price increase. He runs an effeciant business. Hes not rasiing prices because Jim's salery is going up.
Programming Costs went up approx 9%, while the raise in price is only 3%.
Now we go on to talk about Disney. Charlie is happy to say Fox Sports is remaining. Negoatiations for ESPN Classic and ABC Family were not good. Charlie said that if they did not agree to the price increases they would oppose the merger with DirecTV. Charlie also said it would not oppose if DIsh agreed to continue to carry ESPN Classic and ABC Family.
ESPN Classic wanted a 50% increase in prices over the next 3 years. Charlie dont want to pay it as its all old programs. ABC Family remains and is an "honest disagreement" they are going to court over it.
ABC Family was supposed to be Kids Programming but now is ABC Reruns.
Raitings have noised dives (Huh? They have gone up over the past few months)
They layed off 1/2 the staff.
Disney has been a good partner but we will not pay hush money. We like having intelegent talks with our programmers. When someone has a lawsuit the lawyers talk and the business guys dont.
They carry 14 Disney owned channels currently.
On the phone its Larry. How does must carry effect customers who qualify for distant networks.
No Change in price they only get the network, they wont get the WB and UP, we want to offer it but today we carry superstations.
James Andrews writes in and asks " I have a problem recieveing the fox network that cost alot how can I get FOX.
Charlie assumes he does not quality for the networks. It all has to with the law, nothing to do with mountains, he suggests writing to FOX for a waver so Dish can sell you channel. CHarlie compains about signal tests and having to pay for it. Charlie says write to the FCC and to the networks. Charlie says its not a consumer friendly law. Jim says to call 1-800-333-DISH and they will lookup what you can get.
Charlie says when they merge with DirecTV they will probably broadcast a city next to you.
Chrissy is on the phone calling about the $3 increse on the everything pack. And why it wasn't mentioned in the letter.
Charlie says a special letter was sent to everyone who subscribed to the everything pack (I didn't get one) Charlie says this is the reason we do this Chat. Caller then asks for HBO Zone. Charlie says we are in negotations. We cant add it because of Must Carry.
Email from Dale - Dale asked about ESPN Classic (Covered) ESPN Classic was a channel that some people liked maybe someday we will have it back. He will not add it if Disney does not support the merger. ESPN has increased 20% a year for the last few years.
Edward on the phone. Wants to know why they are on the 129 satellite. CHarlie has no idea why the Philly channels are not available on the DIsh 500. Jim interupts him.
Charlie says oh Phillidelphia! he did say he did not want to talk about this. Dish had to rent space from another company whih uses KU band satellites and they will install it for free. The show a starband dish showing what they need to put in. The Network channels are on the core satellite the other philly channels are onthe 129 satellite.
He also wants to know about the 721 when is it coming out. Charlie says tune into the tech chat next month for more. It will be out in March or April. Tune in Feb 11th to see it.
Email from Gary who asks if Dish will be carrying the Yankees (YES) Network. CHarlie says they are in negoations, nothing signed yet, the price they are asking is out of line, so no deal yet. Only yankees games will be on CBS.
Michael Swimmer (SP) says they dont want to make non sports folks pay for the channel. they want to put it up on an alacarte basis but the channel does not want to be sold like that. CHarlie says that soon all sports will be on pay services soon.
Charlie says 75% of the folks out there dont watch sports and they are the ones who pay for the sports channels in the basic lineups.
Dwayne Brown writes in about pro sports packages.
Charlie says league passes are the way to go, they should be available to us if the merger goes through.
Jeff is on the phone he has been a customer since 1997. He says that Dish Networks prices are almost the same as cable, why is that.
Charlie says that because companies require them to carry channels that Dish may not want, but they have to carry them. Charlie thinks customers want lower prices and cheeper prices, and he agrees. He hopes the merger will balance the playing field.
Then we talk about the merger, Charlie says they are doing it so that they can better compete with the cable companies. CHarlie says more locals and HD coming if the merger is approved. Charlie says he loves to listen to customers.
We have a TV Land Giveaway - The prize is an Al Hirthfield Giveaway - look at the photo and guess 4 of the characters.
Next up DIsh Latino Max, 80 Channels for $49.95 a month Available January 14th. It comes with AT 50 and all the spanish channels.
Jim says we have more international channels added now has Chinese Channels, both Marderin and Cantonese for $24.99 a month. Call 877-446-2742 to order today.
ALso Polsat 2 has been added its a Polish Channel its $14.99 a month or $10 a month of you get the other polish channels. Now 38 channels in 15 languages.
Next up is the OLYMPICS. We will have it on NBC, MSNBC and CNBC. (I emailed in an asked it they would have the HD feed) Lets see if they answer it..)
We are short on time from Craig, want to know why only 6 cities are availble as distant networks. Charlie says the reason for them is because all other cities will be on Spot Beam when that satllite is launched.
The next question is when will Dish have more LILs available. We are out of space, the must carry law hurt us. We need the merger, Charlie says that they can do over 100 more cities, doing at least one city in each state. Additionaly with Spot Beams they will add a few cities because of the way the spot beams are up, which will be this summer.
Next email is about Superstations, whats the deal, if you have them now then you will have them for awhile. Do not worry. No news is good news.
Pamala Sounders Hughes from NJ wins the print from TV Land.
Heres a call from Fred. He has been a customer for a long time 2 quick questions. 1 I have National Feeds are they going to move? Charlie says no. They will still be in 240 to 250 range.
2nd question from fred about the 4700 OPen TV Upgrade, why has it not been done. Charlie blames the engeneers (again) The update is actually going out, the mic in the peanut gallery is not working. Everyone should be updated within 30 days.
Last email from Tim Mayher - what will the time frame from the merger be and will I need new equipmet. Charlie says what you are watching today you will not ahve to pay extra to get that in at no charge. He will upgrade Apples to Apples you cant go from a 3900 to a HD 6000 unit.
Charlie we are all out of time, next show is a tech forum on Feb 11th. Goodnight all! Up comes the legal scroll. And now back to the Dish ANswer Channel.
This was typed in realtime and was not spell checked. I need to be up early so bed time for me, night all.