DISH HD

[guest]

Does anyone know if the hdnet will be free when it is added like it is on Directv or will it be in a high definition package? Thanks.

[rowdymon]

Nobody knows yet, but I'm guessing it's going to be free at launch. Then later on, Charlie will package all the HD channels together into one HD package.

[Chris Freeland]

Originally posted by Romona
Nobody knows yet, but I'm guessing it's going to be free at launch. Then later on, Charlie will package all the HD channels together into one HD package.

I doubt all HD channels will be part of the same package. I doubt premium HD movie channels will ever be separate from their main package, HBO HD will likely remain in HBO package and Showtime HD will likely remain in Showtime package and Cinamax HD (win available) will be in Cinamax package. I suspect basic HD channels such as HDNet, HDNet Movies, Discovery HD Theater, will be in a HD package together along with ESPN HD, Bravo HD and others as they become available.

[Cyclone]

I suspect that each HD channel will cost $7.99 a month, just like Discovery HD Theater is. Everyone will complain, but in the end, will end up paying ala carte.

I do agree with Chris that HD versions of existing Premium channels will remain within the repective premiums channel's package. So if you want Cinemax's HD channel, you'll need to pay for all of the cinemax's channels.

This fall will be great for HDTV providers.

[Scott Greczkowski]

From what I know the HD channels will be part of a package and possibly no more alacarte for the HD channels.

[DarrellP]

I suspect that each HD channel will cost $7.99 a month, just like Discovery HD Theater is. Everyone will complain, but in the end, will end up paying ala carte.
Wrong! I refuse to buy Discovery HD now for $7.99. I get plenty of HD OTA and refuse to bow to extortion. Charlie did state on the last chat that they were looking at an HD package.

Does anyone know why Dish charges $7.99 for Discovery when cable companies are only charging $5?

[Martyva]

Cox cable owns the Discovery channel. i htink the discovery channel is charging $4 per customer and still needs 10 million customers to break even. 50% on programming is below break even point. $5 is a loss

[HTguy]

Yeah, and it costs a little more in terms of bandwidth to uplink an HDTV channel to a DBS satellite.

I'm sure DHDT will be bundled into an "HD Pak" with the rest of the non-premium HD channels for a substantial savings over a la carte selection.

[Ken_F]

Cox cable owns the Discovery channel. i htink the discovery channel is charging $4 per customer and still needs 10 million customers to break evenDiscovery offers their HDTV channel a la carte at 50% of revenue. If a provider charges $7 for Discovery Theater, Discovery gets $3.50. If the charge is $3.00, Discovery gets $1.50.

The Discovery Channel is less expensive when offered as part of a package of multiple HD channels, reportedly around $1.00 per month, although the exact figure isn't known. On a $5.00/mo HDTV package with Discovery and ESPN, a provider would make about $5.00 - ($0.85 + $1.00) = $3.15, less other administrative, marketing, and infrastructure (amortized) costs.

[Jacob S]

HD is expensive at first since it just first came out but the prices will drop later on. I think they will offer both ala carte and a package.