DISH Local TV Packs See Price Change

Customers with EchoStar's DISH Network will pay an extra dollar for local TV packages beginning Jan. 1, CEO Charlie Ergen said during his December consumer chat this week.

The extra dollar, which pushes local TV packages to $5.99, will cover the addition of a local PBS feed for each package. The PBS feed and other new channels are covered in must-carry mandates for satellite TV.

The exception to the new price will be for DISH Network customers in Nashville, who will continue receiving local TV channels for free due to a retransmission consent battle involving WKRN.

In addition, UPN channels in Austin, Cincinnati and San Diego won't be carried by DISH, along with WB affiliates in Indianapolis and Orlando, due to ongoing retransmission consent skirmishes with broadcasters. Customers in those cities, however, will still pay for their local TV packages.

During his chat, Ergen hinted that the company is having trouble signing new deals with Fox and News Corp. concerning carriage of a number of Fox regional sports networks. Discussions continue as to carriage of the channels. He also said discussions continue regarding carriage of ESPN Classic Sports, but that the DBS service will drop ABC Family at the beginning of the new year.

From www.skyreport.com (http://www.skyreport.com) (Used with permission)

Another price increase from Charlie! What does he think he's running, a cable company? Actually, I haven't had a price increase from my cable company yet, but they have added five channels. :D

I believe there is some misinterpretation of what Charlie said. I think if you live in a DMA and now pay $4.99 for locals and do not pay the $1.00 for PBS, then yes you will pay $1.00 more than you are now, thus in effect being forced to pay for PBS. There is no increase in price if you already get PBS, and in fact you will be getting many more channels in either case.

If you are in a white area, I took it as there would be no change because you are not getting any of the extra channels, just the four networks. What I am not 100% sure of, is if you will still be allowed to pay the $1.00 and get PBS in a white area.

My point is, I believe the only people actually paying more would be those who now pay the $4.99 and do not get PBS. But for that $1.00 increase you will get PBS and many other stations.