D* removes 10 dns HD channels ADDS 8 shopping SD channels

[celticpride]

I just noticed directv finally removed the HD DNS channels #80 thru 89 and replaced them with 8 SD shopping channels!,couldn't they at least have added 1 or 2 new HD channels instead? oh well at least i still have my sd channels.

[Shades228]

Those are MPEG 2 and they are phasing out HD on MPEG 2.

[kevinwmsn]

Channels 80-89 were the old mpeg2 hd channels and they were on sats 110 and 119. D* doesn't appear to add core HD programming to those locations. I think the "shopping channels" are remappings of the same channels on a different channel number and it doesn't require additional bandwidth

[Indiana627]

Plus shopping channels pay D* to carry them instead of D* paying the channel, which helps keep our costs down.

[mx6bfast]

Plus shopping channels pay D* to carry them instead of D* paying the channel, which helps keep our costs down.
So now our costs will go down since they added these shopping channels?

[litzdog911]

So now our costs will go down since they added these shopping channels?

No, DirecTV's costs go down. And they make more money :)

[Dale in PA]

This is VERY old news. at least that they MPEG-2 channels of the DNS stations would disappear. All of those channels are in the 390s in MPEG-4. I am NOT a DTV apologist, but given that their is only so much bandwidth, why would anybody continue to carry the station on 2 channels? In fact, for months, I wondered why those stations showed up in channels 80-88.

[Indiana627]

So now our costs will go down since they added these shopping channels?
Probably not (we all wish they would), but these channels may help keep our costs from going up.

[Kheldar]

This is VERY old news. at least that they MPEG-2 channels of the DNS stations would disappear. All of those channels are in the 390s in MPEG-4. I am NOT a DTV apologist, but given that their is only so much bandwidth, why would anybody continue to carry the station on 2 channels? In fact, for months, I wondered why those stations showed up in channels 80-88.

Exactly. They have reached the point where it didn't make sense to continue the MPEG2 HD channels -- a large majority of the HD customers now have MPEG4, and those that don't probably won't upgrade anyway; they were given the option of a free upgrade and chose not to take it. So now they have forced the issue: upgrade, or lose the channels. It no longer makes sense to spend the extra money for a small minority of customers.

[evan_s]

Those channels have been going away for quite a while. It's been in the works since last year when d11 launched and mirrored those channels in mpeg 4. Additionally it's been know pretty much since then that they would not be getting replaced by new mpeg4 hd channels. DirecTV is using the SL3 as the main lnb in most markets that don't need locals from 119 so many of their new customers and recent moves couldn't receive any channels put up to replace the old mpeg 2 hd channels from 110 and 119. The most common assumption on the boards is they will move the international channels off their current location to the space vacated by these channels so they can be received with a SL5 like the Spanish and Chinese packages can.

[TheRatPatrol]

Plus shopping channels pay D* to carry them instead of D* paying the channel, which helps keep our costs down.
Good, maybe we'll keep Vs. then. :sure: ;)

[dreadlk]

What I dont understand is why they dont add some National HD channels to use up the Bandwidth, channels like Travel HD and BBCA HD. If the new 3 LNB system is the reason then why not move some more junk shopping channels from 101 to 119 and add Travel HD on sat 101 in Mpeg2 format until D12 is ready.

[BattleZone]

What I dont understand is why they dont add some National HD channels to use up the Bandwidth, channels like Travel HD and BBCA HD. If the new 3 LNB system is the reason then why not move some more junk shopping channels from 101 to 119 and add Travel HD on sat 101 in Mpeg2 format until D12 is ready.

Those shopping channels pay to be on the core satellite. Most subscribers don't have access to 119, and the shopping channels pay to be on EVERY system.

As has been discussed *many* times, more HD won't be coming until the next sat is launched.

[raott]

Plus shopping channels pay D* to carry them instead of D* paying the channel, which helps keep our costs down.

No, it doesn't. Your monthly fee is based on the market price, not D*'s costs.