Upcoming DISH HD stuff

[ride525]

I've been lurking here awhile, and didn't see a thread summarizing what and when and how much things will cost.
I've been a long time DISH subscriber and am thinking of moving to Directv.

1. SuperDish
Cost ?, will DISH pay to install?
Available about October 1? (2003) :)

2. 811 Receiver
$299
Available about October 1?

3. 921 Receiver
$999
Available EOY 2003, early 2004?

4. HD pak
Discovery HD, ESPN-HD, HD-NET, HD-movie?, More?
Cost unknown
Available about October 1?

Anyone know more? Or who to contact at DISH to find out? I called and CSR didn't know anything, and emailed and haven't received email answer.

[Scott Greczkowski]

Hi and :welcome: Welcome!

From what I know (and remember things are always subject to change) :) Here are the answers I know.

1) Unknown Cost I expect $99 and a promo (half price or free) if you sign up for the HD package for a year.

2) 811 should be available as soon as the SuperDish is available to the public.

3) 921 from what i can tell may not make it this year. Dish knows most HD fans want one and they want it to be stable out of the gate.

4) From what I have hear the HD Package will cost 1 cent less then DirecTV's HD Package so Charlie can say he has the cheepest HD package anywhere.

The channels in the package are still unknown, I would be willing to be ESPN-HD is one of the channels. Other possible channels include CINEMAX HD, Starz HD, Bravo HD. I have been told by 3 seperate contacts that there will be a surprise HD channel as well. From talking to friends in the industry it would not surprise me to see something from MTV or HGTV which I hear are both playing around with HD technologies. (just don't hold me to those) :)

[ride525]

Scott,

Thanks for your reply. Just wondering when SuperDish (and 811) will be available to public.

Here's the email response I got from DISH, I wrote them back and suggested that they must have a target date for rolling out this stuff. And I asked for info on SuperDish cost (hardware and install).
---------------------------------
Thank you for your e-mail. We do not have a date when the 811
receiver or the SuperDish will be available for purchase. Please stay
tuned for consumer Charlie Chats that are broadcast monthly on Channel
101 or logon to our website for future announcements.

We have already signed deals with HDNet and HDNet Movies, coming
this fall. We hope to reach agreements with STARZ! /Encore and Cinemax
when they launch, and also ESPN HD. At this time we do not have any more
specific information we can provide. Please stay tuned for consumer
Charlie Chats that are broadcast monthly on Channel 101 or logon to our
website for future announcements.

Your business is greatly appreciated and we thank you for
allowing us to be of assistance to you. If you have any further
questions or concerns, please refer to www.dishnetwork.com or reply to
this e-mail.

[Chris Freeland]

Scott, I doubt very much that CinamaxHD or StarzHD will ever be in the ATHD package, CinamaxHD will most likely be included in Cinamax package and StarzHD will most likely be included in Starz Super Pak. Sharper Movies HD from the Starz/Encore group I suspect will likely end up in ATHD. I think the surprise channel may be INHD and possibly INHD2. My predictions that ATHD will include:
1. ESPN HD
2. HD Net - already announced
3. HD Net Movies - already announced
4. Discovery HD Theater - already available on a "a la carte" bases
5. Bravo HD
6. Sharper Movies HD
7. INHD - possibly
8. INHD2 - possibly
9. Events HD - already available
ATHD will be $9.99, $1 cheaper then D*HD. ;)

[Scott Greczkowski]

One of the Starz HD channels will be available in the package. (Which is actually called Sharper Movies HD - Stupid name!) this channel will show older movies from Starz in HD.

You are correct about Cinemax not being part of the package.

[alv]

I assume Cinemax HD will be part of the cinemax pack and therefore only $2 for those who have HBO already

[Eyedox]

I though InHD and InHD2 were cable owned and operated ... I would be really surprised to see them let a competitor (DISH) have their channels too.

[Jacob S]

My distributor left a message on my answering machine today telling me that there is going to be a meeting in Charleston, WV about HD at a Marriott hotel and that she thinks they are getting ready to roll the locals out in that area and that the retailer chat is tomorrow.

[Jeff_R]

I though InHD and InHD2 were cable owned and operated ... I would be really surprised to see them let a competitor (DISH) have their channels too.

In Demand is owned by the major cable companies. But, they also said that these would be basic cable channels and not a cable exclusive. No word on how much they are going to want Dish or Direct to pay for them, but presumably they will be available if the two DBS companies want to purchase them.

[Ken_F]

Lots of channels have cable companies or associated individuals as their primary investors; Starz and Discovery are two examples.

[Chris Freeland]

All cable networks that are owned by one or more cable company's and are available to other cable company's via satellite are required by law to be available at a competitive rate to DBS or any other multi-channel tv provider, since INHD and INHD2 fit the above criteria, they can be picked up by E* and D*.