Information From Dish Confrence Call (Answers many questions.)

[dcromer]

Here is a quick run through of the Dish conference call. I was not listening to the whole call, just interesting topics.

--Call Begins--

Echostar VP (Finances?) welcomes listeners and reads scripted regulatory remarks about information contained on the call. He discusses the financial state of E*. The company is doing well... After lengthly discussion he introduces Charlie and welcomes questions from callers.

-DVR Information-

Charlie explains that DVRs are a revolutionary technology and Echostar currently supports DVRs. Everyone needs a DVR to "control" television. He says he believes Echostar has the best DVR technology for the following reasons:

1. E* owns and uses its own technology in its DVRs
2. E* is ahead of the cable industry which is just getting into the DVR market (he uses this to point out he is better than cable)

He announces that there has been some discussion in the market about his decision to charge for DVR services. He points out:

1. Everyone else in the DVR business is charging, essentially he is "leaving money on the table." (Charlie's Quote)
2. He can promote DVR technology by lowering the front end cost of a DVR.
3. It adds value and incentive to suscribe to the higher packages (i.e. lower DVR fees for AT100, AT150, AEP)

He points out he has the lowest DVR costs and that at this time existing DVR models will not have a charge.

-HDTV Info-

Someone asks about HDTV locals. Charlie replies E* is the leader in HDTV, but has no interest in adding HDTV locals. He views it as a duplication of signal. Charlie admits that the cable companies have an advantage in covering local HDTV. Someone else points out that E*'s HDTV receivers have local HDTV tuner capabilities.

-International-

Someone asks about international. Charlie says a few Koren and Chinese channels are coming. Prices are from 9.99 to 39.99.

-Future Technology-

The Digital Home Plan will be postponed until Mid October not August

Charlie says 3 new receivers are on the way. Most likely before the end of the year. He only mentioned two though:

1. The first DVR to record 100 hrs. (510)
2. The first HDTV DVR (921)

-SBC-

Charlies views:

1. Adds additional customers
2. Provides discounts
3. Customers have less of a chance of quitting

Charlie will not offer discount, SBC may choose to.

Retailers are worried about having to compete with the phone company. Charlie says local retailers offer a personal touch but competition exists, that's life.

-Misc.-

Miami Channels? I don't know what this was about. Charlie says that weekly scans of distant net customers has been implemented and some customers are being shut off.

Piracy - Industry must join together to fight signal theft.

Cable competition: It is costing cable companies $600-700 dollars to "steal" a Dish customer. Charlie is not worried. After 16 months they will see how much better Dish is than cable and switch back. Charlie: Sometimes the grass is greener, but you must realize that you are standing on the greenest grass already.

Hope this answers some questions, it did for me.

[Greg Johnson]

I'll take two of whatever Charlie's on. :grin:

[vacationhomelocals]

Miami Channels? I don't know what this was about. Charlie says that weekly scans of distant net customers has been implemented and some customers are being shut off.


Any one able to shed light on this?

What weekly scans are they refering to? is it in thier data base or what?

And why are the customers being shut off if there is a stay?

[Bob Haller]

-DVR Information-

Charlie explains that DVRs are a revolutionary technology and Echostar currently supports DVRs. Everyone needs a DVR to "control" television. He says he believes Echostar has the best DVR technology for the following reasons:

1. E* owns and uses its own technology in its DVRs
2. E* is ahead of the cable industry which is just getting into the DVR market (he uses this to point out he is better than cable)

He announces that there has been some discussion in the market about his decision to charge for DVR services. He points out:

1. Everyone else in the DVR business is charging, essentially he is "leaving money on the table." (Charlie's Quote)
2. He can promote DVR technology by lowering the front end cost of a DVR.
3. It adds value and incentive to suscribe to the higher packages (i.e. lower DVR fees for AT100, AT150, AEP)

He points out he has the lowest DVR costs and that at this time existing DVR models will not have a charge.

-.

Does he REALLY believe this? I wonder if others are shielding him from the truth?

Ds $5 a month account TIVO charge is less, D TIVOS are far better more stable boxes..........

[Rayser]

Bob

What he does see is that he added a quarter million more subs than D* + the 10 largest cable providers combined for the quarter while reducing his subscriber acquisition cost and raising prices.

You assume Charlie is dazed, confused and doesn't have a clue about DVR's but until the market place proves your point I wouldn't bet against him.

[JBKing]

He points out he has the lowest DVR costs and that at this time existing DVR models will not have a charge.

Once again, Charlie lays the groundwork.....

Refresh my memory, how was the 501/508 advertised - no fee PVR or what? Was there a time limit specified, or inferred?

[wcswett]

Well, Charlie stimulated me to get on the phone and change my subscription. I was receiving AT 150 + HBO, SHO, Locals, Distant Nets and Superstations. With Distant Nets going away piecemeal and UPN, WB and TBS added to my locals, I dropped Distant Nets and Superstations. The savings was more than enough to upgrade to AEP + Locals, thereby avoiding a DVR fee for my future 921 and whatever other DVR comes down the pike. I can now enjoy Starz and Cinemax (HD when available), and I can pocket the $3 difference. So, Charlie, thanks for the $3 a month.

--- WCS

[Karl Foster]

In what realm is E* the leader in HD? Perhaps they will be at some point in the future, but for him to say they currently are the HD leader is a bit misleading. I'm pretty sure that D* and most digital cable systems have more of a HD offering than E*.

[DarrellP]

3. It adds value and incentive to suscribe to the higher packages (i.e. lower DVR fees for AT100, AT150, AEP)
It also gives us AT50 folks an excuse to drop Dish like a hot potato. Scr$w You, Charli$ $rgen.

In what realm is E* the leader in HD?
In Charlie$ cry$tal ball, that'$ where!

[MikeW]

Darrell...
What is the point of AT50 and a 921 receiver? Why do you need an "excuse" to drop a service you are not satisfied with? Save yourself the grief and aggravation and switch already. The bitching about the, currently non-existent, PVR fee is getting very, very old!

[kstevens]

Darrell...
What is the point of AT50 and a 921 receiver? Why do you need an "excuse" to drop a service you are not satisfied with? Save yourself the grief and aggravation and switch already. The bitching about the, currently non-existent, PVR fee is getting very, very old!


well, if everybody stopped bitcihing, only you and I would be left :-)


Ken

[Greg Bimson]

What he does see is that he added a quarter million more subs than D* + the 10 largest cable providers combined for the quarter while reducing his subscriber acquisition cost and raising prices. DirecTV added 175,000 subs for the second quarter; Dish Network added 250,000. Where is the magic "a quarter million more subs"?

I do agree, however, that these are uncharted waters. Truthfully, if I were a shareholder, I would wonder why everyone but Echostar charges for PVR/DVR service.

[razorbackfan]

Sounds like a shrewd businessman. Bottom line is profit.

[Richard King]

well, if everybody stopped bitcihing, only you and I would be left :-)

KenI resemble that remark. :D

Sounds like a shrewd businessman. Bottom line is profit.Ah, someone from the real world arrives.

[DarrellP]

Darrell...
What is the point of AT50 and a 921 receiver? Why do you need an "excuse" to drop a service you are not satisfied with? Save yourself the grief and aggravation and switch already. The bitching about the, currently non-existent, PVR fee is getting very, very old!
Mike, have you ever watched Dish SD programming on a HD set? That is my point, it looks like Sh*t. If I have a 921 and the HD package, why on Earth would I want ANY SD programming? After watching HD then switching to Dish, I keep rubbing my eyes and trying to focus. The image is so soft and washed out, it's not even worth viewing. (yes, my set is calibratied and looks absolutely stunning with a good source). The only reason I even have the AT50 is so my daughter has her Disney shows (that we watch only on an NTSC set, BTW).

I never said I was not satisfied with Dish service, I am just unhappy about their DVR fee implementation. I don't watch enough TV to justify spending $100/month.

Sorry my bitching bugs you, but I've been a Dish sub since early 97 and this is the dumbest idea they've ever come up with. As I said before, I will buy another PVR and use it for OTA, I will not line Charlie's pocket with a $10 DVR fee. :nono2:

[Chris Freeland]

In what realm is E* the leader in HD? Perhaps they will be at some point in the future, but for him to say they currently are the HD leader is a bit misleading. I'm pretty sure that D* and most digital cable systems have more of a HD offering than E*.

I agree that at the moment that D* has a better or more robust HD lineup. I do not agree that most digital cable systems have a better HD package, I agree that some do, but they are a small minority in the largest markets. Here in Chattanooga, Comcast only has 3 HD channels, HBO-HD, SHO-HD and are local CBS in HD, and this cost $5 over the price of a normal digital box and you need to sub to HBO or SHO to get those two. Cable company's will have some advantage in local HD in the near future, however all of the HD satellite STB's that are coming in the future and most current one's now available include a built in digital ota tuner that will seamlessly add local DT to the epg, and since digital ota is either a great picture or none at all, many people who bother to put up an antenna for local HD will not even notice that they are not getting them from their satellite provider except when they are absent from their bill every month ;) .

[HTguy]

It also gives us AT50 folks an excuse to drop Dish like a hot potato. Scr$w You, Charli$ $rgen.
And what will dropping DISH gain you? D* doesn't have a $24.99 basic package but it does have DVR fees.

Just forget about the 921 & enjoy your 6000. You might consider getting a 811 anyway if your set has DVI. The 811 supposedly will do a better job upscaling SD content. Stick your PVR in the bedroom on a regular set.

Life won't be so bad. So quit kvetching, already! :feelbette

[mjschuyler]

Darrellp
1) If you were to change over to D* or cable with a DVR (assuming you could get a cable DVR) what would your total cost be compared to E* with a DVR fee?
2) Would their DVR's be able to record HD like a 921?

Murray

[Jeff_R]

Darrellp
2) Would their DVR's be able to record HD like a 921?

Murray

What's a 921? To date, the 921 is as much vaporware as the HD Tivo. There is no PVR available that will record satellite HD at this time.

(Yes, I am very aware of what the 921 is, before anyone explains it to me. But until it actually shows up, after several years of promises thus far, I won't believe it until it's on a store shelf or available for immediate shipping if I buy one.)

Jeff

[mjschuyler]

Jeff R, I was replying to Darrellp's "To Hell with the 921. I refuse to pay $10 DVR Fee" statement. If the 921 never comes out he will not have to pay that $10.00! The only thing that is for sure is that someone will come out with a HD DVR. Whether it is cable or satellite we will have to decide if we want to switch. E* has stated they will Grandfather any existing subs for the 501,508 and 721 but Darrellp said he does not watch SD programming on E* so he would not have use for any non HD DVR. The 921 IS vaporware so far but E* will eventually release it.

Murray

[Unthinkable]

There is no PVR available that will record satellite HD at this time.

Jeff

Wrong. This receiver has been available for the past 3-4 months now.

http://www.zenith.com/index.asp?url=./sub_prod/ad_C34W23.asp

[mjschuyler]

The specs on the HDR230 sound like it only records over the air HD. I can't get any OVA HD.

Murray

[Jeff_R]

Wrong. This receiver has been available for the past 3-4 months now.

http://www.zenith.com/index.asp?url=./sub_prod/ad_C34W23.asp

The link you provide goes to a direct view Zenith HDTV, no satellite reciever.

I would like to see a reciever that will record SATELLITE HD programming in HD.

Jeff

[Rayser]

Greg,


E*'s magic quater million more subs than D* + the 10 largest cable companies is as follows:

E* added 270,000 net subscribers
D* added 175,000 net subscribers
Top 10 C* lost 130,647 net subscribers

Difference 225,647


When E* raised prices in February, there were many posts saying they were leaving E* for D* or cable. There are also a great number of posts recently that state that E*'s management is loss, confused and misguided. These numbers seem to suggest otherwise.

4th quarter numbers should tell us how the DVR fees are affecting the bottom line.

[EvanS]

...Refresh my memory, how was the 501/508 advertised - no fee PVR or what? Was there a time limit specified, or inferred?...

refresher incoming!!!
501/508/721 were advertised with NO DVR fee. And IIRC they were touted as NEVER having a DVR fee. And this is still the case...at least from all that has been said to date.
It's the 510/522/921 that are subject to fees. The 501/508/721 are granfathered with NO fees