Is it worth staying as a zero-programming subscriber?

[xgrep]

I just signed up for Comcast cable and internet to replace E* and SBC DSL, but I haven't cancelled the old services yet (just making sure the switch is worth keeping). I was wondering:

1. Is it possible to keep an E* subscription with no programming, just the $5 access fee? I'd still be able to purchase the occasional PPV (which I'd like, because the E* selection is better than Comcast), and watch some of the other always-there programming (e.g., FSTV).

2. If I do this and technically remain a subscriber, are there deals for existing subs that are potentially worth the $5/mo, as opposed to the new sub deals that come along every now and then? One gets a pretty strong impression that existing subs are, for the most part, shafted compared to new subs, but I'd be curious to hear some opinions. I don't like the idea of shelling out $5 just for the privilege of slightly better PPV, but if it would be a better deal in the long run, I might consider it.

Thanks for any ideas!

x

[Jacob S]

You can keep the account on by paying the $5 fee each month in which would allow you to purchase the PPV's on occassion when you would want to. Dish charges a $5 access fee for those that do not take the basic package (Top 50) so by paying this $5 fee it would entitle you to purchase some smaller packages without having to purchase a basic package such as the locals, superstations, a movie package, etc. Also by paying the $5 a month fee it will prevent you from having to pay a $25 reconnect fee if you were to shut the system off without paying a monthly fee at all.

[pez2002]

Your going to be paying more with cable :(



But you will be back to dish I know it :)

[Mike Richardson]

BOOO! You'll be back!

[ride525]

One gets a pretty strong impression that existing subs are, for the most part, shafted compared to new subs, but


I'm not sure if you'd be considered a new sub later if you left Dish. I thought that you were a new sub only the first time you signed on.

[boba]

DISH makes it as hard as they can to come back as a new customer. As with any system it can be defeated but sometimes it isn't worth it. If you think Comcast may dissappoint you keep you account active for a couple months then cancel. It's five months of keeping the account open at $5 or $25 to reactivate and the first two months of programming in advance again. You have to make your own decision on the break even point, but most aren't happy going back to cable the reason they left are generally still there.

[xgrep]

Your going to be paying more with cable :(



But you will be back to dish I know it :)Actually, my total package price (internet plus TV) is $8 less per month, and I get a few more stations and faster internet. But obviously this is one specific case, and others have different stories to tell.

Frankly, probably the main reason I won't come back to Dish is HD. At the moment, I can get my locals in HD (those that have it, anyway), and I don't know if I'll ever be able to get them HD from Dish. Mainly, I'm interested in PBS HD, and Dish doesn't have that, and maybe never will (they cut off my national PBS when our locals arrived).

Your mileage may vary, as they say.

x

[xgrep]

DISH makes it as hard as they can to come back as a new customer.I thought the deal was if you were out for 60 or 90 days, you were a "new sub", but I could be wrong.

[...] It's five months of keeping the account open at $5 or $25 to reactivate and the first two months of programming in advance again.Thanks, I forgot that. Helps me to figure out whether it's worth it.

I've never been a cable sub, so I'm not "going back" to that. We'll see. I don't have any emotional attachment to either one. It's purely a question of money and features.

Thanks for your thoughts.

x

[MikeW]

There is no 60-90 day wait to be a new sub. A new sub is one who has never subscribed to Dish Network.

[dickc]

Hi xgrep...I just installed RCN Cable after 5 + years wirh Dish, primarly for $ (top 150 w locals, 2 w cost feeds $55 sbc tele
$30 /40 & Comcast Internet @ $61 I also will stick around for 5 a month for 6 months (they waived the 1st 2 months) RCN's cable is very poor , thier Internet much beter than Comcast & thier phone service is unknown I wil be paying 125 for the 1st 6 months, BUT Already I am thinking of turning back to Dish and its only been 2 days.....

[TonyM]

There is no 60-90 day wait to be a new sub. A new sub is one who has never subscribed to Dish Network.

I was a dish subscriber in 2000 in the apartment I was living in and cancelled when I moved...When I moved into my new house in Nov 2002, I was able to get the promo they were advertising ($17 off for 12 months..I purchased the equipment)..I explained that to the guy at Dish when I activated (that I did have dish in 2000..was renting the equipment) and he said you had to be cancelled for a year to get the promo.. I dont know if this has changed or not.

I know with cell phone companies, if you cancel and then want to come back for the promo (or discounted equipment) you have to be cancelled for 6 months..

[xgrep]

BUT Already I am thinking of turning back to Dish and its only been 2 days.....Just curious, why? Is it the picture quality that's bad? The programming?

I fully expected to have problems with either Comcast's cable TV or internet, but so far, I've been lucky. Download speed never less than 1.5Mbps, often over 2M (compared with 384K with DSL), PQ is ok on the analog stations, and about the same as Dish on the digital ones. No glitches or problems, yet!

But I've heard of lots of complaints about Comcast. Just hope I don't end up having too many.

I never had any complaints about Dish and have always been a satisfied customer, but then I don't own any of their buggy products. My reasons for switching were mainly features and price were better with Comcast. That, and the fact that I'm concerned, based on what I've seen happen to others, that I could find myself getting stuck with useless expensive hardware. Lately, they don't seem to pay much mind to the idea that you have a commitment to existing subs that their investment should retain some value. Aside from monopolies like SW companies in Redmond, businesses in competitive markets need to honor things like "backward compatibility". I take my business to other vendors when my current vendor violates this trust.

x

[Jacob S]

Cable's fast internet access allows them to compete to those that love to go on the internet. A lot of people go on the internet at the same time that they watch tv. Perhaps that is why some may not pay attention to worse picture quality that cable may have or do not mind paying more, just to get the faster internet access, since some have special bundling pricing allowing them to save when they take cable as well with the internet service, not to mention that cable has the local channels included in the basic pricing and that you have no equipment to own or as strict qualifications as you would with Dish. A combination of things prevents consumers to switch over to Dish Network.

[ccarmichael]

Cable's fast internet access allows them to compete to those that love to go on the internet.

I have DSL from the local telco; and I'm pleased. Mostly because of the $29 a month price.

On E*, I wouldn't change to cable at the present time. I'm in the San Diego DMA, but have applied for and received "local distant" for Chicago and Denver (except for CBS). That's well worth the price of admission of $1.50 per channel. Watching TV up to three hours before others is great -- the "Tonight Show" starts at 8:35 Pacific! I'm a big Chi-Bears fan; and got to see the pre-season games. Cable couldn't do that.

I'm also a subscriber to local channels and the Superstation package. That's $8 well spent for me. Our family opted for the top 100 package and it's well below the local cable price -- and the picture is better.

I know that cable internet access is speedier. I like my ADSL package from the telco; and the price is good. So .. for now, and for me at Oceanside 92056, Dish is it. At the beginning of 2004, the telco and Dish are supposed to have a marketing agreement and perhaps I could save a few dollars. As it stands now, it's about $33 for E*, 29 for DSL.

Your results may vary and other standard disclaimers.

[Mike Richardson]

I've said this hundreds of times (it's not related to Comcast though). If your cable company is Time Warner and you want ONLY cable internet, do NOT get RoadRunner. Get Earthlink Cable internet instead. Earthlink is the same price or cheaper than RoadRunner, and Earthlink does not have ANY charges for non-cable TV subscribers. So if you think you can get a good deal with Cable TV + RoadRunner and you have DISH, you need to reevaluate your plans. Total up Earthlink Cable + DISH and see which is cheaper.

[dickc]

Just curious, why? Is it the picture quality that's bad? The programming?

I fully expected to have problems with either Comcast's cable TV or internet, but so far, I've been lucky. Download speed never less than 1.5Mbps, often over 2M (compared with 384K with DSL), PQ is ok on the analog stations, and about the same as Dish on the digital ones. No glitches or problems, yet!

But I've heard of lots of complaints about Comcast. Just hope I don't end up having too many.

I never had any complaints about Dish and have always been a satisfied customer, but then I don't own any of their buggy products. My reasons for switching were mainly features and price were better with Comcast. That, and the fact that I'm concerned, based on what I've seen happen to others, that I could find myself getting stuck with useless expensive hardware. Lately, they don't seem to pay much mind to the idea that you have a commitment to existing subs that their investment should retain some value. Aside from monopolies like SW companies in Redmond, businesses in competitive markets need to honor things like "backward compatibility". I take my business to other vendors when my current vendor violates this trust.

x
I went back w Dish, PQ on RCN was snowy. They advertized thier product a digital yet the stations from 1 to 99 were analog and over 100 were compressed from analog to digitan (from the RCN Installer Guy)...They used the the same cable line that was origanally installed 10 years ago as thier feed to the cable box...
Thier were only components audio jacks , a a s-video jack but that did not make much difference. Happy with thier internet & Phone so far

[Bob Haller]

Well a good solution is this. Keep just ONE RECEIVER active with say top 50 and loan it to a needy friend. Were thinking of doing that here we have some friends who are just about bankrupt and have just OTA. So while we check out D they would get a bit of use from our account.

Kinda like a christmas present!

[Unthinkable]

Well a good solution is this. Keep just ONE RECEIVER active with say top 50 and loan it to a needy friend. Were thinking of doing that here we have some friends who are just about bankrupt and have just OTA. So while we check out D they would get a bit of use from our account.

Kinda like a christmas present!

That violates your terms of service agreement with Dish though. Not really a good solution per se for folks a bit more concerned with adhering to law abiding ethics/morals imo.

[Bob Haller]

Truly with JUST ONE box would anyone care??? E is still getting paid to provide service, our friends are getting tv, they are local so they arent even getting anything illegal.

I welcome more comments as I hadnt thought doing this would violate anything. I guess I never read the TOS.

[FTA Michael]

Would it violate TOS? Probably. E* wants subscribers to be who E* thinks they are. Makes life a lot simpler.

Is it unethical? I don't think so. As long as it's your only active receiver, then you're paying for one box and using one box in one place that just happens to be someone else's house.

As an old girlfriend used to say, It isn't illegal if no one knows about it.

[Unthinkable]

As an old girlfriend used to say, It isn't illegal if no one knows about it.

Any idea if she's on the RIAA hit list right now?

[lee635]

I dunno. If you tell E* the actual address where the box is located, pay the bill, and you occasionally go over there and watch tv, what law is being violated? Where in the contract does it say you must own or rent the property you place the box in? Like Bob said, he's helping out a friend It's still Bob's box and he can take his toys and go home anytime he wants. ;))

I'm sure there are folks who setup their kid in college with E* or D* and have the bill sent back home to make sure it gets paid every month. ;)