NAB Takes Aim (Again) At Two-Dish Locals

[Chris Blount]

The National Association of Broadcasters took issue with statements made earlier in the week by EchoStar CEO Charles Ergen concerning renewal of the Satellite Home Viewer Improvement Act (SHVIA).

John Orlando, NAB executive vice president, government relations, said Ergen's suggestions made before the Senate Commerce Committee that EchoStar's two-dish policy is consistent with the intent of the carry one, carry all statute in SHVIA, and that the policy is the product of a compromise between DBS and local TV businesses, is "patently false."

"The claim that local broadcasters somehow consented to the two-dish policy is unfounded," Orlando said in a letter sent to members of the Senate Commerce Committee. "During hearings and debates leading up to enactment of the 1999 Act, EchoStar said nothing about a two-dish policy. Moreover, when EchoStar started its abusive two-dish practice in 2001, NAB immediately filed a petition challenging its legality and local public and commercial television stations protested vigorously at the FCC."

Reauthorization of the 1999 SHVIA law provides a "prime opportunity" to put an end to the two-dish locals solution, Orlando said. "Where the FCC has not yet acted, Congress should," he added.

Senior Vice President David Moskowitz, attending EchoStar's annual meeting in Denver Thursday, said he had not seen the NAB letter. But he criticized the organization and its moves on Capitol Hill concerning the two-dish issue.

On NAB's assertion that the two-dish solution could be bending SHVIA's rules, Moskowitz said, "If it is not legal, then why are they trying to get a law passed to change it?"

He added, "The two dish experience is completely seamless to the customer. We provide a free dish. We provide free professional installation. I'm not sure why the NAB has taken the position they have with the issue.

"Obviously, they are a very powerful lobby, especially in an election year," Moskowitz said.

During the shareholder meeting, EchoStar CEO Charles Ergen echoed the same sentiment concerning the broadcast lobby. "Broadcasters want to change the rules in the middle of the game," Ergen said. He added that facing the broadcast lobby is tough: "We have never won a battle against broadcasters in Washington," he said.

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

[David_Levin]

I wonder if E* could have gotten away with it (legally) if they were more proactive about installing the 2nd dish....

Call all customers and OFFER to schedule the installation. Do it automatically, unless the customer refuses it.

Of course, I think E* took this approach assuming that not many people would request the Dish (they may not want to make it too easy).

[Tornado25]

I wonder if E* could have gotten away with it (legally) if they were more proactive about installing the 2nd dish....

Call all customers and OFFER to schedule the installation. Do it automatically, unless the customer refuses it.

Of course, I think E* took this approach assuming that not many people would request the Dish (they may not want to make it too easy).

I don't get what you mean. Let's say I live in an area that requires 2 dishes. I say I want my locals. Are you telling me that Dish will add them and only come out to put up a 2nd dish if and when I figure out I'm not getting them all? I mean, geesh, if I call and ask for my locals, I'd expect the CSR to say "okay, we can add x, y, z now and to get the other 3, we will need to come out and put up a 2nd dish free of charge." Are you saying they just skirt the issue until someone yells at them? If they are offering it to anyone who calls to add locals, then why again does DISH need to call anyone? Everyone who wants a 2nd dish has it. Anyone who doesn't probably couldn't care less.

[Earl Zuberbelt]

I don't get what you mean. Let's say I live in an area that requires 2 dishes. I say I want my locals. Are you telling me that Dish will add them and only come out to put up a 2nd dish if and when I figure out I'm not getting them all? I mean, geesh, if I call and ask for my locals, I'd expect the CSR to say "okay, we can add x, y, z now and to get the other 3, we will need to come out and put up a 2nd dish free of charge." Are you saying they just skirt the issue until someone yells at them? If they are offering it to anyone who calls to add locals, then why again does DISH need to call anyone? Everyone who wants a 2nd dish has it. Anyone who doesn't probably couldn't care less.

We got a 2nd Dish to get the rest of the locals available in our area. DISH came out, no charge. We noticed a few weeks later that we're not watching any of the local channels we added. Mainly because they offer nothing of interest to us. A few in fact are just shopping channels.

While DISH certainly could have approached the 2nd Dish in a much better way with NAB and FCC, consumers can still get all their locals with the 2nd DISH installed at no charge.

DISH sort of thumbed its nose at broadcasters, NAB is powerful lobby and they're proving it to DISH. Payback time.

NAB could give a hoot in heck about viewers, Eddie Fritz is stuck in the 20th Century, he's just the leader of an organization that sadly, only represents the interests of the people who we gave all that free spectrum to in the first place.

Fault lies on both sides, ultimately however, if a station wants me or you to watch, it still gets down to compelling content. Must carry doesn't mean I must view it.

And now the House and Senate appear to be working very hard to screw things up even more.

-Earl
Yankee born Southern bred and just watching a few locals.

[TonyM]

I don't get what you mean. Let's say I live in an area that requires 2 dishes. I say I want my locals. Are you telling me that Dish will add them and only come out to put up a 2nd dish if and when I figure out I'm not getting them all? I mean, geesh, if I call and ask for my locals, I'd expect the CSR to say "okay, we can add x, y, z now and to get the other 3, we will need to come out and put up a 2nd dish free of charge." Are you saying they just skirt the issue until someone yells at them? If they are offering it to anyone who calls to add locals, then why again does DISH need to call anyone? Everyone who wants a 2nd dish has it. Anyone who doesn't probably couldn't care less.

Here is an example.
Minneapolis recently got a new PBS added to the locals (KAWE/KAWB 9/22) but they put it on the wing (61.5). It shows up in the guide. When you scan using up/down, it skips that channel. If you select it a screen comes up with "This channel requires a second dish. Dish Network will supply this free of any charge. Call 1-800-333-DISH to order" (or something of the nature).

The problem is the stations that are delegated to the wings (mostly religious, shopping and some ethnic) got mad because they think they are being discriminated against. It was suppose to be a temp solution (until the new satellite went up) but Dish kept skirting it. They do offer the dish, hardware, and installation for free. So if you have one receiver or 8, they have to supply ALL the hardware for free. If when a customer signed up and they had locals on the 2nd dish, Dish should have just installed it (if possible).
They didnt and now they have to pay

[David_Levin]

Are you telling me that Dish will add them and only come out to put up a 2nd dish if and when I figure out I'm not getting them all?... Are you saying they just skirt the issue until someone yells at them?

Yea, that's about right. I don't think they ever just offer the 2nd dish. You pretty much have to call and ask for it. But, no you don't have to yell at them.

They do sometimes ask what channels are on the 2nd dish that you want to watch (as if you have to prove there's something there you want).