03-05-02, 04:06 AM
EchoStar Chairman Charlie Ergen talked about his company's pending merger with DirecTV as well as new channel additions for DISH Network during his "Charlie Chat" with customers Monday.
On the programming side, Ergen said EchoStar continues to talk with YES (Yankees Entertainment and Sports) about gaining carriage on DISH Network, but added that the $2 per-month/per-subscriber price asked by the network is too high. "It's an extreme cost," Ergen said. "It's got to be fair."
Ergen said he wasn't optimistic that a deal could get done with YES.
As for new offerings, EchoStar recently added CNN en Espanol to its DISH Latino lineup at no extra charge, and introduced a three-channel Chinese ethnic package that features CCTV, the show revealed.
During his chat, Ergen stressed that rural satellite TV customers will pay the same as those living in urban areas under a national rate card offered by the merged company. The one rate promise is in response to rural concerns that a combined satellite TV entity would become a monopoly in areas that don't have cable or another multichannel alternative.
In addition, Ergen outlined for the chat audience his plans to offer all local TV channels and expanded Internet access via satellite if the companies merge.
In addition, the chat unveiled a Web-based information source on the merger, which can be found at: www.echostarmerger.com.
From <a href="http://www.skyreport.com" target=none>SkyReport</A> (Used with permission)
On the programming side, Ergen said EchoStar continues to talk with YES (Yankees Entertainment and Sports) about gaining carriage on DISH Network, but added that the $2 per-month/per-subscriber price asked by the network is too high. "It's an extreme cost," Ergen said. "It's got to be fair."
Ergen said he wasn't optimistic that a deal could get done with YES.
As for new offerings, EchoStar recently added CNN en Espanol to its DISH Latino lineup at no extra charge, and introduced a three-channel Chinese ethnic package that features CCTV, the show revealed.
During his chat, Ergen stressed that rural satellite TV customers will pay the same as those living in urban areas under a national rate card offered by the merged company. The one rate promise is in response to rural concerns that a combined satellite TV entity would become a monopoly in areas that don't have cable or another multichannel alternative.
In addition, Ergen outlined for the chat audience his plans to offer all local TV channels and expanded Internet access via satellite if the companies merge.
In addition, the chat unveiled a Web-based information source on the merger, which can be found at: www.echostarmerger.com.
From <a href="http://www.skyreport.com" target=none>SkyReport</A> (Used with permission)