When is Dish going to expand it HD channel offerings? [Archive]

khearrean

11-18-04, 09:27 AM

When is Dish going to add some new HD channels? Bravo HD (soon to be Universal HD) is already carried by DirecTV. Seems like Dish is starting to lag behind. Are they really interested in keeping their HD customers???

I read another thread on this forum a week ago or so that indicated Dish will not be adding any add'l HD programming until possibly mid '05. This supposedly was per Charlie Ergen.

Ken

kev

11-18-04, 09:29 AM

I hope in January for ESPN2HD

FarNorth

11-18-04, 11:38 AM

When is Dish going to add some new HD channels? Bravo HD (soon to be Universal HD) is already carried by DirecTV. Seems like Dish is starting to lag behind. Are they really interested in keeping their HD customers???

I have BravoHD on cable and never, I mean never, watch it. Once the HD reruns of 'West Wing' stopped, it took me about a day and a half to watch everything else worth watching. They repeat programming for MONTHS and unless Universal has big plans, you aren't missing a thing.

Scott Greczkowski

11-18-04, 01:52 PM

I read another thread on this forum a week ago or so that indicated Dish will not be adding any add'l HD programming until possibly mid '05. This supposedly was per Charlie Ergen.This information came from the 3rd Quarter Dish Network Earnings call. You can hear it for yourself at Echostar.COM :)

Codeman00

11-18-04, 07:25 PM

This information came from the 3rd Quarter Dish Network Earnings call. You can hear it for yourself at Echostar.COM :)

We better get ESPN2HD in JANUARY!!!!!!!!!!!!

Cyclone

11-18-04, 07:51 PM

We better get ESPN2HD in JANUARY!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hahhahhahahhah

or what?

Its ESPN2 that we are talking about here.

David_Levin

11-19-04, 09:33 AM

Isn't there another spot beam sat for 110 in the planning? When it this scheduled for launch?

Locals on Conus beams (105 & 121) are a huge waste of bandwidth. Since locals have priority over HD, we're gonna need to see more spots before we get more HD.

Seems like Charlie could fire up 61 & 148 for a few more HD channels if he wanted to.

Codeman00

11-19-04, 05:40 PM

Hahhahhahahhah

or what?

Its ESPN2 that we are talking about here.

What is that suppose to mean? "Its ESPN2 that we are talking about here"

My team is televised on ESPN2 just as much as it is on ESPN.

Mike123abc

11-19-04, 09:02 PM

Echostar is probably going to have everything on hold until the new satellite legislation passes. It will depend on what the new bill says as to what they will do with HD. If they are forced to fill 105 up with the wing LIL stations to fulfill the single dish for all locals requirement right away, HD will have no room for a while. If the bill gives them time (like a year) they can wait until the launch of E10 and move the channels off of the wings and on to E10.

If they are forced to move the wing LIL to 105, they will not free up space on the wings since they will be forced to mirror all the channels until they can install superdishes to all those that want them. So they will have to wait until the launch of E10 to free the space back up from 105 to do HD. A phrase "stuck like Chuck" seems to come to mind right about now...

Codeman00

11-20-04, 08:59 AM

So you guys are saying that it is impossible to add even one more HD channel like ESPN2HD right now? That's what it sounds like.

Mike123abc

11-20-04, 09:01 AM

So you guys are saying that it is impossible to add even one more HD channel like ESPN2HD right now? That's what it sounds like.

I would not say it is impossible, I am just saying until the satellite law is finalized Echostar/Dish is probably not going to make any moves. Congress as usual should have had this done a long time ago...

chelsea

11-20-04, 12:18 PM

ESPN2 HD, will be the bait.
If you want it, sign up for the new lease plan.
Won't be complelling till the mpeg4 stock is built, you'll be a beta lease tester.
Now his standards won't have to be as meduim as they are now. How many
942's do you think a Leaser wil be going thru?

BravoHD, CinanmaxHD, StarzHD; are compelling, but not compelling enough
for anyone to sign charlies lease.
ESPN2 HD, you'll want.

These hidden E* lease charges (just like cable) $5 here, $10 there, will piss me off. Thanks for the warnings in the other threads. I've purchased extra
HD recievers, because of charlies cheap equipment. Had a bad LNB, which
they blamed on the HD reciever, cost me extra irds, soon to be doorstops.
Had a brand new 301, the front panel on/off button broke after 4 months.
I have plenty of ird's, don't need anymore, unless I become desperate for ESPN2 HD.

Lease's are all companies biggest scams, thats why I hate cable.
The message from Charlie's lease, could backfire and send many right back where they started.

Mike123abc

11-20-04, 01:16 PM

wkomorow

11-20-04, 03:13 PM

ESPN2HD might be a difficult channel for Dish to add as a sole addition. Correct me if I am wrong, but ESPN is one of the more expensive channels on Dish. I am sure that Disney will not be giving ESPN2HD away. Logic would dictate that if ESPN2HD were added and if it is expensive, Dish would need to increase the price of the HD-Pak. Those subscribing to the HD-Pak primarily for Discovery Home Theatre might well wonder if that channel is worth $10+. Therefore, I would think that it would be in Dish's interest to add at least one additional non-sports channel to the HD-Pak. Universal-HD if it truly represents all of Universal's content and not just Bravo would be a great additional channel. National Geographic is also filming more content in HD-format; currently, they are primarily selling it on the DVD market. However, if National Geographic HD were to develop and be offered in the HD-Pak, I would pay extra for.

crawdad

11-20-04, 03:41 PM

Any sports fan would pay an extra dollar or two to have ESPN2HD included in the HD pak. Since they offer ESPNHD you would think that ESPN2HD would be a no brainer. Im sure that dish will pick it up it just may not be until the NBA playoffs like TNTHD or the start of next years MLB season.

jerryez

11-20-04, 05:09 PM

I am not a ESPN fan. I think they should put ESPN & ESPN2 in its' own package, so the rest of us do not get stuck paying for two HD channels that we do not need or want.

lesmoss

11-20-04, 05:48 PM

Looks like congress passed legislation allowing "Distant HDTV"

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=472077

We in the white areas could have HD Networks before year end.

SimpleSimon

11-20-04, 09:23 PM

Feel free to hold your breath - I've always liked the Blue Man Group. :lol:

Mike123abc

11-20-04, 10:42 PM

If Dish now has 18 months to single dish locals, they really have flexibility now. They could put new HD on 105 (when the new satellite moves on over after testing). Then, when E10 goes up they can move locals off of the wings on to 110. They should also be able to move a bunch of larger markets off of 105/121 to E10. If they still had to, they could put any wayward wing locals on 105/121 in the space freed up by E10 (if E10 did not have a spot for a wing local).

David_Levin

11-21-04, 10:15 AM

If Dish now has 18 months to single dish locals, they really have flexibility now. They could put new HD on 105 (when the new satellite moves on over after testing).

Is there any room left at 105? I thought they filled with the sat with locals (which doesn't take much with conus beams).

Doesn't the new Sat for 105 replace the existing (for more complete conus coverage), and not add bandwidth?

Mike123abc

11-21-04, 03:23 PM

Is there any room left at 105? I thought they filled with the sat with locals (which doesn't take much with conus beams).

Doesn't the new Sat for 105 replace the existing (for more complete conus coverage), and not add bandwidth?

The current satellite at 105 is very low power, so Dish has the error correction rate turned up very high (1/2 or 2/3 FEC) vs what they will be able to do with the new satellite (most likely 5/6). Plus many of the transponders on 105 are lightly loaded.

The new 105 also has Ka spots which do not have an announced use.

scooper

11-21-04, 05:06 PM

E* is going to be concentrating on meeting the "Single Dish" rule first, while working out agreements for HD programming. mark my words...

Paul Secic

11-21-04, 05:23 PM

I am not a ESPN fan. I think they should put ESPN & ESPN2 in its' own package, so the rest of us do not get stuck paying for two HD channels that we do not need or want.
I agree!

invaliduser88

11-21-04, 07:46 PM

jrb531

11-22-04, 08:40 AM

If they raised the price of the HD package would I be able to dump my 12 month commitment or would they just honor the $9.95 till my "agreement" is over?

Aside from Discovery I am less than happpy with the HD pack and if I was able I would prob cancel the HD pack now as $10 for the one channel I watch - Discovery is not worth it to me.

Raise the price even one cent and that seals my decision as I do not watch ESPN and I'm already not happy being forced to pay for SD ESPN.

I underestimated the power of my two PVR's on my other two SD sets and since I cannot justify multiply HD PVR's (or afford LOL) I end up watching 95% of my programming on the pre-recorded PVR's thus my one HD setup with a 811 goes mostly unused due to less than compelling programming on the HD package. In fact most of my HD comes from Chicago locals.

IMHO it's a sad day when free HD runs rings around pay HD but maybe I'm just lucky to be in Chicago which has a ton of HD locals off the ole Sears Tower LOL.

-JB

David_Levin

11-22-04, 08:44 AM

The current satellite at 105 is very low power, so Dish has the error correction rate turned up very high (1/2 or 2/3 FEC) vs what they will be able to do with the new satellite (most likely 5/6). Plus many of the transponders on 105 are lightly loaded.

The new 105 also has Ka spots which do not have an announced use.

Thanks - maybe there is hope. Wonder how fast Charlie can get Superdish's to all the HD customers.

Oh well, Scooper is probably right - they are going to be pretty busy shuffling things to make the 1 dish rule. I just don't think HD is really that big a priority over at Dish.

Jerry G

11-22-04, 09:58 AM

Oh well, Scooper is probably right - they are going to be pretty busy shuffling things to make the 1 dish rule. I just don't think HD is really that big a priority over at Dish.

For a long period of time, Charlie was boasting about Dish's 50 HD channel capacity. I think that was a period of time when he was off his meds. At this point, I don't even this Charlie knows what HD stands for anymore. Yup, HD couldn't have a lower priority for Dish at this time and for the foreseeable future.

Mike123abc

11-22-04, 10:36 AM

I seriously doubt that Dish will want to move wing LIL channels to 105 now that they have 18 months to comply with the single dish rule. The cost of having to install a SuperDish in 38 of the largest markets would cost a lot of money. While they might get away with not installing a superdish to existing customers who do not ask, they would have to install a superdish on every new install.

Right now superdish is relegated to a small percentage of customers, around 5% get LIL via superdish. HD is a small percentage and they could get a commitment to the HD pack for installation price, same with internationals.

DIRECTV is rumored to be planning on charging extra $$ for HD LIL (you sub to standard def LIL + you then pay additional for HD upgrade). The Ka capacity of AMC-15 and AMC-16 (both Ka/Ku) could be used to start putting up markets for LIL HD. Dish's goal is to make money, and to make money they need to get the average customer to pay more. Moving the wing channels over to 105 costs them lots of money, with E10 going up they will have a place to put them that will not cost them extra money on the ground. Putting HD on 105 and 85 will allow them to charge more. If they can get $5/month extra for LIL HD and $10/month for the HD pack (assuming they do not raise the price), the cost of the superdish soon pays for itself.

I suspect that Dish will put 105 into place, then rearrange all the LILs on there to free up empty transponders, then add a couple of HD channels to the HD pack just to throw the HD pack a bone, and an excuse to raise the price next year when they do the annual price increases. Then launch LIL HD to major markets AFTER AMC-16 launches and completes tests (so they are sure to have a satellite and a backup). Part of the LIL HD launch of course they will move the major nets to AMC-15 Ku so that distants will work. Would you pay an additional $$/month to get the superstations in HD?

I suspect the average bill will be going up some...

wkomorow

11-22-04, 10:59 AM

Bravo HD is rumored to be in for a change. It would begin showing HD programming from other Universal/NBC channels (Scifi, USA...).

The new Battlestar Galactica series and the two Stargate series in HD is very appealing.

I absolutely agree, I would be willing to pay a bit more to receive UniversalHD. I know that Dish would never be allowed by Disney to put ESPN and ESPN2 into a separate Pak. So adding ESPN2 but also adding another interesting channel would make the price increase more appealing. Maybe I am wrong - maybe Dish can add ESPN2 without a price increase.

Walter

bavaria72

11-22-04, 01:44 PM

Bravo HD is rumored to be in for a change. It would begin showing HD programming from other Universal/NBC channels (Scifi, USA...).

The new Battlestar Galactica series and the two Stargate series in HD is very appealing.

This too would be very appealing for me. With 3 ESPN HD's available and if the revamped Bravo HD picking up a variety of HD SFI channel offerings, I would probably resubscribe to the HD package.

mrdectown

11-22-04, 01:52 PM

I am begenning to feel like i am the only E* sub that wants STarzHD And MaxHD. Is that true?

clapple

11-22-04, 03:11 PM

I am begenning to feel like i am the only E* sub that wants STarzHD And MaxHD. Is that true?

No, you are not the only one. To me Starz is the important one. As they have movies exclusive to them.

With Dish's reported lack of transmitting capacity, I sure would like to see them pick up Voom. By eliminating the duplications, that would provide lots of additional capacity.

DJ Rob

11-22-04, 03:56 PM

mrdectown

11-22-04, 05:11 PM

I finally broke down last week and got Comcast's HD service in additon to my Dish service. I get most of the locals in HD and they have Starz and Cinemax HD in addition to what Dish has. The only thing Comcast doesn't have is the HDNet channels.

The Motorola box they gave me is nice. Very stable and quick channel changes.
And it hasn't gotten the BSOD like I do on the 811 daily :D

Yea i feel what you mean. The real only reason i have E* is because when i moved i moved in a older apt that was not cable ready (yea they still exist) But what E* doesnt realize that is they get those 2 channels (starzhd&maxhd) they will be right with cable but with far less prices. even if they jacked up the prices for those 2 channels they still wont be as high as cable in the long run. As much of a nba fan as i am, get rid of nba hd. dont need it. TNT does it and in dec espn will show them in hd. and the games they play on nbahd are allways crap. and only like 2 a week if that. just not worth it to me. Then theres that lame HDPPV. i mean who really watches that. they can make sooooooooo much more money buy putting starz or max there.But the moral to this story is give us those 2 channels and i will shut up for 18 months. (isnt that how long it will be before anything remotely happens?) So thats all i want.

Mike123abc

11-22-04, 05:54 PM

I am begenning to feel like i am the only E* sub that wants STarzHD And MaxHD. Is that true?

I bet the top priority channels for Dish to offer in HD are ABC/NBC/FOX/STARZHD/ENCOREHD/MAXHD those channels they can sell. Further down the list probably are a WB/UPN HD since they can probably get more people to pay for a superstation package. UniversalHD would probably just cost them money to add to the HDPack. However, if UniversalHD draws an audience, they probably can use it and ESPN2 to justify a price hike in the HDPack which is pretty weak right now.

There is a small window of time for them to get in price increases for HD, eventually the day will come when every channel will be expected in HD for the same price.

boylehome

11-22-04, 08:08 PM

I am begenning to feel like i am the only E* sub that wants STarzHD And MaxHD. Is that true?
You are not alone.

mrdectown

11-22-04, 08:18 PM

you know what i even go all out and say. ditch HDNET and the other one :eek2:
yea i said it. think about it really. i mean seriousley think about this: after having those to channels all this time, Would you really really miss it if you had HBOHD,SHOWHD,STARZHD,MAXHD,TNTHD, ESPNHD 1&2 DHD and maybe 2 more? i mean really, would ya miss it? be honest

jsanders

11-22-04, 09:00 PM

I like HDNet and HDNet movies. There are some interesting programs in there like the HDNet World News Report. I watch True Music. I recorded Strange Brew in HD, that was cool, so was Sheryl Crow, live in concert.

I don't care too much for ESPN myself, but I don't expect everyone else to join that band wagon.

Different people will watch different stuff.

I wish the Discovery Channel had more compelling content than it does. The stuff on Antarctica was cool though.

David_Levin

11-22-04, 09:22 PM

I am begenning to feel like i am the only E* sub that wants STarzHD And MaxHD. Is that true?

Nah, I've asked many times. Sent multiple messages to the ceo e-mail address and the chats. Got responses in the beginning, but not anymore. I'm still with Dish so the decision hasn't cost them anything (from my point of view).

I wouldn't consider jumping to cable until the PVR shows up (around Feburary in Denver). But this missing HD is going to start to cost them -> maybe that's when we'll see some changes.

Incidently, when I've brought this up in the past, many people replies that much of the STARZHD and CinemaxHD is upconverted. Hopefully they are better now. The STARZ web site lists what is in "TrueHD". Last time I checked, then were showing Monsters INC NOT in "TrueHD".

I wonder how long before people stop caring about SD locals? When Dish started there were no locals. When I started with dish I didn't bother with the locals (I can receive OTA just fine). But, eventually the appeal of the PVR got me to subscribe. Now my 921 can PVR the HD OTA for free....

Codeman00

11-29-04, 10:54 PM

Dear Mr. ______,

Thank you for your e-mail. Specific information regarding your request for ESPN2HD is not currently available. It is our intent to add a variety of programming and services to please the majority of current and future subscribers. We will gladly forward your request to our Programming Department.

We thank you for your input as we continually review our options in order to provide a compelling lineup for our viewers. Please stay tuned for consumer Charlie Chats that are broadcast monthly on Channel 101 or logon to our website for future programming 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.

Sincerely,

Havilah S.

DISH Network eCare

** Please include all previous correspondence when replying. **

oyving

11-30-04, 09:20 AM

OK. Let's find the blanks on the form!

Message from Dish about ESPN2HD {or any other channel}

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear {blank},

Thank you for your e-mail. Specific information regarding your request for {Blank} is not currently available. It is our intent to add a variety of programming and services to please the majority of current and future subscribers. We will gladly forward your request to our Programming Department.

We thank you for your input as we continually review our options in order to provide a compelling lineup for our viewers. Please stay tuned for consumer Charlie Chats that are broadcast monthly on Channel 101 or logon to our website for future programming 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.

Sincerely,

Havilah S.

DISH Network eCare

** Please include all previous correspondence when replying. **

MSoper72

11-30-04, 09:30 AM

I don't know about you guys, but I could care less about HD channels. I'm happy with what I have and I'm NOT going out to spend 5 thousand or more for a stupid tv; where the tv I have works just fine! I could use the 5 thousand or more for much more important things such as bills, insurance and so on. I'm SICK of people whining about it. Grow up and most HD programming is very few and most is in SD programming. UGGGG :nono2: :bang :mad:

bavaria72

11-30-04, 09:53 AM

Not really sure where to start regarding your statements MSoper72 but overall your wrong. Your wrong on the cost, your wrong about the number of shows available, and your wrong about those of us who care. HD is fantastic. Bets the pants off of SD. Whining, maybe a little, but more than anything else, we are consumers that want more content and are willing to spend for it. Beside, this is fun!

mitsufan

12-02-04, 11:29 AM

Well we do, and certainly didn't force you to read this topic of HD channels. The SD channels are horrible and honestly cable looks better. I've yet to see anything on cable of HD, but the E* stuff is pretty good. ESPN should be in DD though oh and what is this 4*3 crap 16x9 thankyou. I would like all my locals in HD for football. So whomever comes up w/ that will win my subscription. My local CBS station isn't corporate owned and won't sign a waiver....:mad:

I don't know about you guys, but I could care less about HD channels. I'm happy with what I have and I'm NOT going out to spend 5 thousand or more for a stupid tv; where the tv I have works just fine! I could use the 5 thousand or more for much more important things such as bills, insurance and so on. I'm SICK of people whining about it. Grow up and most HD programming is very few and most is in SD programming. UGGGG :nono2: :bang :mad:

kzosat

12-02-04, 11:55 AM

I bet the top priority channels for Dish to offer in HD are ABC/NBC/FOX/STARZHD/ENCOREHD/MAXHD those channels they can sell. Further down the list probably are a WB/UPN HD since they can probably get more people to pay for a superstation package. UniversalHD would probably just cost them money to add to the HDPack. However, if UniversalHD draws an audience, they probably can use it and ESPN2 to justify a price hike in the HDPack which is pretty weak right now.

There is a small window of time for them to get in price increases for HD, eventually the day will come when every channel will be expected in HD for the same price.

Personally I don't care about the networks since it will most likely be a PITA to qualify for the HD feeds. But I would love to get at least one of each movie channel in HD and one UPN and WB.