SBS (Korean Channel) Gone

eric0116 · 10-01-05, 11:52 AM

Does anyone know the status of the Korean package channel SBS? They cut it without notice today and the CSR's say that the contract ran out. This is by far the most popular station out of the three channels they had. Plus, they didn't lower the price of the package, it's still $36.99. I am hoping it is just one of those "negotiations" Charlie does to prevent rate hikes and it will be back soon, but I can't find any information. Your help is appreciated. Thanks.

- Eric

Darkman · 10-01-05, 12:01 PM

Not sure about other channels in the package..

But looking at the EPG .. SBS's (ch 702 at 121 location) EPG info says "Off Air"

Other Koreans though - 703, 794, etc - their EPG Info is OK.. It's all there

eric0116 · 10-01-05, 12:16 PM

Thank you. I was hoping to get a scoop on the possibility of the SBS channel coming back after renegotiation or it possibly moving to DirecTV. Any rumors?

Plus, I don't think its fair to charge the same VERY high price for only three channels when they drop the most popular one out of the package, without warning. Only one out of the remaining three channels are of the same type, like a network channel such as NBC. The other two are a financial news channel and a bi-lingual near public access style channel out of L.A. In most standard English channel disputes, Dish will usually drop a a dollar or two of the price you pay or add some other channels, remember Viacom or various locals disputes, so why not now? In this case, it should be a $10 price drop.

- Eric

Michael P · 10-01-05, 01:40 PM

If SBS is as popular as you say, you should get a $25 refund!

I've seen the "public interest" channel in a free preview. That channel should be offered to all subscribers like any other PI channel. English-only speakers could watch that channel and understand. It's a sort of PR channel similar to CCTV9. It's a waste to not give it broader distribution. English-only speakers are not going to pay $36 for access to this channel.

**James Long** · 10-01-05, 02:11 PM

SBS is no longer listed on the E* website.

http://www.dishnetwork.com/content/p...ageType=Korean

JL

Paul Secic · 10-01-05, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michael P

If SBS is as popular as you say, you should get a $25 refund!

I've seen the "public interest" channel in a free preview. That channel should be offered to all subscribers like any other PI channel. English-only speakers could watch that channel and understand. It's a sort of PR channel similar to CCTV9. It's a waste to not give it broader distribution. English-only speakers are not going to pay $36 for access to this channel.

$36 would fill up my gas tank The heck with SBS!

Bon · 10-01-05, 07:06 PM

They're pointing fingers at each other. SBS America gave us the telephone number for DirecTV. There's nothing on the DirecTV (edited) web site yet but they told me that SBS will be carried by them beginning on 10/3/05. The cost is $15+ per month with no minimim programming requirements. Great, now we need to subscribe to both D* and E* to get both KBS and SBS -

.

music_beans · 10-01-05, 07:26 PM

What content is currently being shown on SBS right now? A DISH logo?

goaliebob99 · 10-01-05, 08:23 PM

This was posted by Scott over at Sat guys yeasterday

Just got this from Dish Network. (I should note that SBS will be available on DirecTV.)

Quote:
SBS Korea Takedown October 1, 2005

SBS International has decided to take the SBS channel away from DISH Network Korean subscribers as of October 1, 2005. With the takedown of the channel, SBS will no longer be offered in the Korean Variety Pack and Korean Basic Pack.

Customers and retailers can contact SBS Korea directly and voice your concerns by calling them at 011-82-2-2001-6745 or 011-82-2-2061-0006 or contact SBS America at 213-381-2121.

At DISH Network we strive to bring you the best quality of programming from around the world. With the current channel lineup on DISH Network, customers can still enjoy the most COMPREHENSIVE Korean TV entertainment:

- KBS broadcasting popular dramas, sitcoms, movies and immediate news
- MBN offers you immediate financial updates and economic news
- Arirang TV, the exclusive bilingual (English and Korean) channel on DISH Network for the latest box office releases, news, sitcoms, dramas, music and documentaries!

Thread Link http ://www.satelliteguys .us/showthread.php?t=89348

eric0116 · 10-01-05, 09:51 PM

Thanks everyone for the info. Yes, SBS is that popular. Most of the major shows that get distributed throughout the States on videotape come from this channel. It's too bad as I have been a big Dish Network promoter to many people and I, of course, own very expensive Dish equipment.

Not only am I upset at Dish for dropping the channel without notice, I am just disappointed that there is no source for all three majors of the Korean market. As you can see from the info below, it would be nice to have all three from one source. Now Dish has one and it looks like DirecTV will have another, but will anybody have all three?

There was talk on that SatelliteGuys thread that DirecTV is trying to bring additional international programming to their service. Anyone know if any other information on coming channels is available? Maybe there is hope.

-------

From Wikipedia: In South Korea, there are a number of national television networks, the three largest of which are KBS, MBC, and SBS. Most of the major television studios are located on Yeouido--an island in middle of the Han River--in Seoul.

Important genres of television shows include serial dramas (soap operas), historical dramas, variety shows, game shows, news programs, and documentaries. All three networks have produced increasingly lavish historical dramas in recent years. Some South Korean television programs are available on satellite and multicultural channels in North America. Korean dramas have become popular in other East Asian countries, with whole sets of videotapes or DVDs of series available, complete with Chinese subtitles.
--------

Bon · 10-01-05, 11:07 PM

E* Customer Service says the monthly rate will remain the same even without SBS. I don't think so. I for one won't be paying $30/month for two instead of three channels. I've been a E* customer for 10 years and own a lot of expensive equipment but I'm seriously considering going over to D* for SBS. Perhaps a less expensive route would be to subscribe to both D* and E*. Can someone tell me: If I buy my own D* equipment and install it, do you think I can sign up for just SBS without any other programming at D*? Their customer service rep. did say "no minimum programming requirements".

juan ellitinez · 10-02-05, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eric0116

Thanks everyone for the info. Yes, SBS is that popular. Most of the major shows that get distributed throughout the States on videotape come from this channel. It's too bad as I have been a big Dish Network promoter to many people and I, of course, own very expensive Dish equipment.

Not only am I upset at Dish for dropping the channel without notice, I am just disappointed that there is no source for all three majors of the Korean market. As you can see from the info below, it would be nice to have all three from one source. Now Dish has one and it looks like DirecTV will have another, but will anybody have all three?

There was talk on that SatelliteGuys thread that DirecTV is trying to bring additional international programming to their service. Anyone know if any other information on coming channels is available? Maybe there is hope.

-------

From Wikipedia: In South Korea, there are a number of national television networks, the three largest of which are KBS, MBC, and SBS. Most of the major television studios are located on Yeouido--an island in middle of the Han River--in Seoul.

Important genres of television shows include serial dramas (soap operas), historical dramas, variety shows, game shows, news programs, and documentaries. All three networks have produced increasingly lavish historical dramas in recent years. Some South Korean television programs are available on satellite and multicultural channels in North America. Korean dramas have become popular in other East Asian countries, with whole sets of videotapes or DVDs of series available, complete with Chinese subtitles.
--------

Dude E* didn't drop the channe!! Rupert stole it away from E*

goaliebob99 · 10-02-05, 09:18 AM

you can get sbs on FTA if it makes any diffrence..

Bon · 10-02-05, 11:51 AM

SBS is now encripted not FTA. I have found that there are two ways to get SBS. 1) TAN-TV or 2) KISB. I signed up with TAN-TV just today.

The total package is a Ku-band dish, receiver and smart card. The monthly is $25.08 when paid by the year. The dish and receiver is owned by TAN-TV. You must purchase a smart card for $25.00. There is a $50 shipping charge. A $100 discount is given to offset the cost of a professional install.

Bottom line, with TAN-TV the out-of-pocket is $277.50 which includes the first year of programming. Each year thereafter is $302.50 which is 12 months programming for the cost of 11 months. This gets you KBS, MBC, SBS and CGN-TV. They said that additional programming is coming this Fall.

If you call them you'll be lucky to get an English speaking person. The person I spoke with was Jong Kim and he was pretty good with his English.

I tried to check out KISB but their web site does not work at this time. I was told by TAN-TV that though they are a few dollars cheaper they do not and can not carry KBS.

The phone number for TAN-TV is (323) 465-1100.

I sure don't want another dish on my house but it's a small price to pay to keep my Korean wife off of QVC.

Crystal Pepsi Ball · 10-02-05, 10:51 PM

The program guide on D* says that SBS will be on 10/3/2005. Channel 2080.

SummitAdvantageRetailer · 10-03-05, 01:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bon

SBS is now encripted not FTA. I have found that there are two ways to get SBS. 1) TAN-TV or 2) KISB. I signed up with TAN-TV just today.

The total package is a Ku-band dish, receiver and smart card. The monthly is $25.08 when paid by the year. The dish and receiver is owned by TAN-TV. You must purchase a smart card for $25.00. There is a $50 shipping charge. A $100 discount is given to offset the cost of a professional install.

Bottom line, with TAN-TV the out-of-pocket is $277.50 which includes the first year of programming. Each year thereafter is $302.50 which is 12 months programming for the cost of 11 months. This gets you KBS, MBC, SBS and CGN-TV. They said that additional programming is coming this Fall.

If you call them you'll be lucky to get an English speaking person. The person I spoke with was Jong Kim and he was pretty good with his English.

I tried to check out KISB but their web site does not work at this time. I was told by TAN-TV that though they are a few dollars cheaper they do not and can not carry KBS.

The phone number for TAN-TV is (323) 465-1100.

I sure don't want another dish on my house but it's a small price to pay to keep my Korean wife off of QVC.

You just listed KBS as available. And by the way, I was benchmarking them vs. DISH and it looks like their programming for KBS is mixed and not a full 24/7 channel.

Baxter · 10-03-05, 02:53 AM

I spoke with D* they will only say that you have to call SBS and it's there fault that D* can't provide this channel. Everyone already knows it's all about $$$ and if D* starts showing SBS, it might be a good time to change so I can get the NFL package. that would make both my wife happy as well as me. If you want to watch Korean Drama you need SBS. It's nice to have everything on one system, but I can use the KU-Band receiver to access more Korean programing than Dish though of providing.

eric0116 · 10-03-05, 01:15 PM

So what is the deal with TAN-TV? Anyone actually have it so they can give a comparison? I am not familiar with the equipment, but I am assuming it is a small dish and not a monster C band style dish. Trying to make a choice between moving to D* for SBS, staying with E* and what we have, or add a Ku-Band receiver for four channels, the best variety of channels I've heard of so far. Also found the KISB web site and they seem to have different channels available. Any word on them?

juan ellitinez · 10-03-05, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eric0116

So what is the deal with TAN-TV? Anyone actually have it so they can give a comparison? I am not familiar with the equipment, but I am assuming it is a small dish and not a monster C band style dish. Trying to make a choice between moving to D* for SBS, staying with E* and what we have, or add a Ku-Band receiver for four channels, the best variety of channels I've heard of so far. Also found the KISB web site and they seem to have different channels available. Any word on them?

you could "move" to New York and get channel 63 (wmbc) on the 61.5 location..It carries alot of SBS programming

juan ellitinez · 10-03-05, 02:04 PM

here's a link http://www.wmbctv.com/

Bon · 10-03-05, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eric0116

So what is the deal with TAN-TV? Anyone actually have it so they can give a comparison? I am not familiar with the equipment, but I am assuming it is a small dish and not a monster C band style dish. Trying to make a choice between moving to D* for SBS, staying with E* and what we have, or add a Ku-Band receiver for four channels, the best variety of channels I've heard of so far. Also found the KISB web site and they seem to have different channels available. Any word on them?

I'm waiting on my TAN-TV equipment and will report on my experience just as soon as I can. The Ku-band dish is about 30" in diameter. I already have a two E* dishes on my house for SD and HD reception and now I'm adding a third for TAN-TV. I wonder when my neighbors will start complaining.

music_beans · 10-03-05, 05:34 PM

Hmm, no one seems to have answered the question that I asked above.

eric0116 · 10-03-05, 05:36 PM

Thanks Bon. I'll be looking for your review.

SummitAdvantageRetailer · 10-03-05, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by music_beans

Hmm, no one seems to have answered the question that I asked above.

A channel urging customers to call SBS directly. It doesn't say to complain but you can pretty much imply by it.

Bon · 10-03-05, 08:56 PM

Didn't mean to ignore you music_beans. . . and I quote:

Attention DISH Network Subscribers
SBS International has decided to take the SBS channel away from you and other DISH Network Korean subscribers.

You can contact SBS Korea directly and voice your concerns by calling them at 011-82-2-2001-6745 or 011-82-2-2061-0006 or contact SBS America at 213-381-2121.

At DISH Network we strive to bring you the best quality of programming from around the world and we look forward to continuing to serve you.

. . . end quote.

The message is both in Korean and English alternately. I presume the Korean says essentially the same thing.