December 12, 2005 Charlie Chat Summary
by: Chris Blount
Welcome to the Charlie Chat. Hosted by Charlie Ergen and Jim Defranco.
Charlie starts off by explaining how the contest started about changing the name of a town to DISH. Apparently is was suggested by one of his employees. Now a video starts with clips from news shows about Clark, TX changing its name. The mayor, Bill Merrett, of the town is a guest on the Charlie Chat. He says that most of the town has been hooked up with free satellite service. It’s only about 125 homes. DISH is located a little north of Fort Worth, TX. Anyone who moves to the town will get the free satellite.
Eric Sahl and programming updates. PPV titles this month – Batman Begins, Bewitched, House of Wax, Christmas with the Kranks, The Polar Express.
PPV Sports – NBA League Pass – 1000 regular season games. $189 or 3 payments of $63.
NHL Center Ice - $159 or 3 payments of $53.
English Premier League (Soccer) – Individual Weekends $29.95
ESPN Full Court College Basketball – Up to 30 games per week. $109 or 2 payments of $54.50
Dish Holiday Music – America’s Top 120 and above. Channel 982
Sirius Holiday Music Channels – 6002 and 6062
Fox Reality Channel – Channel 190. Available on America’s Top 180 and above.
Eric Stahl then interviews Evan Marriott “Joe Millionaire”.
Dish Network has acquired exclusive rights to broadcast all Pakistan Cricket games thru 2008. All five “One-Day Internationals” are available for $79.95. Live on channels 457/471. India’s Tour Of Pakistan Cricket January 13 – February 18th 2005. Order by January 14 to get the early bird price of $149.95.
Jim then gives the results of the “Reach For The Stars” contest. Mike Henggeler Of Peoria, AZ won. He named the next Dish network space vehicle as “High Ground”. He will sign the rocket and witness the launch.
It’s question time!
E-Mail question – When will you get more HD programming?
Answer – Charlie says that more HD programming is coming soon. The new HD programming will be in MPEG 4. Starting in January ESPN2HD will roll out along with other new HD channels and more VOOM channels. DISH will also be launching HD locals for cities including New York, Los Angeles, Boston, Atlanta and Chicago which will launch in January. Each month after expect 5 more cities per month. Charlie says that Dish will be the leader in HD.
Call in question – Will you continue to carry VOOM?
Answer – Charlie says yes. We will continue to carry VOOM channels. Starting in January, Dish will launch 5 more VOOM channels in MPEG 4. We are taking the original 21 VOOM channels and condensing them down to 15.
Call in question – Can we get HBO Zone?
Answer – Charlie didn’t know.
What about TV ONE?
Answer – Charlie says they couldn’t get a deal with TV ONE.
E-mail question – I have 4 receivers in my home. If I order a PPV, do all of my receivers get the PPV?
Answer – If you order the PPV by remote, you will only get the PPV on that one receiver. If you order through the internet or by phone, all receivers in the house will receive the program.
Call in question – Have you come to an agreement with Comcast about getting OLN back?
Answer – OLN blacked out hockey games and it wasn’t in the contract for them to do that. DISH let the contract expire. He didn't like how DISH was being treated by Comcast.
Now off to the Cybercafe with Henry. He talks about Dish Gift Certificates. They come in $25 increments.
You can shop at Sharper Image through the interactive screens on your receiver.
PocketDish – 2.2” model comes with a 20GB hard drive. 4” model has 30 GB hard drive. 7” model has a 40 GB hard drive. Dish is offering rebates on all models.
Giveaway time! A PocketDish is the prize. Question: What is the #1 song played during the holiday season.
Now a spill about Club Dish. Nothing new here.
Winner of the PocketDish. Robert from Rocklin, CA. Answer is “White Christmas”.
Closing comments. CES is coming up in January. More HD coming. Satellite launch in February. Next Charlie Chat will focus on HD.
Next Charlie Chat, January 9, 2006.
dstanley
