Will EchoStar Carry Al-Jazeera HD?

**Chris Blount** · 11-02-06, 07:28 AM

Will EchoStar Carry Al-Jazeera HD?

The news network says one satellite provider has agreed to carry the new channel.
By Phillip Swann

Washington, D.C. (November 2, 2006) -- Al-Jazeera, the controversial Arabic news network, will launch an English-speaking High-Definition TV channel on November 15.

The company will also unveil a non-HD version of the channel on that day. An Al-Jazeera spokeswoman tells The Associated Press that at least one cable company and one satellite TV operator have agreed to carry the new channel.

Complete Article

dishbacker · 11-02-06, 08:05 AM

If this goes live before some of the other mentioned HD channels (mainly the Fox Sports Channels or possibly the INHD channel that was uplinked a month or two ago)... there will be such an uproar...

SMosher · 11-02-06, 08:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dishbacker

If this goes live before some of the other mentioned HD channels (mainly the Fox Sports Channels or possibly the INHD channel that was uplinked a month or two ago)... there will be such an uproar...

Ageed!! Lets say even .... Why the heck cant we get at least those news orgs in the US in HD? :P

Earlray · 11-02-06, 08:46 AM

If Dish ads, this Al-Jazeera network, I will leave. and Jump to D-TV. I would get a better price anyway sence my local telco offers it on a bundle anyway. It would be most sad for Charlie to do something like this I think.

Capmeister · 11-02-06, 08:51 AM

I have to say, any service that carries a TV network which sympathizes and works with terrorists would not be one I would use. If DISH carries this network, in SD or HD, I couldn't go back to them ever, and I'd recommend my father switch to D*.

ebaltz · 11-02-06, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Earlray

If Dish ads, this Al-Jazeera network, I will leave. and Jump to D-TV. I would get a better price anyway sence my local telco offers it on a bundle anyway. It would be most sad for Charlie to do something like this I think.

Let's all push Dish to not carry this crap network and its terrorist propaganda.

gjh3260 · 11-02-06, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SMosher

Ageed!! Lets say even .... Why the heck cant we get at least those news orgs in the US in HD? :P

Hear that Charlie ? Lets get the RSN's running or your customer database may be dropping.

Earlray · 11-02-06, 09:15 AM

I sent an email to the ex customer service person. regarding my feeling on this. Here is what she said.

Thank you for your e-mail. Unfortunately, DISH Network has a contact with the Al-Jazerra Network and at this time we are unable to terminate programming. DISH Network Provides many international services. We thank you for your feedback.

Thank you,

Christina Atencio

Dispute Resolution Specialist

I will be leaving dish at the end of November service. and going to D-TV. its so sad.

**James Long** · 11-02-06, 09:24 AM

NEW YORK - The Al-Jazeera International network has set a launch date of Nov. 15, although it's still not clear whether anybody in the United States will be able to see it.

The English-language offshoot of the influential Arab network Al-Jazeera will begin operations at 7 a.m. ET out of its Doha, Qatar headquarters, the network announced on Tuesday. The network operates with four main offices, in Doha, London, Washington and Kuala Lumpur.

Al-Jazeera International has not announced any agreements with cable or satellite systems in the United States to carry it. Negotiations are ongoing, and spokesman Marc Smrikarov said he hoped some announcements will be made before launch.

http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercu...p/15895001.htm

wcswett · 11-02-06, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Earlray

I sent an email to the ex customer service person. regarding my feeling on this. Here is what she said.

Thank you for your e-mail. Unfortunately, DISH Network has a contact with the Al-Jazerra Network and at this time we are unable to terminate programming. DISH Network Provides many international services. We thank you for your feedback.

Thank you,

Christina Atencio

Dispute Resolution Specialist

I will be leaving dish at the end of November service. and going to D-TV. its so sad.

Al Jazeera has been an Arabic language channel on DISH pretty much since it started transmitting, I think, and DISH is the only outlet carrying the Arabic language version in the U.S. The new channel being discussed is in English and is being pitched as a 24 hour news channel like CNN and Fox News.

--- WCS

chebyrashka74 · 11-02-06, 09:31 AM

I say the more choices the better, I'm sure you won't have to receive it. I get a lot of channels I hate and still stay with them.

Earlray · 11-02-06, 09:38 AM

You know there are a lot of channels that I do not watch. The point I'm Trying to make is that Our Monthly Payments are helping to pay for this channel. I would never watch it. and I'm not going to be a party to a company that funnels cash to an organzation like Al Jazeera . I have my American Pride.

Earl

Capmeister · 11-02-06, 09:39 AM

There's a difference between paying for a service that provides a shopping channel and one that provides an outlet for an operation that supports terrorism and terrorist propoganda. I'm recommending to my father than he switch to D*.

**James Long** · 11-02-06, 09:43 AM

It is likely to be offered as an international channel - a high priced subscription. Don't expect to see it on channel 201 between the CNNs or next to China's English language channel in the 260's.

The current Arabic version isn't included in AT packages ... why should this one be?

If we're going to start deleting channels based on their "bias" we will be divided into camps that want to delete CNN or FOX NEWS or FreeSpeechTV ...

brianr4666 · 11-02-06, 09:43 AM

This is an interesting article from the Washington Post.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...100702191.html

Darkman · 11-02-06, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James Long

NEW YORK - The Al-Jazeera International network has set a launch date of Nov. 15, although it's still not clear whether anybody in the United States will be able to see it.

The English-language offshoot of the influential Arab network Al-Jazeera will begin operations at 7 a.m. ET out of its Doha, Qatar headquarters, the network announced on Tuesday. The network operates with four main offices, in Doha, London, Washington and Kuala Lumpur.

Al-Jazeera International has not announced any agreements with cable or satellite systems in the United States to carry it. Negotiations are ongoing, and spokesman Marc Smrikarov said he hoped some announcements will be made before launch.

http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercu...p/15895001.htm

There is a somewhat simular information about about Al-Jaz. in this thread as well:
http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=59148

Should the threads be merged maybe .. or not?

kmcnamara · 11-02-06, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James Long

If we're going to start deleting channels based on their "bias" we will be divided into camps that want to delete CNN or FOX NEWS or FreeSpeechTV ...

I've gotten pretty used to you shilling for Dish but that really takes the cake. To compare the "bias" of al jazeera to the "bias" of CNN or Fox is utterly ridiculous. AL JAZEERA AIDS AND ABETS TERRORISTS WHO ARE TRYING TO KILL US. Is there anything that Dish could do that would cause you to publicly condemn them? You can ban me from the forum if you want but if Dish goes through with showing terrorist propaganda, I'll be banning them from my home.

Darkman · 11-02-06, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brianr4666

This is an interesting article from the Washington Post.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...100702191.html

Just on a side note - It's from approx. a year ago... Oct 2005

Capmeister · 11-02-06, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James Long

It is likely to be offered as an international channel - a high priced subscription. Don't expect to see it on channel 201 between the CNNs or next to China's English language channel in the 260's.

The current Arabic version isn't included in AT packages ... why should this one be?

If we're going to start deleting channels based on their "bias" we will be divided into camps that want to delete CNN or FOX NEWS or FreeSpeechTV ...

I'm sorry, but there is a distinct difference between a political leaning and a network which works with terrorists.

Jolard · 11-02-06, 10:19 AM

How dare Dish provide me another option for getting my news! I live in a country where we censor information that comes from sources we don't like, not one that provides free speech for everyone, a marketplace of ideas that allows everyone to make up their own mind.

Al Jazeera is nothing but propaganda. They will present the news with an Arabic slant!!! I want my propaganda from an American perspective. If I wanted to get non-patriotic opinions I would read the New York Times instead of watching Fox News!

Why would I care how the world views the U.S.? Why would I care to have another opinion on the way we effect other people's lives? When my government tells me that we are improving the lives of people in the middle east, that is all I need to know!!! I don't need anyone else providing me with any information that might contradict that.

And they help terrorists!!!! They receive video tapes of Bin Laden and his Al Qaida chums, and then they broadcast them over the air! Patriotic news agencies would NEVER broadcast terrorist tapes, especially right before an election.

When I get my propaganda I want it wrapped in red white and blue.

minnow · 11-02-06, 10:22 AM

Absolutely amazing ! We are in the upheaval of 800,000 or so sub's having their DNS service shut off, 30+ DMA's that need to be uplinked and aren't, still trying to settle the DVR lawsuit with TIVO, but Dish can find the time and resources to bring this pile of propaganda to our shores.

Yes it's definitely time to find another provider. DISH NETWORK = FRIENDS OF TERRORISM

TBoneit · 11-02-06, 10:36 AM

People are talking about leaving Dishnetwork and calling them friends of terrorists and all this is based on speculation that they will add an english speaking channel.

Speculation!!!

Give me a break.

Where is the Christian outrage that Cable, DirecTV and Echostar carry adult material. Where are the I'm leaving if they don't stop it.

MTV is a bigger problem since it is easily available.

cornflakes · 11-02-06, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James Long

It is likely to be offered as an international channel - a high priced subscription. Don't expect to see it on channel 201 between the CNNs or next to China's English language channel in the 260's.

The current Arabic version isn't included in AT packages ... why should this one be?

I think Al Jazeera is aiming this to be in part of the AT packages, because it's in English language. I know a couple of years ago they've been wanting to be a bigger player in news in the US (they even tried to recruit Dan Rather (?) or was it Tom Brokaw...), and being part of the AT or basic cable would be a huge step forward for them.

A couple of the Chinese English-speaking channels (CCTV 4 and CCTV E/F), are available in the AT packages.

**James Long** · 11-02-06, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Capmeister

I'm sorry, but there is a distinct difference between a political leaning and a network which works with terrorists.

That accusation has been made against CNN as well. Where do we draw the line?

I doubt Al-Jazeera will be a station any of us can see without expensive subscription and likely a change in dish. If I was going to get angry and storm away about programming that I am not forced to buy I would have done that when seeing how many porn channels E* has on their system.

Al-Jazerra has been available on E* for a long time. Does it suddenly become more objectionable when presented in English?

The soulution is simple: Don't subscribe to the feed. If by some oddity it ends up being part of the ATs lock and block it. If one can't handle that responsibility perhaps one should just turn off the TV altogether.

kmcnamara · 11-02-06, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TBoneit

People are talking about leaving Dishnetwork and calling them friends of terrorists and all this is based on speculation that they will add an english speaking channel.

Speculation!!!

Yes, it's speculation which is why I used the word "if".

Quote:

Originally Posted by TBoneit

Where is the Christian outrage that Cable, DirecTV and Echostar carry adult material. Where are the I'm leaving if they don't stop it.

MTV is a bigger problem since it is easily available.

I don't disagree with you. There are 2 differences I think. First, there are other providers that aren't carrying al jazeera. Second, adult content/porn, while unhealthy in my opinion, isn't aiding those who would kill us.