[Steve Mehs]

As expected, DirecTV used its comments sent to the Federal Communications Commission on multichannel competition to defend its service to Hawaii viewers.

State of Hawaii officials have complained that DirecTV's offerings fall short of what the company offers customers in the continental United States. While it said programming packages delivered to Hawaii residents are not identical to those offered in the contiguous states, "the DBS packages are reasonably comparable to the programming packages offered to mainland subscribers, given the significant technical constraints," DirecTV told the FCC.

Those technical constraints include challenges with delivery of services from satellites at 101 degrees, DirecTV's core orbital location.

DirecTV said that once its pending merger with EchoStar wins approval from regulators, Hawaiian subscribers will benefit from improved coverage and service via the combined entity.

The company said, "In sum, DBS service in Hawaii is steadily expanding and no additional regulatory intervention by the commission is warranted."

During the summer, EchoStar launched expanded packages for its Hawaii viewers, which included local TV offerings containing Honolulu stations. Hawaii officials told the FCC that they welcome "this encouraging development," but added they will keep an eye on the company.

From SkyReport (Used with Permission)

 

[Guest]

So that's why there areso many Star Choice dishes there.

 

[PeterB]

Waaaaaaaaa. Quit whining and enjoy the fact you live in Hawaii. Who cares about TV ?

Seriously though, the amount of subscribers in the region, the technical issues, do they really have any base to complain? Do they want DTV to launch a multi-million dollar satellite for one freaking state?

 

[Guest]

quote:
"Seriously though, the amount of subscribers in the region, the technical issues, do they really have any base to complain? Do they want DTV to launch a multi-million dollar satellite for one freaking state?"

======================================================

hey, if dishnetwork can provide Hawaii all programming/channels that the US. MAINLAND are able to get...
then i dont see why DIRECTV can't?

I live on Maui and have been able to receive every single available channel Dishnetwork offers for the past year now...

Ive wanted to go the DIRECTV route due to the NFL ST, but because of my location, I am not able to receive many of the channels in the basic, the movie channels, and all of the sports packages (NBA, NFL, etc...),
you should see the lame package that DIRECTV offer to Hawaii...its really sad!!!

Besides, one satellite will not benefit "ONE FREAKIN STATE"...it will benefit all customers...

 

[wrate]

True, living in Hawaii, the last thing people should care for is TV.

The funny thing about DirecTV's statement, as well as Dish Network's, is that EVERY single complain or problem that either system has will be solved with the aproval of the merger.

What a load of crap.

 

[sampatterson]

I agree, the excuse is "if the merger goes through" everything will be ok. I am personally for the merger, I just hate that it is the excuse. If the merger DOES go through, then every excuse will be, "because of the merger we can't do x,y, or z"...