[James Long]

DISH Network™ Launches DishDVR Advantage Package

All-Inclusive Price Guarantees No Hidden Charges or Fees

2007 International CES

LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--EchoStar Communications Corporation (NASDAQ: DISH) and its DISH Network™ satellite TV service announced today from the 2007 International Consumer Electronics Show the rollout of its DishDVR Advantage Package, the first-ever DVR bundle offered by a pay-TV provider.

The DishDVR Advantage Package saves customers 7 percent over items purchased separately. For $49.99 per month, DISH Network customers will receive America's Top 200 with local channels where available and a dual-tuner standard definition receiver. The offer also includes DISH Network's 18-month Home Protection Plan, which provides priority technical support, free replacement of equipment, video cabling and power surge repairs, reduced priced in-home service and free installation when a customer moves.

The price of the DishDVR Advantage Package has no hidden charges, therefore the advertised price is what customers will see on their bills. The package will be available to customers starting Feb. 1, 2007.

"Consumers want more control over their TV viewing experience, which is why the DVR is one of the most sought-after consumer electronics on the market today," said Bobby Billman, senior vice president of Marketing for DISH Network. "DISH Network is pleased to offer consumers a simple way to combine an industry-leading DVR with unparalleled programming, all at an extremely affordable price."

Customers interested in high definition can opt for the HD version of the DishDVR Advantage Package, which includes the industry-leading ViP622 DVR and DishHD programming for an additional $20 per month. DISH Network is the nation's leader in HD programming, with 30 national HD channels and HD local channels available to more than 50 percent of U.S. TV households.

As an added bonus, new customers can realize further savings: DISH Network's $100 back offer and, for HD subscribers, an additional $100 HD Bonus (each offer amounts to $10 per month in credit for the first 10 months of service after a mail-in redemption). Thus, for the first 10 months, a new customer with a standard definition DVR will pay only $39.99 per month, and one with the ViP622 DVR will pay only $49.99 per month - essentially getting their HD programming package for free.

To order DISH Network or for more information, call 1-800-333-DISH (3474), visit your local retailer, or visit www.dishnetwork.com.

 

[Rob Glasser]

Interesting. I wonder if existing subs can switch to this plan or it is only for new subs. Right now if you want to have the same channels your looking at DishHD Gold at $69.99 + locals at $8.99 and if that also covers the DVR fee and Lease fee that is another $5.98 and $6.00 for a total of 90.96, that would save someone $20.97 a month AND give them the Home Protection Plan. This seems too good to be true, even if it doesn't include the DVR fee or lease fee it still saves your $8.99 a month. Can't wait to see more details on this.

 

[psnarula]

no, this offer is for the sd dual duner dvr -- probably a 522 or 625.

 

[Rob Glasser]

Actually it does cover HD too:

Customers interested in high definition can opt for the HD version of the DishDVR Advantage Package, which includes the industry-leading ViP622 DVR and DishHD programming for an additional $20 per month. DISH Network is the nation's leader in HD programming, with 30 national HD channels and HD local channels available to more than 50 percent of U.S. TV households.

I did screw up on my pricing though. I thought AT180/Gold became AT200 but it's not, it's really AT120/Silver so my prices should drop another $10.00 if I'm not mistaken. Still, if it includes the lease and DVR fee it's a good deal.

 

[James Long]

This is a good deal ---
$49.99 is $42.99 AT200 + $5 locals + $5.98 DVR fee + $ Home Protection Plan
$69.99 is $42.99 AT200 + $5 locals + $20 HD + $5.98 DVR fee + $ Home Protection Plan

New SD subs get $10 off per month ($39.99) for 10 months.
New HD subs get $20 off per month ($49.99) for 10 months.

The lease fee is for additional receivers, such as customers who used Dish-n-it Up for the 622 upgrades.
New subs get the $6 lease fee as part of their package. (That isn't cool for old subs.)

 

[nitz369]

Do you think existing customers will be able to get on this channel package?
Or is this like a promo deal?

I would hope that ti would be a standard package like Top200 or Top250.

 

[James Long]

I don't see why existing customers couldn't get this (other than the $10 off for $10 months for being a new customer and $10 off for being a new DishHD customer if someone already has DishHD).

 

[jericho]

The question for existing customers is....how much for DVR or HD-DVR receiver upgrade.

 

[DJ Lon]

I just got off the phone with a Dish CSR ("David" from New Delhi ) who told me this is only available to new subscribers. Sucks to be me to have to pay $67 for the same service.

 

[BobaBird]

The PR implies it will be available to everyone.

The package will be available to customers starting Feb. 1, 2007.

I could well be reading too much into that, but then at the bottom they add

As an added bonus, new customers can realize further savings:

and go on to detail the effective monthly price after new subscriber rebates are applied. So there must be a class of customer that doesn't get the added bonus - let's call them "existing customers."

Does this cover all DVRs on an account, or do additional DVRs still get hit with the full $5.98?

 

[James Long]

My assumption is that it includes a DVR ... and one DVR fee to cover it. Until we see the fine print we don'y know.

 

[bavaria72]

Would really suck if existing Customers can't get it. That is some significant coin one could save. I would be all over that like a 23 ounce Blue Moon......

 

[catnap1972]

The question for existing customers is....how much for DVR or HD-DVR receiver upgrade.

Good question--do they still stick us for the 69.99 upgrade fee?

Also, does the 49.99 include the lease fee (if the 522/625 is one's only receiver) or do we still get slapped with the extra 5.99 fee?

 

[DJ Lon]

Here's the message I sent to Dish:

Dear Mr. Ergen,

This message is regarding the DishDVR Advantage Package.

News Item: "EchoStar Communications Corporation and its DISH Network satellite TV service announced today from the 2007 International Consumer Electronics Show the rollout of its DishDVR Advantage Package, the first-ever DVR bundle offered by a pay-TV provider.

The DishDVR Advantage Package saves customers 7 percent over items purchased separately. For $49.99 per month, DISH Network customers will receive America’s Top 200 with local channels where available and a dual-tuner standard definition receiver. The offer also includes DISH Network’s 18-month Home Protection Plan, which provides priority technical support, free replacement of equipment, video cabling and power surge repairs, reduced priced in-home service and free installation when a customer moves."

I just got off the phone with a Dish CSR who promptly told me this is only for new subscribers (and was very rude about it, too). I currently pay $67 per month for the same service offered above and am writing you to verify or not verify that I won't be allowed to save my hard-earned dollars just because I'm already a subscriber?

Please tell me this isn't so.

*****

And here's the official response I received from Dish:

Dear Sir,



Thanks for the email. The below promotionis indeed specific to our new customers only. Hopefully in the near futurethere will be an existing customer offer that mirrors the new customer offer.Right now, there has been no existing customer promotion available to upgradeto a vip622 HD DVR for free.



Sorry for the inconvenience. Please let meknow if you have any other questions.



Sincerely,

Eric VanLaethem

EchoStar Satellite L.L.C.

Dba DISH Network

 

[gintzj]

no, this offer is for the sd dual duner dvr -- probably a 522 or 625.

no it is for the 622 HD DVR

 

[gintzj]

they never think of the old ones like us. I use Tivo now have a great day or night

 

[Rkw1111]

no it is for the 622 HD DVR

That is incorrect, according to the press release:

The DishDVR Advantage Package saves customers 7 percent over items purchased separately. For $49.99 per month, DISH Network customers will receive America's Top 200 with local channels where available and a dual-tuner standard definition receiver.

 

[James Long]

Actually both -- $49.99 per month w/SD DVR, $69.99 per month w/HD DVR.

 

[jamber1301]

So old subs will still get stuck with a $6 lease fee?

 

[catnap1972]

So unless I'm totally confused, DVR Advantage doesn't even concern us current subscribers (only for new customers)???