[tsmacro]

A memo we got today:





Eastern Arc Explained

In order to remain competitive in today’s pay-TV market, DISH Network is consistently making
improvements to systems and expanding channel selections. As of 8/20/2008, two additional satellite
locations will be available for broadcasting in DISH Network’s satellite constellation. These new orbital
locations, along with one currently in use, will create a dish solution known as Eastern Arc (EA).
Eastern Arc
The Eastern Arc concept is designed to accomplish the following for 81 Designated Market Areas
(DMAs):
• Broadcast core content and expanded HD programming,
• Provide better “look angles” to DISH Network’s satellites

New customers residing in an Eastern Arc DMA who choose to subscribe to HD programming will receive
an Eastern Arc installation; this includes TurboHD and above or BronzeHD and above. Customers who
select both HD and Latino programming will be installed with two dish antennas.
Equipment Screen
On the “Equipment Options” screen, agents will receive only MPEG-4 receiver options if a customer has
been identified as residing in an Eastern Arc DMA, qualifies for locals, and has chosen HD programming.
The standard definition filter box will be grayed out, preventing non-HD equipment from being chosen.

DISH Network’s line of MPEG-4 receivers includes:
• HD DVR Dual Tuner Receiver
• HD DVR Single Tuner Receiver
• HD Dual Tuner Receiver
• HD Single Tuner Receiver

Eastern Arc DMAs
Below is a list of the initial 21 HD DMAs to be classified as “Eastern Arc” markets:
Eastern Arc HD DMAs as of 8/20/2008
Baltimore, MD Green Bay, WI New York, NY
Charlotte, NC Greensboro, NC Philadelphia, PA
Chicago, IL Greenville, SC Providence, RI
Cleveland, OH Hartford, CT Raleigh, NC
Columbia, SC Knoxville, TN Richmond, VA
Dallas, TX Minneapolis, MN Tampa, FL
Detroit, MI Nashville, TN Washington DC

 

[RasputinAXP]

Man. I need this bad. I want to get rid of my extra dish. I suppose I have to wait until Feb?

 

[tkrandall]

any idea when Atlanta gets added?

 

[James Long]

A memo we got today:
The Eastern Arc concept is designed to accomplish the following for 81 Designated Market Areas (DMAs):
• Broadcast core content and expanded HD programming,
• Provide better "look angles" to DISH Network's satellites

Below is a list of the initial 21 HD DMAs to be classified as "Eastern Arc" markets:

And 60 more to come!

I'm really looking forward to EA being lit up ... primarily to see if the guess is right that the same tier system will be used and existing subscribers will be able to use 72.7° feeds. (Gotta love being able to brew your own dish farm.)

I guess we will find out soon.

 

[dewey brunner]

Have strong signal from 72, however, no programming yet. Please post if and when you begin receiving programming. 61.5 has been and is active now. Understand 77 will come later?

 

[boba]

This is just another DISH advertising Hype. It will be 6 months to a year before this could be a reality. DISH needs to successfully launch 2 satellites to their "rented" locations to have good signals. They need to write and debugg software to make them functional. DISH also needs to produce and replace a lot of equipment so existing customers can participate. Today this is HYPE 2nd quarter of 2009 this might be a reality, until then happy BETA TESTING.

 

[Richard King]

If it's nothing but "hype" when does a product turn from "hype" to reality??? Should a product not be announced and be kept in total secrecy until it is officially released to the public??? More to the point, what's YOUR problem with them doing this???

 

[jefbal99]

I'm guessing that Lansing, MI will be one of the additional 60 markets because E* turned on 1/2 the HD locals this summer. The Eastern Arc is a very ambitious plan and very exciting for DBS competition

 

[tkrandall]

This is just another DISH advertising Hype. It will be 6 months to a year before this could be a reality. DISH needs to successfully launch 2 satellites to their "rented" locations to have good signals. They need to write and debugg software to make them functional. DISH also needs to produce and replace a lot of equipment so existing customers can participate. Today this is HYPE 2nd quarter of 2009 this might be a reality, until then happy BETA TESTING.

They have a satellite at 72.7 now and will be moving one over from 110 to 77 very soon as E11 will replace it at 110. How is that hype?

 

[James Long]

This is just another DISH advertising Hype. It will be 6 months to a year before this could be a reality. DISH needs to successfully launch 2 satellites to their "rented" locations to have good signals. They need to write and debugg software to make them functional. DISH also needs to produce and replace a lot of equipment so existing customers can participate. Today this is HYPE 2nd quarter of 2009 this might be a reality, until then happy BETA TESTING.

Satellites exist at 77°, 72.7° and 61.5° ... I'm getting a nice signal off of 72.7° and 61.5° on an old dish 500 ... the service is there. It just needs to be turned on. The complication is the new rules for MPEG4 ... making sure people with incompatible receivers are not expecting to install a 1000.4 dish and magically get all of the channels. But the receivers exist, the satellites exist and the signals are up (and at abetter level than 129°).

Not sure what "new software" you are expecting ... the new "Eastern Arc" isn't so much different than the classic DISH Network service. It isn't like they need separate receiver software that only sees one arc or prefers one arc over another on a customer by customer basis.

If you check out the memo you will see that this is phasing in for new customers ... no immediate cost required for existing customer (except for customers who might jump the gun ... and then it is the customer's cost, not DISH's).

 

[citico]

I have a 612 and 211. Will I have to wait to receive a smart card for these receivers before I can receive all three sats. I am presently pointed at 61.5,110 and 119 and would like to get down to one dish(61.5,72.7 and 77).

 

[boba]

New software refers to CSR operating systems where DISH has had a problem transitioning. I didn't say that satellites weren't in position just that they are old and well into their usefull lifes. It will still be 6 months to a year before the existing base of customers can benefit from this hype.

 

[RAD]

The Eastern Arc concept is designed to accomplish the following for 81 Designated Market Areas
(DMAs):
• Broadcast core content and expanded HD programming,
• Provide better "look angles" to DISH Network's satellites

Since they note specifically says EA is designed to provide expanded HD programming for 81 DMA's, what about the other DMA's that aren't part of EA? Does that mean there will be future HD channels available only on EA and not on the legacy system?

 

[jefbal99]

Since they note specifically says EA is designed to provide expanded HD programming for 81 DMA's, what about the other DMA's that aren't part of EA? Does that mean there will be future HD channels available only on EA and not on the legacy system?

I would guess the 81 DMAs on the eastern half of the US, especially those that currently get HD locals from 61.5

 

[tkrandall]

New software refers to CSR operating systems where DISH has had a problem transitioning. I didn't say that satellites weren't in position just that they are old and well into their usefull lifes. It will still be 6 months to a year before the existing base of customers can benefit from this hype.

as long as they remain usefull until their replacements come on line then they are, well, useful.

 

[Richard King]

It will still be 6 months to a year before the existing base of customers can benefit from this hype.

You haven't answered my question. How is this "hype"??? "Hype" genereally refers to something being promoted that doesn't exist. This exists and new customers in the DMA's are having the systems installed. What makes this "hype"? In fact, this hasn't even been promoted to the general public. Most subscribers, unless they hang out here don't even know about it. There's no "hype" anywhere.

 

[RAD]

I would guess the 81 DMAs on the eastern half of the US, especially those that currently get HD locals from 61.5

Doesn't answer the original question, if Dish says that EA is designed to "expanded HD programming" what about the folks that don't have access to EA, do that not get to take part in expanded HD programming at Dish?

 

[James Long]

Doesn't answer the original question, if Dish says that EA is designed to "expanded HD programming" what about the folks that don't have access to EA, do that not get to take part in expanded HD programming at Dish?

You're assuming the worse.

Everyone will get everything. You won't need to be an EA subscriber to get new HD channels. There will not be new HD exclusive to EA (although there are some RSNs only on 61.5° and where one's locals are will make a difference).

Bottom line ... this isn't the end of "legacy HD" subscriptions. The only people who will not be able to take part in DISH's expanding HD lineup are people who don't subscribe to DISH.

 

[DishSatUser]

Doesn't answer the original question, if Dish says that EA is designed to "expanded HD programming" what about the folks that don't have access to EA, do that not get to take part in expanded HD programming at Dish?

There's Western Arc too (110, 119 and 129) but it is not yet 100% MPEG4.

From what I understand, the two archs will allow single dish installations (once 129 is repositioned with a different SAT than EchoStar 5 for improved stability and signal performance) to get both the core channels and local HD. The core will be mirrored and then each arc will have it's own set of local HD DMA. Eastern Arc will be all MPEG 4, Western Arc will eventually be MPEG 4 as well but later in the game.

Finally 118.7 will be used for internationals and be the only time a second dish is required (for new customer installs) with the exclusion of the NW customers that need a 24" dish for the 129 SAT at this point in time.

So... If you refere to new National HD programming, yes you'll be able to take part. But if you are refering to new local HD DMA content, you'll have to be in that DMA.

From what I understand is that the Western Arc will finally go 100% MPEG 4 after they've completed the EA and applied the lessons learned. Part of the remaining work will be to upgrade existing customers to new equipment that can support the MPEG4.

 

[grooves12]

Doesn't answer the original question, if Dish says that EA is designed to "expanded HD programming" what about the folks that don't have access to EA, do that not get to take part in expanded HD programming at Dish?

My guess is this is mostly refferring to the fact that is will allow them to expand their HD local offerings. Starting soon Dish is going to be forced to phase in ALL of the HD channels in the markets they offer. So, that means an HD PBS and UPN at the least for most markets. Is also means that they will probably be able to phase out some locals currently carried on 61.5 to one of the other sats allowing for more national channels... and same goes for some of the foreign language channels.