Originally posted by dishrich
Are you sure about this - I believe that they will NOT give SC to ANYBODY new, promo or otherwise.
Yes, I downgraded few weeks ago to Select Choice and HBO from Total Choice Plus with local channels. I have a S/A Tivo and a Showstopper, so didnt really need the local channels except I get the Allentown PBS station, but I actually didnt watch it ever. I will upgrade to Total Choice later someday again, but I wanted HBO for the original specials which currently are on.
I also was tired of paying $40/mo and paying for ads for Bowflex and other junk 24x7. Its not really the money issue, but I do want to save more money than spend now. I wish I could take the Dish AT 50 package, or customize my own AT 50 package for $22.99 a month. I like Dish Network's AT 50 better, but I'd swap a few channels like TNN for Discovery Health. I dont need cartoon networks or Disney channels, would rather take FOX News. I'd be cheering for a merger, if this was a promise, let subscribers customize their own packages. I'd figure one ESPN would be worth about 4 channels, but for most part the regular basic cable channels arent expensive so each could be counted as one channel each. Maybe a similar AT 50, for $22.99 with locals maybe $30, I'd support merger. Echostar did say they will have increased bargaining power over program distributors. Of course, they could never offer what I suggest as it would be way too customer interest focused, not in interest for business (echostar or program distributor). Certain channels like YES demand to be in the basic packages, so they can collect their $2/sub/mo revenue. They think this is a given right that should be given, so the program distributor would never allow E* to do this. Even if they did, E* would rather us pay more, so their margins are better.
