[JohnH]

From the FCC Daily Digest:

ECHOSTAR SATELLITE L.L.C. V. HOME BOX OFFICE, INC. Adopted a
Protective Order. Action by: Chief, Media Bureau. Adopted: 12/07/2006
by ORDER. (DA No. 06-2481). MB
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-06-2481A1.doc
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-06-2481A1.pdf
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-06-2481A1.txt

 

[Richard King]

They sure do keep those lawyers busy.

 

[Darkman]

Good for "Tax write-off" .. unless those lawyers are simply on the payroll

 

[Mike D-CO5]

Somebody bottom line the above and tell me what it means. Is this why Cinemax has disappeared from Dish's website?

 

[kstuart]

Somebody bottom line the above and tell me what it means. Is this why Cinemax has disappeared from Dish's website?

It says:

- On November 15th, EchoStar submitted a Program Access complaint to the FCC about HBO. (Speculation might be that it concerns bundling of channels or pricing of channels.)

- HBO has requested that the FCC keep all details secret.

- The FCC has agreed.

Thus, there is not going to be a Charlie Chat where Charlie complains about the way they are being treated by HBO...

 

[FTA Michael]

I agree with kstuart's summary, but Charlie will be free to complain. He just won't be able to use any contract details as ammunition for any public complaint.

 

[pdxsam]

Not much different than the Viacom spat I'm suspect. HBO wants all their channels as part of carriage and Dish doesn't want to carry all. or pay for all. Thus the disagreement and eventually a hike in the price of the HBO and Cinemax packages.

 

[Stewart Vernon]

Could also be that HBO or Cinemax or both are up for renewal, and HBO wants to force CinemaxHD on Dish but at a higher price than Dish wants to pay. Dish may want to have a lower price OR keep the current package without CinemaxHD to keep the cost down... and they may both be in a stalemate.

Personally, whatever the resolution... it might be interesting if HBO/Cinemax eventually merged and was one big package like what happened with Showtime/The Movie Channel some years back.

 

[Michael P]

I just noticed last night that HBO HD is no longer on my EPG. Showtime HD is still there. I don't subscribe - this is in the "all channels" guide of a 921.

So either HBO HD has gone to MPEG4 or the above litigation might have something to do with the removal of the HD channel.

Is anyone who subscribes to HBO with an HD receiver still getting it (especially those with the older MPEG2 HD receivers)?

 

[Mike D-CO5]

I still have Hbo hd on my 622 receivers. Michael I think you must have a problem with your receiver.

 

[JohnH]

I do not subscribe, but both channels are still in the EPG of my 6000u. 9440 amd 9456.

 

[Michael P]

I still have Hbo hd on my 622 receivers. Michael I think you must have a problem with your receiver.

I don't sub to any premiums, I was just wondering why they would take it out of the visable channels. Did they move it to another satellite? I get 119/110/61.5 so I would not see anything on 129/118 or either of the supersish satellites.

 

[JohnH]

It did not move. It still shows on my 6000u and I do not subscribe either.

 

[Mike D-CO5]

Maybe if you run a check switch it would bring back all the channels in your guide.

 

[ehren]

I have my account online and it says I can add the Value Pak with HBO and Cinemax. I just have HBO now. But if I select movie channels I can't order Cinemax by itself.