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EchoStar Rushes to Sign Up Customers in Battered Gulf
WSJ ^ | 9/27/05 | ANDY PASZTOR

Posted on 09/27/2005 11:16:24 AM PDT by BurbankKarl

Satellite broadcaster EchoStar Communications Corp. responded to the twin hurricanes on the Gulf Coast by rushing in extra repair crews, voluntarily setting up television hookups at nearly 80 emergency shelters in the region and launching a 24-hour, public-service channel devoted to storm-related news and information.

But now, with rival cable-television providers predicting it could take them weeks or months to repair their transmission lines, officials of the nation's second-largest direct-to-home satellite services provider hope to capitalize on the situation by signing up thousands of new subscribers. Since satellite-TV customers rely entirely on their individual antennas, or dishes, to receive programming, EchoStar has sent some 200 extra technicians into Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama to help replace or reorient dishes.

But in addition to quickly resuming service to existing EchoStar subscribers, the additional manpower is being used to assist local dealers in signing up customers who had been getting cable service, said Michael Neuman, EchoStar's chief operating officer.

The company hasn't disclosed the number of subscribers it had in the region before the storms, or how many new hookups it has snared as the clean-up continues. But Mr. Neuman said that after balancing the new customers against those original subscribers who can't take the service because their homes have been destroyed, "we're going to come out ahead."

In some cases, he said, customers who switch are being connected the same day. "Satellite has a clear-cut advantage" in such emergency situations "and customers realize that," Mr. Neuman said. While many EchoStar dealers themselves suffered damage from the storms, EchoStar said the dealer network is providing assistance to help the hardest-hit areas recover satellite service and start selling new subscriptions. The company also has stepped up some advertising and direct sales campaigns.

(Excerpt) Read more at online.wsj.com ...


TOPICS: News/Current Events; US: Alabama; US: Louisiana; US: Texas
KEYWORDS: katrina; rita

1 posted on 09/27/2005 11:16:28 AM PDT by BurbankKarl
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To: BurbankKarl

LOL The business of America is business!


2 posted on 09/27/2005 11:18:46 AM PDT by yldstrk (My heros have always been cowboys-Reagan and Bush)
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To: BurbankKarl
Darn. Don't like having to give information or create an account to be able to log into their article -- it is a hassle and one guaranteed years of free spam. Will have to take your word for it.
3 posted on 09/27/2005 11:23:13 AM PDT by dhs12345 (w)
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To: dhs12345

That is most of the article anyway...you have to pay big $$$ for the WSJ!

Good to see satellite stepping in.


4 posted on 09/27/2005 11:24:41 AM PDT by BurbankKarl
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To: dhs12345

bugmenot.com


5 posted on 09/27/2005 11:26:50 AM PDT by Stone Mountain
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To: BurbankKarl

Direct TV continues to stink in customer service but Charter (the local provider) is worst. Small problem overall but just what companies think of customer service (they don't).


6 posted on 09/27/2005 11:27:17 AM PDT by Joe_October (Saddam supported Terrorists. Al Qaeda are Terrorists. I can't find the link.)
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To: BurbankKarl

Ugh...Charlie the huckster strikes again. I really do find the guy deplorable...just my opinion...


7 posted on 09/27/2005 11:28:35 AM PDT by Wright Wing
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To: Joe_October

Charter sucks a**. I dropped cable altogether because of them...making me pay for 25 foreign language channels and bumping the English stuff to digital. Screw them.


8 posted on 09/27/2005 11:28:47 AM PDT by BurbankKarl
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To: BurbankKarl

Thanks.


9 posted on 09/27/2005 11:28:52 AM PDT by dhs12345 (w)
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To: Stone Mountain

Coooool!!!!


10 posted on 09/27/2005 11:30:01 AM PDT by dhs12345 (w)
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To: BurbankKarl

That's why I use them, their dependable and a hell of alot cheaper than cable.


11 posted on 09/27/2005 11:32:28 AM PDT by wolfcreek
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To: Joe_October

I stayed at my brother's in Montgomery Co. who has direct TV. We never lost power during the storm & never lost satellite reception. I have Dish & it loses reception if a cloud rolls by. I'm thinking about changing.


12 posted on 09/27/2005 11:39:26 AM PDT by Smittie
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