Is that Pinocchio or a TV company executive?
Posted on 01/01/2009 5:30:47 AM PST by Las Vegas Dave
Washington, D.C. (December 30, 2008) -- On July 31, 2008, Dish Network issued a press release saying it planned to expand its high-def lineup to 150 channels by year's end. On November 1, 2007, Verizon released a press statement saying it would have 150 HD channels by the end of 2008.
And several times this year, DIRECTV issued press releases saying it would have the capacity to deliver up to 150 national HD channels before the year was over.
So now that the year is over (minus about a day or so), did these top TV providers keep their promises?
Answer: No.
Is that Pinocchio or a TV company executive?
Dish Network offers more than 100 high-def channels, but the satcaster is far short of the magic 150 mark. (And if you don't count some PPV channels, the numbers look even less impressive.) Verizon provides slightly more than 100 HD channels in several markets, but not 150. And DIRECTV says it now has 130 HD channels, although that number is inflated with PPV and other questionable "channels."
(Of course, you can argue that DIRECTV should get a pass here because it said it would have the "capacity" to deliver 150 HD channels; not that it would definitely offer 150 HD channels. Yes, there is a difference.)
Asked today by e-mail why Dish Network fell short, a company spokesman ducked the question by issuing the following statement:
"We had a great year: DISH Network more than doubled its national HD offerings, rolled out the first HD-only programming packages through TurboHD at affordable pricing, had two successful satellite launches, expanded our local HD channel markets and became the first pay-TV provider to offer movies in 1080p," the spokesman said.
Asked again by e-mail to comment specifically on why Dish did not offer 150 HD channels, as promised, the spokesman said he had no further comment.
Verizon FiOS Vice President Terry Denson was asked last July by Multichannel News if his company was standing by its commitment to offer 150 HD channels in 2008.
"A lot has been made of actual channel counts but we don’t obsess over channel counts," Denson said.
Except, of course, when the company wanted to issue a press release saying that it would have 150 HD channels. Then, apparently, Verizon did obsess over channel counts.
Verizon and the satcasters are not the only TV providers to have played fast and loose with channel counts in 2008. For instance, Comcast last February said a "typical" local Comcast system would carry between 50 and 60 HDTV channels by year's end. While the cable operator has recently expanded its high-def lineup in several markets (Chicago subs have more than 80 HD channels now), many Comcast markets are still under the 50 mark.
So, why did the TV providers overpromise? (To put it nicely; lying would be another way to put it.)
In what has become a highly competitive industry, the TV providers are afraid of appearing to offer fewer HD channels than their rivals. High-def viewers want more channels and they will seek out the companies that provide them.
So instead of talking about how many channels they had in July, which happened to be fewer than DIRECTV, Dish Network talked about how many channels it would have by year's end. Likewise, Comcast and Verizon made their HD channel boasts when DIRECTV was rapidly expanding its high-def lineup in early 2008 and late 2007 respectively.
For them, it was easier (and more convenient) to say how many channels they would have -- and then hope that no one would look too closely when they didn't actually produce them.
No, Cable One includes all but the movie channels, and a few select HD channels that are subscription only, in the package I have.
So, I have access to about 18 HD channels. When I get an HDTV, I won’t have to make any programming or hardware changes.
I’m guessing that after Feb 18, I’ll have access to more HD channels.
On my SDTV, the HD channels come in letterboxed.
This morning they changed it to “Bratwine Het.” Don’t try to learn that. It is scheduled to change at noon again.
Sort of like the deception from Cox Cable.
They advertise free HD programming. But what they fail to mention is that you have to have an HD converter, even with a HD TV set, and that converter rents for $5.95.
My local cable says I have to have digital programming, also, which adds another few more $$$ for a minimum of $11.95.
So their ‘free’ HD programming costs about $13.00 or so with tax.
I’m sure it is a case by case decision. And as with you, Comcast isn’t known for their discounting; at least over a long-haul relationship. They may give initial discounts to draw business, but those soon drop.
Okay, that explains it. With Comcast, I have to subscribe for HD reception (and maybe even exchange my box). At $5 it’s no big deal, but that’s the way it’s structured.
Still, HDTV is no lure for me. My 32” Sony gives excellent results. I’m quite content...
LOL.
Our cable provider where we live is Cox Communications.
I also recently dumped my landline we did have with Cox, in favor of a VOIP service (T-Mobile @ Home) I added on to our T-Mobile cell service for an additional $10 per month, which includes long distance. It works well.
It was simple to set-up. I just plugged our existing set of cordless phonesets (which are placed throughout the house) into the router T-Mo provided and nothing in practical usage changed ... except of course, the price. We save something over $20 per month by the change, depending on what our long distance bill might have been with the cable landline.
We also put our entire T-Mo bill in my wife’s name so we get an additional 12% discount off the total, corporate discount, due to the hospital where she works. Cox isn’t offering any corporate discount, I might add. I wish T-Mobile would offer broadband internet!
Sharper, cleaner, and with a lot less mosquito noise.
With DirecTV, when I watched golf, the course looked more like green oceans than grass. With Cable One, when I watch golf on one of the HD channels, it IS grass. I'd estimate the improvement is 47,687% better.
The flesh on people's faces no longer shifts around. Eyeballs stay where they are. Programming is watchable again.
I did have to pull some clever legal maneuvers against DirecTV to keep from having to pay an early termination fee. <SPIT>. Well, not really clever. I merely had to research the laws WRT contracts in my State, and I discovered that DTV had made a huge error which means they are not legally entitled to the fee. YMMV.
Dang! I wanna watch foosball in yousirs house.
Only problemo is that my team is the Cowboys who has Porky Pig for a coach, Randy Dandy for a QB and a Cockroach for an Owner
When can I come by? I will bring dip. You get the chips
Awww!
I would have to go with Dish Network. According to their site they have 51 channels. Then they count RSN and PPV, quite a joke.
Is it possible to embarass the cable and sat providers into advertising their non-PPV HD channel count?
CUT AND PASTED FROM: http://www.satelliteguys.us/dish-network-forum/159614-new-hd-dish-2009-a.html (Question is when?)
HD National Channels Currently Planned to Launch in the Future! – One of DISH Network’s main strategies is to continue improving our HD channel offerings. Here is a list of HD national channels we currently plan on launching in 2009!
BET – The television network providing programming highlighting African-American culture.
Comedy Central – The all-comedy network.
CMT – The video network for young country fans, playing non-stop contemporary country hits 24 hours a day.
Crime & Investigation – Network dedicated to crime, investigation and mystery.
Fashion TV – The 24/7 fashion, beauty and style TV station.
FX – Offers a growing roster of award-winning original series and box-office hits.
MTV – America’s premier music video and entertainment network for young adults.
Nickelodeon – Offers the highest quality and top-rated kids programming in a variety of genres appealing to kids of all ages.
SHOTO – Offers double the entertainment power of Showtime.
Showtime Extreme – Dedicated to all action, all the time.
Showtime (West) HD – Showtime in high definition provides the ultimate in home theater entertainment.
SPEED – The 24-hour network that is devoted to the sport of NASCAR.
Spike TV – Addresses the modern mans lifestyle interests.
VH1 – Where today’s upscale viewers stay connected to the music and music culture they love.
Remember when cable came out advertised as no ad tv? That was one of it’s biggest selling points.
“WRT contracts”? Short explanation? Thanks in advance! ;-)
Because of privacy concerns, my reply is for FReepMail only. Thank you.
We’re subjected to Comcast here for cable. Both Dish and Direct are available, a neighbor has one of them, but I’ve not gotten the bug. Comcast has outages at times, but I know from the neighbor that it’s not as frequent as he experiences. I think much of his problem is trees in the area. At least he mouths off about it (as well as other stuff). Me, I’m happy. I just wish we had carte blanche with our lineups. There’s a bunch of crap I’d drop and a couple I’d add. But only a couple.
We dropped our landline two years ago and went solely with cell phones. Our son and the wife’s sister and her husband have also gone that route. I’ve never looked back. I’m saving about $100/month. Happy guy...
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