Comments for

Dish Network Slides Advertisement into DTV Transition "Warning"

2009-01-15T22:00:00Z

An 'Authorized Dish Network Retailer' is preying on the confusion surrounding the DTV transition to sell its satellite television services, suggested in lieu of cable companies because of "Complaints" and "Lack of HD Channels". Full copy of the letter inside.

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Comment from Anonymous on 2009-01-18

2009-01-19T01:01:40Z

IF you can get signals via rabbit ears or a rooftop antenna,you'll need a converter box...how simple is that! However, if you live where TV signals are few and far between, local channels via cable(if cable service goes by your home) or satellite will do the job. I used to work for "That Wonderful Cable" company(can you guess which one?) I sold the service to people who didn't have cable or who had switched to satellite. A fair amount of people with dishes took "Lifeline" service for their local channels. Many took it as a backup for when their dish service was out due to weather. Some took the lifeline service because that was all they felt they could afford. If someone wants just the local channels("Lifeline" service), the cable company can provide that usually for about 15-20$ a month. All you need is a cable-ready TV (or cable-ready VCR to use as a tuner) to get all the channels. If you don't want HDTV, why pay extra for it. The cable company wants you to take that service so you'll have "The Box" in your home so you'll be tempted to order movies and PPV ents. Also, should you decide one dark and rainy night that you just have to have the Taxidermy Channel, you'll be able to upgrade with a quick call to the cable office. I have no stock or money interest in any cable company and I wrote this information simply to inform you of other choices that you may want to consider.

Comment from fever on 2009-01-16

2009-01-17T00:09:28Z

I see nothing wrong with this.

Comment from fever on 2009-01-16

2009-01-17T00:08:40Z

@Saboth: L O L

Comment from West Coast Secessionist on 2009-01-16

2009-01-16T23:20:49Z

@CocktimusPrime: I'm moving from a Comcast area to one with "Municipal cable"--My Comcast bill is $59.99 + about $3 in fees for basic cable with cable box and 12-16Mbps Internet.

To get the same level of services in the new place will cost me $85 for Internet and about $20 for TV.

Comcast isn't too bad _for a cable company._ At least they compete on price and it's easy to get their "Intro" deals pretty much forever. I do like Dish though. But count your blessings. Think of how bad it would suck if your only choice was my new cable company.

Comment from West Coast Secessionist on 2009-01-16

2009-01-16T22:56:51Z

@Saboth: I'd like to bet you $1 that your 2002 set doesn't have an ATSC tuner. Go check, I'll wait here.

Comment from p75hmsa on 2009-01-16

2009-01-16T19:01:18Z

yep got something similair on our mailbox here in suprise, az. crock-o-sheet.

Comment from Nichole Davis on 2009-01-16

2009-01-16T08:31:53Z

@Nichole Davis:

Then again, I chose to comment without using proper grammar. :) I win.

(It's been a long day, haha)

Comment from Nichole Davis on 2009-01-16

2009-01-16T08:29:44Z

holy lack of grammar, batman!

seriously, if these guys are trying to look official, least they could do is spellcheck.

Comment from lilwhitey7 on 2009-01-16

2009-01-16T06:49:11Z

All of this misguided mess could have been avoided had the FCC said this and only this in their campaign "ONLY people using antennas will need a digital converter", but no.

Comment from geoffhazel on 2009-01-16

2009-01-16T05:07:00Z

The conversion has either been pretty poorly handled or people are just really ignorant. A coworker of mine who has Comcast analog cable said "I don't know if I need a converter box" - I assured her she did NOT. It's only if you get signals with an antenna, I said. "Are you sure?" she answered.

Yes, I'm sure.

This is a person who is actually pretty smart, but just didn't know what the story was.

Comment from savdavid on 2009-01-15

2009-01-16T04:26:23Z

Money removes all traces of morals in some folks.

Comment from CocktimusPrime on 2009-01-15

2009-01-16T03:30:17Z

@verucalise: Touche... I would agree that satellite internet isn't the greatest, but I'd love to have DirecTV over Comcast. I don't want to have to argue with the condo assoc. about putting a dish up, but I'm almost to that point. Seriously, Comcast vacuums.

Comment from SabreDC on 2009-01-15

2009-01-16T02:01:40Z

@verucalise: "Nah, according to the commercials, their one box actually has the capabilities to connect to 2 different TV's, saving you money by not having to pay for 2 boxes."

Except that with Dish, you have to run a cable to the other TV from that tuner. So, if you have a TV in the basement and you want one in your bed room, you have to run cable from the basement to the bedroom. And the RF remote does not have that far of a range.

The two-TV tuner is good if it is for one TV in the master bedroom and a second TV in another bedroom nearby. But if you have TVs on multiple floors, you're better off just getting a second tuner.

Comment from Tyr_Anasazi on 2009-01-15

2009-01-16T01:55:42Z

@davere: This reseller's letter and Bright House's ads do not compare. Bright House says that if you connect to their network, you will continue to receive channels, which is true. They aren't *required* to say that you could also subscribe to satellite or get a new antenna (even though you can). there's nothing unethical about mentioning just one channel. What this reseller is doing is misleading, because the letter looks official, which will confuse some people; as well as making statements such as there is only a limited amount of time they'll be in the area, which isn't true either.

Comment from Verucalise(countingcalories) on 2009-01-15

2009-01-16T01:29:46Z

@CocktimusPrime: Nah, according to the commercials, their one box actually has the capabilities to connect to 2 different TV's, saving you money by not having to pay for 2 boxes.

I'm probably one of the few people on here who could give a rat's ass about HD channels. In fact, I wish I could GET cable television. Unfortunately, I live in bump frig nowhere and have to pay $50 a month for satellite internet and $60 for Directv.

My point though, is if people are relying on analog signal and the ole rabbit ears antenna ordeal- they either CAN'T afford satellite or cable, or just don't watch enough TV to justify the purchase.

So to argue HD is a selling point to these people is pointless.

Comment from Saboth on 2009-01-15

2009-01-16T00:23:48Z

@JammingEcono:

Pretty sure my tv from 2002 has a tuner built in, but then again, it was nice for it's time.

Comment from Shadowman615 on 2009-01-15

2009-01-16T00:10:20Z

ATTENTION FLORIDA RESIDENTS:

Election day is Tuesday, November 12th for Republicans; Wednesday, November 13th for Democrats! Please make sure there are no outstanding warrants or unpaid parking tickets before you vote or you may be ARRESTED.

Comment from lolababy on 2009-01-15

2009-01-15T23:36:17Z

@Shaun Dolan: You're looking at this from the perspective of you, dude who knows better. But grandma or parent who doesn't speak perfect english or anyone else who might be a digital immigrant isn't so blessed with being born in the right time and the right environment to be able to trust themselves to know what to make of this.

It doesn't have to trick everyone, it just has to be designed to trip up someone.

Comment from JammingEcono on 2009-01-15

2009-01-15T23:26:51Z

@Saboth: Relic? Only since March 2007 have manufacturers been required to include digital tuners in their sets. I'm sure there are plenty of sets 4-5 years old with analog-only tuners in them.

Comment from Corporate_guy on 2009-01-15

2009-01-15T23:26:10Z

@Shaun Dolan: It depends on what the envelope looks like. If it's got a Dish Network logo on it and it isn't trying to look like something official, then the letter may be ok. But if the envelope tries to infer that the contents are some kind of official warning, then the letter is a scam. Keep in mind this letter is an advertisement. But it's written to look like some kind of official notice from the government. It IS misleading.

Comment from Ash78 ain't got time to bleed on 2009-01-15

2009-01-15T23:22:05Z

@davere: Consider yourself lucky...Bright House is considered one of the best cable companies in the country. Too bad they only operate in like 8 or 10 metro areas. I can see their service area out my window, but can't get their service. Damn Charter.

Comment from Paul Puri on 2009-01-15

2009-01-15T23:14:27Z

The title needs to be changed. Dish Network is not doing this. Of course, if Dish finds out, they need to punish this reseller for the incomplete information on the flier. It is not misleading, it is just omitting information to benefit their pocket books.

Comment from Triborough on 2009-01-15

2009-01-15T23:06:43Z

@azntg: Those commercials they have been running are especially scummy. The one with former WNBC reporter Joe Avelar WNBC (who also was involved in a fake newscast infomercial last year.

Comment from CyrusOpeth on 2009-01-15

2009-01-15T22:59:42Z

More sloppy "journalism" here. The headline has nothing to do with the content: Dish Network did absolutely nothing. An independent installer, however, took it upon himself to print up some fliers intended to lead people astray. Honestly, I think Consumerist--and by extension CR--owes Dish Network an apology for such shoddy reporting.

Comment from davere on 2009-01-15

2009-01-15T22:54:14Z

Bright House Networks, my local cable company, is also telling people who use rabbit ears about the transition and telling then that if they sign up for the $9.95/month plan, they'll be able to continue to watch their channels.

I think that they way the phrase it is simply wrong and unethical, but what can you expect from a cable company.

Comment from superhalo on 2009-01-15

2009-01-15T22:48:34Z

Comcast is doing something similar. They are running commercials that say getting cable is the way to make sure you are ready for DTV. They never mention a converter box in the commercial.

Comment from JustThatGuy3 on 2009-01-15

2009-01-15T22:42:50Z

@ScottRose:

A significant number of current analog over the air customers may not be able to get digital over the air TV, due to differences in signal strength, without, in many cases, putting an antenna on the roof. Some of the research shops have estimated that close to half of all over the air customers will lose at least one network when they move to digital, if they don't get a new antenna.

Comment from ViperBorg on 2009-01-15

2009-01-15T22:40:58Z

@verucalise: You too? I wanted to claw my eyes out after reading that.

Comment from CocktimusPrime on 2009-01-15

2009-01-15T22:39:26Z

@verucalise: Maybe the extra $3 per month has to do with the two TVs part (also, does Dish Network advertise on DirecTV now, been a while since I've been on D*?).

Also, I could honestly see people complaining to Dish about number of channels:

"Cable only has .... in HD. Do you provide those channels as well? Also, how many more channels can I get in HD?"

Comment from Verucalise(countingcalories) on 2009-01-15

2009-01-15T22:34:04Z

They make it sound like these Dish Network technicians will NEVER be in the area again, that this is a one time, deal of a lifetime! What a bunch of bull.

Packages start at $32.99/month? According to the commercials on Directv, they can start as low at $29.99/month.

I also love the "We've received many complaints from cable customers" line. Yes, yes... that's what we do when we are upset about our cable prices, we call up unsuspecting satellite companies and lay into THEM about it.

Pffft. This was aggravating to read.

Comment from TheName on 2009-01-15

2009-01-15T22:32:18Z

This is far less misleading than Comcast's "just $8 a month more for digital!" cable packages.

Comment from KHAN!!!_GitEmSteveDave on 2009-01-15

2009-01-15T22:27:50Z

@bobloblawsblog: It'll help you be President!

Comment from KHAN!!!_GitEmSteveDave on 2009-01-15

2009-01-15T22:27:22Z

@CocktimusPrime: I'm guessing it's for old people, and as long as they can get Lawrence Welk or Jack Benny, they don't care.

Comment from bobloblawsblog on 2009-01-15

2009-01-15T22:25:00Z

wow, with a title like "Community Advisor" I feel like quitting my job and becoming a sales rep. i mean, community advisor.

Comment from Shaun Dolan on 2009-01-15

2009-01-15T22:19:29Z

I agree with Scott. They never said DishNetwork is the only way to continue to use your TV after the switch...In my opinion, this wasn't misleading in the least.

Comment from CocktimusPrime on 2009-01-15

2009-01-15T22:18:45Z

Ok, thanks for listing how many channels I'll receive. But, I want to know how many CHOICES...

Comment from Ibanez720 on 2009-01-15

2009-01-15T22:15:40Z

So are the feds going to do something about this or is it going to be another "look the other way because it really is best for the consumers (and our media donators)" bullshit they pull all the time?

Comment from azntg on 2009-01-15

2009-01-15T22:15:31Z

It sounds a lot like what Cablevision has been trying to pull off here in New York City.

No shame in attempting to profiteer.

Comment from ScottRose on 2009-01-15

2009-01-15T22:14:59Z

"If not, your TV _may not_ receive a signal".

True enough. If I put breakfast toast in my VCR, I may or may not be able to watch VHS tapes.

Sure, this may cause someone to think that they need satellite service to watch TV. Then again, it may not. They at no point say "you need to get DISH Network satellite TV service to continue using your television".

This is the problem with that whole free market thing we try to get going around here. People use angles to market things to other people, let other people use those angles first.

Comment from Saboth on 2009-01-15

2009-01-15T22:13:09Z

Scummy tactics. You can receive over the air digital signals fine with even rabbit ear antennas if your tv isn't a relic.