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Jerry@Ajijic

Sep 15, 2006, 8:52 PM

Post #1 of 15 (5939 views)

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Dish TV/Network stations?

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Has anyone heard anything more on DISH being made to stop offering network stations?

johanson / Moderator

Sep 16, 2006, 10:09 AM

Post #2 of 15 (5913 views)

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Re: [Jerry@Ajijic] Dish TV/Network stations?

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Maybe Tim, who knows much more about this than I could step in here and correct me if I am wrong, but it appears to me that things are still up in the air, and if DISH is not going to be able to come up with a solution, that soon, those watching DISH network stations from afar, will be turned off.

Brian

Sep 16, 2006, 10:20 AM

Post #3 of 15 (5913 views)

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Re: [johanson] Dish TV/Network stations?

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This "warning" came out sometime ago in response to an inquiry about getting distant networks including those from both coasts. I don't see why the possibility that this might come to pass in the future should prevent anyone from using it now. It is simple to subscribe to Dish in the USA and bring the receiver down to Mexico where a rooftop antenna can be installed. If they do cancel the networks, then you cancel Dishnetwork. No harm..no foul.

saludos
Brian

johanson / Moderator

Sep 16, 2006, 11:34 AM

Post #4 of 15 (5906 views)

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Re: [Brian] Dish TV/Network stations?

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Exactly Brian. We are only talking about ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX and PBS. And there will still be ways to get them as long as you can show an address in a place like New York, where the network signals are distributed on a wide beam that can be watched in Mexico.

The only danger is that, one of these days, DISH may may start using spot beams for these cities, something (that a neighbor told me) they may already be doing with the New York PBS feed, making them impossible to view in Mexico.

But again, if it is really important to get the US network stations, there are other ways. Star Choice, for example, gives me the same stations I watch up North and from the same cities (Seattle, Vancouver, and Victoria).

(This post was edited by johanson on Sep 16, 2006, 11:40 AM)

taltman711

Sep 17, 2006, 4:37 PM

Post #5 of 15 (5866 views)

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Re: [Jerry@Ajijic] Dish TV/Network stations?

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In complicated legal manuevering, FOX filed a brief asking the federal judge to implement the permanent injunction that the appeals court has instructed him to issue.( Dish appealed this to the Supreme Court, but their appeal was also denied there.) Dish then filed a brief stating that they had come to an agreement with all but FOX(PBS was never part of this) and the judge should only issue a very narrowly defined injunction eliminating only the transmission of FOX. The problem is that the law does not allow for this. Dish also asked that if the judge rules against them, that they be given 120 days to shut everything down. They said their call centers would be swamped and their customers would suffer. The judge has asked FOX to respond to Dish's reply by Sept. 21st. So, in response to your question, the other shoe is half way to the floor, and the fat lady is taking a big gulp of air. Unfortunately, I see the D.N.'s being turned off soon. Read http://www.broadcastingcable.com/...;articleID=CA6371879
for a more lucid, detailed account of Dish's position.

Tim

taltman711

Sep 17, 2006, 5:02 PM

Post #6 of 15 (5860 views)

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Re: [Brian] Dish TV/Network stations?

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Yes, it was a few months ago that I said the distants would go away. If you feel I am in error, please ignore me. Otherwise you will need to get your Distants from Star Choice, or use another technique to get them fron Dish in the very near future. By the way, do not confuse subscribing to your locals and subscribing to distant networks.

Tim

johanson / Moderator

Sep 17, 2006, 7:57 PM

Post #7 of 15 (5844 views)

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Re: [taltman711] Dish TV/Network stations?

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Here are a few suggestions for getting your network stations should DISH no longer be an option. Years ago, we used to watch the "Denver 5" or the west or east coast feads to include ABC from Seattle on C Band. (The big Dish) Then came Ku and most left for Star Choice, DISH, DirecTV US, DirecTV Latin America, and Sky in central Mexico.

Today, there are fewer alternatives. One can no longer subscribe to DirecTV Latin America with a Mexican address. (0ne can with a Central American address), and they have the following the following US network stations which are viewable in Mexico
170

WSJX-LP (FOX - Aguadilla)
Videoguard

060821 172

WPRU-TV (ABC - Aquadilla)

Videoguard

050623 174

WVXF-TV (CBS - St. Thomas)

Videoguard

060821 176

WVGN-LP (NBC - Virgin Islands)

Videoguard

060821 178

WSJP-LP (UPN - Aquadilla)

Videoguard

050402

I do not think SKY Mexico offers US network Channels. The Canadian Star Choice offers US network stations from Seattle, Spokane, Detroit, and Buffalo, in fact some of the channels are simulcast in HD.

And finally, C band, you know, the big ugly Dish, has been providing the US network stations for almost 30 years. They used to have US network channels from the West Coast, Denver, and the East Coast. Today, I understand that the network feeds are only avaliable from 8 stations located in and around Denver along with a couple hundred more stations from HBO, CNN, and all of those other channels you are now watching on DISH. However, to get the majority of the stations on C band you need a newer 4DTV 922 receiver, which one can often get for about $400 up north at say www.callnps.com, www.skyvision.com or usually more than twice that in Mexico.

Oops, there is another option, the free to air MPEG-2 receiver. Check out http://www.global-cm.net/. The owner Mike Kohl is one of the good guys. He also sells Star Choice, etc

(This post was edited by johanson on Sep 17, 2006, 7:59 PM)

Rolly

Sep 22, 2006, 1:07 PM

Post #8 of 15 (5796 views)

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Dish TV/Network stations?

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Well, after watching some of the opening week of the new season, I don't think I'll shed may tears if the broadcast channels disappear from my DishTV. I will miss PBS and the Law and Order and CSI families of shows, but that's about it.

Rolly Pirate

ellijo

Oct 9, 2006, 1:25 PM

Post #9 of 15 (5723 views)

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Re: [johanson] Dish TV/Network stations?

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We are just noodling through TV hookup here in San Antonio Tlay. We have ordered a Dish TV receiver from a local distributor, but I wonder if Starchoice wouldn´t be a better pick. Would we have to provide a Canadian address? Or, if we can provide a New York address (we can) as opposed to a Laredo address, does that provide a measure of security against losing the networks on Dish? I´m a Dancing with the Stars and DVR addict among other things. For some reason, I just can´t seem to make this information stick to my brain. And lastly, is the C band still huge, and awkward to operate?

http://vidalago.com/wordpress/

johanson / Moderator

Oct 9, 2006, 2:42 PM

Post #10 of 15 (5715 views)

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Re: [ellijo] Dish TV/Network stations?

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Having a NY address may make a difference for a while with Dish. Those who would provide you Star Choice Lakeside, can also provide you with the appropriate virtual address in Canada.

The big question is which programming package is best for you. Many Americans, myself included prefer the programming offered on Star Choice. Why? in my case I get my US home town network TV stations some in HDTV from Seattle. Also I live part time in BC and enjoy watching the local news there.

Also you need a smaller single satellite dish for Star Choice (36 by 26 inches) while you need at least two much larger satellite dishes to get the majority of the DISH network programming options (For DISH 500 programming 2 larger satellite dishes, for DISH 1000 programming 3 larger satellite dishes).

Also C band is great if you already have the digital 4DTV analog/digital receiver with a C/Ku LNB and the appropriate large satellite dish.

Trying to figure out which satellite system is best, is not a simple task. Ask 10 persons and you will get many different answers. I know Bubba likes Star Choice best.

Rolly

Oct 9, 2006, 4:45 PM

Post #11 of 15 (5704 views)

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Dish TV/Network stations

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If Dish does lose the right to carry the broadcast networks, there is another way to watch on your computer if you have a high-speed connection. http://www.tvunetworks.com/ carries ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN, and bunch of others, but not PBS. It's a poor substitute for lounging on the couch and watching a big screen, but...

Rolly Pirate

Ron Pickering W3FJW

Oct 9, 2006, 5:16 PM

Post #12 of 15 (5701 views)

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Re: [Rolly] Dish TV/Network stations

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Naw Rolly. You can still lounge on the couch. Just plant the laptop on your belly. Works almost as good. Just don't start laughing or belching 8<)
Getting older and still not down here.

taltman711

Oct 10, 2006, 8:10 PM

Post #13 of 15 (5679 views)

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Re: [ellijo] Dish TV/Network stations?

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Quote

Or, if we can provide a New York address (we can) as opposed to a Laredo address, does that provide a measure of security against losing the networks on Dish?

If you mean an address in the NY city DMA, then yes. You will get all of the local stations broadcasting on ConUS transponders. All of the national networks except PBS.
If you mean a NY address outside of the NY city DMA, then you will NOT get the national networks.
Go to https://customersupport.dishnetwork.com/...tqual/prepAddress.do
and enter your address. It will tell you what stations you are eligible for.

Tim

johanson / Moderator

Oct 10, 2006, 8:53 PM

Post #14 of 15 (5675 views)

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Re: [taltman711] Dish TV/Network stations?

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Tim: My question is, if at some point Echostar can no longer sell the NY stations to distant points, would it not be cheaper for them to stop sending out CONUS beams and opt for the less expensive spot beam alternative? Or do they want us to be able to cheat?

taltman711

Oct 11, 2006, 4:43 AM

Post #15 of 15 (5661 views)

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Re: [johanson] Dish TV/Network stations?

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would it not be cheaper for them to stop sending out CONUS beams and opt for the less expensive spot beam alternative? Or do they want us to be able to cheat?

I'm not sure that "cheating" is an option for Dishnetwork any longer. They were/are being watched like a hawk. Remember, this current court case is only about analog SD broadcasts. I feel sure that there will be a deal regarding the rest of the national digital HD signals(CBS and Dish already have an agreement). They will need to have ConUS transponders for this. Also, I don't think that the RV exemptions are affected. There has been speculation that those will go away also, but nobody really knows. The questions then are two.
1. Will they broadcast on the main 110/119 sats. or use the wing sats of 61.5/ 121/148 ?? For those in Mexico, these 3 satellites are harder to receive and require another dish.
2.What will the requirements be to receive these broadcasts?? Currently,you need to be either in the DMA of an owned and operated CBS station-there are 16- or, be in an area unserved by any DMA. The latter will probably go away after Dish is served an injunction or a settlement is reached. I personally feel that a settlement is more possible now. It has been almost a month since the appeals court told the original trial judge to issue the injunction, but so far he has not. This leads me to believe that he is waiting to see if a deal can be finalized with FOX. They were the only holdout to a settlement.
If/when people lose their national broadcasts, I will PM some things that people may be able to do to regain them. I don't mean pirate the signals or stack on someone elses's account. I won't help with that. I will be gone for a few weeks, so if it happens in the next week or 2, I won't be able to respond until I return.

Tim