We always welcome new HD channels with open arms, but in the case of these new HD channels from DISH Network there's a catch. These new channels are being delivered on a newer birds located at 72.7 and 129 -- we don't pretend to know what these numbers mean -- so most existing DISH Network customers can't see them. Some of you are lucky enough to have a DISH 1000 which can tune in the new channels, assuming you don't live on the east coast. If you do live on the old coast of the US you need an even newer DISH 1000.4 (pictured above). Bottom line is that all of those stuck in the snowy wonder land can't pass the long snow days with these new channels because even if the UPS truck could make it to your house, you'd have to be pretty hard core to go out on the roof in weather like that.
- TRU-TV HD
- Fox Soccer Channel HD
- Retroplex HD
- Indieplex HD
- BBC America HD
- E! Entertainment Television HD
- Hallmark HD
- Showtime West HD
- Sportsman Channel HD
[Thanks, Scott]
posted February 10th 2010 10:01PM
Do they charge you for a new dish every time they launch new satelites?
@10nisman94 I am pretty sure that YOU have to pay to upgrade your own dish. Which is asinine.
Wicked snowy here on Cape Cod. Neighbors have Dish/DirectTV and I'm assuming that at this moment they can't watch TV because of it.
@Duositex I had around 40 inches here in DC and didn't have any problems with my DirecTV signal on my roof.
My Dish Network has the basic networks but it can't connect to the satellite for the upper channels. So it's like I've been in the Way Back Machine here in the Washington, DC area for a couple of days because of our most recent snowstorm and only watching the local channels on my Dish.
They have had the "bird" at 129 for a long time now. Most customers receiving HD on the west coast are already able to receive the new channels.
129 has been around for a long time. People with DISH 1000 units can see 110/119 and 129 fine and get all the channels.
The issue is many legacy customers were setup with dishes pointed at 110/119 and 61.5 for the national HD. It is these customers that can not see the new HD as the new HD is on 72.2.
While they could move their 61.5 Dish to receive 72.7 or 129 programming they would then lose the rest of their HD programming and possibly locals as well.
129 is not really a good solution if you are in the East Coast as its low on the horizon, but 72.7 should come in fine.
You can upgrade to a Dish 1000.4 which will give you 61.5, 72.7 and 77 degrees (this is called the Eastern Arc) but the thing here is if you do this ALL of your receivers need to be MPEG4 as there is no MPEG2 transmitted on the Eastern Arc.
For many with legacy 61.5/110/119 setups this will not be an option for them since many have mixed MPEG4 / MPEG2 equipment in their house.
As you can see this is quite a mess.
I'm just mad that they are te only provider that is carrying Fox Soccer Channel HD so far cuz I can't even go to the pub and watch it on DirecTV.
Oh goody. Now we can get the libtards on BBC in HD.
So when are these going HD??
I am on the West so I get 119, 110 & 129 via 2 500 Dishs.
Since I just have the HD only package this is always nice, more channels even thou I will just be watching BBCa of those new channels.
I read the good news yesterday from work and figured I was a part of the "small number of subscribers" not getting the new HD channels, being here in New England. Came home and confirmed that was the case (119/110/61.5), then decided to try Customer Chat on-line before getting tied-up on the phone with a CSR. It worked like a charm - Within 5 minutes I had a technician scheduled to come today between Noon & 5 PM (only a $15 Fee, since I have the Service Plan) and was done with the Chat. One of the most pleasant (and quick) experiences I've ever had with Dish or any other similar company - I was happy.... :-)
Then this morning I got a call about 8:45 from the installer asking if he could come earlier. SURE! I met him at the house at 9:15 and an hour later he had removed my exiting 2 dishes & replaced them with one larger dish. Unfortunately, I forgot to check which specific satellites he tuned in to (...can check tonight when I got home from work); but all got strong signals & the new HD channels immediately showed-up. I am one REAL happy camper! :-)
I guess YMMV. We're in AZ and originally had Turbo HD Silver, which apparently is now called Dish America Silver. And even though it looks like "Bronze" gets E! HD (which would win major points with my wife), a chat session with support wasn't productive. The online package info "isn't up to date" and apparently Dish America still has different rules on what new HD channels get included, which we noticed when it was called Turbo HD. Contract up in a 3 months. Might just cut the cord and go OTA only.
glad I no longer do installations for them. phew!!!
My experience with Dish has been pretty positive. I upgraded to the HD package a few months ago and they installed a new dish. After reading this post, I checked and the new batch of channels were there. Glad to see BBC HD is finally available. And the Fox Soccer Channel changes the game for fans.