 
fireflier
Coffee. . .Need Coffee
Premium
join:2001-05-25
Limbo | More HD Channels? Guess that would mean DirecTV would acquire many of the HDTV channels Dish acquired when Voom went boom?
Wonder what that would bring DTV's HD line up to?
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I'd kill for a Nobel peace prize! | |
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tp0d
yabbazooie
Premium
join:2001-02-13
Carnegie, PA
clubs:
 ·Verizon FIOS
| Re: More HD Channels? said by fireflier  :Wonder what that would bring DTV's HD line up to? Probably bring it up to yet another satellite lol
sorry, this is a troll post, Ive never had their HD service. the SD is good stuff tho
-j
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if it aint broke, tweak it!!currently on VZ-DSL (good stuff) | |
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oliphant
I Have 8 Boobies
Premium
join:2004-11-26
Corona, CA
| Let Dish keep Monster-HD and the other worthless ex-Voom crap.
I had DN and there is good reason I'm now with DTV...DN sucked. Customer service sucked. Their equipment sucked (921 worse piece of overpriced trash EVER). Their overcompressed picture sucked. Billing sucked. Other than that the service was great. I hope the FCC blocks it again. Even with DTV buying Dish, I would fear the Dish imcompetance polluting what is currently good service. | |
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fireflier
Coffee. . .Need Coffee
Premium
join:2001-05-25
Limbo
 ·Skype
| Re: More HD Channels? Ironically, the reason I went with DirecTV from the beginning was because Dish provided their own branded equipment and DTV had receivers made by Sony, RCA, Hughes, and many others so I figured upgrades/replacement would be cheaper and easier than with Dish.
DTV decided to do the same crap last year so in the end it really didn't matter who I went with. I preferred receiver competition to bring about lower prices and more innovation, but DTV drowned it in the tub.
Guess my only complaint with DTV right now is their H20 (now DirecTV's own brand of course) receiver. It's got a couple of goofy bugs (and runs hotter than hell) that they don't seem to be fixing though they do at least acknowledge them.
Oh well, I'm already on the HD package--if they add the other HD channels from Dish (even if some are crap) and don't charge me extra, I'm cool with it.
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I'd kill for a Nobel peace prize! | |
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kamm
join:2001-02-14
Brooklyn, NY
 ·T-Mobile US
| Re: More HD Channels? From the beginning Dish allowed you to buy units on eBay or anywhere else whereas DirecTV only authorises brand new unit, acquired from them directly... apart from this they kept billing me for long months after I switched to Voom... they have the shittiest picture quality, the worst HD lineup etc etc... DirecTV SUX, I'd never go back to DirecTV again. | |
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oliphant
I Have 8 Boobies
Premium
join:2004-11-26
Corona, CA
1 edit | Re: More HD Channels? DTV authorized the used HD-TiVo I bought off eBay without any issue. In any event you're in the same boat as me; don't want to risk a good thing (whatever you see it as) going bad. | |
| | | | | pabster
join:2001-12-09
Waterloo, IA
 ·Mediacom
| "From the beginning Dish allowed you to buy units on eBay or anywhere else whereas DirecTV only authorises brand new unit, acquired from them directly..."
Er, no. I've activated tens of used receivers and DVR's with no issues over the past 7 years. They could care less where you get the equipment. | |
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kamm
join:2001-02-14
Brooklyn, NY
·T-Mobile US
3 edits | Re: More HD Channels? said by pabster :"From the beginning Dish allowed you to buy units on eBay or anywhere else whereas DirecTV only authorises brand new unit, acquired from them directly..." Er, no. I've activated tens of used receivers and DVR's with no issues over the past 7 years. They could care less where you get the equipment. That's cool but they never let me do it nor to my colleagues.
PS: guess what, I was right, it's still the case:
FAQs Showing 1-3 of 3
01
I bought a used DIRECTV System from a friend. What should I do about installation and activation?
We have found that new customers are happier with a new, professionally installed system, so we don't usually sign up a new customer with a used system. We suggest you check out our current offer or call 1-800-DIRECTV.
Equipment >System
»directv.com/DTVAPP/search/search···d=167732 | |
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tp0d
yabbazooie
Premium
join:2001-02-13
Carnegie, PA
clubs:
·Verizon FIOS
4 edits | Re: More HD Channels? Sorry I have to step in here...
said by kamm
so we don't usually sign up a new customer with a used system.
Where does it say that they DO NOT allow a used system? 'we dont usually' means you -can- activate used equipment, (most users are 'doh on an install anyways tho) and this is EXACTLY what I just did YESTERDAY for my sister. I had two basic boxes, used of course, sitting in my closet. I called DTV, set her up with a new account, and even got $100 for referring her. There was a DTV dish previously installed, which made it super easy. And a few months back I installed a used TIVO bought from ebay in my own home, DTV doesnt care as long as the access card works.
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if it aint broke, tweak it!!
currently on VZ-DSL (good stuff) | |
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kamm
join:2001-02-14
Brooklyn, NY
·T-Mobile US
2 edits | Re: More HD Channels? said by tp0d :Sorry I have to step in here... said by kamm
so we don't usually sign up a new customer with a used system.
Where does it say that they DO NOT allow a used system? 'we dont usually' means you -can- activate used equipment, (most users are 'doh on an install anyways tho) and this is EXACTLY what I just did YESTERDAY for my sister. I had two basic boxes, used of course, sitting in my closet. I called DTV, set her up with a new account, and even got $100 for referring her. There was a DTV dish previously installed, which made it super easy. And a few months back I installed a used TIVO bought from ebay in my own home, DTV doesnt care as long as the access card works. Ah I see, so first you
1. straighten out the marketing blabla
then
2. present another miraculous activation story
which
3. once again, coincidentally is about somebody in your family
and finally you not only expect me to believe all this but
Just to remind you: DTV never let me or anybody I have known to activate a used one (the only exception was if it was your own old box.) | |
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tp0d
yabbazooie
Premium
join:2001-02-13
Carnegie, PA
clubs:
·Verizon FIOS
2 edits | Re: More HD Channels? ok, you dont have to believe me, but social engineering is a wonderful thing.
-j
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if it aint broke, tweak it!!
currently on VZ-DSL (good stuff)
edit-- #3? once again about my family? when was the first? hmmm | |
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anon1011111
@sbcglobal.net
| F.Y.I. you can activate a new account with used equipment if you know the name of previous owner, their account can be found, and the previous owners account is not in collections. Oh and it has to be disconnected on the previous owners account too (sometimes people forget to disconnect them).
You still have to pass a credit check. You also have to purchase new access cards for 20.00 each.
For most people it makes more since to get new equipment free and have it installed free.
As far as a existing customer goes, they can activate a used receiver if they like. This would require either replacing one of your existing receivers and using its access card or purchasing another access card (20.00).
If someone told you differently you should of asked to speak to someone else. | |
| | | | | | | | | wombough
join:2001-08-30
Beaufort, SC | The only thing Directv ever had me do when I used a old box was get a new access card. I have never had a problem activating an old box either. | |
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oliphant
I Have 8 Boobies
Premium
join:2004-11-26
Corona, CA | 1. Doesn't say they won't do it.
2. That FAQ entry is directed to NEW USERS buying systems off eBay, not existing users.
In either event you can activate used receivers with DirecTV. | |
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Get it right
@bellsouth.net | I've purchased 3 receivers off ebay for DirecTV. Geez another post without facts from Spiderman | |
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kamm
join:2001-02-14
Brooklyn, NY
1 edit | Re: More HD Channels? double post | |
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oliphant
I Have 8 Boobies
Premium
join:2004-11-26
Corona, CA
| Re: More HD Channels? Oh the quote that says they USUALLY don't do it for NEW users?
Meanwhile it says nothing about them NOT doing it at all or not doing it for existing users like me who actually did activate a USED DirecTV receiver with I purchased off eBay. In fact it was extremely easy. They checked the receiver to make sure there was no balance and added it to my account...took less than 5 minutes. | |
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rec9140
Provoice just DO it
join:2003-07-29
Mulberry, FL
| said by oliphant :
Let Dish keep Monster-HD and the other worthless ex-Voom crap.
I had DN and there is good reason I'm now with DTV...DN sucked. Customer service sucked. Their equipment sucked (921 worse piece of overpriced trash EVER). Their overcompressed picture sucked. Billing sucked. Other than that the service was great. I hope the FCC blocks it again. Even with DTV buying Dish, I would fear the Dish imcompetance polluting what is currently good service.
Well I have to disagree, and theres a reason I am a HAPPY DISH sub, and my opinion of direcrap, well is obvious and you could sub direcrap for dish above.
I hope the FCC blocks it again as I want nothing to with direcrap.
I have zero issues with the equipment, customer service - cant say never used them in years, and I've moved twice with my dish. Packet it ALL up, call local installer, pay fee, installed, dish it up! Their lack of upgrade ordering online from their site is my one "peeve" but I detest telephones with a passion unknown to most.
As for HD from crapble, dircrap, or Dish, they can FLUSH IT! Along with wasted space on locals. One set of net feeds for e/w is all thats needed. NAB needs to go the way of the dodo bird and its affliate members too!
I've seen HD, not impressed. Not falling for the con.
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FalconX
join:2002-06-24
Fairborn, OH | Re: More HD Channels? you need to see an eye doctor pal. | |
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ropeguru
Premium
join:2001-01-25
Bridgeport, WV
clubs: | If they do this... And offer a triple play and have decent speeds in my area, I would certainly buy from them instead of the incumbents.. I already have Directv and love them.
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FWD#: 223611 | |
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N3OGH
Bear patrol must be working like a charm
Premium
join:2003-11-11
Philly burbs
·Verizon FIOS
 ·Verizon Online DSL
| Re: If they do this... I would do it too, except I don't feel like laying out $299 (after rebate) for a HD DVR box.
I'll probably just stick with Comcast for now. It costs 10/mo to lease the HD box with a DVR, and I don't need a box for the cable in my second room...
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Never ask what sort of a computer a guy drives. If he's a Mac user, he'll tell you. If not, why embarrass him? -Tom Clancy | |
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ropeguru
Premium
join:2001-01-25
Bridgeport, WV
clubs: | Re: If they do this... I have not had a need for HD yet. So that is not an issue for me. Will stick with my hacked tivo as long as I can. 
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FWD#: 223611 | |
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Toadman
How do you like these Apples
join:2001-11-28
Medina, OH
| said by N3OGH :I would do it too, except I don't feel like laying out $299 (after rebate) for a HD DVR box. I'll probably just stick with Comcast for now. It costs 10/mo to lease the HD box with a DVR, and I don't need a box for the cable in my second room... I am in the same boat. I don't know why Dish or DirecTV feel that they can charge $300 for a HD DVR, $5 a month DVR fee and then on top of that charge for HD. When they start giving them away they may be more competitive. My local Cable co for $9 a month gives me a HD DVR Moto 6412 and HD channels. I am not a huge fan of the moto box but the price is right. | |
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MarkyD
Premium
join:2002-08-20
Oklahoma City, OK
clubs:
·Cox HSI
| satellite I just ordered Dish HD, and it will be installed tomorrow. I was sick of TWC's lack of HD channels and their downright horrible picture quality (despite the best efforts of 5 different supervisors...all blaming my [brand new] internal wiring yet refusing to run new drops)...
can't wait to see how DishHD looks on my 42" LCD TV...
--
-Put this in your profile if you know someone who is fighting, has survived, or died from ninja attacks. | |
| | rradina
join:2000-08-08
Chesterfield, MO | Re: satellite Curious -- is your TWC digital? Since my local cable company went digital (Charter), wiring quality seems to be less important. | |
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MarkyD
Premium
join:2002-08-20
Oklahoma City, OK
clubs:
·Cox HSI
| Re: satellite said by rradina :Curious -- is your TWC digital? Since my local cable company went digital (Charter), wiring quality seems to be less important. yes, digital
--
-Put this in your profile if you know someone who is fighting, has survived, or died from ninja attacks. | |
| | | | rradina
join:2000-08-08
Chesterfield, MO | Re: satellite So you have poor picture quality? With digital, it's either a great picture or not, right? | |
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MarkyD
Premium
join:2002-08-20
Oklahoma City, OK
clubs:
·Cox HSI
| Re: satellite Yes, the picture quality was AWFUL with TWC. I have an HDTV and the HD was all blocky...digital cable looked like a bad VHS tape.
I got DishHD and will never turn back. The picture quality is amazing...even the standard def channels.
--
-Put this in your profile if you know someone who is fighting, has survived, or died from ninja attacks. | |
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kapil
The Kapil
join:2000-04-26
Chicago, IL | WTF Didn't they try this once before? | |
| | joverstr2
join:2004-12-06
Mobile, AL | Re: WTF D* can keep their HD Lite and I'll stick with my Dish HD. If D* buys E* and keeps downwrezzing their HD picture it's pure OTA HD for me. | |
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randalla
join:2004-04-15
South San Francisco, CA
1 edit | E* vs. D* picture quality "Their overcompressed picture sucked."
Directv is the leader in overcompressed picture, they don't have the bandwith so they compress the heck out of the picture. Have you compared the Directv HD channels with Dish Network's HD channels? not even close. Dish Network's customer service does suck and their equipment is more like, well beta equipment. But in picture quality, Dish Network does beat Directv.
I don't see this happening, it didn't go through last time and it won't happen this time either. | |
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kamm
join:2001-02-14
Brooklyn, NY
·T-Mobile US
1 edit | Re: E* vs. D* picture quality said by randalla :"Their overcompressed picture sucked." Directv is the leader in overcompressed picture, they don't have the bandwith so they compress the heck out of the picture. Have you compared the Directv HD channels with Dish Network's HD channels? not even close. Dish Network's customer service does suck and their equipment is more like, well beta equipment. But in picture quality, Dish Network does beat Directv. I don't see this happening, it didn't go through last time and it won't happen this time either. Dish's new MPEG4 boxes are VERY NICE, I'm telling you and LIGHTYEARS AHEAD of DirecTV units even if they have some bugs.
Whereas Dish also went down the shitty HD-Lite route including its once great Voom HD channels - 1280x1080i instead of true 1920x1080i -, DirecTV's picture quality IS THE SHITTIEST QUALITY I HAVE EVER SEEN, SD, HD everything. | |
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footballdude
Premium
join:2002-08-13
Imperial, MO
| Re: E* vs. D* picture quality said by kamm :DirecTV's picture quality IS THE SHITTIEST QUALITY I HAVE EVER SEEN, SD, HD everything. Maybe you're watching the wrong channels. With my DirecTV, some channels (like the locals) are lower quality but others (like the Food network, the NFL channel, and others) are eye-poppingly crisp. I've seen some shows that look like internet quality streaming video and I've seen football games that make me think HD couldn't possibly be much better.
--
What's certain about Darwinism is that it would take less time for (1) a single-celled organism to evolve into a human being through mutation and natural selection than for (2) Darwinists to admit they have no proof of (1) - Ann Coulter | |
| | | | PDXPLT
join:2003-12-04
Banks, OR
| Re: E* vs. D* picture quality said by footballdude :said by kamm :DirecTV's picture quality IS THE SHITTIEST QUALITY I HAVE EVER SEEN, SD, HD everything. Maybe you're watching the wrong channels. With my DirecTV, some channels (like the locals) are lower quality but others (like the Food network, the NFL channel, and others) are eye-poppingly crisp. I've seen some shows that look like internet quality streaming video and I've seen football games that make me think HD couldn't possibly be much better. Look, the quality of the SD channels on Both E* and DTV suck big time. All you need to do is look at the same channels some time on a C-band BUD system, and it'll be obvious. Both E* and DTV take these C-band signals and compress the heck out of them.
Arguing which is worse, the SD channels on E* or the SD channels on DTV, is like arguing whether is would be worse to lose your left leg, or your right one.
To me, the important thing is the HD channels. The real HD on E* look alot better than the down-rezzed "HD lite" on DTV (assuming you have a TV thhat good enough to show the difference; most plasmas available 'til now can't).
I can't see what has changed now that would let the merger go through; I hope it doesn't, I appreciate having a choice. I'd hate to be in the same situation I'm in with say, telephone, where I just have to take what Verizon is willing to give me.
BTW, the analyst comments are typical for these bozos: "Charlie's gotta merge, or do an LBO". Who says he has to do either. These guys alwasy wants to see change, since change encourages trades, and trades=commissions for their employers. | |
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Rob A
Same Old Jets
Premium
join:2005-01-17
Pompton Plains, NJ | Go for it Why not. | |
| amungus
Premium
join:2004-11-26
America
clubs:
| ain't happenin' Just don't see ol' Charlie selling out completely... in fact the article didn't ever really say that except that a "merger might save us $$$"
Besides, they OWN how many sat's up in space??? Last I knew, DTV was merely RENTING theirs! If Echostar tried to buy DTV and it failed, this will certainly never fly. I could see Echostar merging with someone maybe, but I doubt it'll be DirecTV. They could easily work out a broadband deal, just use like equipment for tuning in on a broadband channel that would work the same, or very close to the same, on all their birds and everyone's happy.
...oh, and yes, agreed that Dish has better picture than DTV. | |
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Transmaster
Don't Blame Me I Voted For Bill and Opus
join:2001-06-20
Cheyenne, WY | Re: ain't happenin' agreed, remember when Echostar tried to purchase Direct TV and the Justice department shot it down.
--
The older I get the more I prefer the company of my dogs over that of man kind. | |
| | | | | | | amungus
Premium
join:2004-11-26
America
clubs:
| Re: ain't happenin' and since there's a republican President now, we should also start buying real estate on the moon??? what ever happened to our commitment to the space program and building better aircraft/spacecraft... oh wait, that's right, there's a freaking war going on! billions upon billions of dollars being pumped into it too...
politics, I'm afraid, have little to do with this article....
Seriously, it's not going to happen, it was totally shot down when the reverse case was tried and Charlie had the CASH to simply BUY DTV... now this talk of a happy merger... yeah right. Charlie is not an idiot, and his business isn't exactly hurting (except that TIVO lawsuit....) all that bad.
The telecom merge should be obvious by now... easier to have the NSA tap one big system instead of two, slightly different systems eh? | |
| | | | wev567
join:2006-02-25
Pittsburgh, PA
| said by mikedz4 :yes but this is a republican president now don't forget. Back then Clinton was still in Office. Deal announced in 2002 - which Democrat took over for Clinton when he left office in 2001? | |
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KrK
Heavy Artillery For The Little Guy
Premium
join:2000-01-17
Tulsa, OK
·AT&T Yahoo
·AT&T DSL Service
·Cox HSI
·AT&T Southwest
| I agree that the current FCC would approve a deal like this, however, I predict they WOULD NOT approve such a deal.... Why? Because the cable companies, and likely some Telcos, will be opposed to it.
So, even if it comes up, it will be shot down. That is my prediction.
--
"Regulatory capitalism is when companies invest in lawyers, lobbyists, and politicians, instead of plant, people, and customer service." - former FCC Chairman William Kennard (A real FCC Chairman, unlike the current Corporate Spokesperson in the job!) | |
| 
insomniac84
join:2002-01-03
Schererville, IN
| his options may be to sell to AT&T? How would that make things better? A huge land based monopoly controlling a satellite company is too much, it could remove the last thread of outside competition from our current cable/phone duopoly. Not to mention, AT&T would just want to get into the business to drop the prices to nothing, just to prevent the satellite industry from expanding and others from getting into the business. Then after they kill satellite competition, they will jack the prices sky high for all but new customers who are the only ones who can still get the original cheap deal(just so they can advertise the lower price) then send everyone with satellite a flier advertising SBC 3mbit DSL w/ IPTV that only works on up to one tv per house because of the bandwidth limitations of dsl. Most those people of course will live where dsl isn't even available. | |
| 
newhorizons
join:2004-03-02
Robertsville, MO
 ·HughesNet Satellit..
| hooking up my old tivo to a dish system I called ATT/Dish to see if this was possible. At first the talking head just said i would have to get auth from DTV.then i pressed the question knowing I "own" this reciever saying"what if i bought it from a seller on E-bay".? she put me on hold for about 20min then came back and said a supervisor said "yes, a samsung tivo would work". I wonder if i would have to pull out the auth card and keep a phone line in it.since the single DVR that disg use's sucks.any one know anuything about this.? or if i should ask this somwhere else .sorry... | |
| 
Netbum
join:2002-04-08
Oakley, CA
| DirecTV to Buy Echostar? As far as DTV goes,and I've been a customer since 97,They sure as heck better get their bandwidth HDTV squared away.
The talk is,that they over compress their HD signal,due to satellite bandwidth squeeze.
I'm about to jump into HIGH DEF.And it doesn't look like DTV is going to cut it.
Cable does compress,I've heard,but not as much as satellite.
So it wont matter to me who they buy. | |
| 2farfromCO7
join:2000-10-14
Farmington, MI
| GE would be the best company to buy Echostar I've said it before, and I'll say it again, the best company for for Echostar to get bought by in terms additional capital, negotiating power with competing vertical monopolies like News Corp, and Comcast would be GE. Right now Echostar gets bullied in every carriage deal because they have nothing to bully back with. That's why every carriage negotiation results in a blackout. It's Charlie's only weapon. Rupert just says to Comcast, "If you rip me off on OLN, I'll pull the same thing on you with all the Fox stations." If Dish gets bought by GE, they can play the same game with CNBC, MSNBC, Bravo, Univision, and all the NBC local affiliates. Plus, this won't have the horizontal monopoly concerns that a takeover by News Corp/DirecTV would. | |
| 
MooJohn
join:2005-12-18
Milledgeville, GA
·Windstream
| I hope it doesn't happen I chose Dish over Direct for a reason. I certainly don't want Direct jammed down my throat now.
I hate Charter with a passion but don't think I won't throw this dish in the trash and get the cable hooked back up the very day this sale is announced.
I wish someone would tell them I don't want my internet over the dish, nor do I give a rat's ass about VoIP. I bought television from them because they are the best provider of television. Stop trying to be the WalMart of the airwaves!
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John M -Cranky network guy | |
| 
scooby
Premium
join:2001-05-01
Schaumburg, IL
| Probably a good thing... The merger would allow for enough satellite bandwidth to provide HD locals to the whole US and not just the largest regions. The two companies waste so much bandwidth duplicating what each other provides.
If they do not merge, I would like them to come up with a pact to share HD channels. | |
| tmc8080
join:2004-04-24
Floral Park, NY
| only happen IF: pigs get wings
iraq become a model for democracy in the world
general motors GIVES every driver a FREE hydrogen car
permanent peace in the middle east
OR:
the federal government wants a wireless national high-speed foot print and next-generation satellite service to be a reality and not a distant fantasy
has little faith in the current spectrum and wants to subsidize a carrier's entry into 2-way high speed data services
cannot rely on cell phone companies to provide the technology developments at a cost-effective price.
** I think it has less to do about the financial health of the two satellite companies, and more about the ultimate goal of the federal government to have a reliable wireless spectrum for all levels of government's "first responders". Whoever can produce the platinum encased "silver bullet" implementation gets the brass ring, as it were... | |
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Rumor: DirecTV to Buy Echostar?
