DISH / Blockbuster Announcement Discussion Thread!

[Jim S.]

The early termination fee should be illegal. The only reason anyone can offer as to why it exists is to recoup receiver costs. Huh? Aren't they getting their receivers back from the customers that cancel? And if not, aren't they billing them for them? It seems to me that what this country needs is a legal system based on logic (you know, the kind of legal system we're supposed to have to begin with), not this mysticism of letting corporations make up any kind of rules they want to as if nobody can conceive of any other way of life.

 

[mdavej]

I have noticed with BlockBuster Movie Pass on my 722k,with L688.When I select this feature it goes to explore movies section,I select all,and HD,it brings up 631 movies in HD.Then when I press the * button to view free movies I get 630 free movies in HD.

I have yet to stream one I shall try that today,but so far it seems that BlockBuster Movie Pass on Dish Network is giving me more HD movie options than NetFlix did.

Last time I checked there were about 3500 HD titles on Netflix. So far BB streaming is no different that the Platinum streaming we've had all along.

 

[Jhon69]

I selected"Quigley Down Under" in HD, after I did it said it needed 7 minutes.I waited 2 minutes then selected to watch it.It gradually caught up with the buffering and star to rebuffer,so it would seem that"adaptive streaming" needs a little work.This is with AT&T Elite DSL 6MB down and 764k up.

Was it in HD?.Yes it was and it looked better than any HD program I have ever view on NetFlix.

 

[Jhon69]

Last time I checked there were about 3500 HD titles on Netflix. So far BB streaming is no different that the Platinum streaming we've had all along.

That sounds promising but since you can't go into NetFlix's website and separate HD from SD programs like I can on my 722k through " Explore Movies" like I can with BlockBuster Movie Pass on my 722k I would guess somone would have to count them or just take NetFlix's word on it.

 

[dangue]

The early termination fee should be illegal. The only reason anyone can offer as to why it exists is to recoup receiver costs. Huh? Aren't they getting their receivers back from the customers that cancel? And if not, aren't they billing them for them? It seems to me that what this country needs is a legal system based on logic (you know, the kind of legal system we're supposed to have to begin with), not this mysticism of letting corporations make up any kind of rules they want to as if nobody can conceive of any other way of life.

Sorry, it is based on logic. No one forces anyone to sign the contract that spells put the ETF. If someone doesn't like the terms, don't get the service or purchase your own equipment and avoid the need for a contract!

Back to your point of justification of the ETF, you overlook the cost of ending out an installer to do the work. The cost of the Dish, LNB, and multiswith. Also, presuming that a used receiver has the same value as a brand new receiver is mistaken. Overall the costs are not trivial, and as has been reported here previously, it takes many months for Dish to start making a profit on a new sub. This means that new subs are an investment and Dish has every right to protect that investment.

Sent from my iPhone using SatelliteGuys

 

[wase4711]

Next time listen to your wife!.

"Quoted for the truth!"

 

[Tyralak]

Sorry, it is based on logic. No one forces anyone to sign the contract that spells put the ETF. If someone doesn't like the terms, don't get the service or purchase your own equipment and avoid the need for a contract!

Back to your point of justification of the ETF, you overlook the cost of ending out an installer to do the work. The cost of the Dish, LNB, and multiswith. Also, presuming that a used receiver has the same value as a brand new receiver is mistaken. Overall the costs are not trivial, and as has been reported here previously, it takes many months for Dish to start making a profit on a new sub. This means that new subs are an investment and Dish has every right to protect that investment.

Sent from my iPhone using SatelliteGuys

Exactly. It takes a satellite company 18 months to break even on a new customer, once all the costs are accounted for.

 

[KAB]

The early termination fee should be illegal. The only reason anyone can offer as to why it exists is to recoup receiver costs. Huh? Aren't they getting their receivers back from the customers that cancel? And if not, aren't they billing them for them? It seems to me that what this country needs is a legal system based on logic (you know, the kind of legal system we're supposed to have to begin with), not this mysticism of letting corporations make up any kind of rules they want to as if nobody can conceive of any other way of life.

 

[meStevo]

Didn't expect an ETF complaint rant in this thread, anyone want to take some shots at the reliability of a satellite signal, or dvr fees perhaps?

 

[gokartergo]

The early termination fee should be illegal. The only reason anyone can offer as to why it exists is to recoup receiver costs. Huh? Aren't they getting their receivers back from the customers that cancel? And if not, aren't they billing them for them? It seems to me that what this country needs is a legal system based on logic (you know, the kind of legal system we're supposed to have to begin with), not this mysticism of letting corporations make up any kind of rules they want to as if nobody can conceive of any other way of life.

My understanding.. And I could be wrong is.. The ETF is to help cover the costs of the "Free" installation. I also be leave that it is 18 months to the break even point..

 

[Tyralak]

Didn't expect an ETF complaint rant in this thread, anyone want to take some shots at the reliability of a satellite signal, or dvr fees perhaps?

It's like Godwin's Law of the satellite world. If a thread goes on long enough, someone will bring up ETFs and DVR fees.

 

[EmpireState]

On Friday I was paying Netflix $16 for 2 discs out at a time with Blu-Ray access. Today I'm paying Netflix zero because I cancelled on Saturday and that was SWEET. For those of you that want to cancel your Netflix sub but think you have already paid for October, they told me you have a week from the last bill date to drop and they will refund the full month. I'm already a Dish Platinum subscriber so I'm saving $11 and keeping what I hope will be a comparable service. And after looking at Blockbusters Blu-Ray new release selection, I'm just fine with my choice.

Is there a poll here at Satelliteguys to count the number of Dish subscribers that have cancelled their Netflix subscriptions? I would love to see how many people are doing what I did.

 

[old corps]

I currently only have the 1 disc @ a time plan but it wouldn't make any sense to go beyond that because out of 24 titles only a couple of moldy oldies show as available............:rant:

Ed

 

[gokartergo]

On Friday I was paying Netflix $16 for 2 discs out at a time with Blu-Ray access. Today I'm paying Netflix zero because I cancelled on Saturday and that was SWEET. For those of you that want to cancel your Netflix sub but think you have already paid for October, they told me you have a week from the last bill date to drop and they will refund the full month. I'm already a Dish Platinum subscriber so I'm saving $11 and keeping what I hope will be a comparable service. And after looking at Blockbusters Blu-Ray new release selection, I'm just fine with my choice.

Is there a poll here at Satelliteguys to count the number of Dish subscribers that have cancelled their Netflix subscriptions? I would love to see how many people are doing what I did.

My wife is looking up if she paid it our not yet .. If she has.. We will cancel at the end of this month.. If she hasn't. We will cancel it today..

 

[Tyralak]

I'm keeping both Netflix Streaming and Blockbuster Movie Pass. Both have things the other doesn't. I should have my first movie from Blockbuster in a couple of days.

 

[EmpireState]

My wife is looking up if she paid it our not yet .. If she has.. We will cancel at the end of this month.. If she hasn't. We will cancel it today..

I auto-payed Netflix the October money at the end of September and the Netflix rep on the phone on Saturday was fine with giving me a refund. I think my billing date was Sept 27 or 28. So what I meant was, just because it is October now, you can still cancel and get the October money back as long as you are within a week of the billing date.

 

[EmpireState]

I'm keeping both Netflix Streaming and Blockbuster Movie Pass. Both have things the other doesn't. I should have my first movie from Blockbuster in a couple of days.

Yep, if you like the Netflix streaming you should definitely keep it, the Blockbuster/Platinum stuff does not replace it content wise. I realized I wasn't using Netflix streaming and since the price jumped I dropped it too. The so called Blockbuster streaming on Dish is a name change only and is a big disappointment.

Did you get an email telling you there was a disc on the way from Blockbuster? I haven't received any notifications about my queue.

 

[Tyralak]

Yep, if you like the Netflix streaming you should definitely keep it, the Blockbuster/Platinum stuff does not replace it content wise. I realized I wasn't using Netflix streaming and since the price jumped I dropped it too. The so called Blockbuster streaming on Dish is a name change only and is a big disappointment.

Did you get an email telling you there was a disc on the way from Blockbuster? I haven't received any notifications about my queue.

The web site says it's being processed.

 

[jimdandyvi]

Has anyone in the Virgin Islands signed up yet?

I know streaming won't be available ( rights issues ) nor will in store exchanges.

How long does it take each way to get a disk from BB?

How many of the channels in the Blockbuster/ platinum package as shown on the line up card are actually available in our market?

Of those listed as being available in HD how many are actually in HD?

Even without the streaming and in store exchange this isn't a bad deal from Dish if the disks arrive on a timely basis and we receive in this market all or at least most of the channels listed as being in HD can be received here.

 

[powerhouse1960]

Sorry, it is based on logic. No one forces anyone to sign the contract that spells put the ETF. If someone doesn't like the terms, don't get the service or purchase your own equipment and avoid the need for a contract!

Back to your point of justification of the ETF, you overlook the cost of ending out an installer to do the work. The cost of the Dish, LNB, and multiswith. Also, presuming that a used receiver has the same value as a brand new receiver is mistaken. Overall the costs are not trivial, and as has been reported here previously, it takes many months for Dish to start making a profit on a new sub. This means that new subs are an investment and Dish has every right to protect that investment.

Sent from my iPhone using SatelliteGuys

The problem with the satellite ETF Is you can do the contract on Monday and in the next week they can raise you rates( they did ) and drop channels ( they did ) and you still have to pay .
Its nothing to do with them covering there equipment investment
cell phones have a ETF but would you want to pay it if they decide to not offer service in the day time ?
no you expect the service you had when you got it in my opinion once they change service provided the contract should be null and void