Additional HD - - Current Capacity

[Skyhi]

Is there a definitive answer regarding E*'s current capacity to add additional HD, or is it all wild speculation?

 

[lakebum431]

There have been a few threads that talk about the number of open transponders, but with talk of splitting the company, some of that goes out the window. We know that they can add some more channels, but who knows if/when it will be.

 

[tigerfan33]

Some people that really know say that there is room but right now not sure if they can add much more because the room they have now may be needed for some type of emergency. With that said. People do say also that they are in the middle of upgrading its encoders and make even more room within maybe the next few months. Also the 3 birds that are suppose to launch in 2008.

 

[flyingsquirrel]

I have heard the best we can hope for is this time next year before anything major happens. Dish had hoped to have one new sat operational by now and another in January. Those have been pushed back realistically to JULY and SEPTEMBER from what I hear.

Directv got lucky that they got one up.

The satellites are ready, but launch vehicle operation has essentially stopped. Even Ariane cancelled all operations until further notice.

Other that that, you are only going to get one or two with current capacity, and those are being reserved for possible "mandates". Or they might take a PPV down. But the PPV channels are not really full time. It heard Dish is contractually obligated to expand HBO and Cinemax HD by the end of the year. That would lock everything else down.

 

[bgsmallwood]

.... It heard Dish is contractually obligated to expand HBO and Cinemax HD by the end of the year. That would lock everything else down.

You would think that a good on-the-ball attorney would have put a clause in the contract "contingent on deployment of new satellite capacity".