My local "i" Network affiliate started promoting Qubo becoming a full 24 hours channel in January. Qubo looks like a decent kids channel combining both entertainment and education. I will definitely love having it on Dish.
I saw the promotion last night and I like the channel. I can get it for free OTA along with PBS Kids but it will be nice to see it on the Dish line-up.
I was looking up some information on the subject and here are the listings of the i channel, turning into qubo, throughout the country - http://www.ionline.tv/stations/list.cfm
Echostar should carry the channel in its current and future form on channel 181.
i is not going away, i is keeping with the classic tv format. I don't know if they plan on keeping the qubo block on i. The 24 hour Qubo channel is available as a secondary channel on i's digital stations but programming has not started yet.
Yes, on a sub channel. In my area it is on KPPX-DT 51.2. All that is on right now is a qubo promo that loops over and over. Analog 51 and Digital 51.1 still have i and will continue to.