Bad News For Dish

[HDRoberts]

I think that's the problem. They weren't focusing on the low-end consumer when they had Voom, but then they got rid of it and put up channels that weren't even full-time HD. Now they're still turning away high-end customers by not fixing the LIL HD audio problem. (Here's a hint: it wasn't always like that, so REVERT TO THE PRIOR SOFTWARE so your customers can USE WHAT THEY'RE PAYING FOR and then use a test channel to work on the problem.)

I'd hesitate to say that having Voom made them more appealing to higher end customers. Maybe at the beginning when that made their HD channel count higher, but not this year with the multitude of traditional channels offering HD feeds.

I think Dish simultaneously goes for high end and lower end. Problem is, higher end customers don't like being with a company that goes for the lower end. This is largely a marketing problem. And having a blue collar entertainer like Frank Caliendo be your spokesman isn't helping.

And I've had audio drops on my 622 for a while. Reverting to prior software without issues probably will take us pack to the days before EHD support, and things like that.

 

[apollog]

Maybe it's time to pass the torch to someone else that knows what they are doing. Charlie needs to either step down or think about merging with you know who. It makes sense, because the 2 companies could join forces and really blow the competition out of the water. They would be unstoppable. Better pricing and more channels(especially HD).

 

[stuckingoo]

The high-end/low-end thing doesn't make sense to me.....and I've had both services (twice!).

 

[8bitbytes]

This seems to explain a lot from their 10Q:

...other factors, such as our own operational inefficiencies and levels of customer satisfaction with our products and services, which are within our control, that would require significant investments and expenditures to overcome, which may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.

We have problems with our company and our product which would require us to spend serious cash and I'm not going to do that. We have no problem being in last place after considering the cost of doing better.

 

[LTommy256]

What is the piracy Charlie keeps talking about? Is this a real problem?

 

[mikew]

Maybe once the Tivo lawsuit is in the rear view mirror, they can invest some time and money on the things that will help grow the business.

As minor as it seems from a former Dish customer, the latest debacle with the NBA shows that it truly is "business as usual" in Denver. The time for negotiations was before the season started, not a resolution a week into it.

Surely, Dish has proven their point that they are willing to pull a channel to get their way, but don't they realize there is a cost to this?

I had them from 2000 - 2004. They lost me when my wife got upset about Lifetime disappearing. My bill with DirecTV is $150 /month and I sub to Extra Innings. I am one, of the many, that would have continued to be a Dish customer if they had taken care of their negotiations in house and NEVER let it affect the customer.

 

[televisionarchives]

Charlie shows all the signs of being over his head. I like the guy . I like his background . He started with nothing . But it might be time to hand it over .

 

[tomcrown1]

Dish needs a new leader. Why promote dish when you do not have the hardware available??

With a new CEO dosh may get its house in order. It is time for Charlie the tuna to go.

 

[Carl B]

From the 10Q

"DISH Network® gross subscriber additions may continue to decrease and subscriber turnover may continue to increase, in each case due to a variety of factors, such as increasing competition and worsening economic conditions, which are outside of our control, and other factors, such as our own operational inefficiencies and levels of customer satisfaction with our products and services, which are within our control, that would require significant investments and expenditures to overcome, which may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition."

Well, at least they added a laundry list of other factors besides the economy.

Interesting, they seem to be saying that if they spend any money to fix the problems within their control, then their financial results may actually get worse. IOWs, we aren't going to do anything different because we don't know how to do something that will improve our financial results. So, we'll just sit around and wait for the economy to improve (at least a year out).

What they need is something to jump start their marketing image. TurboHD was a joke and folks figured that out pretty quickly. How about offering an HD DVR service without an extra fee, just the equipment rental fee. I believe that is what Comcast does and it seems to be working to retain subscribers and provide a good bottom line despite having an inferior HD programming package and an inferior HD DVR.

 

[Carl B]

Problem is, higher end customers don't like being with a company that goes for the lower end. This is largely a marketing problem. And having a blue collar entertainer like Frank Caliendo be your spokesman isn't helping.

I think you are totally off base with this comment. Comcast doesn't have this problem and they have wealthy customers who buy everything they sell and they have customers that are still on basic analog cable. Neither cares who else subscribes to Comcast.

Frank Caliendo is a bright new star. Pro football fans, a market demographic coveted by all HDTV providers, are quite familiar with him and like him based on his skits on Fox's pre-game show. Who do think Dish should get to market to the rich, the warmed-over corpse that plugs Llyods Furs and other exclusive garbage.

 

[HDRoberts]

I think you are totally off base with this comment. Comcast doesn't have this problem and they have wealthy customers who buy everything they sell and they have customers that are still on basic analog cable. Neither cares who else subscribes to Comcast.

Frank Caliendo is a bright new star. Pro football fans, a market demographic coveted by all HDTV providers, are quite familiar with him and like him based on his skits on Fox's pre-game show. Who do think Dish should get to market to the rich, the warmed-over corpse that plugs Llyods Furs and other exclusive garbage.

Cable is different. Most communities have but one provider. Plus, Comcrap/TWC are frequently the only way to avoid having a Dish put on your expensive house. But when you think of both providers, most are beginning to think of DirecTV as a superior product, and Dish as the product people go to for a cheaper option than cable.

As for Frank, sure, a lot of people like him and his "skits." A lot of people don't, too. DirecTV's ads, on the other hand, are always different, appealing to a wider variety of audiences.

 

[levibluewa]

Unless there's a law preventing it...

DISH could offer the HD feed of KWGN and KTLA to the Superstation subscribers. The feeds are already conus, but NO. Although Superstation subscribers may be small in numbers, offering these two channels in HD might attract additional subscribers. AND it is one offering Directv doesn't have.

 

[Lifterguy]

I think the problem is that Dish has allowed themselves to become the "second rate" provider in so many areas, and yet their prices are not that much less than the competition. (And any price advantage only comes after the heavily discounted "promotional period" offered by the other guys.) Compare Dish to Direct TV, Comcast or Verizon FIOS in any of these areas:
-Number of national HD channels: Direct TV is the winner (even though it's close), FIOS has almost as many as Dish - and the capacity for many more, and Comcast doesn't have as many channels, but has more HD on-demand.
-Sports offerings - Direct TV one-upped Dish years ago with NFL Sunday ticket, and it seems Dish is always missing at least one or two offerings that the other guys have. Presumably Dish is trying to hold the line on costs, but have the lost channels produced cost savings that customers notice?
-Special interest programming: In my area, Comcast, Verizon and Direct-TV all offer Logo (the Viacom gay-TV network). Dish has never added it (and won't give any indication whether or not they ever will.) Sure it's only a small percentage of customers that want the channel, but its a small percentage that will just go somewhere else.
-Promotional Pricing - The other guys all advertise better pricing for new subscribers. I hate the ads that tout the low introductory price and don't tell what you will actually pay after 6-months to a year, but clearly they work to get people through the door.
Right now the only thing that Dish offers that is clearly superior to the competition is their HD DVR (VIP622/722). But most prospective customers don't know the difference from one DVR to another, and as long as the box they get works reasonably well, they're going to be satisfied.
Dish management needs to decide if they want to compete as a full fledged provider, or if they want to be a budget price service catering to people looking for a bargain price service. If they want to be like the big guys, then they need to spend the money to offer a top tier service. The alternative is to yank expensive channels and services, eliminate the extras that generate fees that nickel and dime customers to death, and provide a second-tier service with a price that is promotable and simply can't be beat by any of the other guys. There will always be people shopping for a bargain - but you can also bet that those customers will switch to a provider that offers more once they have the money to do so.

 

[Miggity]

As someone who switched from Dish and signed up for DirecTV in the last month, I can assure Charlie it had NOTHING to do with the economy so I don't want to see that excuse.

 

[Rey]

If it was the economy then DirecTV's numbers (which came out last week) would have been bad as well.

Its not the poor economy, its poor managment at Dish Network.

exactly! :up

 

[Rey]

Dish has several issues..
. the audit department (call me once accusing me of anything and I'm as good as gone).. etc

that's why i'm canceling this week! i got a call accusing me falsely of some stupid s***! after 10 years of loyalty and always upgrading to their latest dvr's, i'm done. If there is one thing i hate is being accused of something i did not do.Very disappointing.

 

[Rey]

The high-end/low-end thing doesn't make sense to me.....and I've had both services (twice!).

yeah i've never understood this either. i've seen both services in high end neighborhoods. i see more of directv in poor neighborhoods than what i see dish.

 

[BobMurdoch]

Also, Scott's prediction,... that E* would add HD channels in advance of today's tech chat looks to fall flat as well.....

Are they even trying anymore?

They've got the best DVR and thats it.... they need some more bullets for the gun..... They blew a chance to add FoxNews HD last week before the election for those that would have appreciated it.....

 

[Dish VIP]

I love my Dish Network system! Sure, I've had some complaints, but overall I feel that my Dish system is the Cadillac of subscription tv. I've almost jumped to DirecTV a few times. All-in-all i'm very happy to stay with Dish Network.

I just can't bring myself to put that monster dish on my house. My 1k.2 dish is sleek, lightweight, and very easy to install. So DirecTV has way more channels. Big deal! They charge way more $ as well. Mostly crap and reruns on TV anyhow so I don't really need more of that. My 622 DVR makes me happy every single day and never stops amazing me.

It seems to me that Charlie does listen to his customers and understands how to compete. I didn't like having to pay for VOOM. Now that's boom! I had to wait a very long time to get some RSN HD. Today I have that. I'm still waiting for local HD, but if I wait long enough I'll have that too. TurboHD is brilliant IMO. I signed my folks up and they have 2 HD dvrs + 1 extra HD receiver and all the programming they want for under $60/mo. You just can't beat that anywhere in the industry.

Way more sensible then trying to see 5 orbital slots with one dish, is the approach Echostar is taking with the eastern/western split. So right now Dish/Echostar are trying to evolve during this very tough economic climate. I believe Mr. Ergen can do it. So while DirecTV rushed into the future and seems to be the greener pasture now, I think the reality is that Dish Network will evolve to be the superior satellite tv company of the future.

The sky is not falling!

 

[Scott Greczkowski]

I will have some of what he's smoking.