Charlie Approaches DIRECTV about a Merger.

[Scott Greczkowski]

I typically agree with you most of the time scherrman but,I have to disagree about that.Charlie has done it time,and time again.If someone rattles his cage,he won't hesitate to drop channels,especially sports.

But so will Mike White wasn't it last year that he was going drop Yes Network.

Mike and Charlie are almost cut from the same cloth.



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[Teehar]

But so will Mike White wasn't it last year that he was going drop Yes Network.

Mike and Charlie are almost cut from the same cloth.



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Good point Scott,I didn't mean to single Charlie out.Just one more reason I'm 100% against a merger.

 

[GaryPen]

In simple terms...

DISH uses DVB and goes by the Published DVB Specs.
DIRECTV used a modified version of the DVB Spec, their changes however are proprietary and have not been published. (Which is the reason why we have not been successful making an automatic DIRECTV uplink report.)

Basically (and from what I understand... I am no expert here) is the box just needs to understand the mapping to acquire the correct data to run. The broadcom chip is basically the CPU and it can be updated to read the data maps as needed.

Think of it as having a Mac... well you can Windows on a Mac. And the same is true for a PC, you can run the Mac OS on it.

In simple terms, todays modern satellite receivers are really just computer that have satellite tuners attached. Thinking about it the only hardware that would need to be changed would be the smart card since one of them would be using different encryption.

I'm not so sure this would extend to the switching technology. Encryption, compression, and other elements of the broadcast signal, yes. But, Dish' switching technology is very complex compared to Direct's.

So, while Dish subs may be able to receive Direct broadcasting, and Direct subs receive Dish programming, Direct subs would not be able to use Dish receivers with their existing LNB's and switches, and vice versa.

 

[GaryPen]

Mike and Charlie are almost cut from the same cloth.

Yeah. Burlap. Rough and cheap.

 

[Scott Greczkowski]

Gary I agree with what you said. Those things would still provider specific.


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[jerryez]

I'd bet Charlie works it so that Echostar ends up being the winner - whatever the internal tech is.

You mean EchoStar ends up being the hardware design and equipment manufactuer

 

[Scott Greczkowski]

You mean EchoStar ends up being the hardware design and equipment manufactuer

And Satellite provider which is why Dish just spun off their Satellites to EchoStar.

This way Charlie gets rid if DISH he's still getting a big check from EchoStar.


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[Spike]

I agree that is generally true but with TV I just don't see it happening. I have yet to see Dish and DirecTV compete much over lowering their prices, only having the lowest advertised prices. When you get to the final prices it has never mattered, they raise prices almost every year no matter what and I don't see the format changing one bit once they merge.

You just wait until negotiations happen without the "other satellite service's price" being part of the conversations for the next contract. Your bill MAY go up even more than it does now.

 

[Scott Greczkowski]

Another reason as a consumer I am against the merger is look at what happened to SIriusXM.


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[goaliebob99]

You sir,and I use that term loosely,are an idiot! If you had your way,us folks in rural areas wouldn't even have power.

Sorry that's reality.. No need to insult me because you made a choice to live where you do. If you want to do something about it, start up your own multi-Billion dollar company to serve your area. Problem solved! It's free marketplace!

 

[goaliebob99]

Another reason as a consumer I am against the merger is look at what happened to SIriusXM.


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I think this could have been handled alot better if there was better management behind it. Also, why couldn't they open up the market place to other providers? That would solve the whole issue. Like how Straight Talk, Boost Mobile, and others piggy back off of ATT, Sprint and Verizon. Make it so the new providers have to pay an access fee to have access to DirecTV/Dish's network. I know people balk but if they included this provision, that would solve 99 percent of the concerns.

 

[Teehar]

Sorry that's reality.. No need to insult me because you made a choice to live where you do. If you want to do something about it, start up your own multi-Billion dollar company to serve your area. Problem solved! It's free marketplace!

Yes I do feel the need to insult you,you insult me by making such asinine statements.Your reality is distorted.

Where is that ignore button?

 

[Scott Greczkowski]

Ok back on topic please.


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[dare2be]

[strike]Scale[/strike] Ala Carte is the only way to fight programming costs in the current system.

fixed

 

[Elkview]

Would all the signal that Charlie bought off the government have any bearing on a merger. Could this cover people in the hollows of the nation. I'm in West Virginia and I have friends that cable won't go to and hard to place a dish to get a signal.

 

[sparc]

fixed

only "fixed" if the government regulates pricing that content providers can charge companies like Dish.

A la carte itself wouldn't fix the endless quest by content providers for more money per channel. Your channel costs would double or triple if they were independent. Size is the only defense for someone like Dish in the existing system. 40 million customers is a lot more leverage than 15 million customers.

(As a customer, i'm against any merger as it reduces competition.)

 

[osu1991]

only "fixed" if the government regulates pricing that content providers can charge companies like Dish.

A la carte itself wouldn't fix the endless quest by content providers for more money per channel. Your channel costs would double or triple if they were independent. Size is the only defense for someone like Dish in the existing system. 40 million customers is a lot more leverage than 15 million customers.

(As a customer, i'm against any merger as it reduces competition.)

They can continue their quest all they want, but if they want a price no one is willing to pay, then they will have to see the light or shut down. Ala-carte and un-bundling will show the true value of the programming.

 

[sparc]

They can continue their quest all they want, but if they want a price no one is willing to pay, then they will have to see the light or shut down. Ala-carte and un-bundling will show the true value of the programming.

No matter the math, Disney will still want the same amount of money every month. So, you're just saying they should keep the game the same as it is now. Dish can't unilaterally decide a la carte on its' own.

 

[lazydogmot]

My concern would be, what are all the pissed of people who switch back and forth every two years, when their contracts are up, going to do. Where will they go?

 

[dare2be]

No matter the math, Disney will still want the same amount of money every month. So, you're just saying they should keep the game the same as it is now. Dish can't unilaterally decide a la carte on its' own.

Want and get aren't the same things (well, it is now with the current model). Dish can't decide on its own, but neither can they and DTV decide to merge on their own either. The only way I would accept the gov't allowing a merger on that scale, whether it's Dish/Direct or Comcast/TWC would be for them to put ala carte stipulations for all providers and content owners into the deal.