DIRT: Downgrade to Welcome Pack - Still get HD?

[MNHTUG]

We have had HD FREE for life since the program started. If we downgrade to the Welcome Pack, will we keep getting channels in HD? If so, we would like to move to that package. If not, we are going to cut the cord. No complaints really, just deciding it's time stop paying so much for tv.

 

[ZachS@DISH]

We have had HD FREE for life since the program started. If we downgrade to the Welcome Pack, will we keep getting channels in HD? If so, we would like to move to that package. If not, we are going to cut the cord. No complaints really, just deciding it's time stop paying so much for tv.

You would only get your local channels, if available in HD, and any premiums you have.

 

[MNHTUG]

Thanks. Calling the 800 number now to terminate service.

 

[a42887]

Is this still true? I find conflicting answers here.

(Can't Link for some reason)
286544-HD-Locals-OTA-channels-no-longer-available-with-Welcome-Pack

This seems to indicate it is not.

277349-HD-Program-Welcome-Package-VIP222k-receiver

This does.

?All I care about is the locals in HD. Nothing else (even in SD). Does the $19.99 Welcome Pack come with HD Locals? Thanks!

 

[vash1090]

You would still have HD locals because they are automatically included with regular locals.

You would lose HD FFL and any other promotional offers you have for going below the minimum required package (Top 120).

 

[Mojo Jojo]

You would still have HD locals because they are automatically included with regular locals.

You would lose HD FFL and any other promotional offers you have for going below the minimum required package (Top 120).

You are right about HD locals on Dish (as long as Dish offers them).

I am not sure if you would lose HD Free for Life in the future if you decide to upgrade your package later as long as you keep paperless billing and autopay (unless the sub paid the fee of $99 I think). The same may be true for some promos in terms of autopay and paperless billing. Some promos are lost if they cannot be combined with the Welcome Pack like Blockbuster @ Home and MultiSport Pack. I think the $7/month Epix pack may now be allowed with the Welcome Pack as it is no longer listed as an HD package.

Along with America's Top 120 ($49.99/month), Dish Latino Plus (41.99/month) and Dish Latino Dos ($48.99/month) qualify for HD Free for Life and also have English channels.

FMI on the Welcome Pack: http://www.dish.com/entertainment/packages/welcome/

 

[Claude Greiner]

I don't think you would loose HD free for life, it just wouldn't apply when you went to the welcome pack, since the HD pack does not apply to anything below AT120.

I really think its time both providers do away with this HD pack garbage, and realize that HD is the new standard and you should be able to get it reguardless of receiver type.

 

[eurosport]

A DIRT team member has informed me I will keep my HD free for life, even though we temporarily downgraded to the Welcome Pack

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[HDRoberts]

Also worth noting: you do get any free previews offered in HD.

If you ask me, it remains one of the best values in TV.

 

[eurosport]

Also worth noting: you do get any free previews offered in HD.

If you ask me, it remains one of the best values in TV.

You even get HD free previews while you're on Dish Pause.

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[Tampa8]

It's confusing because people (and I'm sure non DIRT CSR's) keep giving wrong answers and make it sound like they know. You do not lose HD for life based on what package you have. As long as you subscribe, and keep at least however you signed up for it you will keep HD for life. (If you signed up under the no longer available one time $99 then you will always have it, period as a subscriber. If you signed up with Autopay and Paperless billing and keep those you will not lose it as a subscriber, period.) To be able to use it, you must subscribe to a package that has HD channels. I keep seeing those two things getting confused.

Welcome package comes with locals. They will be in HD if available even without HD for life last time I knew, if that has changed I am not aware of it. As others have correctly posted The Welcome pack does not include other HD channels on a regular basis. If you add an allowed package/premium to it, those channels will be in HD if available with HD for Life. Freeviews will be in HD if available.

 

[MikeD-C05]

HD has been the norm now for the last 5 years. It is way past time for DISH to drop the whole hd thing and make it standard. Maybe when 4k tvs comes out at a reasonable price with channels in 4k, they will make hd the standard and 4k will be the new premium price add on. IF DISH would ever get a move on the mpeg 4 transition for western arc they would have no reason to keep sd any longer and hd could become the standard.

 

[navychop]

I don't think you would loose HD free for life, it just wouldn't apply when you went to the welcome pack, since the HD pack does not apply to anything below AT120.

I really think its time both providers do away with this HD pack garbage, and realize that HD is the new standard and you should be able to get it reguardless of receiver type.

Absolutely. But I suspect as long as they make a buck from having it this way..... Maybe it will go away when it costs them more to keep the package going than they get in fees from it.

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[Mojo Jojo]

HD has been the norm now for the last 5 years. It is way past time for DISH to drop the whole hd thing and make it standard. Maybe when 4k tvs comes out at a reasonable price with channels in 4k, they will make hd the standard and 4k will be the new premium price add on. IF DISH would ever get a move on the mpeg 4 transition for western arc they would have no reason to keep sd any longer and hd could become the standard.

I don't think Dish is the only provider. What about the other cable and satellite companies that charge extra for HD or require paperless billing or/and autopay? However, it would be nice if the providers all would.

 

[Tampa8]

I'm guessing his response was just based on we are in the DISH forum, talking about HD for life. No doubt other providers still cling to SD.

 

[Mojo Jojo]

I'm guessing his response was just based on we are in the DISH forum, talking about HD for life. No doubt other providers still cling to SD.

Yes. Why would Dish do this when "the other guys" are not? However, I would not mind if Dish wanted to be the first one to do this.

 

[fhsucade07]

Is Epix now available to Welcome Pack subscribers? I went online to make a payment today and saw that Epix is no longer included in HD packages but is now "a la carte".


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[dishrich]

EPIX is very much included as part of BB (HD extra) pkg; Epix Drive-In is in AT250.

 

[Mojo Jojo]

EPIX is very much included as part of BB (HD extra) pkg; Epix Drive-In is in AT250.

There is also a separate a la carte Epix package for $7/month that includes Epix 1, 2, 3, and Drive-In.

 

[fhsucade07]

There is also a separate a la carte Epix package for $7/month that includes Epix 1, 2, 3, and Drive-In.

That's the one I was talking / wondering about because you can't get Blockbuster with Welcome Pack. Only reason I noticed was because I look over my programming month to month - might mention it to my brother who is a huge movie buff and has Welcome Pack and see if he can get the Epix a la carte package.


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