I don't think Dish can launch any new satellites, only replacements because they are out of orbital allotments, there can only be a certain number of satellite signals from each orbital allotment and there is a finite number of orbitals. They may gain a few transponders in the DirecTV merger if DirecTV can use that to sweeten the pot. otherwise SOL.
I also remember reading that they had or were considering putting this as a condition to get the DOJ to sign off on the deal, sort of as a goodwill gesture toward competition. I.E. give up those slots at 110 and 119, presumably to Dish.Scuttlebutt is that DirecTV has offered to surrender its transponders at 110 to Dish if Dish will not oppose the merger of DirecTV with whomever they are trying to merge this time.
Charlie has already filed an objection, so it may be a moot point.
VOD, but nothing will likely replace the importance of a DVR. It is a big thing to drop, but they are also dropping the price substantially as well. So it is reasonable, but it will be a big thing to cope with.I think Sling TV is going to push me over the edge to cancelling Dish. I wonder if they are expecting to lose Sat customers to this. Paring SlingTV with Hulu Plus pretty much gives me everything I watch. Plus adding in the $5 kids will just be icing on top. What would be ironic is if Disney Jr and Disney XD are in HD on Sling TV and not on Dish. I wonder if they will give access to Watch ESPN and/or Watch Disney? I think I saw mention of On Demand as a way to placate the loss of a DVR (I also saw the 3 day buffer that is available).
My Iphone has voice control and my car came with voice control. I tried both of them a few times but just could not use them be I just felt stupid talking to my car or phone and I think I would feel just as dumb talking to my tv remote. Besides Why I was a kid we had to get up out of our chair and actually walk across the room to change the TV channel. I have not got so lazy yet that I find pushing the buttons on the remote a task.
So, in order to make room for any potential upcoming 4K content, will Dish convert some of their HD channels to part-time HD? Hey, it works for the local RSNs, why not expand it?
Color me disappointed.