Meanwhile, as usual, even with the drop in subs, which is miniscule, it is clear that the numerous and high Dish fees in our bills have cushioned the sub loss pretty well, as this has been the trend for YEARS now at Dish. However, I also believe that current subs upgrading to the Hopper is what has really pushed profits up while losing a teeny-weeny number of subs because the fees, in many but not all, cases turns into a net higher monthly fees when all the Hopper fees are added up, but this ALSO means that Dish subscribers who do upgrade to Hopper have greater satisfaction and see the value of the Hopper in their home and gladly pay the slight bump up in fees because they feel the Hopper is a great enhancement.
However, and this is all speculation, it sure seems like Charlie probably told Joe it was time to go because of consistent subscriber loss even after all the extra expensive advertising and new and talented marketing people. I think Joe did a GREAT job considering Charlie would NOT give people $200 in a gift card to switch to Dish like his competition do. Let's face it, dangling $200 in front of people (and paying any ETF's) is like dangling that chicken over the crocs and gators: people well SNAP at that and grab it fast, as I have seen quite a few people do.
And one has to feel a little sorry for the whole Dish staff who will endure the return of the dark prince in daily control of Dish. Joe classed up the place a bit while treating staffers something like adults. We could see some of those Joe brought in bailing Dish once they get the full Darth Ergan treatment with rumored loud beratings, daily scream-fests, and just plain ignoring his staff and unilaterally making decisions on his own. I won't get into the Egran stopwatch as staffers dare to get to work ONE MINUTE late, etc. There is always the chance that Charlie has changed and is a kinder, gentler barefoot boy from Tennessee. Somehow, I doubt it. My condolences to the entire Dish staff.
But let us remember something: Dish had already begun this same pattern of tiny subscriber loss but increase of profits under Ergan as CEO, and part of the reason Joe was brought is was not only to allow Charlie to focus on the big wireless picture, but because everything Ergan tried to increase subs did not work, and so it seemed a good time to let someone else as qualified as Joe take a crack at it. I wonder if Joe pushed for the $200 Gift Cards but Charlie said, "No!" Kind of like when Lee Iaccoca was trying to persuade Ford, in a documented shouting match, to start building smaller more fuel economy cars, but was told, "No." And Ford paid dearly for NOT doing just that.
Well, here's to Chuck's return. Let us hope it is a positive change. Is this the 3rd time Charlie has had to return as CEO of Dish? Too bad we don't have those Charlie Chats anymore because Charlie was unintentionally entertaining with his brand of media fire and brimstone. At least we can expect more DRAMA at Dish.