there is 30 pages on info here, sorry if i missed it, but:
has there been any mention of additional monthly fees to use this new hopper/joey etc tech?
i assume additional fees are going to skyrocket with each new technology they release, but i hope i am wrong.
I'm making broad
assumptions based on what I've pieced together from multiple sources, but here I go anyway .....
1. Don't be surprised if the first Hopper, at least initially, requires a one-time $99 lease upgrade fee for a new customer.
2. That the service fee will be $10/mo which also includes one Joey (assuming that it also includes Sling, which I have heard from other sources too, but still kinda surprised me). From what I've heard DISH wants to keep the
"two tv's for the price of one" marketing strategy going.
3. Each additional Joey is $5/mo.
4. I have no idea what a second Hopper would cost, but if the first is $99 then I'd expect $199 for a second. I'd love to see the initial Hopper and Joey combo provided for free, but DTV is getting $99 for their HMC so look for DISH to do the same (at least in the beginning).
Using this pricing scenario a four room system would have outlet and DVR fees totaling $20/mo compared to:
A. 722/222 or 722/211/211 of $20/mo
B. 722/722 or 722/612/211 of $23/mo
C. 922/722 of $27/mo
You get the picture.
Why the lower fees? What I've heard is that this tech has a much lower roll-out and ongoing maintenance/support expense. The Joey's are not full blown receivers and are very inexpensive to produce, so in reality there is only one full blown receiver on the account. No more ViP this, DUO that, with a SOLO here and there. No more 3 hard drives on one account - substantially fewer moving parts. One hard drive, one central receiver - one process. Think of it as the Southwest Airlines business model - one airplane model, one training process, one maintenance process, and one supply chain.
But beyond that DISH wants to have a more streamlined pricing structure that is easier to market. The current structure is confusing for consumers and makes DISH a square peg trying to fit in a round hole for lack of a better term. However, I'd be surprised if pricing is released this week. Look for this week to focus on the tech side of things with pricing coming before the end of the month.
As for deployment, DISH is very much aware of what a disaster the 922 deployment was. From all I've heard they learned their lesson. The XiP class of receivers was shipped from Echo to DISH in late October/November 2011 and all that was left was software. Since they are starting with the 922 GUI and engine, it was expected not to be to much of a problem. But again, they are keenly aware of the historical issues with the 922. They probably could have rushed this out in Q4, but held back.
BTW - my 922 has been rock solid since day one.
As for current customer upgrades, expect to pay a bucket full of cash until Q4 of this year. That's the typical model for DISH and DTV (historically DISH rolls out their Q3 2012 promotion each August 1).
This is not your DISH of old. Joe Clayton is a doer. Look for DISH to be substantially more aggressive this year - which is a good thing for everybody.
As for all the concern about how the networks would feel about Primetime Anytime, I think they'd love it. Primetime network viewing has been declining for years as cable nets continue to pick away at the pack. By rolling out Primetime Anytime DISH puts network programming
"in your face" requiring your to make a decision. The networks know DVR's are here to stay, and there is no going back, but by putting all the primetime programming at the top of your DVR list everyday their programming becomes relevant again. That's better than advertising!
OF COURSE I COULD BE COMPLETELY WRONG ABOUT ALL OF THIS, THAT'S WHAT MAKES THIS SO MUCH FUN! Either way, it's going to be a great week for DISH and I for one can't wait.
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