Dish Programming Changes (Effective August 1st)

[cosmo_kramer]

I just checked mine and it is still paperless and autopay.

Do any of you have the $.01 cinemax deal?

Me too. Yes.

 

[dennispap]

Mine switched back to paper too. Had to change it back to paperless.

Same here.

 

[randyoh]

Well, my bill went up $24.22 this month after adding the "free" Platinum HD. Got on chat and they said they fixed it. Keep an eye on your statements folks!

Randy M: I was just trying to figure out why my bill went up $24.22 from last month when all that changed was I got "free" Platinum HD
(03) Harrison K.: I see that you are charged for the Platinum HD on the account for which is supposed to be free.
(03) Harrison K.: Please accept our profound apologies for the error from our side.
Randy M: Apology accepted
Randy M: So my bill should be $110.71, same as last month
(03) Harrison K.: I've made the changes on the account and your monthly rate is $103.98 plus taxes and I've processed the credits of $24.22 on the account.
Randy M: Thank you
(03) Harrison K.: You will see this credits reflecting in your next month's bill.
Randy M: I will keep an eye out for it
(03) Harrison K.: Once again I apologize for the inconvenience caused to you.
(03) Harrison K.: You are all set. Have I handled everything to your satisfaction?
Randy M: Yes
Randy M: Thank you
(03) Harrison K.: I'm glad we were able to take care of that for you. Thank you for being a DISH Network customer, have a great day

 

[Bob Caruthers]

I am now Classic Gold 250 ($57.99) and HD & Platinum ($10.00).
I did it through the Chat. Painless.

 

[chong67]

I have the Bronze HD with the 50 HD channels only and no SD channels.

How do I get the new 55 HD channels line up?

I saw Fox news Channel HD on it.

Please advice.

Would I end up paying more?

 

[kstuart]

I have the Bronze HD with the 50 HD channels only and no SD channels.

How do I get the new 55 HD channels line up?

I saw Fox news Channel HD on it.

Please advice.

Would I end up paying more?

You have Turbo HD.

Go to dishnetwork.com and find a Classic SD package with Fox News channel, and then you will get the HD channel equivalents of the SD packages (if available) for $10 more than the Cliassic SD package.

Make sure you add the appropriate locals and DVR cost, if any, and have your calculator handy.

Or you can call Dish and they will tell you what it would cost.

 

[Andrewwski]

Re: Losing DVR Advantage

When I switched from GoldHD to HD + Platinum I did indeed lose the "DVR Advantage" designation and got the "With DVR" one.

However this didn't affect the bill. The $3 credit shows up as "DVR Package Credit - Adjustment" instead of "DishDVR Advantage - Adjustment."

Bill still stayed the same amount though.

 

[mhowie]

Dish keeps on changing mine to paperless. I get a "congratulatory" pre-recorded phone call every other month telling me how I am now automatically being enrolled in paperless billing. Within 20 seconds of receiving the call I am on my account on line switching it back to regular billing.

See ya
Tony

Ditto here. It irritates me that I am treated with such presumption.

 

[chong67]

You have Turbo HD.

Go to dishnetwork.com and find a Classic SD package with Fox News channel, and then you will get the HD channel equivalents of the SD packages (if available) for $10 more than the Cliassic SD package.

Make sure you add the appropriate locals and DVR cost, if any, and have your calculator handy.

Or you can call Dish and they will tell you what it would cost.

Is this doesnt make any sense to me at all.

Why would I want to watch SD channels? Why would I want to get SD first, then I can get the new HD?

It seems like we are going backwards in time.

 

[SpaethCo]

Is this doesnt make any sense to me at all.

Why would I want to watch SD channels? Why would I want to get SD first, then I can get the new HD?

It seems like we are going backwards in time.

Don't think of it in terms of SD or HD, think of it in terms of channel count.

The HD Only packs started in Feb 2008 when there were only 43 national HD channels (including PPV).

Now it shakes out to the following: (numbers may vary a bit due to RSNs)

TurboHD Bronze ~53 HD channels
TurboHD Silver ~63 HD channels
TurboHD Gold ~68 HD channels

Classic 100 + HD (incl Platinum) ~66 HD channels
Classic 200 + HD (incl Platinum) ~81 HD channels
Classic 250 + HD (incl Platinum) ~91 HD channels

When almost half of the available channels are now in HD, it starts to erode the need for HD only plans. Of course, it doesn't help that the content providers don't appear to be favorable to such offerings either, seeing as not a single other satellite or cable provider has offered a similar HD-only plan.

 

[teamlazyboy]

i'm not sure i've seen a chat log posted with this info, so just in case someone needs this info:

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]XXXXXX: the platinum HD has been rolled into the goldHD if i request those channels to be added to my account will i lose my premium bundle discount on HBO?
(23-12-3) Ian H.: I'd be happy to help you with that XXXXXXX.
(23-12-3) Ian H.: You will not lose your bundle discount.
[/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]XXXXXX[/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]: if i won't lose my bundle discount i'd like to add the platinum HD channels
(23-12-3) Ian H.: I will take care of that for you.
(23-12-3) Ian H.: Actually XXXXXX if we make that change you package structure will change and you will lose that premium bundle discount, your bill would go up by $5 a month.
(23-12-3) Ian H.: My apologies for giving you the incorrect information.
[/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]XXXXXX[/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]: that's what i was thinking, those channels aren't worth the extra $5, i'll just keep by premium bundle for now, thank you[/FONT]

 

[andrewj0781]

partial charge confussion

Did anyone else have problems understanding the partial charges on the account?

Mine reads:

CLASSIC SILVER 200 WITH 08/07 TO 09/09 -$63.78
CLASSIC GOLD 250 08/07 TO 09/09 -$11.00
GOLDHD 08/07 TO 09/09 -$11.00
CLASSIC GOLD 250 WITH 08/07 TO 09/09 $74.78
HD & PLATINUM 08/07 TO 09/09 $11.00

Which if you do the math that's $85.78 which doesn't included my extra rec fee and tax. So I got on a chat with [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif](03) Anna Mary F

[/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Andrew McNeal: When I talked with (03) Simon V I was told my bill wouldn't go up for adding PlatinumHD to my account
Andrew McNeal: I was told my charges would be Classic Gold 250 with DVR $67.99 and New “HD & Platinum” Package Priced at $10.00/mo
(03) Anna Mary F.: Yes, you are correct.
(03) Anna Mary F.: Apart from this there are other charges.
Andrew McNeal: what charges are these?
(03) Anna Mary F.: Additional receiver of $5 + tax of $3.50.
(03) Anna Mary F.: I am sorry the tax is $4.98.
(03) Anna Mary F.: So the total amount is $87.97.
Andrew McNeal: oh yeah but what i'm confused about is #
# CLASSIC GOLD 250 WITH 08/07 TO 09/09 $74.78 and HD & PLATINUM 08/07 TO 09/09 $11.00
(03) Anna Mary F.: Let me check this for you.
Andrew McNeal: ok
(03) Anna Mary F.: We charge you from the day you make the changes on the account .
(03) Anna Mary F.: I see there is a and the credit on the account.
Andrew McNeal: so it will be back to 87.97 once I pay the next bill off?
(03) Anna Mary F.: We show the charge and the credit on the account.
(03) Anna Mary F.: Yes, you are correct.
Andrew McNeal: Ok i was just checking because i thought my account went up
(03) Anna Mary F.: If we make any charges we will let you know before hand.

[/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Just hoping she knows what she's talking about. I like have these extra channels but they're not worth the bill going up to $96.23 that's $8.26 more a month.
[/FONT]

 

[AngryStamen]

Still get TurboHD??

Well, just had a strange chat online with Dish. I signed up my parents in July for Dish and I was initially going to get TurboHD Bronze, but the then-current promo was $20/month for 6 months for TurboHD Bronze and the same six month special for Classic Bronze w/ HD, so I figured I would get them Classic for 6 months, and then drop down to TurboHD after that for the savings. Now, TurboHD is GONE from the website, so I initiated a chat, posing as a new customer interested in Dish. Here's how it went:

Please wait while we find a Sales Representative to assist you...
If your wait time exceeds your expectations, please try again later or contact us at 1-888-347-4881.
You have been connected to (01) Julie B. GZL.
(01) Julie B. GZL: Welcome to Dish Network, the leader in HD and DVR services. To better assist you with your order today and guarantee that we can contact you in case this session gets disconnected, may I have your phone number please?
Sam: I'm at work and cannot get personal calls here, can I just ask a question via this chat session?
(01) Julie B. GZL: How can I assist you today?
Sam: I have a friend that has told me about the great HD he gets through dish network, and I'm thinking about signing up. He told me that I could sign up to get HD-only channels (Turbo Bronze, Silver or Gold) but I don't see the Turbo packages on the website. How do I sign up for one of the TurboHD packages?
(01) Julie B. GZL: We greatly appreciate your interest in getting our services.
(01) Julie B. GZL: I apologize for the inconvenience.
(01) Julie B. GZL: The TurboHD packages are no available online order as of this moment.
Sam: so there are no HD-only packages available?
(01) Julie B. GZL: You can place your order using the packages available and then after placing the order, an agent can modify the package for you.
(01) Julie B. GZL: We still offer the HD only package but you need to select different package on the order online and then later modify after placing the order.
Sam: Hmm...well, that sounds like kind of a strange way to sign up for Dish Network service...I would order one of those "Classic" packages, and then I can get it changed to a "TurboHD" package later?
Sam: I can't just sign up for TurboHD right away, in one step?
(01) Julie B. GZL: I can walk you thru the online order and after which transfer you to a different agent to change the package.
Sam: well, I'm not ready to order just yet, I just wanted to verify that I could get the TurboHD if I wanted to. That's all the info I need today, thanks for your help.
(01) Julie B. GZL: I apologize, but right now TurboHD is not available online order.
(01) Julie B. GZL: I can ask an Order Specialist to call you at your most convenient time.
Sam: No thanks, if i decide to order service, i will make contact, thank you.


So, WTF?!? Anyone think that's for real, or does this CSR have no idea what they're talking about? I hope I can switch my parents to TurboHD, they won't be able to afford the extra ~$20/month. May have to call and say that it should have been Turbo from the start, and I need it switched.

 

[Andrewwski]

Got another relative switched to the new package today...no mention of it being for new subs only. If you haven't been able to get it, I'd advise a game of CSR Roulette.

 

[Rick Ruth]

Well, just had a strange chat online with Dish. I signed up my parents in July for Dish and I was initially going to get TurboHD Bronze, but the then-current promo was $20/month for 6 months for TurboHD Bronze and the same six month special for Classic Bronze w/ HD, so I figured I would get them Classic for 6 months, and then drop down to TurboHD after that for the savings. Now, TurboHD is GONE from the website, so I initiated a chat, posing as a new customer interested in Dish. Here's how it went:

Please wait while we find a Sales Representative to assist you...
If your wait time exceeds your expectations, please try again later or contact us at 1-888-347-4881.
You have been connected to (01) Julie B. GZL.
(01) Julie B. GZL: Welcome to Dish Network, the leader in HD and DVR services. To better assist you with your order today and guarantee that we can contact you in case this session gets disconnected, may I have your phone number please?
Sam: I'm at work and cannot get personal calls here, can I just ask a question via this chat session?
(01) Julie B. GZL: How can I assist you today?
Sam: I have a friend that has told me about the great HD he gets through dish network, and I'm thinking about signing up. He told me that I could sign up to get HD-only channels (Turbo Bronze, Silver or Gold) but I don't see the Turbo packages on the website. How do I sign up for one of the TurboHD packages?
(01) Julie B. GZL: We greatly appreciate your interest in getting our services.
(01) Julie B. GZL: I apologize for the inconvenience.
(01) Julie B. GZL: The TurboHD packages are no available online order as of this moment.
Sam: so there are no HD-only packages available?
(01) Julie B. GZL: You can place your order using the packages available and then after placing the order, an agent can modify the package for you.
(01) Julie B. GZL: We still offer the HD only package but you need to select different package on the order online and then later modify after placing the order.
Sam: Hmm...well, that sounds like kind of a strange way to sign up for Dish Network service...I would order one of those "Classic" packages, and then I can get it changed to a "TurboHD" package later?
Sam: I can't just sign up for TurboHD right away, in one step?
(01) Julie B. GZL: I can walk you thru the online order and after which transfer you to a different agent to change the package.
Sam: well, I'm not ready to order just yet, I just wanted to verify that I could get the TurboHD if I wanted to. That's all the info I need today, thanks for your help.
(01) Julie B. GZL: I apologize, but right now TurboHD is not available online order.
(01) Julie B. GZL: I can ask an Order Specialist to call you at your most convenient time.
Sam: No thanks, if i decide to order service, i will make contact, thank you.


So, WTF?!? Anyone think that's for real, or does this CSR have no idea what they're talking about? I hope I can switch my parents to TurboHD, they won't be able to afford the extra ~$20/month. May have to call and say that it should have been Turbo from the start, and I need it switched.

I, too, was initially going to get TurboHD Bronze, but was persuaded by the promo as well. My 6 months of the Classic 100 + Bronze HD promo were up today. I called yesterday and was switched back to TurboHD Bronze. I had no problem at all getting the TurboHD even though it is absent from the website.

 

[cloudy]

I'm sorry, but I don't have time to read 86 pages. Simple question really. I've always had AE250 with HD and Locals. I've checked my recent bill. I'm getting charges $10 for HD and $10 for Platinum HD. From some of the posts I've read, the platinum should be free. So why can't I just go online and cancel my Platinum HD? If I lose those channels, can't I just call them (or do the chat thing), and ask them why I'm not getting the channels anymore, if it is now supposed to be free?

 

[mistercoke]

I got bill 16 dollars for HD and Platinum.

 

[jdmart]

I'm sorry, but I don't have time to read 86 pages. Simple question really. I've always had AE250 with HD and Locals. I've checked my recent bill. I'm getting charges $10 for HD and $10 for Platinum HD. From some of the posts I've read, the platinum should be free. So why can't I just go online and cancel my Platinum HD? If I lose those channels, can't I just call them (or do the chat thing), and ask them why I'm not getting the channels anymore, if it is now supposed to be free?

I helped a couple of friends do this after I changed my programming online and it worked fine in each case.

Best way to change to HD & Platinum programming for EXISTING customers:

1. Sign into your online account and click on “Programming” link on the left side of the page.
2. Under HD Programming options uncheck all of your current HD package(s).
3. Click “Review and Order” at the bottom of the page. (Verify all HD Package(s) were removed)
4. Click on the red “Back” button at the bottom of the page. You should see the “HD & Platinum” option.
5. Click on HD & Platinum for $10.
6. Click on “Review and Order” button. (Verify combined “HD & Platinum” package was added.)
7. Click on “Order” button. You should see the Platinum HD channels on your screen in 5-15 minutes.

 

[cloudy]

I helped a couple of friends do this after I changed my programming online and it worked fine in each case.

Best way to change to HD & Platinum programming for EXISTING customers:

1. Sign into your online account and click on “Programming” link on the left side of the page.
2. Under HD Programming options uncheck all of your current HD package(s).
3. Click “Review and Order” at the bottom of the page. (Verify all HD Package(s) were removed)
4. Click on the red “Back” button at the bottom of the page. You should see the “HD & Platinum” option.
5. Click on HD & Platinum for $10.
6. Click on “Review and Order” button. (Verify combined “HD & Platinum” package was added.)
7. Click on “Order” button. You should see the Platinum HD channels on your screen in 5-15 minutes.

DUDE. You ROCK. Thanks a ton!!! Worked like a charm. Although you need to add to your notes that you need to click "review and order" two times, to get the "back" button to show up (and of course, now they have the Free HBO for paperless billing promotion that they post on the page that has the "Back" button). But other than that, very cool. I imagine I could have figured it out on my own. But I really have no interest in making a costly mistake. Better to let others do that for me. KIDDING. Seriously, thanks a ton.

 

[cloudy]

BTW, I also see that I get charged an extra couple bucks/month, because I've always had the Locals and now they are included in the current prices. So when I go to change/add channels, I still get the screen that shows 97.98 for the AE package, and 5.99 for locals. I wonder if there is a way to get in there and mess with my settings to just get the AE package at 102.98. Not to be cheap, but geez, I gotta save money whereever I can.