DTV and Dish Network Discuss Merger Talks Again

[John2021]

The end is near.

the sky is falling

 

[madmadworld]

the sky is falling

It's going to stop falling from the Sky ? 2030 -35

 

[John2021]

it will be interesting to see people call in threatening to dump dtv and go with dish. to see what discounts they can get. now that they may merge

 

[CSM]

it will be interesting to see people call in threatening to dump dtv and go with dish. to see what discounts they can get. now that they may merge

They have lower pricing then DTV. I wonder if you could switch without paying the ETF? I guess that would happen until after closing?

 

[John2021]

They have lower pricing then DTV. I wonder if you could switch without paying the ETF? I guess that would happen until after closing?

interesting last time when we ran the numbers dtv came out cheaper than dish after all of the fees the rep told to us. i wonder what there gonna do with sling

 

[John2021]

Any merger would have to be carefully handled with the custies. Otherwise, there will be a lot of “well, I’ve got to change anyway; I might as well look at my other options.”

Some will leave just because they don’t like “the other guy.”

I’m interested in how they will sell this idea to the gummint. Vague “back room savings” won’t cut it.

PS- For a while, Echostar made boxes that could be programmed for both systems. A lot has changed since then. But maybe the hopper, with or without an additional box, could handle both. Doubtful, but maybe. I expect any requirement to swap out dishes and LNBs would be a killer.

so what will direct do with sling tv??? i know most are not going to pay dtv stream rates!!! if they get rid of sling tv then they will have to come up with a skinny bundle that matches sling tv at the same price point. then you have the dtv haters that will just walk away. some speculation from a csr's mouth everyone will be moved over to the DTV system in time. just pure speculation now but who knows how this will all play out.

 

[slice1900]

I absolutely could see this. If I remember right, there are 11 transponders on 119 and 3 on 110 that DirecTV/ATT own, and if this goes through, I would assume that the Dish subscribers could then access those transponders with no hardware change. If the Dish customer base needed more space, there is a lot of space there that could be used.

Which arc is getting the new satellite? If it is going to the 110/119 arc then they probably don't even have a use for the new satellite if they get 14 additional transponders. If it is for the eastern arc then the additional transponders on 110/119 would be "nice to have" but not really change anything.

They couldn't use the ones on 119 right away. Directv is currently using them to deliver locals (via national beams) in MPEG2 SD to some markets. They can shut down those like they have shut down MPEG2 SD locals in most markets (many never had them at all) but that will take some months between the need to notify customers and give them time to upgrade necessary equipment. It is more of an issue for places like hotels and nursing homes than residential customers.

 

[harshness]

Which arc is getting the new satellite?

It could go to 72.7W where Nimiq 5 is currently stationed. Nimiq 5 was launched a little over 15 years ago.