Everyone please visit savemychannels.com ASAP

[Clancy]

When the laws of the land allow us the home viewer to about to be treated as the way the courts have ruled we the viewers should be treated , then we are just chumps.

There is not very much difference between this court ruling and what Europeans put up with in western and eastern Europe years back.

We haven't learned or progressed in these matters I'm sorry to say.

 

[Expat]

I live in rural PA, most of my family lives in the LA area and both my husband and I are from LA: we paid for LA Distant to be aware of news of importance to our family and because of our desire to remain 'expat Californians'. I also used the abilty to 'time shift' my DVR use. Big disconnect in many ways this AM: no DN and a misleading message on DISH 240/250. On one hand, must disconnet as of 31 Dec, then note that Congress is not even in session and we have until their return 13 Nov to express our feelings: why the Draconian shut off? Customer Service claims they had no knowledge of this in advance: if the 8 year injunction struggle was a secret, I would buy off on this: they knew. They didn't serve their customers well, we needed time to rally a protest, not after the arbitrary cut off. They offer us a paid for service and now say that it is the evil empire that is at fault. I want a choice, I am willing to pay for it and resent the manipulation of industry in passing off lobbying for legislative action to the 'victim'.

 

[Greg Bimson]

Have most of the cut-offs today been in Pennsylvania?

 

[BigFella]

Have most of the cut-offs today been in Pennsylvania?

I'm theorizing that it might be related to the billing cycle rather than geographic location of the subscriber. How many of the people that were cut off today have billing cycles that start today?

 

[Hall]

Billing cycle won't have anything to do with it. Using that logic, you wouldn't be allowed to make programming changes anytime you wanted. They'd only go into affect on your billing date.

 

[BigFella]

Billing cycle won't have anything to do with it. Using that logic, you wouldn't be allowed to make programming changes anytime you wanted. They'd only go into affect on your billing date.

My logic is based on evening out the call volume to the CSR's over the month before the 12/1 shutoff. Not just any programming change.

 

[riffjim4069]

I find it a little odd that your moniker states "TV freedom/TV Choice" and you make these comments. And by the way, it's not so much E* being punished here but rather the innocent subscribers who are in rural America whom now have limited if no option to recieve network programming. So where I ask you is the
"TV freedom/TV Choice" in that ??

But they do have TV Freedom...they can freely sign up with another provider---one who abides by the law---in order to receive Distant Network such as ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, etc. I feel sorry for those who are legally receiving DNS, but this situation is E*'s fault and not the fault of bad laws or bad legislators. People often forget that broadcasters lease spectrum from the FCC as a public service...they are not under the same rules and regulations as cable TV programmers. If people don't like their local O&O or affiliate, they are free to complain...contact the news media...or buy the stations if they so desire. If people still don't like their local broadcasters...well, they certainly have the freedom to move to another location.

People need to remember that Broadcast TV is not Cable TV. Broadcast networks serve local communities while still providing access to national network programming. This model is not likely to change in the near future. Why? Because it's what people want, and it is what has served communities well over the past 50+ years.

As far as E* customers being punished...indirectly, yes! However, those who are legally receiving DNS can sign up with DirecTV today and receive their legally obtained DNS channels tomorrow.

As far as those who have been illegally receiving DNS...time to enjoy your locally provided channel or look into FTA/Canadian.

 

[Clancy]

But they do have TV Freedom...they can freely sign up with another provider---one who abides by the law---in order to receive Distant Network such as ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, etc. I feel sorry for those who are legally receiving DNS, but this situation is E*'s fault and not the fault of bad laws or bad legislators. People often forget that broadcasters lease spectrum from the FCC as a public service...they are not under the same rules and regulations as cable TV programmers. If people don't like their local O&O or affiliate, they are free to complain...contact the news media...or buy the stations if they so desire. If people still don't like their local broadcasters...well, they certainly have the freedom to move to another location.

People need to remember that Broadcast TV is not Cable TV. Broadcast networks serve local communities while still providing access to national network programming. This model is not likely to change in the near future. Why? Because it's what people want, and it is what has served communities well over the past 50+ years.

As far as E* customers being punished...indirectly, yes! However, those who are legally receiving DNS can sign up with DirecTV today and receive their legally obtained DNS channels tomorrow.

As far as those who have been illegally receiving DNS...time to enjoy your locally provided channel or look into FTA/Canadian.

Balderdash !

 

[Clancy]

I live in rural PA, most of my family lives in the LA area and both my husband and I are from LA: we paid for LA Distant to be aware of news of importance to our family and because of our desire to remain 'expat Californians'. I also used the abilty to 'time shift' my DVR use. Big disconnect in many ways this AM: no DN and a misleading message on DISH 240/250. On one hand, must disconnet as of 31 Dec, then note that Congress is not even in session and we have until their return 13 Nov to express our feelings: why the Draconian shut off? Customer Service claims they had no knowledge of this in advance: if the 8 year injunction struggle was a secret, I would buy off on this: they knew. They didn't serve their customers well, we needed time to rally a protest, not after the arbitrary cut off. They offer us a paid for service and now say that it is the evil empire that is at fault. I want a choice, I am willing to pay for it and resent the manipulation of industry in passing off lobbying for legislative action to the 'victim'.

Welcome to the forum and your last sentence is most certainly heart felt by me and I would think by many others.

 

[Tom Bombadil]

They didn't serve their customers well, we needed time to rally a protest, not after the arbitrary cut off. They offer us a paid for service and now say that it is the evil empire that is at fault. I want a choice, I am willing to pay for it and resent the manipulation of industry in passing off lobbying for legislative action to the 'victim'.

The story has been in the news for about 3 years now. Well, longer than that, but that was when Dish lost their first round in court and it got a lot of media attention.

What do you propose doing now? Dish has no option but to cut you off. If they decide to buck this court ruling and continue to provide DNS, they could be subject to hundreds of millions of dollars in fines and their executives could be arrested.

Charlie wants to give you a choice and is more than willing to charge you to provide it. However due to their shady business practices, they have lost the option to do this. His only way out is via the political process. And a lot of politicians are going to be wary to side with a ccmpany that has been openly violating the law for several years. As much as they may want to respond to complaints from the voting public, this is not a basic right nor does it endanger lives. If Charlie & E* were legally clean, then it would be easier for Congress & the Senate to come to his aid.

 

[mdonnelly]

...And a lot of politicians are going to be wary to side with a ccmpany that has been openly violating the law for several years. ...

As Dickens would say, "The law is an ass!" Bad laws are changed all the time.

 

[Chris Walker]

I did my part and once asked that my legislators not impede nor interfere with the Court ordered shutdown of DNS. E* willfully and repeatedly violated the law and, as multiple Courts have already ruled, they should be held accoutable for their misconduct. The only legal remedy is to pull the plug on DNS. E* has nobody to blame but themselves for this situation. It's a shame they are attempting to portray themselves as a "victim" in this matter; and it's an even bigger shame they are attempting to incite some uninformed customers into action by releasing misleading and inaccurate information.

Last month all three of my legislators (2 Senators and 1 Congressman) replied to my letters stating they will not impede with the court ordered shutdown. We can only hope they don't fall prey to the savemychannels scam/sham.

So it's ok for people who are legally entitled to these channels to be shutoff because a few customers have them that were questionable? I have waivers from all 4 local networks to get NY/LA distants, so why shouldn't I be able to get them? Congress says I can, my locals say I can, but some no-name judge in Florida has the right to say no? Fortunately your pathetic attempt at supporting hundreds of thousands of rural customers being harmed will be drowned out by far more people asking Congress to step in and take action. "TV Choice/Freedom" eh?

 

[Chris Walker]

hehe, should i record it and put it on youtube

doubt DISH would care about the copyrite as long as the word was spread

I thought about doing the same. I am posting this anywhere I can think of, but I have limited it to DBS boards so far. Tell anyone you know that has Dish Network or DBS to visit this site and lend a hand.

 

[Chris Walker]

Between here and dbstalk, more and more are reporting that indeed their DNS are history so I question the credibility of the Dish source that Scott spoke with. I would imagine that it would take Dish a few days to start to turn everyone off, but I wouldn't of thought that it would take a whole month before the actual shut off date.

I read that at dbstalk, I am thinking that Dish is cutting off questionable accounts so that they can turn their current DNS list over to Congress or the courts in hopes of a reversal or stay.

 

[meldar_b]

I sent an email to my Representatives on the hill asking for support:up

 

[minnow]

...As far as those who have been illegally receiving DNS...time to enjoy your locally provided channel or look into FTA/Canadian.

Listen I don't want to get into a tit-for-tat thing but you talk about E* breaking the law and now E* get's it's just desserts so to speak. But yet you offer as a resolution to this issue for E* DNS subs to look into Canadian sat service. Isn't that also against the law for Canadian Satellite providers to knowingly provide service to USA households ? Isn't that why anyone using such service must go through brokers and pay them the monthly fee's who then turn around and pay the satellite programming provider ?

 

[Chris Walker]

As far as E* customers being punished...indirectly, yes! However, those who are legally receiving DNS can sign up with DirecTV today and receive their legally obtained DNS channels tomorrow.

.

No, no they can't. The fact is that neither DBS company is properly following the rules in regards to providing Distants. Dish MAY have played a little loose with the qualifications, but anyone who was legally entitled to them can get them. With DirecTV, they won't sell them to many who LEGALLY QUALIFY. They have been in bed with the NAB for years and the NAB wants Dish to follow the same unnecessarily strict qualification process that DirecTV uses and Dish has refused. Good for them!

 

[Chris Walker]

Listen I don't want to get into a tit-for-tat thing but you talk about E* breaking the law and now E* get's it's just desserts so to speak. But yet you offer as a resolution to this issue for E* DNS subs to look into Canadian sat service. Isn't that also against the law for Canadian Satellite providers to knowingly provide service to USA households ? Isn't that why anyone using such service must go through brokers and pay them the monthly fee's who then turn around and pay the satellite programming provider ?

The guy obviously has a bone to pick with E*. It's not about E* "breaking a law", it's the fact that he doesn't care for Charlie Ergen and/or Echostar and is wishing harm on them.

 

[Tower Guy]

CBS HD is not going anywhere.

I asked this tonight. Again it is not classified as a Distant Network.

Note the statement at:
http://www.dishnetwork.com/content/programming/locals/cbshd/index.shtml

Begin Quote:
HIGH DEFINITION UPDATE
DISH Network has expanded its line-up of High Definition programming to include CBS-HD programming from WCBS in New York, and from KCBS in Los Angeles.
NOTE: To take advantage of this High Definition signal, subscribers must have a second dish antenna pointed at the 61.5 or 148 satellite location and an HD receiver. A High Definition Television is also required.

As with any distant network signal, subscribers must qualify to receive these High Definition services. This qualification is mainly a function of federal laws relating to delivery of local channels. In general there are two ways you can qualify:
End Quote;

Note that Dish Network refers to this CBS-HD as "Distant Network Signal". If they don't turn CBS-HD DNS off, they are not being consistant.

 

[Greg Bimson]

Sure, but this is how we end up going 'round and 'round on these topics...

I want a choice, I am willing to pay for it and resent the manipulation of industry in passing off lobbying for legislative action to the 'victim'.

So why don't you try to call KABC, KCBS, KNBC and KTTV and ask them to deliver a feed to you? You could sign a contract and everything.

Instead, those four stations will tell you they don't deal directly with end customers, they sell their stations through multichannel distributors locally, and that they have never had a contract nationwide to deliver their channels to you.

I feel for you. I really do. But the question here is how these channels were delivered to you. KABC, KCBS, KNBC and KTTV never signed a contract to deliver their stations to you in Pennsylvania. And that is a large part of the problem.