I'm not too convinced a $5 downgrade fee applies to HBO, but I may be a special case.
When I became a new customer in October, I chose HBO for my 3 month free premium service (and I was prepared to pay $5 if I chose to get rid of it in 3 months time).
I didn't watch it much in 3 months so I got rid of it. I called the 800 number and got rid of it through automation (no customer service rep had to speak to me). I was never charged the $5 fee that I was expecting to (disclosed on the back of my DISH Network bill).
I don't know if that's because it was a promo offer for new customers, if it was because the transaction was automated and involved no human to process, or what the case might be.
that's my experience, your mileage may vary.
When I became a new customer in October, I chose HBO for my 3 month free premium service (and I was prepared to pay $5 if I chose to get rid of it in 3 months time).
I didn't watch it much in 3 months so I got rid of it. I called the 800 number and got rid of it through automation (no customer service rep had to speak to me). I was never charged the $5 fee that I was expecting to (disclosed on the back of my DISH Network bill).
I don't know if that's because it was a promo offer for new customers, if it was because the transaction was automated and involved no human to process, or what the case might be.
that's my experience, your mileage may vary.