I want to switch to dish from cable, but the uncertainty regarding HD absolute and Turbo HD has me confused. My cable bill is @125/mo, so either HD only will be a savings. lol
If you want your RSN get the new Turbo HD Pak (whichever one you want) on 8/1. If you dont care about RSN then get HD Absolute before 8/1.
Very true. Personally, I am glad I signed up for the HD Absolute when I did. Still getting used to rainfade; but otherwise $36/month (HD Abs + DVR // no locals - yet) rocks anything comcast offers. And if RSNs are not important to you; HD Absolute is a better deal. Save $20 compared to Turbo Gold + Platinum add on.If you want your RSN get the new Turbo HD Pak (whichever one you want) on 8/1. If you dont care about RSN then get HD Absolute before 8/1.
From the nice folks at ceo@echostar.com:
"Thank you for your email and bringing your concern to our attention.
At this time the TurboHD programming packages are only available for new customers. The HD Absolute package will no longer be available to any customers as of 8/1/2008. If you add this programming to your account prior to 8/1/2008 you will be “grandfathered” and will be able to keep the HD Absolute programming, as long as it is not removed from your account, through January 2009. Any additional HD channels that are added to the DISH Network lineup between now and January 2009 will also be added to the HD Absolute package. At this time there is no indication that Regional Sports Networks will be added to the HD Absolute package. After January 2009 it is possible that the HD Absolute package will transition into a new programming package to be determined at that time.
I apologize for any inconvenience that this may have caused you and please feel free to contact me if you have any further questions."
I just got the same email about an hour ago. I guess that is what the Executive CSR's have been told to tell us. I want my RSN so I will probably stay with what I have and wait till they let us in on the Turbo Paks. At least I think so as I am still on the fence a bit trying to decide if I can live without my RSN for a little while and save a bunch of money. Decision time is SOON though.
From the nice folks at ceo@echostar.com:
"Thank you for your email and bringing your concern to our attention.
At this time the TurboHD programming packages are only available for new customers. The HD Absolute package will no longer be available to any customers as of 8/1/2008. If you add this programming to your account prior to 8/1/2008 you will be “grandfathered” and will be able to keep the HD Absolute programming, as long as it is not removed from your account, through January 2009. Any additional HD channels that are added to the DISH Network lineup between now and January 2009 will also be added to the HD Absolute package. At this time there is no indication that Regional Sports Networks will be added to the HD Absolute package. After January 2009 it is possible that the HD Absolute package will transition into a new programming package to be determined at that time.
I apologize for any inconvenience that this may have caused you and please feel free to contact me if you have any further questions."
a little birdie told me ANY change in a grandfathered HD Absolute Package (after 8/1) will cause you to loose your grandfathered status (including adding/subtracting premium packages or using DishMOVER)
Well ain't that wonderful. I now have yet another reason to not spend another penny/month with Dish. Because adding HBO, Starz, Showtime, etc. might cause me to lose dishHD Absolute package - DUH.a little birdie told me ANY change in a grandfathered HD Absolute Package (after 8/1) will cause you to loose your grandfathered status (including adding/subtracting premium packages or using DishMOVER)
Well, according to Dish Network's own webpage, you won't be able to get TurboHD as a current customer.
DISH Network -- Tools
I don't get why they would not sell TurboHD to an existing customer.
*shrug*
What are they going to do for existing customers that want to get HD? Make them stay with their standard def and pay $10 or $20 extra for HD access? I can't imagine them saying "you can't have HD" to current customers.
Robert
To sum it up DIsh turbo is not available for existing customer bec there will be no difference between all the old HD pack its just the name!