I just sent the following email to Dish using the email link (president@dishnetwork.com) at any one of the 4 websites listed in the press release;
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Mr. President,
As I am sure you are aware, Dish Network announced in a press release this morning that FOX was requiring "an unprecedented rate increase of more than 50 percent", and this is what led to this morning's removal of the Fox-owned networks. Also, on the 4 websites you've set up to blame Fox, you stated, "An increase this large would force DISH Network to pass these costs on to our customers, which we are unwilling to do during these tough economic times."
However, as I am also sure you are aware, earlier this year the cost of a single HD DVR receiver on my account was increased from $7.00 to $17.00, an increase of nearly 143%. Therefore, I find it difficult to swallow the "tough economic times" line, when you were more than willing to implement an equally unprecedented equipment fee increase of 143% earlier this year.
Now I understand that it is sometimes necessary to take a hard stance to keep programming costs down, but at the same time, I have a very difficult time believing the sincerity of your claim that you're unwilling to pass on cost increases in tough economic times when you had no problem imposing the single largest rate increase I've ever seen from any company just 9 months ago.
In addition, as an AT250 customer, I already pay for and receive the programming you're offering as a "replacement" while this dispute plays out with Fox, so I have received NOTHING additional for my inconvenience. So today, in addition to the exorbitant equipment fee increase I've been paying all this year, I am now paying the exact same amount for fewer channels.
Dish Network used to advertise that they were the low cost leader, but with all of the fees and the never-ending disputes and channel drops, I don't know if that's the case now. Every month, I pay $29.00 in fees alone to Dish Network.
So Mr. President, if you really care about these "tough economic times" and your customers as you allege on your Fox dispute websites, then do something about the exorbitant fees you are increasing and charging your customers. Maybe then, I'll find it easier to believe that your stance against Fox is as noble and in my favor as you claim.
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I doubt anything will come from it, but sometimes it's just good to vent...