Sky Angel Plans to Charge Lifelong Subscribers for "Special Secular" Channels

[mwgiii]

I'm still lost on this losing a transponder thing? Which TP was this exactly?

I don't remember which transponder failed, but here is a discussion on it: http://www.satelliteguys.us/showthread.php?t=67045

Of course, he could potentially also be considering a move to MPEG-4, which could substantially increase channel count and picture quality.

Not a chance. SA would have to swap out all current receivers for a 211/411/622 MPEG4 receiver. They do not have the cash available to do that and most subscribers would not pay $250+ for one.


I will not be paying that additional fee since I receive all of the secular channels with my Dish package.



I really think SA should replace the Hallmark channels with ones not currently on Dish. If they added programming I didn't already receive, I would be motivated to give them additional money.

A couple I can think of off of the top of my head is Ovation, American Life, and America One.

http://www.ovationtv.com/
http://www.goodtv.com/
http://www.americaone.com/home.htm

 

[ShaneLinder]

I don't know if we should count the Spanish channels in Ku. Good for me because I speak Spanish too but more in the market don't. However with AMC4 and IA5 combined one can get about as much as SA - including a kids channel. Not sure about music channels. SA does have Spirit, TVU and Worship.

As far as entertainment goes it depends on what we get use to. Sky Angel goes after the Christian market and while many Christians shun Hollywood productions, many of them watch as many PG13 and R rated programs as non-Christians. Some even watch pornography. I am one that does not watch network television or most Hollywood productions so my mind is not use to the fast-paced productions and I find a lot of entertainment on channels like Guardian and SafeTV as well as a lot of documentaries shown on various SA channels.

 

[ShaneLinder]

How hard would it be for them to put their own movie channel together? I know Christian radio stations don't have to pay hardly any royalties to the recording companies because of their non-profit status. I would think SA could put together a non-profit movie channel for a lot less money than what they are paying Hallmark and most of their viewers would be a lot happier with it. I think they currently run Angel One, Angel Two and KTV. With their own movie channel they would have something exclusive to SA that people would be willing to pay for.

 

[mattb]

If for some reason Spirit and TVU ever became avail via KU I would probally put up a FTA Dish and watch them there instead. (I just dont have room for a 8ft dish right now -- TVU and Spirit are avail via Cband)

Most of the programming on most skyangel channels can be found on most of the FTA Christian Channels.

 

[Mr Tony]

If for some reason Spirit and TVU ever became avail via KU I would probally put up a FTA Dish and watch them there instead.

The only way I would see them be KU only is if they leave Sky Angel. Sky Angel requires that for them (SA) to grab the signal, it's on C-Band.

 

[jbmiller]

before skyangel , i used to watch christian networks via c band and listen to radio networks as well. i like to get a ku system for christian networks because they uplink there own feeds and its free . mpeg2 receivers you can program the networks you want. http://tbnsat.com/
godbless
john

 

[mattb]

The only way I would see them be KU only is if they leave Sky Angel. Sky Angel requires that for them (SA) to grab the signal, it's on C-Band.

true though Radio U is sent to skyangel via KU. (they use the encrypted comstream system for dist to SA and to their radio affilliates)

I also suspect their C-band for Spirit and TVU due to costs + they are after cable systms so they would want to provide a rain fade free picture which is tougher to do with KU.

 

[ShaneLinder]

I corresponded with the president of Spirit and he said if he was convinced that there were enough Ku viewers that would support them to pay for the uplink, he would go Ku. I think he said the uplink is $20k or $25k/month. He said he has not seen any data that there are that many Ku viewers out there.

When 3ABN went Ku over Australia, they received enough donations the first month broadcasting to pay for their uplink. I don't know if Spirit would have as many loyal viewer with Ku in North America or not.

 

[Mr Tony]

before skyangel , i used to watch christian networks via c band and listen to radio networks as well.

most are still on C-Band between AMC4 & AMC1 (W4 & W1 for the old C-Banders)

 

[jbmiller]

c band

most are still on C-Band between AMC4 & AMC1 (W4 & W1 for the old C-Banders)

very true, i live in an apartment now
god bless
john

 

[catkoko]

sky angels unacceptable answer bosted here

they still did not answer my questions, including if monthly subscribers now have to pay for "special" channels.

Thank you for your continued interest and support of the Sky Angel christian satellite service. As you know, your lifelong subscription covers reception of our basic programming package of faith-based programming. In the past, we have elected to make available to you at no additional charge, the four special secular channels (Hallmark, Hallmark Movie Channel, HGTV, and Fox News). Recent developments at Dominion Video Satellite, Inc. (“Sky Angel”) has made it necessary to require those who wish to continue receiving these four channels to remit a small monthly service fee of just $4.99 per month (plus tax if applicable) beginning May 1, 2007. Of course, there is no obligation to receive these four channels and your lifelong subscription to our faith-based programming package will not be affected if you decide that you no longer wish to receive these four special secular channels.


Sky Angel

 

[catkoko]

sky angels programming

Taken from their website today. I see no packages, or 'special" channels that are optional on this list. Bold type done by me

History and Overview
What is Sky Angel?
Sky Angel is the world's first and only Christian-owned and -operated multi-channel direct broadcast satellite (DBS) television service, delivering 33 Christ-centered and family-friendly digital television and radio channels (17 television and 16 radio) 24 hours a day direct to virtually any home, church or other location in the Continental United States. All that is needed to receive the Sky Angel channels is a small, affordable 20-inch satellite dish and DISH™-brand receiver box about the size of a small VCR. Two affordable subscription plans are available to receive the Sky Angel channels: $14.99 monthly or $149.90 for one year when paid in advance.

Sky Angel has great Christian and family-friendly programming like Spirit Television, IMPACT, The Revolution, Angel One, The Zone, New Life Ministries, Fox News, HGTV, Hillsong, CBN, Your Health, On the Edge, Ordinary People, Joyce Meyer Ministries, Rock Church, World Impact, CTN, Cornerstone Church, Life Matters, Word Pictures, Hallmark Channel, TV U, Cross Talk, Angel 2, Way FM, Acquire the Fire, In Touch Ministries, the 700 Club, Just the Facts, Radio U, Control Track, Hour of Power, Faith Christian Center, Freedom Village, Hal Lindsay, Faith TV, GRock, Hallmark Movie Channel, Tim Hawkins, Les Feldick, Prophecy in the News, Radio Nueva Vida, Safe TV, A Healthier You, Gospel of Life, James Robison, Jewish Voice, XLTV, Priests for Life, Real Families, Riverview Church, Solid Gospel, Thy Kingdom Come, Friends and Neighbors and There is Joy among others.

 

[airgator96]

KU with the christian channels... SOAC & JCTV for the younger generation, plus the retro channels on G10... all being free beat out paying for SA.

While I'd like to have fox news, you do get ABC news, and aljazera news on KU. The latter one isn't half bad. They have some really cool stories on there.

On a side note.... I've noticed that TBN has started playing alot of movies at nite as well lately.

 

[catkoko]

What is this KU people keep mentioning?

 

[MellowYBird]

I was going to ask what KU is also?

I really enjoyed SPIRIT. I would like that to come back. I don't understand why Sky Angel added the "special secular" channels if it is hurting them. I, personally, would not pay for them if given the choice. My subscription was $11.99 when I first signed up with Sky Angel, without any secular channels. Not even a month or two later they started "replacing" channels with the secular channels. I don't get why a Christian Satellite would do this. Of course, my subscription than went up to $15.99 a month, no "choice" on my part. So, I'm actually paying for less channels than I started out with because I have the secular channels blocked. (GTN is getting pretty close to being blocked.)
We went without any TV at all for many, many, years so I do enjoy Sky Angel and think the price is fine. I just don't think it's fair to add/replace channels with secular channels.

~MYB~

 

[lumpkin666]

What is this KU people keep mentioning?

They are referring to KU-band satellite reception. With a cheap FTA DVB receiver and a KU-band dish (probably 30-36 inch), you can receive a multitude of programming free. Unfortunately this requires different equipment than you are using now, but the costs are relatively minimal. And the programming costs are pretty good (being free and all).

 

[Scott Greczkowski]

Do a google search for Glorystar it may help you learn more about this FTA stuff.

 

[esteps]

Yes, I am afraid that with all the negative changes we are seeing with Sky Angel, I think when people discover KU, SA will be losing customers. Next week I will install a KU system from our sponsor, Satellite AV, and I will get lots of free religious programming, including 3ABN which was lost on SA.
esteps

They are referring to KU-band satellite reception. With a cheap FTA DVB receiver and a KU-band dish (probably 30-36 inch), you can receive a multitude of programming free. Unfortunately this requires different equipment than you are using now, but the costs are relatively minimal. And the programming costs are pretty good (being free and all).

 

[CornChex]

Americanlife TV

I will be really surprised if SA ever gets Americanlife TV...it is owned by the Unification Church!

BTW, what do you think will happen if I don't mail my SA letter that I received back? I am supposing that the four channels will just be removed from my lifelong account. I don't know why, but I feel kind of wary of sending back my letter with all of my information on it. It kind of feels like I am signing away my rights.

The wording of the letter kind of makes me think that SA doesn't know how many lifelong subscriptions they have, and whose accounts they should remove the channels from. What do you all think?

 

[esteps]

I agree there is something fishy about the letter. Its purpose is supposed to ask us if we want the additional four channels or not, but they are asking a lot more than that!
esteps

I will be really surprised if SA ever gets Americanlife TV...it is owned by the Unification Church!

BTW, what do you think will happen if I don't mail my SA letter that I received back? I am supposing that the four channels will just be removed from my lifelong account. I don't know why, but I feel kind of wary of sending back my letter with all of my information on it. It kind of feels like I am signing away my rights.

The wording of the letter kind of makes me think that SA doesn't know how many lifelong subscriptions they have, and whose accounts they should remove the channels from. What do you all think?