SkyAngel Plans Move to IPTV

[NYRman1975]

Well here is another interesting development. You may judge as you see fit.

My wife called to cancel the Skyangel service and the Dish Network extra receiver we had.

Skyangel of course tried to get us to stay until they switch over to IPTV, but my wife politely explained that we were very disappointed with the way they had handled the situation and we wish them no ill, but we feel we found a better service through Glorystar which is free monthly (after equipment costs). Skyangel said they thought they were the only Christian satellite network and never heard of Glorystar. But that was fine, no huge fireworks, just Skyangel literally begging and pleading with us to stay with them at least until they went IPTV.

This is the interesting part. My wife called Dish to cancel the second receiver service. Dish of course asked why we were cancelling and my wife proceeded to tell the rep. THE REP HAD NO IDEA SKYANGEL WAS TERMINATING SATELLITE SERVICE. The rep said as far as they were notified, Skyangel was planning on staying in contract with Dish Network for the foreseeable future and that their contract with Skyangel specifically states that Skyangel must give 1 years notice before attempting to terminate the contract. My wife flat out told them what the Skyangel rep told her and that it has been a hot topic on several satellite discussion forums and is gaining steam on satellite news mediums. The rep informed the supervisor, and made note of the revelation on the cancellation information. They didn't even seem to be knowledgable about the FCC application for transferring transponder licenses.

So we thought that was a strange series of events. Like I said I am not going to pass any judgments or any ill feelings on Skyangel, but Dish reps did not seem remotely happy about that news.

The story continues.....


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[jegrant]

Well, I can't say I'm surprised that an E* CSR wasn't well informed. But as others have said, if this deal is still very much behind the scenes, E* and SA* wouldn't want to say anything before they have an FCC approval in hand.

It is interesting to know about the contract provision that requires SA* to give E* 1 year notice of discontinuing services. I wonder if the entire contract will ever be revealed. It seems like every year or two, we find out something else about some obscure, or heretofore unknown, provision of their contract.

 

[Scott Greczkowski]

CSR's know nothing.

Even Dish has a filing with the FCC on taking over Sky Angels transponders.

 

[ShaneLinder]

Well, the approval and sale has not happened yet so nothing is final.

 

[NYRman1975]

That may not be adventageous to keep all their CSRs in the complete dark. Seems like Dish would be trying to come up with some package to woo former Skyangel customers over. At least trying to get Skyangel customers to temporarily grab the family package while they work out some kind of Christian package.

They just seemed to be totally blown out of the water by the news. I guess perhaps it just hasn't trickled down yet, but that is bad business sense on Dish's part.

As far as Skyangel goes, I wonder how many people have left already either for Glorystar, or out of protest. They really, really did not want us to leave.

I am one of the people who left for Glorystar, but out of all fairness it is a move I had previously contemplated, simply because of the monthly fee...FREE! That comes in handy when you are supporting a family.

Although I probably would have toughed it out with Skyangel if they were not going to IPTV. I don't have the resources or money for that type of service (cost of broadband upgrade, etc.). So I guess it was just the kicker.

 

[sansha]

Since Dish is seeking SA's satellite transponder licenses, top dish brass knows, even if the reps don't. Presumably given a choice between holding SA to a year's notice (and who's to say SA hasn't already given Dish brass that notice?) and getting the licenses early, Dish perhaps prefers to get them early. And if SA gave Dish brass notice earlier, it could be under a confidentiality agreement, so the Dish reps (or the SA customers) wouldn't necessarily know. Interesting that SA wants it's customers to stay with them until *they* cut *us* off... perhaps why they haven't notified their customer base. Which means they do have a lot of "monthly" customers that they prefer not be notified in advance.

 

[Mr Tony]

Dish CSR's don't know anything about Dish, much less Sky Angel

 

[RedSavina]

Red

I have no problem forgiving SA. But you are very one sided, in that you seem to be letting SA off any accountability hook. SA needs to fold up and get out of the christian tv business. They can't gut their DBS business, cheat the prepaid customers of their remaining service, and use the proceeds to start up either IPTV or their new production company. They can't stay a provider of Christian programming under these circumstances. And if they do, then their customers should take action against them. Forgiveness is not license, that's the rub.

Sansha,

Thanks for your response! I did not mean to suggest that SA should get a free pass. Rather, I was trying to add a Biblical perspective to the issue. There have been a number of posts recently that read as very emotionally charged. I would hate for anyone to become so emotionally reactive that they lose sight of their faith and its teachings. I'm not the one to judge that, but it is certainly a concern of mine.

Do I think SA has made a series of business blunders? Yes!
Do I think there should be some sort of accountability for their actions? You bet! And it should include pro-rated refunds for people who recently initiated contracts.
Do I think SA should re-imburse the lifetime subscribers? Not a bit - that's part of the risk/reward with purchasing a lifetime subscription (which is a useful tool if managed carefully).
Would I like to see SA offer some sore of coversion incentive (including lifers)? Sure, but I'm not holding my breath.

No matter what they do, I will not make the move to IPTV. As you may guess by my willingness to purchase a lifetime SA account and lifetime Sirius accounts, I would much prefer a single fixed cost over a recurring cost. But that's just me. So, whenever SA makes the move I will order a G* system (hopefully there will be a more compelling DVR option by then).

Above all else, I agree with those who feel that the recent activities of SA do not reflect Christian values. I understand a corporation cannot be "Christian", but it certainly does have an image that is crafted by marketing and corporate leadership - both of whom have made their "Christian values" clear in the past. But not so much lately.

Red

 

[catkoko]

"applied for and completed are two different things."

At this point SKY angel better Hope that it is approved. Between angering the lifetimers and people starting to leave now, they may not have much of a business left with DBS!

Sky Angel is also aware of Glorystar as I personally sent them several pages of info via USPS! I explained quite clearly that I would choose glorystar over IPTV, as would others. Besides if the info I was given is correct SA lurks on these forums so they know which way the wind is blowing!

 

[andrews777]

Scott, you should tell Dish to add HGTV to their DishFamily package and some of us would immediately switch.

Brad

 

[catkoko]

Hgtv

HGTV is a must for dish family

 

[Wescopc]

Found this today on SkyREPORT:

Report: Consumers Want Connected TVs
RESEARCH -- A new study suggests that two-thirds of consumers want their TVs to connect with the internet. According to research firm iSuppli, home networks have evolved beyond its PC-centric beginnings to include entertainment-based CE devices like video game consoles, DVRs, HDTVs and internet modems. The company's report projects shipments of network-equipped devices will increase 732.9 million units by 2011 - more than three times the number manufactures shipped in 2006.

Bob

 

[lumpkin666]

Found this today on SkyREPORT:

Report: Consumers Want Connected TVs
RESEARCH -- A new study suggests that two-thirds of consumers want their TVs to connect with the internet. According to research firm iSuppli, home networks have evolved beyond its PC-centric beginnings to include entertainment-based CE devices like video game consoles, DVRs, HDTVs and internet modems. The company's report projects shipments of network-equipped devices will increase 732.9 million units by 2011 - more than three times the number manufactures shipped in 2006.

Bob

I'd agree that most consumers want internet connectivity in their living rooms (truly interactive TV!). But I'd argue that most consumers don't trust IPTV (or the internet in general) to consider it as the main viewing source for their TV. We do IPTV, but only over a closed community fiber network. The general reliability (or lack thereof) of the internet would cause even myself (working for an IPTV provider) to decline an internet IPTV solution as my main viewing source in my home.

 

[catkoko]

key word is WANT

They may want it BUT that doesn't mean they have the $ or the high speed to have it, furthermore this is projected for year 2011! If Sky angel has to wait until 2011 to build their customer base they will be gone! I think sky angel is jumping the gun by getting in on the technology too early. Remember video discs? Nice idea that quickly became obsolete.

 

[ShaneLinder]

I wonder about such studies too. Was the study done using the internet? That would certainly produce skewed results since everyone participating in the study would be using the internet.

Not only is it an issue of dollars, but if a person is paying high dollars for high-speed internet it is most likely because they use it. IPTV will slow down their internet connection while watching TV. So if the kids are watching TV, mom or dad will have a slow connection online. No such issues like that with satellite or cable television.

 

[jbmiller]

I wonder about such studies too. Was the study done using the internet? That would certainly produce skewed results since everyone participating in the study would be using the internet.

Not only is it an issue of dollars, but if a person is paying high dollars for high-speed internet it is most likely because they use it. IPTV will slow down their internet connection while watching TV. So if the kids are watching TV, mom or dad will have a slow connection online. No such issues like that with satellite or cable television.

or if you forget to pay your internet connection no tv either
i enjoy free internet tv and radio (old fashion way)
i hope i won't have to pay for that too
god bless
john

 

[Pepper]

Found this today on SkyREPORT:

Report: Consumers Want Connected TVs

I don't know about "Consumers" but here's what I want.

- A computer (probably DIY), wireless keyboard and mouse in the TV room so I can do the exact same stuff as I can in the computer room, on the TV.
- No need for proprietary closed systems with all the DRM crap.
- Oh wait. I can sit in my recliner with wireless laptop, and by comparison (because of distance) the image is bigger and sharper than the big TV. Never mind, I don't need any of the IPTV stuff. What I really want is a faster, cooler-running laptop.

 

[bonscott87]

Even I don't want IPTV. Even though I have a 5 mb connection I still get streaming issues in watching things like simple quicktime 5 minute clips. I can't imaging trying to watch Heroes and have it freeze for 3 minutes while it buffers and then just drops all together. How in the world are you going to DVR something like that?

With ISPs doing bandwidth shaping and limiting high end users there is no way I will trust IPTV any time soon. Plus the fact that only 40% of the country has any type of high speed internet and that includes anything 256K or higher.

Maybe in 10 years. Maybe.

 

[CFGuy]

Another thing that they probably never thought of.
Even though I have a high speed connection, I have a limit on my bandwidth used each month.
My wife and I are going back to finish our degrees. The schools are online. Between that and 3 kids, plus a Home Automation server downloading lots of data we come close to our limit each month. If you add TV into that bandwidth usage my usage would be a LOT higher. 5 people watching tv. One receiver is on 24 hours a day as when we go to bed we have it on a music channel.

No way I am going to buy a new IPTV box, pay for monthly service and pay more for my Internet connection.

 

[tamtamz]

"... Between angering the lifetimers and people starting to leave now...

I've been a lifer for a little over 7 years now. I heard of the 4 special channel charges a few months ago, and now the IPTV thing a little over a month ago. I'm not angry anymore. I was at first, but there's no reason to be angry. Those that are still mad need to get over it. We had SA for a while and now it's gone. Life is not fair and life offers no guarantees. This journey is over. Now it's time for a change. Those that are angry need to start thinking of what they can do to replace SA and stop being angry. Nothing is worth months of bitterness and hurt.