SkyAngel Plans Move to IPTV

[mwgiii]

JL has found the FCC application by Echostar (Dish Network) to obtain Dominion's (SkyAngel) 8 channels at 61.5.

It was filed on 6/8/07.
FCC document: FCC INTERNATIONAL BUREAU

Source: Echostar Files to obtain Sky Angel's Transponders at 61.5° - DBSTalk.Com

 

[jegrant]

I'll admit, this is a bit of a surprise to me. I would hope that they do offer some special deal to the lifelong subscription holders.

Also, I don't know where the "no subsidy on DISH receiver" thing is coming out of. Have SA* customers *ever* been able to get a subsidized receiver for an SA*-only subscription? If so, it is news to me. I always thought one must purchase *DISH* programming to get a *DISH equipment* subsidy. That is how I got my receiver years ago thru Metro25. He set me up with a nearly free DISH system, and I only had to keep a DISH package for (IIRC) 9 months. I own the equipment free and clear.

I have a distinct feeling that it will be easier for the older SA* customers to switch to something like GloryStar rather than SA-IPTV.

Also, I wonder if SA-IPTV will offer a DVR? Or perhaps if they plan to have a decent number of free VOD selections, the DVR feature will not be needed?

(I think another interesting idea is to build a podcatcher into the SA-IPTV STB, and let people subscribe to audio/video podcasts from their favorite ministries, news, etc.)

 

[Scott Greczkowski]

It would not surprise me at all to see SkyAngel's IPTV service be made available on Dish Networks IPTV service on its ViP receiver line somewhere down the road.

Although in saying that, perhaps SkyAngel wants to be as far away from Dish as possible.

 

[andrews777]

Also, I wonder if SA-IPTV will offer a DVR? Or perhaps if they plan to have a decent number of free VOD selections, the DVR feature will not be needed?

The FAQ for the IPTV service seemed to indicate ANY program would be available for 48 hours back.

Brad

 

[catkoko]

Good dea or not if they wanted to sell 10 year memberships they should have done so rather than dishonestly calling them LIFETIME.

as for glory star why would trees be a problem if you can get SA?

 

[Wescopc]

as for glory star why would trees be a problem if you can get SA?

Different satellite = different place in the sky (61.5° vs 101°/97°).

 

[Mr Tony]

The glorystar satellites are 40 degrees to the west of Sky Angel...

So as an example, here in Minnesota 61.5 looks SE whereas Glorystar looks a smidge off of dead south

 

[andrews777]

Good dea or not if they wanted to sell 10 year memberships they should have done so rather than dishonestly calling them LIFETIME.

as for glory star why would trees be a problem if you can get SA?

If they intended to do this I would call it dishonest. I think they just weren't good businessmen and failed to account for the costs and difficulty of launching their own competitive DBS system.

Lots of Christians have had great ideas (getting out of debt, fulfilling a mission, etc.) with lousy business ideas.

Anyone heard of TCN?

Brad

 

[elder]

as for glory star why would trees be a problem if you can get SA?

First I have to find a semblance of a gap in the tops of the trees then find a location for the dish that places its beamwidth in that gap at the right azimuth. For 119 and 61.5 the dish locations were about 50' apart looking thorough different gaps in the trees. I didn't have two dishes, I had moved the dish when SA switched from E2 to E3. I am going to get the compass and do a check on 101/97 to see if I can find a gap that might work.

A quick check shows that I may have a usable gap for 101. I'll have to do a more precise check to see if the dual feed is feasible. This link ( Lat - Long Finder: This page helps you find Latitude and Longitude ) is pretty good, depending on your location you may actually be able to zoom to your housetop on the aerial photo.

 

[ShaneLinder]

Well I bought my lifetime membership in December of 2003 for $500. That means I have had it for 42 months. That comes out to $11.90/month. So I probably have more to complain about than anyone else. I also just paid for one year of the premium channels.

However I think I will wish them the best and part ways. I just got rid of DSL and went back to dial-up at home. The telephone company offers DSL here for half the price of the cable company but it isn't available in my area yet so... until it is, I'll only have DSL in the office. Plus, with Glorystar, I don't see the need for Sky Angel and will just add DISH Family.

 

[ShaneLinder]

Too many trees??? I had that problem too but an investment in a chainsaw and an afternoon's work cleared that problem up.

 

[drfreeman]

talked to a cust serv rep from skyangel , they think it will be at around 6 months

before the switch to iptv. I just paid annual for the year in june,they said they would
refund my money if it doesnt last a year..........
sounds like they will be fair.

 

[Mr Tony]

Too many trees??? I had that problem too but an investment in a chainsaw and an afternoon's work cleared that problem up.

I LOVE your thinking
Have trees in the way? Rent a chainsaw for the day and take care of that problem

 

[daybj]

By the way, does anyone have any experience with IPTV. For instance, is the picture quality as good as satellite? Also, can you get HDTV with IPTV?

Also, does anyone have any information to suggest that Sky Angel will be able to add more channels than it currently has?

I wonder if the $14.99 current cost per month will continue or will Sky Angel have to raise the price for this new technology.

I currently don't have DISH and therefore will be left with a dish and 3 receivers which will be obsolete. I don't mind investing in 3 additional IPTV receivers when they become available, but I would like to have some idea as to the quality of the picture, potential transmission problems, and quite frankly the future of Sky Angel. If the IPTV approach business model is abandoned a year down the road, then I will be left with 3 more obsolete receivers.

 

[mwgiii]

A couple of forums down from this one is the one for IPTV. http://www.satelliteguys.us/iptv-discussion-forum/

 

[elder]

I LOVE your thinking
Have trees in the way? Rent a chainsaw for the day and take care of that problem

My guess is that neither of you lives in the woods or the mountains. I have a five acre wooded lot in the mountains of WNC, some of the trees are mine and some are on neighbor's property because of terrain.

 

[Mr Tony]

My guess is that neither of you lives in the woods or the mountains.

oh contrair monfrar....have a cabin in northern MN and had to cut a few trees to dish the Dish subscription and Galaxy10 (FTA) setup working...hey if you want something most will take care of those pesky trees

 

[tamtamz]

Good dea or not if they wanted to sell 10 year memberships they should have done so rather than dishonestly calling them LIFETIME.

As i can recall from looking at all my paperwork back in March, Lifetime membership was a term not a promise. They called it a 'Lifetime Membership', but their disclaimer in their paperwork said that skyangel may not even be around for our lifetime.

 

[tamtamz]

I just called SA to ask about what will happen to the lifetime subscribers when SA transfers over to IPTV. The representative said they are not sure what will happen to the lifetime subscribers yet. She said that SA is still working on how everything will happen and are checking everything out on the legal side. She said we will receive word as soon as a decision is made.

My opinion is that IPTV is the loophole SA has been looking for to get rid of the 'lifetime membership' factor. I hope it's not true, but only time will tell.

 

[Mr Tony]

My opinion is that IPTV is the loophole SA has been looking for to get rid of the 'lifetime membership' factor. I hope it's not true, but only time will tell.

I dont think that at all. They feel IPTV will allow them to add more channels and neat features on the receiver. Right nown they are bound by the Dish agreement they have (2 transponders only) so they are limited on channels. They go to IPTV and they can add many more channels if they want to