DIRECTV U.S. added 174,000 net new customers during the quarter ended September 30, 2010.
DIRECTV U.S. added 663,000 net new subscribers in quarter ended Dec. 31, 2010. Total U.S. subs about 19.2 million.
--------------------
DISH Network lost approximately 29,000 net subscribers during the quarter ended September 30, 2010.
DISH Network lost approximately 156,000 net subscribers during the quarter ended Dec. 31, 2010. Total U.S. subs about 14.1 million.
--------------------
These are the facts that raise concern about the long term health of Dish. Sub numbers are dropping, while D* continues to add subs. Thumbing your nose at the #1 DMA doesn't help matters here.
You are confusing # of subs and Profit. Two very different things. I don't think Dish wants to lose subs generally, but they did seem to make an effort (link posted in another thread) to eliminate non profitable subs. In the industry, some felt it was a very smart move.
To tie into this thread, Dish to me has just decided the NY market where sports is concerned is too expensive. They obviously are willing to lose NY customers who want these RSN's. I'm not defending or opposing, I just think those are the facts.
What I don't get is those (unless under contract) who at this point are complaining. It's simple, in addition to posting about it, vote with your money and go to another provider. For what it's worth, I do think Dish should concentrate on getting and keeping the RSN's if at all possible, but not worry about EI or NFL premiums. And as I posted, I do think dish should allow people something in return for not having an RSN that Dish had when they signed up. Including allowing them to end their contract.
Same for part-time RSN's. I don't like the small print on a particular page that attempts to tell new subscriber that their RSN will be part time HD. So again, unless under contract, you now know this, change providers if it bothers you. Since most every game for me is in HD, that is good enough for me, because overall Dish gives me want I want more than other providers.
And above all this, we are blaming the wrong people, Dish or Direct or Cable. It is the sports networks that need to change. I don't believe it was envisioned that there would be more than two RSN's in a market. Or, that they would become one of the most expensive channels to carry.
Unless the RSN's consolidate, and/or allow them to be put as an add on to the packages, this is not going to go away.
