Suggested "Other Packages"

[WayneG]

I really like the addition of the new Heartland Package to go along with "Other Packages" like the Outdoor Sports Package, Encore Movie Package, and Epix Movie Package. Giving people choices helps keep them as loyal customers.

I was thinking that there maybe others like me who have AT120 (or even the Family Package) who see channels in the AT200 or 250 but don't want to pay $15 to $25 more a month to get those few channels. What if Dish were to offer more of these al a carte packages? Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not naive. I know that the programmers would have to agree and some like Disney & Fox are difficult. But just thinking out loud what other packages could someone like me be willing to pay up to $5.00 a month to get those few channels we would like to receive without going beyond our budgets.

Here are a few "Other Package" suggestions grouped by category:

News/Business/Information Pack: Bloomberg, CNBC World, MSNBC, Current, Fox Business, History 2

Movie Pack: American Movie Channel, Independent Film Channel , Turner Classic Movies, Fox Movie Channel and maybe MGM Movie & Sony Movie Channels from the Blockbuster (Platinum) Pack

Kids Pack: Hub, Nick Jr., Nick Teen, Disney XD, Boom

Animal/Nature Pack: Animal Planet, Nat Geo, Nat Geo Wild, Science Channel

Variety Pack: Bravo, BBC America, Sundance, Chiller, WGN

Crime/True Stories Pack: Investigation Discovery, Tru TV, Cloo TV, Bio, G4

Womens Pack: Lifetime Movie, Oxygen, Women's Enterainment, Oprah Winfrey Network, SOAP Net

Lifestyle Pack: Cooking Channel, Do It Yourself, Style, Green

Music & Games Pack: VH1 Classic, Black Entertainment Television, Ovation, Great American Country, Game Show Network

Adventure Sports Pack: Fuel TV, Speed, Versus, Military Channel

Once again, I'm sure it's just wishful thinking since the programmers would have to agree and Dish would need to see a profit to be made. But the channels are already uplinked so the costs side would be minimal. Dish would have to determine how it would effect subscriptions to AT200 and AT250. However for customers like myself they could be making some extra money.

 

[Mr Tony]

now you're really getting into alacarte and that wont happen...not in our lifetime by the way

the last 2 things you mention at the beginning (encore and epix) are movie channels and they are usually sold alacarte anyways

 

[WayneG]

Yeah, I didn't want to start an a la carte thread discussion because I know that will never happen. Plus the Heartland Package is made up of independent programmers and not the big boys. However, if Dish could offer more of these type packages they could be making more money. Also, it seems that subscriber growth has not been good to Dish and they need to try to make more money from existing customers.

 

[KAB]

now you're really getting into alacarte and that wont happen...not in our lifetime by the way

And if it did, it would cost much more than the packages.

 

[MikeD-C05]

I just would like it if we could get Sports FREE basic programming packs that would save us money. That would be GREAT!!

 

[Mr Tony]

in most cases yes you are right Kab. But for folks who dont want a lot of programming it would be nice. Or if they have a HD only package and want to add a couple channels not in a bigger package possibly.

The Heartland Package is actually a good deal if you have a HD only package or something like Welcome Pack. While GMC is SD only the others are in HD and even with the Welcome Pack you do get the HD version
Hallmark and RFD is not in any HD only packages
Hallmark Movie is only in Gold
Pixl is only in Platinum

same with the Outdoor Sports option.

I have to DIsh credit...they are at least offering some small package offerings of channels. Someone who may be on a budget and had to switch to Welcome Pack might lie the fact for $3 they can add a few outdoor sports channels or for $5 add what some folks have called the Waltons Package (since a couple of those channels show the Waltons) instead of debating if its worth paying a lot more to get a few extra channels

 

[Tampa8]

I have long agreed A La Carte is not what people think, meaning cost. I still do, but what Dish is doing is almost an alternative to that. The packages that have sprung up really do seem worthwhile, especially in bad economic times. The reformed Platinum/Blockbuster package is quite a value overall along with the others mentioned.

 

[Skee7ix]

SKY in England and in Mexico does something like that.
I had SKY in Mexico and along their normal packages they have others called MY Sky and there you need to choose a Basic Package with some channels very cheap and then add your other packages, like Movies, Sports, Kids, Women, etc.

I really hope they could add G4 to a la carte, or at least in the Latino Packages.