Turbo HD gold customers get hosed!!

[Laddyboy]

Actually, when you order Sham-Wow, you at least get all the stuff they say you will.

+1 LOL

 

[riffjim4069]

This entire TurboHD situation is a fiasco for Dish Network subs. Let's see if I have this straight...if I were to reconnect one of my 622s and order TurboHD Gold plus PlatinumHD (excluding subscription HD channels like HBO, Starz, etc.) there are STILL a number of HD channels I wouldn't receive unless I were to subscribe to one of the corresponding non-HD metal packages: Classic Bronze, Silver, Gold?

This makes absolutely no sense whatsoever! Apparently, Dish Network Marketing and Promotions executives are hard at work trying to extend their streak of four consecutive quarters shedding customers.

Dish Network turned a good thing (Absoulute) into a confusing/nighmarish hell with all these goofy Classic and HD metal packages. MSOs need to face facts and realize that HD is no longer a premium service (it is mainstream) and, in fact, I am quite certain the these HD feeds are costing Dish Network little to nothing extra in subscription fees, other than the additional transponder and uplink costs. If Dish Network wants to be competitive they needs to:

1. Get rid of the Goofy metal paks and go back to America's Top 100, 200, 250, etc.
2. Do away with the Absolute and TurboHD packages.
3. No additional charges for HD!!! If you have an HD receiver, you get all corresponding HD channels in your AT100, 200, 250 programming lineup. This will simplify technical and procedural administration (CSRs may actually know what they are talking about), make it easy for customers to understand, and will hopefully keep Dish Network from "ticking off" a large percentage of their subscriber base.

There are many reason why Dish Network has been losing customers...this is just another one of those reasons.

 

[GRExpert]

This entire TurboHD situation is a fiasco for Dish Network subs. Let's see if I have this straight...if I were to reconnect one of my 622s and order TurboHD Gold plus PlatinumHD (excluding subscription HD channels like HBO, Starz, etc.) there are STILL a number of HD channels I wouldn't receive unless I were to subscribe to one of the corresponding non-HD metal packages: Classic Bronze, Silver, Gold?

This makes absolutely no sense whatsoever! Apparently, Dish Network Marketing and Promotions executives are hard at work trying to extend their streak of four consecutive quarters shedding customers.

Dish Network turned a good thing (Absoulute) into a confusing/nighmarish hell with all these goofy Classic and HD metal packages. MSOs need to face facts and realize that HD is no longer a premium service (it is mainstream) and, in fact, I am quite certain the these HD feeds are costing Dish Network little to nothing extra in subscription fees, other than the additional transponder and uplink costs. If Dish Network wants to be competitive they needs to:

1. Get rid of the Goofy metal paks and go back to America's Top 100, 200, 250, etc.
2. Do away with the Absolute and TurboHD packages.
3. No additional charges for HD!!! If you have an HD receiver, you get all corresponding HD channels in your AT100, 200, 250 programming lineup. This will simplify technical and procedural administration (CSRs may actually know what they are talking about), make it easy for customers to understand, and will hopefully keep Dish Network from "ticking off" a large percentage of their subscriber base.

There are many reason why Dish Network has been losing customers...this is just another one of those reasons.

This is a great idea ... which is exactly why it won't be implemented. This would makes things simple, easy to understand and easy to sell. Plus they would have the marketing edge of saying they have no additional charge HD service.

 

[B_Kranski]

I for one will get rid of Dish also if nick is not included in the Turbo HD Gold with Plat. When I signed up for the Turbo HD gold it was because I was told that all the HD Channels correspond with the classic versions...you just only the HD versions. now if you say we will not get them...then forget it, I will switch to D* I will then at least get my Locals in HD, My RSN in HD full time and also will receive the channels I am supposed to. E* is really starting to suck.

 

[duffman]

I have been patiently waiting to change from classic silver with HD to turbo gold to save a few bucks per month plus I refuse to watch SD. The only hang up had been waiting for MTV, and VH1 in HD for my wife's bad taste in reality shows before I could switch over.

I'm paying $69 now for classic 200 w/silver HD and locals
Turbo HD gold would cost $56 with locals but now the HD they said would be there isn't
Direct TV would be $55 plus $5 for a second receiver

So why am I waiting around for Dish to get their act together when I could be saving $9/ month and get more HD?

 

[jdmacor]

I have been patiently waiting to change from classic silver with HD to turbo gold to save a few bucks per month plus I refuse to watch SD. The only hang up had been waiting for MTV, and VH1 in HD for my wife's bad taste in reality shows before I could switch over.

I'm paying $69 now for classic 200 w/silver HD and locals
Turbo HD gold would cost $56 with locals but now the HD they said would be there isn't
Direct TV would be $55 plus $5 for a second receiver

So why am I waiting around for Dish to get their act together when I could be saving $9/ month and get more HD?

Obviously, more and more subs are realizing the same thing.

For me, if this Turbo issue doesn't get resolved somehow, I won't be switching to a Dish Classic package out of principle. I will switch to Direct and get their normal package plus HD. Then again, I am pretty angry right now, and I would happily pay some cancellation fee in order to tell Dish to shove it. I will wait to cool off a bit and see how I feel later.

 

[duffman]

Obviously, more and more subs are realizing the same thing.

For me, if this Turbo issue doesn't get resolved somehow, I won't be switching to a Dish Classic package out of principle. I will switch to Direct and get their normal package plus HD. Then again, I am pretty angry right now, and I would happily pay some cancellation fee in order to tell Dish to shove it. I will wait to cool off a bit and see how I feel later.

Exactly! I just sent an email to ceo@ and told them the same thing!

 

[jdmacor]

Exactly! I just sent an email to ceo@ and told them the same thing!

I did the same thing. The only reason I am with Dish is for the Turbo package; if that is no longer an attractive option, I have more than enough reasons to prefer Direct's programming options (I am a huge sports fan). Anyhow, for your reading please, if you feel like taking the time, here is what I wrote (with my personal information cleverly edited out):

To whom it may concern,

My name is [Robert Paulson], and my account number and service address are as follows:

[8675309]

[9601 S. Meridian Blvd.]
[Englewood, CO 80112]


I am a Turbo HD Gold subscriber and I am enraged that we are being systematically excluded from new HD programming. In fact, I am disgusted right now; I just don't know what to do about it. Your Company's very own Channel Lineup Card (PDF link) clearly states that the Turbo HD packages correspond to the classic packages of the same metal type; yet here I am, without the new FOX HDs or Viacom HDs (save for 3 of them; by the way, how did you arbitrarily choose those 3?).

Here are all the facts: Turbo subs care only about HD, because we chose the HD only package; we pay by far the highest rate per channel of any subscriber; we had the reasonable expectation that as HD only customers, somehow all the HD should be available to us (through the various packages, including platinum and whatever else; we don't mind paying obviously, as we have the highest per channel cost of any of your subscribers; we just wanted to pay for the privelege of having HD only); as it stands now, it is impossible to get these missing Viacoms and Fox channels without changing out of the Turbo package, thereby eliminating the reason I chose Dish in the first place. They have turned this fantastic offering into a joke and I am just irate about it.

I actually went back and did the math here; as a Turbo HD Gold sub, I pay $1.14 per unique channel (excluding the must carry garbage and locals), while the equivalent classic Gold pays $0.48 per channel. The real kicker in all of this is when you compare my rate to the classic Bronze package, which is $0.74 per channel. The Bronze package, with the HD add on fee is $5 less overall than what I pay, and they received every single new HD channel, excluding Fox Business!! They got more than I, the Gold level subscriber, did!! Do you realize what a spit in the face that is?! In a very real sense, I am a much more valuable subscriber, but get treated the worst (I even pay for the absolutely worthless platinum package just to see the NBA Channel in HD [sorry for the double bracket, but what idiot thought it was a good idea to create a multisports pack that would exclude NBA and NHL channels in HD?] and three, count them, three premiums!). I am a damn good subscriber, who pays automatically each month and I just can't believe how this company treats its customers.

My last point involves the price increases. Now, let me get this straight; I am now paying $10 more as a Turbo Gold subscriber and have seen *0* channels added to my gold level package. In other words, if I were in Bronze, at least I would feel like I got something for my money; but what am I paying the extra increase for? If nothing is added to my package, my price should have gone up by the same amount as Turbo Bronze did!! Of course you must also realize that the price increase was a "bend me over the table", unprecedented 25%!! I was a subscriber for 5 months and then you jack my price up by 25%?!?! I understand price increases; they happen. But the only explanation for that sort of increase is utter incompetence on the part of your company; you are basically saying, "well, we actually were too stupid to charge an appropriate amount before; once we saw what was happening, we realized that we don't know what were doing, and don't understand basic economic principles, so please just take this price increase and smile about it." I mean, I am just paraphrasing for you there, but you obviously get the point. So please never, ever run an add about how the Cable Co's are constantly increasing prices; I was with Time Warner and Comcast before that; On average my cable tv rates rose $1 - $2 per year, which worked out to something under 5%; not 25%!!!!!

In the end, please do not suggest I switch to a classic package; again, the only reason I am with Dish is becuase of the HD only packages; if we are just a worthless group of subscibers, I would rather switch to Direct TV and pay about the same as your classic packages and get all the same HD channels. If you are trying to phase out Turbo subscribers (like your absolute subscibers, who are getting the exact same thing as me, including platinum, but pay something like $20 - $30 less), please let me know.

Oh, and before you go ahead and bust out your copy and paste tool, let me do your "work" for you:

Thank you for your email and bringing your concern to our attention.


At this time [Insert Generic Channels Here] are only available in our Classic packages with the HD add-on. We are constantly evaluating the programming in our packages and may add these channels to our TurboHD packages in the future. Please refer to dishnetwork.com for programming updates as it is your best source for information. Dishnetwork.com has been updated to reflect the correct and current channel information. We thank you for your patience in this matter and apologize for any confusion.


I apologize for any inconvenience that this may have caused you and please feel free to contact me if you have any further questions.
​

Please try to actually address as many of my points as possible. If I have no recourse in this matter, you may have to add another to your already impressive count of net losses in subscribers.

Too strong?

 

[Laddyboy]

Obviously, more and more subs are realizing the same thing.

For me, if this Turbo issue doesn't get resolved somehow, I won't be switching to a Dish Classic package out of principle. I will switch to Direct and get their normal package plus HD. Then again, I am pretty angry right now, and I would happily pay some cancellation fee in order to tell Dish to shove it. I will wait to cool off a bit and see how I feel later.

I'm not really mad, as I don't have to have those channels, but it's the principle of the thing and the way in which E* markets and does business. It has really turned into a sleazy operation compared to the days of yore. Just keep your options open and don't do anything to extend your commitment. That's what I'm doing. I certainly won't blindly recommend E* as I have these past 11 years. I'll just tell people, who ask my opinion, about matters such as this and let them decide based on that.

 

[jdmacor]

I'm not really mad, as I don't have to have those channels, but it's the principle of the thing and the way in which E* markets and does business. It has really turned into a sleazy operation compared to the days of yore. Just keep your options open and don't do anything to extend your commitment. That's what I'm doing. I certainly won't blindly recommend E* as I have these past 11 years. I'll just tell people, who ask my opinion, about matters such as this and let them decide based on that.

I was doing the same thing at my office; I will definitely change my tune now.

 

[bebop]

Other than Dish has officially stated that the package is no longer offered and as of the first of 2009 no longer supported.

What does 'no longer supported' even mean? I still get support when I call in or online chat.

 

[jdmacor]

What does 'no longer supported' even mean? I still get support when I call in or online chat.

Apparently, "no longer supported" for Absolute customers means that you get arbitrary new HD channels every once in a while; the same random channels that Turbo subs get. But you get them much cheaper and without having to add stupid things like platinum packages! Seriously, it is a hell of a deal...

 

[bebop]

Apparently, "no longer supported" for Absolute customers means that you get arbitrary new HD channels every once in a while; the same random channels that Turbo subs get. But you get them much cheaper and without having to add stupid things like platinum packages! Seriously, it is a hell of a deal...

And without having to add other things like more money on our monthly payment to cover recent rate increases.

I'm glad this thread is here - because it is clarifying for me how silly E* is in operating their package programming, options and pricing.

"There is a better way Dish, just listen to us a bit more"

Seriously though, I would like to know if there is any meaning behind 'no longer supported'.

 

[KAB]

Since I get these missing Turbo channels, I checked them out. Absolutely NO HD on Nick, next to nothing on the other two. So, what's the point?? I'm 56 with no kids, I hate country music, and too much a rock and roller for MTV. I've locked them all out. So if I was a Turbo Bronze sub, I could care less.

 

[riffjim4069]

Too strong?

I thought it was fair representation of the facts involved in this matter.

 

[mperdue]

I find it puzzling that they keep adding channels to the Absolute package. The only reason that I can think of as to why is that Dish is losing customers so they want to try to keep as many as they can with carrots here and there.

There are plenty of other possible reasons...

Perhaps we're getting the channels because they were promised to us a year ago.

Or, perhaps we're getting them because they took 15 channels away right after we signed up for the HD Absolute package.

Or, maybe Viacom wanted to be paid for everyone who is able to watch the HD channel so Dish isn't losing anything by giving us the feeds.

Maybe it's just a screw up - Dish makes lots of those...

 

[branchbouncer]

And without having to add other things like more money on our monthly payment to cover recent rate increases.

I'm glad this thread is here - because it is clarifying for me how silly E* is in operating their package programming, options and pricing.

"There is a better way Dish, just listen to us a bit more"

Seriously though, I would like to know if there is any meaning behind 'no longer supported'.

Yeah!!!!!!!! I am really starting to regret signing up with E*

 

[tkyoshi]

Since I get these missing Turbo channels, I checked them out. Absolutely NO HD on Nick, next to nothing on the other two. So, what's the point?? I'm 56 with no kids, I hate country music, and too much a rock and roller for MTV. I've locked them all out. So if I was a Turbo Bronze sub, I could care less.

For Nick there is some, not a lot but some, Madagascar Penguins and iCarly are in HD. I would also assume movies would be in HD too if available. But the principle is people who want to switch to Turbo, you don't get the SD counterpart obviously so you end up loosing the channel and that's why it's annoying people.

 

[mperdue]

1. Get rid of the Goofy metal paks and go back to America's Top 100, 200, 250, etc.
2. Do away with the Absolute and TurboHD packages.
3. No additional charges for HD!!! If you have an HD receiver, you get all corresponding HD channels in your AT100, 200, 250 programming lineup. This will simplify technical and procedural administration (CSRs may actually know what they are talking about), make it easy for customers to understand, and will hopefully keep Dish Network from "ticking off" a large percentage of their subscriber base.

An even better idea...

Dish charges about $98.00 for the everything package which they say has 280 channels so charge me $0.35 per channel and let me decide what I want to watch. That way greedy a**holes who have been driving up costs by requiring that channels be included that many people don't want will go broke and fade away. Let me decide what I want on my TV.

 

[bebop]

Yeah!!!!!!!! I am really starting to regret signing up with E*

What package do you have and when did you signup/switch?