Why LOGO got put into the HD Platium package

[smooth28la]

This is a continuation from another thread. I think this deserves its own discussion

Yeah, it seems to be 100% SD now, but that gives us something to look forward to in the future, right? At least it's available now, IMO. Some cable systems still don't have it in any form.

All in all, a pretty good week for us Dish subs. When the Turbo folks are appeased, we can all sit back and enjoy our HD superiority.

I have mixed feeling about it. Even though I was very happy that DISH finally added the channel after 4 years of its debut on Directv, I was forced to pay $10 to get Platium HD, which I canceled after VOOM disappeared from its package.

I get American Everything and HD Gold. I expected to get the channel for no additional cost. Maybe DISH thinks it's a good compromise to carry the channel without offending the most amount of low-end subscribers who are more likely to have a problem with the nature of the channel.

[Deleted ideological/ political statement]

The other downside is that anything I want to save into my external hard drive will takes much more space than a SD channel material.

 

[stevenmlaf]

This is a continuation from another thread. I think this deserves its own discussion


I have mixed feeling about it. Even though I was very happy that DISH finally added the channel after 4 years of its debut on Directv, I was forced to pay $10 to get Platium HD, which I canceled after VOOM disappeared from its package.

I get American Everything and HD Gold. I expected to get the channel for no additional cost. Maybe DISH thinks it's a good compromise to carry the channel without offending the most amount of low-end subscribers who are more likely to have a problem with the nature of the channel.

[Deleted ideological/ political statement]

The other downside is that anything I want to save into my external hard drive will takes much more space than a SD channel material.

I agree. They found a way to charge us $10/month for the channel.

 

[lakebum431]

I think it was put in the top package for two reasons. 1) it is a channel that some people are willing to pay extra for so they can get more $$ out of those people (the original poster is a great example) 2) as with most channels carried there is a cost per available subscriber viewing the channel and dish determined that the majority of their subscribers would not want to pay for this channel so they put it in the highest package.

 

[jclewter79]

If it is SD material it should not matter that it is on an HD channel, it should not take up more space on your hard drive. Being that it is mpeg 4 it will most likly take up less space than a standard mpeg 2 sd feed. I think it is in platinum for the same reason that WFN is, it is a niche channel and this way the people want it can get it and, the ones that don't won't be calling and complaining about their monthly fee subsidizing a niche channel. From here on out, I bet that you are going to see more of these HD only launches on any new channels with a small enough following that they can get away with it. One day in the future all channels will be mpeg 4 and every customer that calls in to upgrade receivers for a must have channel is one less that E* will have to give a box to for 100% free.

 

[smooth28la]

Well, I have zero interest in any Sports-related channels.. and I've been subsiding these channels as long as I've lived. Actually I only watch about 20% of all the channels I get..where do they draw the line?

I'm sure DISH would have loved to make it a 'premium' channel but Viacom would have denied such request due to privacy reason and being included in the HDPack, which has other niche channels, would be more beneficial for Viacom's advertisers.

 

[lakebum431]

smooth -
The difference is that if you look at the general population of pay tv subscribers there are far more that care about sports than there are that care about certain channels such as Logo. Not saying it is fair and that is why some people have been pushing for a la carte programming, but we will likely not see that for the foreseeable future. So it is just something that you have to live with.

Not sure what you are talking about when you say that Viacom would have denied such a request due to privacy reason?

 

[smooth28la]

smooth -

Not sure what you are talking about when you say that Viacom would have denied such a request due to privacy reason?

A national database of LOGO subscribers? I know it's 2009 but you'd never know what would happen if the wrong people got access to this information!

 

[lakebum431]

Don't see how it is much different from a "national database" of porn subscribers. Paranoid much?

 

[Slamminc11]

A national database of LOGO subscribers? I know it's 2009 but you'd never know what would happen if the wrong people got access to this information!

I know a lot of straighties who watch the channel, so not sure what you are trying to get at.

 

[lakebum431]

I know a lot of straighties who watch the channel, so not sure what you are trying to get at.

I've been too busy to check it out yet, but I agree, I'm about a straight as you could ever be and I'll check it out when I get a chance. I heard lately there has been some decent stuff on there.

 

[Slamminc11]

I for one think it's crap that it is only in the HD top tier package. It should have been launched on 250 in SD and in the HD package.

 

[jclewter79]

I for one think it's crap that it is only in the HD top tier package. It should have been launched on 250 in SD and in the HD package.

Platinum is not top teir it is an add on. It can be added to any package, you do not have to have classic 250 to add it. Viacom may have even liked it this way. $10 to add it will be cheaper than a customer that might have Classic 100 and want this channel, if they put it where you wanted it, it would cost $20 a month for those customers to get. It is more accesseble for more people where it is.

 

[allargon]

If it is SD material it should not matter that it is on an HD channel, it should not take up more space on your hard drive. Being that it is mpeg 4 it will most likly take up less space than a standard mpeg 2 sd feed. I think it is in platinum for the same reason that WFN is, it is a niche channel and this way the people want it can get it and, the ones that don't won't be calling and complaining about their monthly fee subsidizing a niche channel. From here on out, I bet that you are going to see more of these HD only launches on any new channels with a small enough following that they can get away with it. One day in the future all channels will be mpeg 4 and every customer that calls in to upgrade receivers for a must have channel is one less that E* will have to give a box to for 100% free.

No, it is still MPEG4 HD even though it's upconverted SD. There are still more pixels to store on the hard drive than a SD-lite MPEG2 channel.

BET J also got put in the platinum tier with no HD content to be found. (BET might be stretch-o-vision for upconverted SD, but there are several HD programs.) BET J isn't controversial at all. I think this was more of a numbers thing. Channels with less viewership like Smithsonian, BET J, Logo, FTV, etc. get put into platinum as they are niche channels. They are someone less (or more) niche than other niche channels with wider distribution. However, they are likely pricier. Moreover, they broadcast in HD. Methinks it's purely a business decision rather than politics.

 

[gopherscot]

I for one think it's crap that it is only in the HD top tier package. It should have been launched on 250 in SD and in the HD package.

I think it should have been a simple add-on to any package. It is a niche channel that only a select group really cares about and let them add it for 3-5.00 per month. Would hate to see it in a regular package as there are some topics not appropriate for some people.

 

[jclewter79]

No, it is still MPEG4 HD even though it's upconverted SD. There are still more pixels to store on the hard drive than a SD-lite MPEG2 channel.

BET J also got put in the platinum tier with no HD content to be found. (BET might be stretch-o-vision for upconverted SD, but there are several HD programs.) BET J isn't controversial at all. I think this was more of a numbers thing. Channels with less viewership like Smithsonian, BET J, Logo, FTV, etc. get put into platinum as they are niche channels. They are someone less (or more) niche than other niche channels with wider distribution. However, they are likely pricier. Moreover, they broadcast in HD. Methinks it's purely a business decision rather than politics.

I never said anything about political or conterversial. I said niche. That is why I mentioned WFN as being niche too. Personally I think that there are many more people interested in a 24-7 fishing channel than a gay lifestyle channel but, either way you are going to have people calling in saying they don't want their money paying for it.

 

[tawhite]

I think it should have been a simple add-on to any package. It is a niche channel that only a select group really cares about and let them add it for 3-5.00 per month. Would hate to see it in a regular package as there are some topics not appropriate for some people.

You know, there are alot of niche channels that are a part of regular packages. I don't think that in and of itself is a valid argument.

I do agree with the topics, especially some of the program names in the guide. I mean, come on, The Gay News??? WTF? I don't have a problem with a channel with programming geared to the Gay/Lesbian population. To each his/her own. It's just some of these titles and a couple of the programs I have checked out are rediculous. This is the first channel except for adult programming that I will have to block from my guide. These listings are completely inappropriate for children, at least my children.

This channel could have been OK and could have served its intended audience if there would be some sense used in the programming provided.

 

[jself1982]

Here in my area, my local cable company makes you purchase Showtime to get LOGO, so while I am glad that we finally got LOGO, it doesn't make me mad to have to pay for it. I understand there is a lot of people who doesn't want this channel so honestly it makes both sides happy, and I am ok with it.

 

[jself1982]

I've been too busy to check it out yet, but I agree, I'm about a straight as you could ever be and I'll check it out when I get a chance. I heard lately there has been some decent stuff on there.

A lot of straight people like that show called "Rick and Steve", I finally got to watch it and I must say I LMAO at it!

 

[smooth28la]

You know, there are alot of niche channels that are a part of regular packages. I don't think that in and of itself is a valid argument.

I do agree with the topics, especially some of the program names in the guide. I mean, come on, The Gay News??? WTF? I don't have a problem with a channel with programming geared to the Gay/Lesbian population. To each his/her own. It's just some of these titles and a couple of the programs I have checked out are rediculous. This is the first channel except for adult programming that I will have to block from my guide. These listings are completely inappropriate for children, at least my children.

This channel could have been OK and could have served its intended audience if there would be some sense used in the programming provided.

The "Gay News" program is co-produced by CBS News and it's NO different than what you read on your local newspapers and TV broadcasts.

You call that unsuitable for your children??

Reading the guide is not the same as watching the actual programs to know what exactly they are!

 

[JEFFinINDY]

A lot of straight people like that show called "Rick and Steve", I finally got to watch it and I must say I LMAO at it!

And a lot of non-race car drivers seem to like watching Speed. And I've never played in the NFL, yet I still enjoy watching the NFL channel from time to time.