April 9, 2008
News
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ENGLEWOOD, Colo. - Liberty Media Corp., a diversified media holding company, said Thursday it has purchased 78.3 million shares of DirecTV to increase its stake in the No. 1 satellite television provider to 48 percent.
Liberty Media (nasdaq: LCAPA - news - people ), controlled by media entrepreneur John Malone, financed the private transaction by borrowing $1.98 billion against a new equity collar on 110 million shares of DirecTV Group Inc. (nyse: DTV - news - people )
“The additional shares and equity collar each increase our exposure to DirecTV’s equity and further align Liberty’s interests with those of the DirecTV shareholders,” Greg Maffei, chief executive of Liberty Media, said in a statement…read more at Forbes.
April 8, 2008
DirecTV
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If you’re lucky enough to be a Direct TV subscriber, you’re probably already familiar with Channel 101. It’s here that Direct TV offers up some pretty cool original programming — stuff you can ONLY find on Direct TV and nowhere else.
The other day the company announced a few new shows that will be coming to 101. These will debut early next year. Here’s what they are:
* The Supreme Court of Comedy: Sounds to me like this is basically a comedy version of Judge Judy. Small claims courts in California get the treatment from Dom Irrera as the judge, and “counselors” who are also going to be comedians. Sounds interesting.
* Rock & a Hard Place: A game show hosted by Meatloaf that will feature recording artists competing against one another for charity.
* DirecTV Hometown Heroes: Basically a feel-good show that will showcase the good deeds of Direct TV subscribers across the country.
If you haven’t checked out Direct TV 101 yet, you really should. It has some pretty entertaining and cutting edge stuff up there. Let everyone know what you think by leaving your comments below.
April 8, 2008
DirecTV
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DirecTV will take down the preview sign on its MLB Extra Innings package tomorrow.
The DBS leader has been running an early bird special price of $179 (four payments of $44.75 if you choose) for baseball’s subscription pay-per-view out-of-market package.
Company officials say DirecTV’s version of the MLB service is the only one with such interactive enhancements as on-screen graphics showing up-to-the-minute scores, league standings and stat leaders, and real time in-game box scores to track game performance for each player.
DirecTV is also pitching MLB Extra Innings SuperFan service, which includes up to 40 games per week in high-definition, versus 10 for other carriers, according to satellite service officials.
The SuperFan package also features the Strike Zone Channel – modeled after the NFL Sunday Ticket’s Red Zone Channel –that provides up-to-the-minute highlights and live action of key plays in HD. Moreover, DirecTV says it’s the only vehicle where fans can receive the Game Mix Channel, which supplies eight live games on one screen.
April 8, 2008
News
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Survey shows Dish Network’s one of the satellite TV provider with best customer service. Well, no wonder we are seeing more and more Dish service center being opened around the States.
On April 2, 2008, Dish Network announced that they will open a new customer care center in Phoenix, AZ. The facility will offer DISH Network customers the expertise of seasoned agents, including approximately 400 technical support representatives and 40 support staff. This is yet another way in which DISH Network continues to demonstrate its commitment to providing the highest level of customer care.
The center is scheduled to open in June 2008, but will start hiring staff in April and begin training in May. Agents must have at least two to three years of experience in a customer-facing or technical support role.
“We chose Phoenix for this customer care center because the region has an abundant and quality workforce,” said Erik Carlson, Executive Vice President of Operations for DISH Network. “We received top ranking from the American Customer Satisfaction Index last year and the rich resource of talent in Greater Phoenix will help us continue to strive towards achieving that same high level of service again this year.”
“DISH Network’s decision to expand its operations to Greater Phoenix is a reflection of the continued strength of our workforce,” said Greater Phoenix Economic Council President and CEO, Barry Broome. “We congratulate the City of Phoenix on bringing several hundred jobs to the region.”
Dish Network Corp. said Wednesday it would open a customer service center in the Ahwatukee area of Phoenix.
Colorado-based Dish said the center will employ 400 technical support representatives and 40 support staff. The center is located off of Interstate 10 near Ray Road. It will open in June with hirings starting this month. Dish Network is a satellite television provider. The Greater Phoenix Economic Council and city of Phoenix recruited the company to the region. Up to the time of writing, it has 11 other service centers in the U.S.
April 6, 2008
Digital TV
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As TV Goes Digital, Some Viewers May Be in the Dark
Wallace Page, 87, begins and ends each day with his television. His tired legs don’t let him get out much anymore, he doesn’t own a computer and reading often strains his eyes. The TV set is sometimes his only connection to the outside world.
But the TV signals he’s come to rely on will soon disappear. In February, traditional analog broadcasts will be shut off so the airwaves can be used for wireless phone services. And the transition to digital-only television — the biggest change for the industry since color TV — could leave some people in the dark.
The digital conversion presents a huge logistical and technical hurdle for the communities whose dependence on rabbit-ear-style analog TVs are high, but whose understanding of how to manage the change is low.
Many of the older TVs belong to seniors and low-income individuals — populations that are typically harder to reach to educate about technical change. Yet these groups are also the people who most rely on their TVs for critical information such as news reports and public-service alerts. In nursing homes and retirement communities, where many sets need antennas to pick up signals, TVs could flicker out.
In the Washington region, 15 percent of TV viewers use analog signals, according to research firm Centris. In the District, nearly a fifth of the population relies on over-the-air broadcasts, the fourth highest in the nation behind Alabama, West Virginia and Kentucky, according to the company…continue reading.
April 5, 2008
Dish Network vs DirecTV
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The two main satellite television services in the country are Dish Network and DirecTV. These are one of the very few options one has when one is seeking to switch from cable to satellite television. They are both far superior in their quality and customer service, offering the best deals available in the market when compared to any ordinary cable provider. The best deals offered by the service providers, the best packages and their prices are all available on their websites; thus providing a very customer friendly environment. All information regarding the packages and facilities can be obtained from the company’s official website. This not only saves you a lot of time, but also saves you a lot of trouble as all the information you need is available at one place. Let’s see how these service providers fare in regards to the services they provide.
HD/DVR Receivers
HD/DVR receivers are a part of the packages offered by both these service providers. This happens to be the latest development in technology which assists in superior quality viewing. Dish Network has to offer to its customers, two types of receivers: One is a HD receiver that can support up to 2 TVs, along with which they also offer a dual HD DVR receiver for up to 2 TV’s as well. This latest HD DVR receiver offered by them is called ViP722 DVR and it supports two kinds of televisions, both HDTV and SDTV. It is capable of recording over 350 hours of SDTV programs and about 55 hours or more of HDTV programs. This set also provides a satellite tuner that is capable of being viewed in two modes; either a picture –in-picture mode (single mode) or a dual mode wherein one can simultaneously record a program and view a previously recorded program as well. Being very customer oriented, Dish Networks’ service provides for a customer friendly interface allowing for easy- to – use option for searches as well. If the customer desires, the company also provides for an on screen caller ID feature, provided the customer has subscribed for the same with their respective phone company.
DirecTV on the other hand promotes their newest product: Dual HD/DVR receiver a.k.a DirecTV Plus HD DVR, which allows its customers the choice of recording 200 hours (about 8 whole days) of SDTV and 3000 minutes of HDTV. One of the best features offered by this receiver is the a feature known as Series Link, which allows people to record entire seasons, and even adjust for changes of date and time every week. Along with these features the receiver possess another feature known as Media share that gives the customers access to view photos, play their favorite music which can be saved on to an Inter Viiv processor PC. In addition to allowing the caller id facility like their competitor, the TV guide allows its customers to be able to see the schedule for forthcoming TV sitcoms and movies for over 14 days in advance.
Sports
Both the service providers provide an impressive line of football, soccer, hockey and basketball games, allowing the customer to purchase either the individual games, or the entire 4 game package for half to full seasons. DirecTV in addition also provides rugby and cricket with NASCAR.
Music and exclusive programming
Dish TV provides and extensive range of exclusive interactive programs allowing the customers to play games, keep a tab on the weather, read gossip, check your horoscopes, view scores live for different games and shop using the “home shopping network”. By teaming with SIRIUS they provide around 60 different commercial music channels free of cost to suit different tastes, and are provided with several of their packages.
DirecTV, in comparison, provides a range of exclusive programs via channel 101, which includes music and live shows. A channel known as Channel 103 exists, which is dedicated to shows based on faith and inspirational events for the family. Along with this they also offer close to 70 channels of radio with specific packages.
Parental control locks
Both service providers offer the options of parental control along with locks for absolutely no extra monthly charge, allowing parents to lock movies that have been certified in appropriate for viewing by children by the Association of Motion Pictures in America. Dish network also offers an option where extended option allowing parents to view expanded ratings of things such as language, nudity and violence and thereby offering extra protection to the children. These parental locks are also extended to channels that you have to pay to watch or the Pay and View channels.
Both the service providers provide great packages as well as excellent and innovative technologies that are directed to fulfill any family’s entertainment needs, allowing the customer to choose what is best for them.
April 5, 2008
Dish Network vs DirecTV
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For someone who wants to enjoy the goodness of satellite TV and lives in Continental USA of Hawaii, the choices that he has will surely be either Dish Network or Direct TV. This is because there are only two providers of satellite TV that will enable you to access more choices with less money. In most cases, consumers will go for free installation, great package, free equipment and great service. Both Dish Network and Direct TV offer those and both of the top in the competition for satellite TV providers. So, how do you choose among these two giants in satellite TV business?
For Dish Network, their biggest advantage of being a provider is they provide the Digital Video Recorder (DVR) equipment for free. This equipment will allow users to record up to 100 hours of their favorite TV programs. Their second advantage is their pricing which beats Direct TV by a little but beats cable TV by a large margin. However, Direct TV provides packages which have programs like NFL Sunday Ticket which Dish Network doesn’t have.
Programming wise, both of these companies provides superb quality transmission. Dish Network has over 256 channels in their programming. They also have 231 NFL pre-season, regular season and post-season playoff games that you can watch without having to pay a costly subscription. Furthermore, it has a more comprehensive international programming.
For Direct TV, they offer up to 225 channels. However, they have special rights to some sports channels which Dish Network doesn’t. To get these channels in your package, you need to some extra fees. Some of the sports cannels available are NHL Center Ice, MLB Extra Innings, NY Yankee Games, NBA League Pass and NFL Sunday Ticket.
The equipment needed for both these satellite TV providers are almost the same. Both require the small dish, a satellite receiver and access cards. However, if you opt for the DVR or High Definition, you will have to go for a different dish.
The Dish Player DVR510 by Dish Network offers up to 100 hours of recording. For Direct TV, their DVR only allows you to record up to 35 hours. If you subscribe to Dish Network, you will get your free satellite TV equipment and free installation in up to for rooms. However, with Direct TV, you would have to pay a certain amount of money for the DVR equipment.
As for customer service is concern, both Dish Network and Direct TV offers great service 24 hours a day will toll- free phone numbers which you can call to report your problem. In addition, they also convenient online services where you can view your account statements, packages and make payment for your account. Furthermore, you can access the user manual and installation guide online.
In conclusion, it may be hard for one to decide which satellite TV service provider to go for, Dish Network or Direct TV? Anyway, no matter which one becomes your decision in the end, you will surely be able to enjoy great entertainment at the comfort of your own home.
April 3, 2008
Satellite TV Shopping
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When you are searching for a satellite TV service provider, you will definitely notice great deals from Dish Network and Direct TV. There are tons of articles writing about all the fantastic value off satellite TV comparing Dish Network against Direct TV. However, can the articles help you make the smartest choice? Therefore, if you are in need for further opinion, you might need to seek the advice from your nearby TV dealer.
You can easily find Dish Network dealers anywhere. Dish Network advertisements are seen almost everywhere in your mail or even in TV ads. These ads promises to give you the best price but you might find out that different dealers may have different prices in mind. Some dealers might need you to pay some hidden fees that you are not aware of. Some provides lousy service and don’t even install your satellite system properly. There is dishonesty among the satellite TV dealers. Most would only care about making profit rather than delivering customer satisfaction. They will promise you everything just to get your credit card information. These dealers will offer irresistible deals that includes free extra incentive gifts, extra cheap monthly costs, as well as fast installation date. All this so that consumers would be tempted and eventually fall for it.
Once you have sign up with these dealers, they will show their true colors and give you a nightmare of bad service, high hidden cost, late installations, incomplete installation, and shocking cancellation fees. So, you have to watch out for the quality of the dealers out there so that you won’t have to suffer all the trouble after you sign up. Therefore, here are some details that you might want to pay attention to when you are dealing with a dealer. Firstly, go to their website and get answers for the following questions:
1. How long have they been in business? When you want to choose a TV provider, be sure to look for those who has been in the business for a number of years so that you will be able to find them if you face any problems in the future.
2. How many satellite TV systems have they installed so far? This is because you would want to look for a dealer who has a lot of experience in installing the TV system. The experience will give you added assurance that you won’t be facing any problems after your installation.
3. Will the dealer provide a new set of dish and receivers? Some dealers tend to promise you new ones but install an older or used satellite system.
4. Will they be installing the system for free?
5. Will you be getting the free DVR and HD so that you can enjoy high definition pictures and record your favorite shows.
6. Does the dealer provides 24/7 support and customer service. How will they act if you have a problem?
7. Are they offering the best price for the Dish Network service?
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