DirectTV & Dish Network Fail Public Television . . .
30th August 2007
In my August 7, 2007 post, I expressed the concern that some viewers may be left behind when all of U.S. television transitions to digital transmission on February 17, 2009 — just 537 days from now. While cable and satellite viewers won’t notice the change, viewers with conventional TV sets and rabbit ear antennas will find nothing but a snow-filled screen.
As it turns out, some viewers have already been left behind. Those viewers who value their local PBS / public television stations and who subscribe to satellite television services DirecTV and the Dish Network.
DirecTV’s and Dish Network’s include the traditional analog and new digital program services of your local ABC, CBS, NBC, and the FOX commercial network stations. Local public television stations’ digital signals can only be received via cable or over-the-air with an antenna and digital (HDTV) receiver.
Both DirecTV and Dish Network’s have decided NOT to include the new digital / HD program services of local PBS / public television stations in their “Local HD Channel Packages.”
Obviously, DirecTV and the Dish Network are carrying the commercial network digital signals because they believe the digital and often High-Definition (HD) programming provides “value added” for their subscribers.
Given the nature of many PBS programs, the digital service would provide enhanced picture and sound quality. You have to wonder if I can watch a commercial network “game show” in digital high-definition, why would DirecTV and the Dish Network not want to provide the same enhanced viewing experience to NOVA and NATURE viewers?
Because no one demands it. This must change. We must demand that the new digital / HD services from our local PBS stations be treated equally with the local commercial network stations.
Want to make a difference? Call one or both subscription satellite services and let them know you want your local PBS station’s high-definition, digital programming included as part of their local HD channel package lineup. Call them now:
DIRECTV – Phone: 888-777-2454
DISH NETWORK – Phone: 888-825-2557
Share your passion for the new high-definition (HD) programs available from your local PBS / public television station.
December 22nd, 2007 at 9:22 am
I did call Dish network to complain about the exclusion of PBS in its HD service. I doubt my call helped because I was told I was getting the local Hd “free”. Dish accepted no culpability or gave any reasonable explanation for the lack of pbs in HD. I told them that they were using false (misleading) advertising in their claims of local HD progamming and that I say no disclaimer in its advertisments or in my sign-up conversation that stated that PBS was NOT included in the local programming package.
December 30th, 2007 at 7:53 pm
Author’s Reply to Brent Collins: My thanks for making the effort. All of doubt that our individiual comments (or posts) have an impact on large corporations.
However, you may find it surprising that just three days before you called to complain to The Dish Network, DirecTV announced it would be carrying local stations HD signals in the future. See the following link for details:
http://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/global/contentPage.jsp?assetId=P4450026
DirecTV is the first to make a commitment to carriage of local PTV stations’ HD signals. Perhaps your call — and those of other readers — will prompt The Dish Network to make a similar commitment in 2008.
DISH NETWORK – Phone: 888-825-2557