DISH Network's CEO admits to "missing the HD window" last year
It's no secret that DISH Network has seen better quarters than Q1 2008, but CEO Charlie Ergen is already outlining ways to improve things in the future. On a recent conference call with analysts, Mr. Ergen reportedly acknowledged that DirecTV and telephone outfits "had garnered the lion's share of new customers in the first quarter." The infamous AMC-14 failure and a (relative) dearth of HD expansion options were both blamed. After realizing that operations and customer service were slipping in February, the exec became more involved with day-to-day procedures in an attempt to right the ship; however, he still felt that DISH "probably missed the HD window last year." Curiously enough, the satcaster has just recently felt the need to giveth and taketh away, but if it really can stay on track and deliver close to a hundred HD channels before 2009 dawns, we can certainly see things turning around.[Image courtesy of Reference For Business]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
mugatu @ May 14th 2008 6:09PM
Did he admit to being a dooshbag too?
Where's my 22 HD channels Charlie? Freaking liar.
Jake @ May 14th 2008 11:46PM
Amen to all those bashing stretch-o-vision! If the goal is to get people to migrate to HD en masse, showing them deformed standard definition content is probably not the best route forward. Never mind stretch-o-vision, what about low bit rates on HD content in general?!? I'd be infinitely more excited about providers using their new sat bandwidth to provide a higher bit rate on the good channels that everyone actually wants to watch.
Before I get flamed, I'm willing to entertain the notion that MonstersHD probably should make that list!
And to the fellow who called the DISH CEO a dooshbag; did you ever think about breaking out the European spelling, "douchebag"? It hits just a little bit harder!
mugatu @ May 15th 2008 6:18PM
@Jake
The spelling was intentional for comedic impact. This is a family site, COME ON!
HDTVFanAtic @ May 14th 2008 6:32PM
That's the difference in having a real plan - like Directv did - and trying to hobble together space junk thrown all over the sky between 61.5 West and 148 West.
Nice Strategy Charlie!
The lack of long term strategic planning falls squarely on your shoulders - as most classy execs were shown the door (or couldn't stand you) long ago.
Now its time to pay the piper.
Mr. E @ May 14th 2008 6:45PM
"has seen been quarters" = "has seen better quarters"?
I used to have Dish way back in the prehistoric days before HD, but went back to cable. If I could go back in time and run Dish, I would have (1) partnered with or bought TiVo when DirecTV dropped them [big fan base and name recognition to draw subscribers from DirecTV], and (2) Rolled out HD early like there was no tomorrow.
As things stand now, it's not looking good for Dish.
Darth_Tubbie @ May 14th 2008 6:52PM
Charlie, please give me back Monster HD. Pretty please.
Dan @ May 14th 2008 7:22PM
Precisely why I switched from Dish to DirecTV last month. My SD DVR died an they wouldn't offer me an upgrade path to an HD DVR, so I switched after being a customer for 8 years. Couldn't be happier now. Sorry, Charlie.
mugatu @ May 14th 2008 7:50PM
Are you reading these comments Charlie? How do you like what your little bait and switch VOOM debacle has done for public opinion? It's all you dude.
thorphin @ May 14th 2008 8:16PM
There's been a lot of Charlie bashing all over the Internets.... I have an actual question though.... let's say that they actually can pull together "100" national HD channels by the end of the year. I can't keep track of how they count things, but what are we at now, according to them... 60 or 70? I'm not aware of 30 more announced HD channels IN EXISTENCE, let alone in programming deals with Dish... Does anyone know what HD networks actually exist that haven't been added yet? Obviously, there's a few over at DirecTV, and let's ignore Voom for a minute. What else CAN they add?
Pete @ May 14th 2008 8:28PM
All I can say is I could care less about any channel that involves sports. Dish wants to make a big deal about Sports in HD well all I want is Voom.
I would drop all the sports channels in a minute to get back Kung Fu and Monsters HD.
Guy Incognito @ May 15th 2008 5:30AM
GRAMMAR POLICE ALERT: The phrase you are looking for is: "I couldn't care less"
Kevin @ May 14th 2008 9:11PM
Count me as one of the people that never cared about VOOM.
gr689 @ May 15th 2008 5:49PM
Dude; At least EVERY SINGLE FREAKIN VOOM CHANNEL WAS IN HD and NOT STRETCH O VISION!!! My god did you ever watch Voom, it made other HD channels look like garbage.
There actually was some really nice Voom channels. Monsters HD was awesome and so was Kung Fu channel as well as Treasure channel.
phatbuddha @ May 14th 2008 10:50PM
DISH has really made some huge mistakes lately. As I customer I feel a bit like they have insulted my intelligence and tried to pull the wool over our eyes to a certain extent.
I say just come right out and tell customers there will be some changes coming in the next few weeks and months. We will be adding and removing some channels from the HD lineup.
Instead they chose to say that we were getting 22 new HD channels. Which isnt a lie, but just not the whole truth. I don't need an additional channel to boast about these 22 new channels and not tell me the channels that I lost. It is a poor strategy and I find it insulting.
Tell me the truth. Tell me what changes are being made. When am I going to get some new HD channels with good HD content? What if any channels am I losing and why? Company's screw this up all the time. Instead of leveling with customers they think, "Let's just spin the good stuff and maybe they won't notice." Bad idea any day of the week.
pahensley @ May 14th 2008 11:03PM
Can anyone tell me about the the Directv HD DVR Reciever? are you able to create favorite lists and lock out the channels that you done want in the program guide?
If so, Im gone to DTV unless we get some good news from DIsh in the next couple of days.
Are they serious with WFN, what a joke.
Galley @ May 15th 2008 8:44AM
Absolutely. For more info, go to dbstalk.com.
Sean @ May 15th 2008 1:50AM
Charlie Ergen is an idiot. Period.
paullarochelle @ May 15th 2008 7:33AM
I have been with Dish since they first became available in New England. I spoke with them yesterday about upgrading my equipment (which I own) to three HD receivers. First, they will only allow me to convert two to HD and wait an additional year to add the third (of course with 2 year commitment). Monthly bill would increase $40 per month besides laying out $150 for two replacement HD receivers. So, I called my local cable co. (cox) and they will give me three HD receivers and service for about what I pay now for Dish and no out of pocket and no 2 year commitment. Needless to say, after all my years with Dish, I am gone tonight. If cable ends up not what I want, I'll try Direct or wait for FIOS to arrive.
Sorry, Charlie!
BananaBoat @ May 15th 2008 8:28AM
NooooooooooOoooooooOoooooooo not my KungFU HD...GAHHHHHH
Where else am I going to get Hi-Def Samurai movies from the black and white era. It's not like they come out on Blu-Ray here (or anywhere) >
DirectvFanClub @ May 15th 2008 10:35AM
As to this and the article 3 days ago about the 22 HD channels Dish is FINALLY adding...
Directv has had all of them and more since last October/December and then whenever a station adds another one thereafter - and yes this includes Travel HD. I've been watching SciFi HD for months now. Gee Dish might have a whole 90 by year's end, when Directv will have well over 100 - they can and do add the new ones as they start broadcasting. I think Encore HD is next and we already have HD channels for HBO, CINEMAX, STARZ, SHOWTIME, Universal, ...
nighthawk_cp @ May 15th 2008 10:35AM
I am probably switching to Direct as well. I have been with Dish for several years and am out of contract, but they would not give me a free HD/DVR box. Direct is glad to hook me up with this, but DISH is obviously not interested in keeping me as a subscriber. As soon as I get moved to my new place, DISH is done.
ARE YOU LISTENING CHARLIE. YOU ARE DOING NEXT TO NOTHING TO KEEP YOUR CURRENT SUBSCRIBERS WHO ARE READY TO JUMP TO HD. WHY SHOULD WE PAY $150-$200 FOR AN HD BOX WITH YOU WHEN DIRECT IS GIVING THE DAMN THINGS AWAY FOR FREE???? THANKS FOR THE INCENTIVE TO STICK AROUND AND APPRECIATION FOR OUR YEARS AS A CUSTOMER!
tomthedragon @ May 17th 2008 9:55PM
DISH Network's CEO Email ceoofdish@echostar.com
ufo @ May 26th 2008 8:29AM
my favorite channels (were) monster,hd news,equator,ultra +a few more that no longer exist. i picked and was paying for the package that contained these channels. Suddenly they went away. dish network will not answer my e-mails. I switched from Directv to Dish Network and I wish I had never made the change.