Looking Back at 2008

The year 2008 was a strange year in the world of satellite television.  It seemed like satellite world was set to take off in 2008, but instead as I look back on the  year it looks like someone hit a big pause button.

The year started off looking bright for Dish Network who announced some big HD plans for 2008 at the Consumer Electronics Show, but those plans were delayed back due to a launch failure the AMC14 satellite.  Depending on who’s counting, Dish Network claims  currently offer over 100 national HD channels and as of this writing is still advertising “up to 150” HD channels by the end of the year.  The end of the year is here, so where are the channels?

On the DirecTV side of things users were expecting a lot of new national HD content as well.  The DirecTV 11 satellite was launched and successfully reached orbit however the amount of new national HD added was underwhelming by many DirecTV HD fans.

About the only thing exciting for DirecTV fans was an announcement that DirecTV was working together with TIVO to make a new HD DVR which they hope to have available in 2009.

High Definition was major news this past May when Dish Network launched a respectable number of new national HD channels to their customers only to follow up the next two days by removing all 15 channels from VOOM HD Networks. This removal of VOOM by Dish Network ultimately caused the demise of the VOOM HD Networks here in the United States, with Rainbow media recently announcing they were shutting down the VOOM HD service here in the United States.  The only customers in the US seeing the VOOM channels now are Cablevision customers; however those channels will go dark on January 20^th.

Even with the satellite issues Dish Network had in 2008 they still managed to launch their new all MPEG4 service dubbed the “Eastern Arc.”  The new Eastern Arc gives installers an easier look angle making satellite system installations easier for installers on the East Coast.

Dish Network announced that it had subscriber losses over the past two quarters while DirecTV appeared it was on cruise control.  With the high price of gas and the poor economy it appeared that these factors really didn’t hurt the satellite services which by any means are still a bargain for the amount of entertainment they provide.

Both companies kept on trucking, rolling our local HD channels into more DMA’s across the country.

The biggest news out of 2008 in the satellite world was not satellite television related but was satellite radio related.  That news was that the DOJ and FCC save the green light of the merger between XM and Sirius Satellite Radio.  The FCC dragged their feet on this one as it was the longest wait ever for a merger approval.  When approval was given both satellite radio companies we just about on life support and were trying to cling to life.  In November Sirius XM cut a lot of staff and also merged a number of channels between the satellite radio companies together to cut costs.  These cuts did not make satellite radio fans happy and many satellite radios voiced their displeasure online and a number also canceled their service.  The good news was that popular shows such as Howard Stern and Opie and Anthony were made available to subscribers on both services.

As we close the books on 2008 I am looking forward to 2009 starting with CES which happens next week in Las Vegas.  While DirecTV will not be there Dish Network will be there and I understand they have some exciting new equipment to show off there.  Of course I will be there and will report my findings here in the Satellite Dish.

Hope you had a great 2008, I wish you all the best for an even better 2009!

Sirius XM Launches “Party City”

To ring in the New Year Sirius XM has compiled some of the best party music and has launched “Party City” on XM 38 and Sirius 39.  This special party channel will only last into the new year so on January 2^nd its gone.

Fox Business Channel Canned by Sirius XM

Just 6 months after launching on Sirius XM, the plug has been pulled on the new Fox Business Channel which was heard on the satellite radio services.

The full Fox Business Channel is however still available on DirecTV and select cable systems around the country.  There has been no explanation by Sirius / XM over the channels removal.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!