Dish Takes on Smithsonian

As we reported here yesterday in a special edition of The Satellite Dish, Dish Network customers woke up to find The Smithsonian Channel HD removed from their lineup and replaced with A&E’s CI (Crime & Investigation Channel) HD.

After digging a little further yesterday Smithsonian Channel put up a notice on its website saying that the channel was removed due to a contract dispute with Dish Network. This was confirmed last night by with someone from Dish Network who did not want to be identified. In addition I was told that he felt that the channel while offering some great high definition programming was now mostly repeats and that the channel was only planning a few hundred hour of new programming for the next year. Because of this it was this person’s opinion of the reason why Dish did not renew with Smithsonian channel.

It is looking optimistic however that the channel may make a return as Smithsonian updated their website stating, “Dish Network has elected to suspend service of SMITHSONIAN CHANNEL. We hope to resolve the situation shortly so that SMITHSONIAN CHANNEL can be restored.” In addition Dish Network CSR’s have been reported telling customers that they hope to have Smithsonian Channel HD restored shortly.

This one might have a good outcome for all after all.

Musical Chairs

On Friday Echostar filed with the FCC to move its oldest satellite, Echostar 1 to the 77 degree orbital location.

The 77 degree location is part of Dish Networks new “Eastern Arc” service.

Echostar 1 will be moving from Dish Networks 148 degree orbital location and in a game of musical chairs Echostar 5 at 129 which is being replaced by the new CIEL II satellite will be moving to the 148 degree orbital location.

Speaking of CIEL II I am hearing that Echostar will be given permission to use the new satellite starting tomorrow. With that said I would expect we could see the offloading of Echostar 5 to the new CIEL II satellite commencing this week.

Dish Network customers with Dishes aimed at the 129 orbital location should notice a stronger signal when the new satellite is put online. West coast Dish Network customers rejoice!