Dish Should Hop on Epix
There is no question about it; DirecTV is the leader when it comes to sports programming however if you’re a HD movie lover then Dish Network is for you.
It’s time for Dish Network to start pushing its HD movie channel advantage. Going through the Dish Network website in the packages and premiums categories I find no mention anywhere of all the premium HD movie channels they offer. (Something that I feel needs to be corrected.)
They should be tooting their own horns about their premium HD content, because they offer more HD premium channels then almost any other pay television provider.
Doing a quick check between Dish Network and DirecTV here are the HD premium movie channels that DirecTV does not currently carry:
HBO 2 HD
HBO Signature HD
HBO Family HD
HBO Comedy HD
HBO Zone HD
HBO Latino HD
ActionMax HD
5 StarMax HD
Encore HD
In addition Dish carries a number of non premium HD movie channels such as Lifetime Movie Network HD and Hallmark Movie Channel HD.
There is a new movie channel coming this fall called Epix that will show HD blockbusters from Paramount, MGM and Lionsgate. Epix will be home to over 15,000 films including such hits as Ironman, Star Trek and the James Bond series.
Epix will be launching this October and will also be launching an online video on demand service, which will serve movies at up to 720p HD resolution.
Epix will be different then premium movie channels such as HBO as Epix will air movies about nine months after they are shown in theaters which is earlier then films normally appear on services such as HBO and Showtime.
In an interesting move Epix is leaving the pricing for the channel up to cable and satellite providers, but would rather the channel not be billed as a premium channel like HBO and Showtime are.
I feel Epix would be the perfect fit for Dish for two reasons:
First DirecTV yesterday stated that they do not want to carry, DirecTV Interim CEO Larry Hunter said “That’s another one that I don’t think you’ll be seeing us being interested in.”
In addition DirecTV CFO Patrick Doyle followed up by saying “We don’t see the value of adding another movie channel.”
This would make Dish Network the only national provider of EPIX and add another feather in their cap for being the HD Movie Channel Leader.
Secondly the new Internet based on demand service would be a perfect plug in for Dish Networks upcoming 922 Slingloaded DVR. The new receiver is heavily internet based and will give customers a web browser and allow them to access various internet content. Adding an Epix button would be the perfect addition to the receiver. In addition the ViP 622/722 receivers could also add access to the Epix VOD content as well.
Sure Dish Network might not be the sports lovers’ pay television service of choice, but if you’re a HD movie lover then there is no better satellite service. I have a feeling that there could be as many movies lovers out there as they are sports fans. Dish needs to get to work on this one and claim their market now before its too late.
Wow Busy Week!
This week was a busy week here in “The Satellite Dish” with 5 full editions! Thanks for reading and have a great weekend!
Grumpy Bear51 commented:
Epix will end merged with HBO or Starz. No major Cable or Satellite provider announced that will offer it in their line up. Remember that the Direct Tv owner is the owner of Starz too and with about 3% of the shares of the HBO owner Time Warner. Check it out!
heatwave commented:
Epix looks like a snooze. If Dish takes it, they'll just raise our rates to pay for it. Their movies are available everywhere -- DVD, pay per view, etc. I don't want it if it means I'll have to pay more.
Read Statement Carefully commented:
Remember DirecTV Interm CEO said that DirecTV "would likely pass" and "I don't think" on carriage of Epix which to me means they might carry Epix if the terms would be to good to pass up. Also he isn't going to be the CEO permentally. The new CEO could say he or she does want to carry Epix.
greenday commented:
knowing charlie he will play hardball with programming costs, carry the channel then threaten to drop it only to keep the channel.
jaime diaz commented:
do you know the when the vip922 will be available to buy?
11 HBO/Cinemax commented:
If you all can remember back on June 13, 2007 DirecTV press released an article about having all the HBO/Cinemax channels that they now carry in Standered Definition that they will soon have them in High Definiton, which they do not. The article can be found on their press release section under the article
DirecTV To Offer 11 HBO/Cinemax Channels in HD
Please check it out, it's a good read.
Customer who would by Dish if they get Epiz commented:
I have been thinking about getting Dish, and if they got EPIX that would be a real incentive...this channel looks phenomonal
rjk1977 commented:
remember this...dish added many more hd channels than directv
johnj commented:
good points scott. i think directv owns starz so its interesting to see that they don't carry all the sho
Bubba commented:
The HD movie channel that myself and all classic film buffs are looking forward to is Turner Classic Movies HD. Apparently they are already offering an upconverted feed but will be going full HD in a few months. Great library of classic (and not so classic) films from the Golden Age of Hollywood
bobvick commented:
I completely agree with you Scott
premium commented:
DirecTV really needs to carry more than just 3 cinemax channels and the rest of the channels from HBO and Showtime
