Screaming At My TV (In a Good Way!)

It’s been a long time since I have sat in front of my television and screamed at it, but today I did just that.

Last Thursday Dish Network had their monthly retailer chat and I just got a chance to sit down and watch it.

This was an unusual Dish Network Retailer Chat as Dish Network CEO Charlie Ergen stopped by for a surprise appearance.

It seems that Charlie was there to give retailers a little pep talk, and I got to admit I liked what he had to say In fact some of what he said echoed from past editions of “The Satellite Dish.”

Ergen said that things at Dish Network are way to complicated, both for the retailers and for consumers, and that he was working hard to make things simple again. He said Dish network had to many thing such as different receivers, different LNB’s, different switches, different satellites even different promotions and with so many of them its hard to support the customers and retailers.

He said when retailers have a hard time explaining the promotions or how to use things to customers then something is wrong.

He went on to say how Dish Network is building the groundwork to marry satellite delivered video with the Internet. He said that independent retailers are going to be very important to Dish Network in the future. Charlie told dealers they would need to learn broadband and how to install and support broadband and WIFI setups.

Charlie said they are looking to invest in retailers who work hard and want to succeed.

Hearing all of this was music to me ears and actually had me shouting and cheering at my television.

While I may not agree with Mr. Ergen all the time he has been able to plan for the future, Charlie implemented technology in his receivers that was unused for years, such technology as Ethernet connections and 8PSK compression technology. These items have gone unused for years but now have a use, with the Ethernet connection customers can enjoy on demand programming and by moving standard definition channels to 8PSK technology Dish Network can reclaim bandwidth and offer their customers more.

Its going to be interesting to see what Charlie has up his sleeve over the next year, but from the gleam I saw in his eye on this retailer chat he definitely has a plan.

BlizzCon on DirecTV

What do you do with the biggest gathering of Diablo, Warcraft and StarCraft players and fans? You put them on DirecTV and have a two-day pay per view event.

The DirecTV Exclusive PPV will feature over 18 hours of coverage from BlizzCon which will take place in Anaheim, California.

The event will include announcements on the future of Blizzard Entertainment games, developer interviews, plus tournament coverage featureing some of the best professional players in the world.

To top things off the event will end with a live concert by Ozzy Osbourne.

DirecTV will offer the event is standard definition and high definition formats. The cost for the 2-day event is $39.95 when you order it with your remote control.

This special event will take place this weekend, August 21st and 22nd. For more details please see http://www.directv.com/blizzcon.