No NBA League Pass on Dish Network?
I am receiving word from a number of readers that it appears that Dish Network will not be offering the NBA League Pass. All mentions of the NBA League Pass have been removed from the Dish Network website.
According to the readers who have written me about this their calls to customer service reps have been told that Dish Network is negotiating with the NBA to offer the package for the 2008/2009 season. I have tried contacting Dish Network for an official comment on the situation but one was not received by press time.
NBA League Pass offers basketball fans a season ticket of all NBA games. It should be noted that on cable and on DirecTV the NBA Leaguse Pass package is in free preview from October 28th - November 4th.
We will continue to follow this story.
Good News for Dish Customers in Alaska and Hawaii
The channels USA Network HD and SCIFI Channel HD are now available to HD customers in Alaska and Hawaii. The channels became available to those customers on Thursday and air from the 110 degree orbital location. For customers in Hawaii and Alaska USA Network HD airs on channel 5502 and SCIFI Channels HD airs on channel 5503.
Dish Network Launches New Website
While researching the NBA League Pass Story, I noticed something that was different about the Dish Network website. It took me a few moments to put my finger on it, I could tell it looked cleaner and more professional and then it dawned on me that Dish Network has launched a new website.
Going through the site, the layout and feel has improved greatly. And it hasn’t just been the homepage that’s been improved, the customer portal too has been redone and is easier to navigate and find what you’re looking for. I also love the fact that you can change your programming online without needing to speak to a CSR on the phone.
This is an overdue, yet well done upgrade from the folks at Dish Network.
Happy Halloween!
LDI commented:
I just ordered my NBA league pass for $189. Three months for 63 dollars. A lil' high but I don't care. I looooove Basketball. Thanks Guys.
Truckee commented:
NBA League Pass is now available on Dish Network. I just called and confirmed that I would be getting the League Pass for the early bird price since I was on auto renewal. I am glad that mess was finally settled. Posted on the Dish Network site" NBA LEAGUE PASS on DISH Network Season Ticket - Channels 560 - 572 NBA League Pass is available to order TODAY! NBA LEAGUE PASS brings you maximum coverage of your favorite NBA action with up to 40 regular season games a week not otherwise available in your local area. Plus your subscription includes NBA LEAGUE PASS Broadband, NBA LEAGUE PASS Stats Central, and select games in high definition. Channels 560- 572
lakerfan commented:
I dont like this continued sales spin bs either. But I decided to stick with Dish because they continue to give me Leage Pass for free while they work this out. I got games last night (11/14). If they stop doing that, then I will have a tough choice to make.
HELP commented:
EVERYTIME I GET IN TOUCH WITH MY SATELITE PROVIDER(DISH) THEY TELL ME THAT they are aggressively trying to get the NBA league pass. I don't know whether to hold on or get Direct TV. I still get to watch NBA free previews but who know how long this will last.
Truckee commented:
I am still receiving NBA League Pass on Dish Network. There are two to three games a night shown in High Definition. I will just wait it out and see what Dish does. We have been with Dish for over 9 years.
Andy commented:
DirecTV sucks. No dual receivers. Can't record in one room and watch it later in the other. I can't go back to that. I actually had the DirecTV installers out one time, but they couldn't hook it up the way my Dish Network has been for 3 years (I was going to try them after a recent move to save money with a Qwest bundle) so I said forget it and kept the Dish Network.
I still have NBA commented:
Dish is doing it's best to please the diehard NBA fans. I have watched my pitiful NJ Nets every game. And some of the other teams as well.
lakerfan commented:
I'm still getting the free preview as of last night, Wednesday 11/12. In fact, I watched Lakers-Hornets. So Dish is giving us the content, at least temporarily.
kysersoze commented:
you can get it for that price on any of the providers, & dish also lets you break up the payment...so your point.... is pointless.
Mildred from Ms. commented:
Dish is rinky/dinky....Y'all better get the best satellite out there. Direct TV is by far the greatest.They have NBA league pass at $169. You can break this in four installment payment.
Kyle Luna commented:
NBA is not exclusive to DirecTV, it's on digital cable too via Sports iNDemand, it's up to your local cable provider if they carry it though.
Sunsfannatic commented:
It will be interesting to see if the games work past tonight. The broadband free preview expires today. I wonder if Dish Network worked it out to do a free preview until they get it fix. I don't want to go to Direct TV but I will if I have to.
Andy commented:
League Pass is still on Dish, people. I've been watching it everyday. As long as it is free, what are you complaining about? The only question is whether once it gets worked out if the early bird price will still be available since that window supposedly passed. Of course, if the NBA decides to go exclusive with DirecTV, then it will be the NBA I give up on, not Dish. Why they would want to keep people from seeing their games is beyond me.
MJT commented:
i'm switching this week to Directtv if i can't get NBA league pass
Peter H commented:
Here is a transcript of my most recent chat with DISH.. Please wait while we find a representative to assist you... You have been connected to (03) Jack J. (03) Jack J: Thank you for choosing Dish Network the leader in DVR and HD. I will be happy to assist you today. Please give me 2-3 minutes to access your account and review the information you have already provided. Peter Hayden: ok (03) Jack J: Thank you for your time and patience. (03) Jack J: Thank you for your time and patience. (03) Jack J: we apologize that the NBA League Pass is currently not available and DISH Network is working hard to finalize an agreement so that you can view more of your NBA games this season. (03) Jack J: While we continue to work aggressively to negotiate the return of NBA League Pass, you can still view your NBA games on the following channels: ESPN and ESPN 2, TNT, your Local Channels (such as ABC) and your local Regional Sports Networks. Peter Hayden: please do not give me a canned response (03) Jack J: Please continue to check back with us. (03) Jack J: Sure. Peter Hayden: I've seen the same response verbatim 4 times already Peter Hayden: can we talk man to man without the canned response for a moment (03) Jack J: Please go ahead. Peter Hayden: I've been loyal for 7 years Peter Hayden: I had CBS and Fox Distant networks in Chicago and NY Peter Hayden: DISH failed to pay the royalties for the distant networks, got sued, and lost...As a result, I cannot get distant networks...DISH's fault, not mine Peter Hayden: Now, DISH doesn't want to pay what DirecTV is paying for NBA League pass Peter Hayden: And on top of all of it, they are lying about it, telling us that they are "negotiating" a price. the previous lie, before the season, was that DirecTV wasn't offering it either Peter Hayden: that turned out to be a lie as well. Peter Hayden: I'm going to switch to DirecTV Peter Hayden: because not only am I paying top dollar Peter Hayden: but now I am getting less service, and my providor is lying to me as a loyal customer Peter Hayden: I don't like getting f*cked in the a$$ by someone I am paying money to (03) Jack J: I'd appreciate if you refrain from using profanity as this is a professional chat session. Peter Hayden: after all the typing, 7 years of loyalty, is that the only thing you care to address? (03) Jack J: I understand your concern. (03) Jack J: We are working hard on the agreement and hope to have NBA League Pass available soon. (03) Jack J: Please continue to check back with us. (03) Jack J: Is there another issue that I may assist you with? Peter Hayden: wow....as a man, I have to opine that you have no balls whatsoever, and I mean that with all sincerity. have a nice life Jack ..
Peter H commented:
I have been a DISH network customer for 7 years, League Pass for 4. I am going to try to call the NBA league office(which I suggest everyone do for a straight answer). DISH is bullsh*tting about the negotiations. I lost my distant network channels in Chicago and NY because DISH didn't pay the networks the royalties on Distant networks, got sued, and lost. They BS on that too. You can look that up. League pass is the most important part of their package for me, and if they lie to customers, why should the customer stay with them?
Truckee commented:
I have Dish Network and have been a NBA League Pass subscriber for 4 years. The free League Pass ended yesterday but I just checked and Dish Network is still playing NBA games tonight so maybe an agreement is close at hand.
Magic Johnson commented:
If DISH Network was such an HD leader they'd be showing the League Pass games in HD. DIRECTV is!
Smitty (Las Vegas) commented:
(03) Janet D: We are working hard on the agreement and hope to have NBA League Pass available soon. (03) Janet D: Have I handled everything to your satisfaction? Smitty: Thanks for the cookie-cutter legal statement. Now tell me why I shouldn't quit today and switch to DirecTV, who can get me the league pass tomorrow. (03) Janet D has left the session. Your agent is experiencing technical difficulties. Please stand by while we re-establish contact or find a new agent... All agents are currently busy. Please stand by. Please wait while we find an agent from the (03) Programming Change department to assist you. You have been connected to (03) Bryan S. (03) Bryan S: Thank you for choosing Dish Network the leader in DVR and HD. I will be happy to assist you today. Please give me 2-3 minutes to access your account and review the information you have already provided. (03) Bryan S: Thank you for your time. (03) Bryan S: I am sorry for the technical disconnect. (03) Bryan S: I am sorry to inform you that we are working to provide NBA league pass. (03) Bryan S: However, we do not have any updates as of now. Smitty: So, again, I ask why I shouldn't quit dish today and switch to DirecTV, who can get me League Pass before I miss half the season. (03) Bryan S: DISH Network is the home of the best technology and lowest everyday prices nationwide. Our goal is to continue bringing you the best programming, including your favorite NBA games, at the lowest prices. We will continue to work very hard with the NBA to finalize the League Pass agreement so you can continue to enjoy more of your favorite basketball games. Again, remember, DISH Network is known as the best value in TV with the lowest everyday prices nationwide. Smitty: You are not even talking with me. You are a robot. Smitty: From research i've done, it looks like Dish isn't even going to pick up the league pass this year. And you're just telling me you're in negotiations so I'll stay on as a customer. (03) Bryan S: I am sorry you feel that way. (03) Bryan S: we appreciate your business with us. (03) Bryan S: We appreciate you understanding and co-operation in this regard. Smitty: You can't even give me an estimated date? (03) Bryan S: At this point of time we do not have any information about the exact time frame. (03) Bryan S: Is there another issue that I may assist you with? Smitty: Yes. You've just convinced me I need to switch to DirecTV. How many more months do I have on my Dish contract, and how much is the early termination fee? (03) Bryan S: I see that your account is bundled with Embarq, am I correct? (03) Bryan S: Are you still there? Jacob Smith: I'm here Jacob Smith: Yes, my account is bundled with Embarq (03) Bryan S: Thank you for the information. (03) Bryan S: I am afraid, we do not have access to bundled accounts. (03) Bryan S: Unfortunately, as we do not have access to the bundled accounts, I cannot access your account information. (03) Bryan S: To get help with your account, please contact above mentioned phone number. (03) Bryan S: I apologize for any inconvenience. (03) Bryan S: Is there another issue that I may assist you with? Your session has ended. You may now close this window. So there you have it.
Smitty (Las Vegas) commented:
I contacted Dish today via live chat and was given the same cookie cutter responses that I got in 2004 when Viacom and CBS were at odds. It was funny that, when I didn't just accept the politically correct response, my representative suddenly experienced technical difficulties and I got a new representative. My conversation went as follows: Please wait while we find a representative to assist you... You have been connected to (03) Janet D. (03) Janet D: Thank you for choosing Dish Network the leader in DVR and HD. I will be happy to assist you today. Please give me 2-3 minutes to access your account and review the information you have already provided. Smitty: let me know when you're ready (03) Janet D: we apologize that the NBA League Pass is currently not available and DISH Network is working hard to finalize an agreement so that you can view more of your NBA games this season. Although NBA League Pass is currently not available, we are working quickly and aggressively to have this package soon. (03) Janet D: While we continue to work aggressively to negotiate the return of NBA League Pass, you can still view your NBA games on the following channels: ESPN and ESPN 2, TNT, your Local Channels (such as ABC) and your local Regional Sports Networks (if customer subscribes to AT100+ or higher).”
Kyle Luna commented:
Greg, NBA League Pass is on digital cable too via Sports iNDemand, it's up to the individual provider if they carry it though.
edward commented:
I got this reply from inside, although not a very high-up person. I got this reply on Friday, Oct 31, 2008. I just sent a follow up with her since it is now Monday. Hope to hear some good news, or just some definitive news. I like dish, but I am switching if they don't offer NBA League Pass, since it appears it is not about monopoly. ================================== Hello Ed, Thank you for your email regarding the current status of NBA League Pass on DISH Network. We are currently negotiating with the NBA for League Pass for the 2008-2009 season and beyond and are trying to get the best deal for our subscribers. In the meantime, you can watch the games this weekend in the Free Preview on channels 560-572. We hope to have a final answer on Monday. Please feel free to contact me if you have any other questions. Thanks, Laura Berman Pay-Per-View Specialist DISH Network L.L.C
Tony commented:
This is BS. I like Dish Network better than Directv (I think they have better customer service) but NBA League Pass is great. Seems like Directv is getting a monopoly on Sports Subscriptions. Very Dissapointed!!!
Greg commented:
Can anyone confirm that League Pass is offered anywhere besides DirectTV? I wonder if the NBA and Direct are joining together like NFL Sunday Ticket, or if this is just an example of Dish being cheap in negotiations. Either way, I will dump Dish if they don't have League Pass.
SS commented:
Dish Network better get it together or they will be losing customers. NBA League Pass is offered on all the other providers for $169. I am very upset they still don't offer it as of Nov 2. Very strange that Direct TV doesn't have this problem.
Dunning commented:
Dish continues to show the games on Free Preview. And League Pass is back to being mentioned on their website as of this morning. Still unable to order, however.
Mario commented:
Good News for Dish Customers in Alaska and Hawaii and Puerto Rico!
Nathan commented:
Just a quick note, DIRECTV has been heavily upgrading their website recently, too. Their customers have had the ability to update their programming online for several months now. In this slowing economy, that might be a good or bad thing. I was EASILY able to go in and downgrade my premiums to save some money for a while (and besites, their Cinemax offer is a joke -- even at $8).
