Update on NBA on Dish Network
There is still no official word from Dish Network on the status of the NBA League Pass being available Dish Network, however a number of readers sent me a url at the Dish Network website of http://www.dishnetwork.com/packages/ppv/sports/basketball/default.aspx which apparently had the following message regarding the NBA League Pass. (I say apparenty because I never saw this message with my own eyes, however a number of readers alerted me about this message)
“DISH Network sincerely regrets that NBA League pass is currently unavailable. In the meantime, you can still view your favorite Basketball games on ESPN (CH 140), TNT (CH 138) and your local regional sports channel.
The loss of NBA League Pass was the result of the NBA’s decision to impose unreasonable contract terms on DISH Network to continue to carry their programming package.
DISH Network remains committed to protecting its customers from unreasonable contract demands from programmers that will negatively affect DISH Networks goal of providing the best value in programming packages and equipment.
We continually strive to control costs on behalf of our customers and are hopeful that this dispute will be resolved quickly. Please understand we are not at liberty to discuss negotiation details without the NBA’s approval. We realize that in today’s competitive world you have a choice in services. We thank you for your continued business and support while DISH Network continues to work through these difficult but important negotiations with NBA TV.”
However by the time I got to the website this message was gone, however in a positive move the NBA League Pass is now mentioned but there is currently no way for Dish Network customers to order the sports package.
I see this as a positive sign as the website had no mention at all of the NBA League Pass package on Friday. In addition Dish Network has indeed been showing the NBA League Pass free preview for the past few days (although they have not shown one game in HD, which is something DirecTV has been doing.)
So we will keep watching and hopefully soon Dish Network customers will be able to order and enjoy the NBA League Pass.
We will keep you updated.
KinneyT commented:
I have been enjoying NBA league pass on Dish since the season open on Halloween. Today is the 10th. I hope they come to agreement because I looooooove me some B-Ball.
Tony commented:
The Broadband Free Preview goes on until Nov 11 so it will be interesting to see if the Dish Free Preview continues on after that. I have Directv on order but if Dish Network gets NBA League Pass I will cancel my Directv order. DishNet has better customer service, better value but I love NBA League Pass!!!!!
Kyle Luna commented:
Since Dish Network is supposidly going to have League Pass in free preview mode until they sign a deal, wouldn't they have to reimburse the NBA for all the customers that were getting it for free after the official free preview ended on the 4th?
Dave commented:
There are quite a few HD games on today. I am actually really impressed that it is free while they work this out. SD or HD... still better than online quality IMO. Go Suns!
Pissed off costumer commented:
Called today, and they told me they will have a free preview until the contract is negotiated. The games show up in today's grid, but still not a single HD game. Don't you guys hate how Dish markets themselves as the best HD option, and yet DirecTV has so much more HD sports then Dish. That kind of false advertising drives me nuts.
deven commented:
When I called to add NBA League pass on my account they told me its not available on any network. Bunch of liars. My friend has directv and he has league pass
DIRECTVhereIcome commented:
It's no big secret that DISH Network doesn't run their business very well. It is a poorly managed company. What they are good at is shocking everybody that they are still in business. Charlie Ergen is also an asshole.
Pissed off customer commented:
I wish there was a way to post all these messages in Dish Network's website.
Have you guys seen the comparison they have on the main page between Dish and DirecTV? They only mention price there basically.
I guess if you want to go cheap go with Dish if you want to go with quality go with DirecTV. It's so sad, if something is really better with Dish is their receivers, but oh well I will have to deal with not having the 30 second jump button.
pissed dish customer commented:
screwedbydish...Yes I think you can get out of your contract. I plan on not paying my early termination fees when I cancel later this week. Call in and ask for an account manager and explain the situation and the false pretences you signed the contract under. I will be threatening a class action lawsuit due to the false advertising on the internet, on their commericals and on their own website. and the fact that their representatives keep telling us that it will be available after the negotiations. They pulled this same crap with the MLB package this last summer. this is the last straw.
screwedbydish commented:
Can I get out of my 2 year contract I signed? Do I have any rights here since Dish claimed to have nba league pass when I switched from comcast. This is just a mess
Scott Grooms commented:
The issue here is that The Satelite and cable providers purchase the NBA league pass from the NBA. Dish Network doesn't have enough Customers who want the NBA league pass so rather than losign money they are claiming that the NBA is demanding unrealistic terms. It's all about Dish Network not the Customer. They claim that they are trying to keep prices low but the real story is that they do not want to pony up an dspend the moeny on the package when they don't think they will get enough customers to purchase the programing. What's ironic about this whole issue is that you can go to NBA.com and see what they are charging. $189 for the package with an early bird option of $169. It also shows the three providers of the package and one of those providers is Dish Network. The Problem is Dish Network not the NBA. My Contract just ran out with Dish Network. If the Games aren't on by 11/05/08 after the free preview is over I'll will switch providers. Dish Network isn't providing any options for it's customers that are willing to pay a higher price to get the programming. In fact the ironic part about this is that the NBA league pass programming is a pay per view programming anyway. If People want it they will pay for it. Dish is worried about themselves not the customer base.
Kyle Luna commented:
NBA only has one package, League Pass which is a premium subscription service that isn't part of any tier. As for NBA TV nearly every other provider has it on a sports tier and is carrying League Pass with no problem at all, so I doubt it would be them trying to get it on a wider tier and Dish Network refusing to budge.
Thiomas commented:
Perhaps NBA is telling Dish to carry some other packages an/or put them on a specific programming tier.
It wouldn't be the first time programmers tried that.
As to treating Dish differently than other providers, it's possible. Hard to prove it though since none of the contracts/negations are public.
I'd prefer the providers (content "owners") publish a standard rate for all carriers for separate content and bundled discounts.
Pissed off customer commented:
This is just the beginning of the end for DISH. Obviously the whore "savings" bit is an excuse to not pay for a new contract since they probably see themselves been bought by DirecTV pretty soon. I personally will wait till Wednesday to see if there's a miracle if not I will have to change to DirecTV.
It also makes me furious that DISH advertises soo much it's Turbo HD service. What a load of crap, why don't you give us more HD games on the NBA League PASS????
Fkent484 commented:
How come every time Dish drops a network or a package they claim the are being treated differently than Comcast or Direct TV?
Is there some vast conspiracy against Dish Network?
Hammer200 commented:
I stopped ordering the league pass 2 years ago. Has anyone checked out NBA.com's broadband of the games? You can watch multiple games at once and it looks great. And at over half the price of league pass.
screwedbydish commented:
The Free Preview ends on Tuesday 11/04 and we're stuck with nothing. Sad thing is I signed a 2 year contract thinking they would have NBA league pass, now to discontinue the dish I have to pay around $200. This is not fair, Why cant they just overcharge us a little, that way customers at least have the option of getting it even if they raise the price $20.
Smitty commented:
I'm guessing that the free trial ends November 11th, just like it does every year. But that won't stop Dish representatives from telling you whatever they have to tell you to get you not to drop Dish. I've been a very loyal customer to Dish, but this might be the last straw. As soon as NBA games stop appearing on my TV, i'm switching to DirecTV. It'll cost me $80 in early termination fees, but I don't care.
Ross commented:
I called Dish Network... When I went to order the package they said they were in Contract Talks and that is was unavailable at this time to purchase.. I asked when the free trial would run out? The person said it would be a free trial untill they Contact talks were negotiated..
Tony commented:
This doesn't make any sense. If I buy league pass how does that affect the price of somebody else's subscription who does not want it. What the f.....n Hell is going on!!!!! I wish someone could explain this to me.
Greg commented:
I guess I am dumping Dish... I hope they pass the "savings" down to all of the remaining subscribers, since their reasoning for not have NBA League Pass was to control costs for customers. What a bunch of crap.