Joy For Some Dish Network Customers

Some HD customers are very happy with Dish Network today.  No, unfortunately Dish did not add any new HD channels today; instead Dish Network became the first satellite provider to offer its customers a HD only package.

This new HD only package aptly named DishHD is priced at only $29.99 and offers 44 national HD channels (5 of those channels are HD PPV channels).   A number of readers have reported that this move has dropped their Dish Network bill from over $100 a month to just over $40 a month.  (This price includes the DishHD Package, HD Locals and DVR fees.)

Other HD customers are happy as they are now saving themselves $10 a month by switching to the new DishHD Essential package.  This new package includes the HD versions of the channels that customers currently get in standard definition, so for example if your base programming package includes the Discovery Channel in standard definition, with the DishHD Essential package they would also receive the HD version of Discovery Channel. 

There are a few channels missing from this package, most noticeably the VOOM HD channels, but for many they are happy to not have to pay for VOOM channels.  The VOOM channels while good HD content is a little to niche for some folks and in addition some recent programming lineup changes have reduced the amount of HD shows presented a day. (The same shows or movies are now shown a few times a day instead of only once a day.)

The other channels missing from the new DishHD Essential package are HDNet Movies, Universal HD, NBA TV HD, and NHL Network HD.

And while some folks are happy about being able to reduce their bills many others will be noticing that their bills have increased.  As of today the price on some of the popular Dish Network package have risen anywhere from $3 to $5.

New Dish Network Ad Campaign Launched

Today was not only a day for new HD packages and pricing, but it is also the day that Dish Network has rolled out a new national advertising package.

New radio, television and print ads feature the star of the new TBS hit show “Frank TV” Frank Caliendo.

The new ads feature Caliendo as himself and Caliendo playing the role of a number of popular celebrities.  Some of the impressions that Caliendo plays in the new Dish Network spots include John Madden, Donald Trump, George W. Bush, Bill Clinton and Dr. Phil.

I was able to view a few of these new spots a few weeks ago and found them funny and to the point.

I got to be honest, this may actually be the first Dish Network ad campaign that I have actually liked, normally Dish Networks ads are boring, unimaginative and show no razzle dazzle, but with this new Frank Caliendo campaign you almost want to cheer when they come on and makes you want to be a Dish Network customer.

For years DirecTV has been running ads with star power, now Dish Network with just one person has added a lot of great star power that makes you only want more.

Have a good weekend, enjoy the big game!