Dish Network or DirectTV

Here are a couple of NRTC zip code check URLs, both kick out 20148 as being served by pegasus:

http://www.directvsports.com/GMOffer/
http://www.orbitsat.com/NRTC.htm

 

If you use the Directv web site to "order" here is what 20148 gets ya...

"You live in an area where DIRECTV service is provided by a local provider. To obtain their name and contact information and receive information on purchasing equipment, please click on http://www.localprovider.org. If you are a current DIRECTV subscriber, you can also call the customer service phone number on your DIRECTV programming bill."

and then follow that link you'll find

"Based on your ZIP code, 20148, your local DIRECTV provider is:

Pegasus Satellite Television, Inc.
123 FELTON STREET
Marlborough, MA 01752
866-426-7488"

crap

 

What is the NRTC and how does DISH not abide by it? Seems to me if it was some kind of government mandate it would apply to DISH as well. It just seems a little strange, but I have DISH

 

It was a deal that the NRTC made with DirecTV for like 3 or 8% of the customers...Dish wasn't included in the deal. It just sounds like a government mandate.

 

NRTC = National RTural Telecommincations Coop, Herndon VA

from thier website:
-------------
Direct broadcast satellite (DBS) technology delivers hundreds of channels of digital video and audio programming through a small, affordable dish and receiver.

In the early 1990s, Hughes Electronics Corporation saw the benefits of DBS and turned to NRTC for funding and a proven distribution channel through our member rural utilities. NRTC members and affiliates invested more than $100 million to obtain exclusive distribution rights for DIRECTV in their service territories. This ensured that rural Americans—who lived beyond the reach of cable and over-the-air television—were among the first in the nation to benefit from this cutting-edge technology.

NRTC’s rural utility and affiliated members now provide DIRECTV satellite television services to more than 1.6 million rural consumers, and DIRECTV is the nation's leading DBS television service. With NRTC territories accounting for only about nine percent of the nation's television viewing households, sales in these regions consistently represent more than 15 percent of the total DIRECTV national subscriber base.

DIRECTV subscribers living in NRTC territories receive their monthly programming statements directly from the NRTC member or affiliate, who also serves as the DIRECTV customer service provider for that area. NRTC members work directly with DIRECTV dealers in their territories to offer flexible, competitive sales commission plans.

NRTC offers DBS and interactive television equipment and accessories to help NRTC members build their DIRECTV business as they acquire new subscribers and increase subscriber loyalty.

-----------

I'm not sure when it was first added to 20148, but I'm sure that we do not fit the definition of "rural" that this was intended for "beyond the reach of cable or over-the-air television"

I wonder what it takes to get this lifted?

 

They're in Herndon? They know full well Ashburn is not rural! Reading in between the lines it says: we paid off Direct TV so we can gouge customers under the guise of a mandate to help rural residents.

 

Is it possible to give another address as the "viewing" location and the billing address as the 20148 location? As if we were renting a home and supplied service for the renters?

When we first moved to the broadlands I didn't cancel my Direct TV service right away ( I should have just kept it and left the location at our old house and changed the billing address). When I heard about Pegasus I said to the service rep, no thanks -- after being a 5yr customer it was hard to learn new channels.

As for DISH vs DirectTV, the only downside off the top of my head is that DISH is having some contract disputes with some of the channels so some channels may not be available. I do not know if the disputes have been resolved. If you are a football junkie, DirectTV is probably the way to go.

 

It's not different channels, it's the same service/equipment marked up and resold through Pegasus.

 

Except that I think you don't get all of the channels. Some channels such as Spike can't be resold (to things like Openband and maybe Pegasus).

 

You could always try it, but if you require installation, the installer or the installation process might catch you. Part of the installation process is to enter the Zip code in the receiver and the installer may have to specify your Zip code when activating the service.

As far as I know, DISH has settled its contract disputes. These disputes are not unique to DISH -- it happened recently with a local cable company, Cox I believe. And, the same could happen to DirectTV since they have to enter contracts for their service also.

If you're a Sirius satellite radio fan, DISH just replaced their CD music channels with Sirius and it's active now -- no extra cost with certain programming levels. Also a rumor that there may be some sort of Sirius discount to get the service in your car, but I have no facts on this -- only a rumor...

 

Two new DISH offers below...

1. DISH just added another HD channel to their HD package, TNTHD, at 9420 -- see following information at:

http://news.moneycentral.msn.com/ticker/article.asp?Feed=BW&Date=20040521&ID=3728113&Symbol=US:DISH

DISH Network Adds TNT to its High-Definition Package; Programming to Include NBA, Movies

The 24-hour HDTV presentation of TNT's East Coast feed will offer DISH Network customers a wide range of programming in HDTV format, including sports, movies, TNT Originals and other high-quality shows that TNT fans have come to expect over the years.

DISH Network now offers five channels in its high-definition package for only $9.99 per month, including TNT in HD, ESPN HD, HDNet, HDNet Movies and Discovery HD. TNT in high definition, including such favorites as Law & Order and X-Files, can be seen on DISH Network's channel 9420.

"Bringing TNT to our HD line-up offers customers even more programming in the best resolution and clarity," said Michael Schwimmer, executive vice president of Marketing and Programming for EchoStar. "This channel adds tremendous value to the DISH Network high definition package."

Notably, NBA action on TNT will be in high definition beginning with the Western Conference Finals today, and will continue with the 2004-2005 NBA regular season. TNT gave DISH Network customers a taste of the NBA in high definition with the broadcast of the 2003 and 2004 All-Star Games.

TNT's high-definition programming will also include The Grid, an original, 12-hour series that explores both sides of an escalating war on terror, starring Dylan McDermott (The Practice, Wonderland) and Julianna Margulies (ER, Evelyn). It will premiere this summer.

All programs and commercials on TNT in HD will be presented in high definition, 16:9 wide screen format and will feature 5.1 surround sound...

------

2. DISH is now offering a receiver for Sirius satellite radio; however, the Sirius monthly subscription rate is still $12.95 -- see following information at:

http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/s...04/0002178772&EDATE=THU+May+20+2004,+02:02+PM

and at:

http://www.dishnetwork.com/content/products/receivers/sirius/index.shtml

Sirius Satellite Radio Now Offered to Millions of Dish Network Homes

SIRIUS SATELLITE RADIO RECEIVER SR200
DISH Network-branded SIRIUS Satellite Radio receiver SR200 will be available through DISH Network retailers at a MSRP price of $149.95.

 

An interesting note here would be whether you installed it yourself or had an installer come to your house. We are in 21048 zip code, bought it at Circuit City in December 2000. We called about installation but it was a 1 month wait so we just did it ourselves. We have never had any contact with anyone but DirectTV. I wonder if that makes the difference.

 

Hey All,

Just got DISH installed yesterday and it looks fantastic. Installation and setup were a breeze, and the picture is much sharper than that of Adelphia's. I've subscribed to the HD channels, but still need to get the off-air antenna to get the locals. Anybody have any suggestions as to where I should pick one of these up? Any brands out there that are exceptionally good?

Thanks,
Joe

 

Digital OTA reception in far-suburban areas like ours can vary depending on your location, elevation in relation to adjacent terrain and other factors.

I would suggest not to sweat brands and DIY installation if you want to get the best possible signal quality and access to all of the 43 DTV and HDTV OTA channels in the Washington D.C. / Baltimore market.

I recommend Fairfax Antenna to do a site survey at your home. Let them install whatever antenna system works best at your location to get the channels you want. If you want all the channels, you will need either a rotor for your UHF antenna or multiple fixed antennas.

A single fixed antenna install might run you about $250 all inclusive. Mine ran about $440, but I added a remote controlled rotor and other customization. Worth ever penny IMO, but I am very picky about DTV quality and cannot deal with dropouts.

 

An installed antenna will likely give you the best range of
channels if you are picky and want more than just the main DC
network stations. A great resource on the internet for finding
out what stations are available and what type of antenna you
need to pick them up is: http://www.antennaweb.org

I used it to determine the proper angle to point for the main
network channels (4, 5, 7 & 9) with a $45 Jensen pre-amped
antenna I bought at Best Buy. I placed it inside my attic and
fine tuned it with a two way radio and my wife down at the TV.
I get 4, 5, 7 & 9 plus WB 50.

Glebe TV also installs antenna's and was recommended to me by
the Big Screen Store. I did not end up using them as I was
happy with the Jensen. You can reach them at 703-471-0407.

skins fan

 

AccuWeather is now available on DISH Channel 9500. Select the state and pick a city, Sterling is the closest for us, go to Favorites and select this as your Local. You can then select other states/cities for your favorites, but only one as your local. I'd prefer the local weather as shown on The Weather Channel and the local cables, but I'll settle for this instead of cable!

I found this channel by accident and DISH tech support confirmed that it became available with the last 811 software upgrade download a couple weeks ago. Availability is probably subject to your receiver and maybe service selection.

 

Good news, say good bye to Pegasus.

"DirecTV, the nation's largest provider of home satellite TV service, said Wednesday it had agreed to dissolve a decade-old arrangement under which the National Rural Telecommunications Cooperative had the exclusive right to distribute the service in rural areas of the U.S."

Read the whole story here:

http://www.thestreet.com/tech/georgemannes/10163282.html

 

fantastic!

 

Great news! At least now the option is there to switch if the need arises. Thanks for sharing the news.