All DISH customers with 5 new national HD channels step forward -- not so fast Turbo HD subs
By Richard Lawler 
posted May 9th 2009 12:43AM
posted May 9th 2009 12:43AM
No sooner did DISH Network light up HD feeds for Speed, FX, Fashion TV, Logo and MavTV (as promised) than we started receiving complaints from left-out feeling Turbo HD package subscribers. It appears that being all-high definition with your channel choices means no Speed or FX for you, while the others are on the $10 extra Platinum package. Still, for those on the Classic Silver 200 package and above there's plenty of NASCAR practices, widescreen F1 and Rescue Me enjoyment to be had. DISH is still holding itself out as the HD leader with a claimed 140+ national channels (MSNBC HD confirmed launching in June) but with a price hike failing to gain access to the latest channel lineup additions we're sure there's at least a few customers with differing opinions.[Thanks, J David]
MSNBC, Fuck Yeah
All News Channels in HD after that, I feel so elitist now.
Over on DBSTalk, someone a Silver Turbo subscriber is receiving FX and SPEED. But their appears to be some bugs in the system as some people with higher packages aren't seeing the new channels at all.
Turbo HD customers currently don't have Fox News HD, Fox Business News HD, MTV HD, VH1 HD, BET HD, Nick HD, Speed HD and FX HD. This is ridiculous!!! Dish Network should be ashamed. Turbo HD packages are supposed to offer the HD version of a channel if it has an SD equivalent in an AT/Classic package. Dish, you supposedly are going to fix your issues that are causing your subs to churn...here's an oppty to do the right thing, and keep some subs...stop playing games and add these friggin channels to the Turbo HD packages like you should have doe to start with!
Wow, FINALLY !!!!!! I got the biggest surprise as I woke up to watch F1 qualifying at 4:30AM today and noticed its widescreen... and looks nicer... OMG ! Speed HD FINALLY!!!! This is great, its not true hd, hell it could be upconverted but its widescreen and a ton better looking than the SD feed I've grown accustomed to over the years but always looked like crap. I hope this just happened as its the 5th race already and I had to adjust my DVR to lock onto the HD feed. It took forever but thanks Dish !
Well I have the Gold pack (250 ch) with HD and FX HD and Speed HD are in red in my channel guide! So when I try to view this channel it states that I need a subscription to this channel! Anyone else have this issue or know what the deal is???
i had this problem when they added bet. I just called custermer service and in 10 minutes i had the channel.
Okay, here's the deal. You have to really get in to the details of the bronze, silver, and gold turbo packages in order to get what is important to you.
The thing that really threw me for a loop is that signing up for the Gold Turbo HD package and paying the ten for the Platinum extra channels DOES NOT get you the most or the best programming!
I have been tweaking my acct for a couple of months and I have what I want now. I have Silver and Platinum upgrade. That gets me FOX News HD and CNBC HD. MTV HD and VH1 HD are included. I get Comedy Central HD. I get SPEED HD and NFL HD.
I had to forego HDNetMovies and NTGEO HD. I don't get Tennis, BIO or GREEN HD or VS HD. I also miss out on SCI HD.
Believe me, it took four or five calls to figure all of this out. You can compare the
Turbo channels in the packages online at dish.com. It's hard to see the channels that you lose, but I swear that Silver plus Platinum is cheaper and better than Gold. I just wish that they would do an 'Ultimate HD' with all the channels. In reality though, this set up works for me.
But I kinda miss 'Living with Ed' on GREEN HD!
Seems YMMV. I already have Turbo SilverHD package, went online, added Platinum. That added Speed and FX plus the actual Platinum channels. Was looking for MTVHD and VH1HD, but not seeing them. Was already getting Comedy Central HD. Also not seeing FoxNews HD.
I'll give it a half hour or so and keep checking. But wife was missing The Hills...
This is getting ridiculous. I signed up with Dish specifically for the TurboHD package thinking that it was better to buy only HD as that is all I watch. I was promised that any new HD that was added to the Classic packages would be added to the corresponding Turbo package. Thankfully, so far I would only really be interested in FX and maybe Speed a little bit. Honestly I am looking for ways to cut costs lately and Dish is giving me a great option to kill satellite and save my $60 every month.
I say do it, be done with Dish.
A week ago today, I cut my Dish and went with antenna + TiVo + Netflix. Couldn't be happier after 2 months of being screwed around by dish about the TurboHD packages. When I sign up for an HD package, I expect all the HD channels to be included, especially after a giant price hike. Not only that, each and every time I called customer service, they had absolutely no idea what they were talking about. When Fox News wasn't added to the TurboHD packages, Dish wanted to send a tech out. They wanted to do this for about three days, until they finally realized that the channel wasn't included in the package.
Whatever, Dish. I'm enjoying my free OTA channels now.
Thanks for publishing my tip guys!
And like someone already mentioned, we are not just being screwed this time around! We did not get any of the following channels:
- Fox News HD
- Fox Business HD
- Nick HD
- VH1 HD
- MTV HD
- BET HD
- FX HD
- Speed HD
Now none of these were added to the "platinum" extras pack. There is no amount of money I could pay as a Turbo subscriber to get these channels. I would have to switch to an sd package, then pay the HD fee to get them...
WOW. I am glad I jumped ship on these assclowns last October! What a stupid stupid move on their part.
That is shameful. That is deceitful and shameful.
I would not be surprised to see Dish Network follow Blockbuster and Circuit City down the toilet.
Sounds as thou that may be DISH's agreement in their contract with the network.. If so.. Turbo HD customers will prob see no change and the channels not added.. Wouldnt suprise me..
Just got of the phone with Dish, the new channels are not available to TurboHD customers. I'd like to kick the corporate executive at Dish Network who decided to screw all their loyal TurboHD customers.
For me this is the last straw, Dish Network, you just lost another long time subscriber!
This is confusing. According to my bill, I have Classic Silver 200 and Silver HD. According to this post I should have FX HD, correct? I don't. As for the Viacom channels (http://www.engadgethd.com/2009/04/10/dish-network-adds-seven-new-viacom-hd-channels-cements-hd-supre/) I do have CMT HD, Comedy Central HD, and Spike HD, but no MTV HD, VH1 HD, or Nick HD. What is going on, why is this so difficult to understand?
I really just want FX HD.
Okay, a fairly quick call to Dish and they got it figured out. They had to send a "hit" to my smart card and now I'm seeing all the Viacom channels and FX HD like I'm supposed to.
I'm moving back to Comcast because they provide Fashion TV, Logo and MavTV in my area...=)
They added Logo HD
Well, I'm not sure why some of you aren't receiving these new channels, only 5 were released seemingly on May 8th and I have them all. The Viacom channels I've had since March or April or whenever they were released. If you're not getting channels you should be receiving, give them a call, I've never had a problem with their customer service. I just wish they'd notify me when there are new channels for me.
FWIW, I'm in Stockton, CA and on what used to be called America's Top 200 w/Silver HD + Platinum HD package. I've been thinking of dropping the platinum since it only gets you like 8 channels I believe, mixture of movies and sports and Smithsonian, shouldn't make a difference on the new HD channels. I've been on this plan for years now w/no changes.
For those "loyal" turbo HD subscribers, no offense but that package has only been available less than a year and wasn't available to current subscribers, trust me as a 5+ year old subscriber that got me peeved. 5 years vs 1 year is much longer and much more "loyal" I believe. I've only ever really wished for Speed HD lately, I don't see why the interest in HD news channels but seems to be pretty popular. With Dish, you've still got arguably the best DVR and the least compressed HD and thats why I've stayed with them and nary a problem in my years.
Lastly, aside from calling Dish to rectify your problems, you might want to check your channel listings to see if the channels are available but your 'Favorites List' isn't set up to view them. Either change your current channel listing to 'All channels' or 'All subscriptions' or even 'All HD' and you should see them. You do this by pressing 'Guide' twice. To modify your different 'Favorite Lists' go to 'Menu' - 'Preferences' - 'Favorites' or 'Menu', 8, 2. Hope this helps and could solve the problem for some.
Old customers have been able to sign up for Turbo since February, so get your information straight before you attack people.
Also, they are simply not in the package, and Dish doesn't plan to add them. Many are speculating that Dish is planning to phase out the package much like they phased out HD Absolute (the equivalent of Turbo HD Gold with Platinum add-on).
If you follow these types of websites, you will know that Dish has been consistently losing customers; their service is subpar, their customer service is among the worst in the industry (think of Comcast reps, but Dish ones have the audacity to hang up on people), and they generally don't know what they are doing (watch a Charlie Chat sometime and tell me that the CEO even knows what product his company sells... seriously...)
I should also mention when I say that when I was watching Formula 1 qualifying and that its not true hd, possibly upconverted widescreen SD, that is NOT the fault of Dish Network. That is due to F1, despite being the pinnacle of motorsport, as far as tv presentation and such are way behind everyone else. Ironic huh? There are some HD feeds I believe but they aren't available in the US.
Alright, this is really confusing... I just bought an HDTV yesterday and am already an SD Dish subscriber. I'm so glad I saw this post before changing my programming and upgrading to HD. So... in order to get new and future HD channels... I -don't- want to go with the 100% HD Turbo packages? Opt to just add Gold HD to my current Classic Gold 250? I really don't want to pay for all those SD channels if I don't have to...
I'm so lost... nothing makes sense...
I don't know if they changed it, but in the past, if you were an existing customer, you couldn't upgrade to TurboHD. Again, I am not sure if this is the case anymore, so you may want to check on that.
When I bought the new house, we moved out of the Comcast area and had to go satellite since Charter (in our area at least) HD selection blew. I then decided on Dish since it had more of what I wanted and all my friends have never complained about it. I was tempted to go for the TurboHD, but they were missing some very important channels for me. I don't know if it exactly is cheaper, it is for me considering I have all the channels I need, but I ended up going with the Classic Gold and adding HD for $10 which I think it gets you the gold HD package channels in HD. I think it would have worked out to about the same had I gone with TurboHD, but I would be missing a bunch of channels, which even if they are just SD, I just couldn't live with.
Yes, if you want all the available HD channels, you have to stick with the SD package and get the HD addon. No other option there.
Hoagie,
you should really contact Dish yourself and get the official word. And so you don't spend more than you have to, do decide which channels you really need. More is not always better. Give me locals, ESPN, Speed, Bravo and I'm content but unfortunately to get all that I have to pay more than I'd like to. Now that they're all HD hopefully I can work out something cheaper. If you're a new subscriber, you should be able to go on a trial period and/or receive discounts for the first few months so you can watch everything and decide what you really need/want before paying full price.
I wouldn't spend much time on forums looking for help as people tend to complain a lot and make an issue bigger than it is. It'll only frustrate you more. The point is to make yourself happy, so contact customer service who you'll need to deal with anyhow and see what they can do for you. Some people complain about any type of service at any business, I'm a polite person so I always get good service =) If they're too pricey then consider your alternatives, simple as that. Good luck !
I know they all work if you have the 250 + GOLD HD. I have it and they all showed up no problem. I guess if you want all the channels you have to Pay around $80 a month.
If you call DISH and get an accent, ask for American Tech Support. The outsourced tech services don't have a clue on anything. Some of the American TS's don't either, but are closer on guessing and can find the real answer if they are inclined.
The 5 new channels were added to:
MAVTV, Logo, FTV - PlatinumHD add-on
SPEED, FX in BronzeHD and up
I am an existing DISH customer (1993 - six blocks east of the old corp HQ) and upgraded to TurboHD last September adding the GoldHD package with no trouble what so ever. They came out and put up a new TurboHD dish and I got a 722. Very clean and easy. The two new channels appeared in my EPG (the most pathetic part of DISH) right when they came on. It is being said that some receivers are needing a "hit" from TS for them to register properly.
Actually, what I'm most disappointed about with TurboHD is that I *do* still get dozens of SD home shopping, televangelist, and other junk channels. I wish there was some way to eliminate "all subs" and "all channels" from the program guides cycle...
I'm disappointed about Speed HD though -- I sidegraded to TurboHD to save a few bucks, and gave up Fox Soccer, which along with F1 was about the only thing I watch regularly. (Everything else is for the wife and kid).
I was able to filter out all the SD content in my guide through some setting. Look deep, it's in there :)
Not everyone will get FX and Speed.
I had the pleasure of getting screwed by the executive resolution team.
I have been a Dish subscriber for more than 4 years. I switched over to them when they bought the VOOM! networks.
Early last year after hearing about a new all HD package called Absolute HD from Charlie Ergen (President and CEO) on a show called Charlie Chat I switched to that package. It was reasonably priced and Charlie promised I would receive all new non-premium HD channels as they came on line.
Well in February of this year, they discontinued the package. But, Charlie Ergen stated that the package would be grandfathered but no new people would be added on this package. I could live with that.
Until several channels were added and I didn't get them. They threw a few bones at us by giving us inconsequential channels but kept us from getting the meat and potatoes. Specifically in the first round of additions, they did not let us get FOXNews HD or FOXNews Business. I called to complain to no avail. I was again reassured that the package was grandfathered but I would not receive ALL new non-premium HD. I always thought grandfathered meant they would still uphold their end of the agreement.
Well last week they added several more HD channels to their line up. Specifically MavTV, Fashion Channel, BET, LogoHD, FXHD, and Speed HD. I have really been waiting on the last two for a long time. When it came down to it, I ended up getting MavTV, Fashion Channel, BET, and Logo. Woot!!!!!! Crap channels. The only good channels were not grandfathered into my package. Specifically FX and Speed.
So I go into chat online and after several hours of trouble shooting and waiting, I was finally told that I would not be able to receive FX and Speed. I was told to call customer service and ask for the Executive Resolution Team after I informed them a post would be made about my experience to consumerist.com. EDIT: Also posted to endgadget.com now.
So I called. I explained my problem. Dominique promised to resolve my issue. She 'upgraded' me to the Turbo HD package with the specific promise I would receive FoxNews, FX, and Speed. I would lose a few crap channels and I would lose HDNet Movies. I did not like losing that channel but agreed. I agreed verbally to a 2 year committment. She gave me a $10 monthly credit for the first year so the package would be in the ballpark of old package. I can live with that.
Well I find myself writing you because I didn't get the channels I was specifically promised and specifically asked for. I am now paying more for less channels on top of that. And a two-year committment. (I was on month to month since I had been with them so long) And they will not switch me back to my old package. And I am LIVID.
I left out that in the first round of additions, I didn't get the Viacoms. VH1, MTV, etc
Thanks Scotar, u answered all of questions without asking.... thx.
As a DISH customer, with the Classic Silver 200 w/Gold HD and the Platinum HD add on and I didn't have SPEED, BET, or FX in the latest 2 rounds of new HD channels, called DISH, and with some tech help, they sent a signal to my box, and now am good to go.
I believe Dish Network is only interested in getting TurboHD customers to switch back to the Classic SD/HD packages because those programming packages are way more profitable. For example, if I switched from TurboHD Bronze to the Classic Silver (in order to get SpeedHD) it would cost me an extra $30 month! Just isn't worth it to me but would be much more profitable for Dish. If it wasn't for their DVR I would not be a Dish customer right now.