Choice To Turn Off TV Service

Ok, just read the article in the Avis about Choice and supposedly this will not affect their internet business. Who's the satellite guy on STX? I know he's on this board, but have gone blank.

SkystheLimit is the handle you are looking for I believe, he owns Paradise Satellite.. I used him for my Satellite service and extremely happy. He's reliable and does good work. He can now get you 2 Satellites off of one 4 foot dish which much easier than having to have a 4 foot and 6 foot dish. This works great, the DVR, interactive TV services etc. makes me feel like I'm back stateside. I have the hockey package, HBO, Showtime, and Cinemax, get about 10 or so in High Definition off of the 1 4 foot dish! It really is the only way to go for TV in the VI.

Note that I have a 6 foot dish as well that I have pointed at a 3rd satellite (61.5) that has a ton more HD content. Unfortunately Dish won't open that up to me other than pay channels (such as hockey package and extra HD versions of movie channels) because I'm in the USVI. I've been bugging them about this for a while as I'm paying the same amount and getting less since I'm here. Still, a minor complaint considering the options here. I really can't recommend Dish enough, get the 722 DVR box, its fantastic!

Sean

Thanks Sean! Glad you're happy!!

Alan
paradisesatellite@yahoo.com

Thanks Sean. I've contacted Alan and he's going to get me fixed up with satellite tv.

Another plug for Dish Network over Cable.
Channel selection, HD, reliability, picture quality and customer service are all superior.
The only gotcha is local/network channels, but the distant network service can fix all that.
I've heard good things about Paradise/Alan.

Can you explain what you mean by 'distant network service can fix all that' please? Do you mean there is some package/option from Dish that gives local channels or that you opted for a local network package from a mainland metro market?

Thanks.

Another plug for Dish Network over Cable.
Channel selection, HD, reliability, picture quality and customer service are all superior.
The only gotcha is local/network channels, but the distant network service can fix all that.
I've heard good things about Paradise/Alan.

GoodtoGo,

He means that because of a congressional ruling a year and a half ago, Dish is no longer able to offer you the network stations (ABC, CBS, NBC and FOX) unless they provide the local affiliates in your area via satellite. The Virgin Islands affiliates are not available to us via satellite. (Our affiliates are only available to Puerto Rico).

That means that in addition to subscribing to Dishnetwork for most of your programming, you must subscribe to AllAmericanDirect for your networks. You do this at www.MyDistantNetworks.com . Once you do this you will get the networks out of New York City or San Francisco.

John

My biggest complaint is that AllAmericanDirect does not provide the network stations in HD. I can tell the difference between HD and SD.
John

Unfortunately Dish won't open that up to me other than pay channels (such as hockey package and extra HD versions of movie channels) because I'm in the USVI. I've been bugging them about this for a while as I'm paying the same amount and getting less since I'm here.

Dish is no longer able to offer you the network stations (ABC, CBS, NBC and FOX) unless they provide the local affiliates in your area via satellite. The Virgin Islands affiliates are not available to us via satellite. (Our affiliates are only available to Puerto Rico).

That means that in addition to subscribing to Dishnetwork for most of your programming, you must subscribe to AllAmericanDirect for your networks. You do this at www.MyDistantNetworks.com . Once you do this you will get the networks out of New York City or San Francisco.

While I am in no way condoning anything unethical, I will casually mention as someone that once sold those satellites that DishNetwork determines where you are not by the actual location of the dish, but rather by the address you give them. So hypothetically someone could call them up and say 'hey I just moved from the VI back home to Lake Woebegone, MN', give them there Aunts mailing address (who would then receive a bill once a month she could shred or forward to you), auto-pay the bill on a credit card or online, and receive the Minnesota network channels. You'd still need something for local news up, but it'd get you the networks and other channels that are unfriendly to the islands.

Beach,
That sounds good but doesn't really work. Most of the locals are on satellites which we can't receive down here in the VI. Or they are on spot beams which we can't receive down here. Only a handfull of the largest markets locals are available on conus transponders on Echostar 3, Echostar 11 and Echostar 7.
John

Excellent explanations Rotor!!

Thanks Alan.

FYI The only locals packages that can be received in the VI are:
New York and San Francisco on Echostar 7 at 119 degrees.
Chicago and Denver on Echostar 11 at 110 degrees.
Puerto Rico on Echostar 10 at 110 degrees.

John

We use MyDistantNetworks for CBS, NBC and FOX, but last time we tried a year ago, the local ABC affiliate wouldn't give us a waiver to receive ABC from MyDistantNetworks. So we go without ABC. No Oscars, no Desperate Housewives. Otherwise, Dish Network and Alan of Paradise Satellite are awesome, as stated by others.

STXBob,

I think the trick is to re-apply if you get turned down. I know a few people who have successfully gotten ABC by doing this. One friend had to apply 3 times before he got ABC. The local affiliate eventually fails to respond to the request and you get it by default.

The other way to get the networks is if you have an RV or boat. You can use your registration to qualify. There is a link on the MyDistantNetworks page for this.

John

I believe they have lifted the need for waivers. We are now getting CBS 243, ABC 245 , NBC 241, Fox 247 from New York.

I doubt they lifted the waiver requirement but All American Direct recently changed the Atlanta feed to NY by popular demand. Maybe you were enabled when they switched over.
Once you get the networks enabled you get NY AND San Fran. That's a bonus for sports fans due to the dual coast feeds.

Had Dish for two months. I called All American Direct the first day, and then again in three weeks, and still only have Fox.

How long did it take for your waivers to come through?

Same situation--have had DISH for 1 month. Called All American Direct the first day. Fox was turned on immediately, have heard nothing else about CBS, NBC or ABC.

Be persistant. Just keep calling All American Direct. I've heard of very few customers that don't get their networks. Local ABC can be a stickler and doesn't like to approve the waiver. I get mixed reports about ABC. NBC, CBS & FOX usually approve the waiver within a few weeks. Call All American Direct again and let them know you still don't have your networks.

All American Direct's old Ph. # 1-800-909-9677 The number on the website today is 1-800-249-1063
I have heard of no one that couldn't get NBC and CBS. Usually takes a few weeks and a few calls. Fox is usually on in a day.

I am wondering what everyone has against cable? No offense to the dish guys here, but it is easy and the new digital box has a real clear picture. You can watch NCIS and House Hunters as well as several music stations. What else do you picky people need? 😉

I was wondering the same thing as EE but I don't have problems with Innovative Cable but I guess some do.

EE and Trade,

You sound like people who have only had cable. I'll start the list of reasons to get Dish.

1) Better picture quality. How many HD channels are available on Innovative cable? NCIS in HD anyone?
2) More channels to chose from. How many PPV channels on Innovative? How many in HD?
3) Better availability. How many Innovative customers on STX lost TV after Omar? Many EastEnders had no TV for over a month. My dish was back up the next morning.
4) Equipment availability. Innovative frequently run out of cable boxes. Many times people who have broken cable boxes have to wait months for a replacement box. Dish boxes are readily available.
5) Competent customer support who are service oriented and who are available 7 days a week. Innovative?

A better question is why settle for Innovative? Don't watch much TV? The $700 up front cost is a deal breaker?

John

A better question is why settle for Innovative? Don't watch much TV? The $700 up front cost is a deal breaker?

Not that I need to explain but I watch a ton of TV & am quite happy with the choices I have with cable & have plenty to watch. I've had satellite after Marilyn when it was the small dishes but that went belly up after investing in it including the $100 or so to readjust the dish It was shut down 2 days after paying for that. Not all condo associations will allow the large dishes & while I can afford the $700.00 I don't need more than cable gives me INCLUDING access to the local ABC, NBC, CBS & Fox networks.

Any other questions?