Dish Discussing Merger With DirecTV > What new Competition and when?

What new Competition and when?

The Time Warner / Comcast system swap had nothing to do with your competition in the Twin Cities. You had, and still have, CABLE TV available to you.

In your attempt to be overly dramatic, how about I give you some more fodder for your argument.

2001: Dish, Direct, Comcast, Time Warner, Charter, MediaCom, and other small providers.

2008: Dish, Direct, Comcast, Charter, MediaCom, and other small providers.

1999: Dish, Direct, Paragon, King, Jones, MediaOne, Charter, MediaCom, and others.

What's changed? Nothing. Your home still have access to two satellite providers and cable. In fact, today, you can actually buy your satellite from Qwest, as well.

Today, you have the same choice you had back in 2001.. unless, that is, you want to include the option of moving to another service area - however, I've pitched that suggestion many times here if something is THAT important and am constantly shot down. But, now, in this economy, home-owners don't really have the ability to easily pick up and move like they did 8 years ago when the housing market here was crazy.

Also, you live in Osseo which has been the same provider, to you, since 1997, simply changing hands.. MediaOne, AT&T Broadband, now Comcast.

But to address Satan.. he's a fictional character on South Park..

To burst your bubble.. NO difference.. here. I would, however, agree with you if your area was serviced by more than one wire-line provider, which isn't the case.

King? Jones? Charter? MediaCom? Paragon?

Who? Where?

Qwest reselling DirecTV is DirecTV in my book.

MediaCom is in Wyzata, is that not Twin Cities enough for you? Charter is in the south metro area.. do you know know where you live?

You're in Osseo talking about a South West Metro cable company, Time Waner, which was FORMERLY Paragon.. further, Jones, and king were merged into MediaOne. It's not my fault you can't read.

You want to compare a company that's doesn't even cover your service area as a loss of a provider leaving you with NO competition or ONE PROVIDER, when in fact there are still two others, besides Comcast, that cover the twin cities.

And, doesn't matter if Qwest resells the service or not.. at least you can purchase direct from DirecTV OR from Qwest and deal with two different providers. Further, YOU may see it that way, but some see Sprint as Sprint, and Virgin Mobile as Virgin Mobile when they are two companies using the same towers. In fact, DirecTV isn't even really operated by DirecTV.. their entire customer service department is farmed out.. all you are left with is just who you talk to on the phone.