Technical > Cable & Satellite TV > [DISH] 14.99 for 20 channels and Locals+Local HD's?

[DISH] 14.99 for 20 channels and Locals+Local HD's?

That's what's called the "Welcome Pack"

It includes:
AMC
Bloomberg
Boomerang
Comedy Central
CMT
Discovery Kids
Food Network
Hallmark
History
HGTV
HSN
TLC
MSNBC
MTV2
Oxygen
QVC
SHOPNBC
The Weather Channel
TBS
WE

Fees, etc. will vary depending on what sort of contract you agree to.

Thanks!

Any idea on what contracts are available? Can I use a dual tuner?

The first receiver's lease fee is included in the package price. For each additional receiver, it's $5.00 per month, or $7.00 per month for an HD receiver. (up to 4 tuners total)

There's a $99 activation fee, which gets waived if you sign up for 24 months.

Also make sure that there's phone line access where each reciever will go, otherwise you get hit with a $5/month fee per box.

Thanks again !

Can my first receiver be a HD one with 2 remotes that'll work on 2 TV's? Also, can I continue to use my cable internet? Will they charge extra to keep that wired?

They can and will install so that you can keep your cable internet, but you've got to let them know that in advance. If you don't tell them, they'll disconnect the cable provider's line entirely. As long as your situation doesn't end up being a "custom installation", you shouldn't get charged extra. There's a number of different factors that qualify an install as "custom", for example a pole mount requiring more than 50ft of trenching to be dug.
Note: It never hurts to offer the installation tech a bottled water/soda. Oftentimes a $1 bottle of water will get you $100 extra work.

You should be able to get a receiver like the one you talk about. You're probably going to end up with either the VIP222 or VIP622 (the 222 isn't a DVR, but you can hook up a USB hard drive and pay an activation fee to turn it into one). There's also a VIP722, which is just a VIP622 with more storage space.

Here's a key to Dish's reciever model numbers:

VIP = HD capable
X00 = Level of the reciever (ex: VIP622 vs VIP722)
0X0 = Number of TV's it can work with (ex: VIP612 vs VIP622)
00X = Number of tuners (ex: VIP611 vs VIP612)

Anything that doesn't follow that convention is a legacy reciever, and isn't available anymore (and are in fact all being replaced for MPEG4 migration).

reply to wcnghj
I chatted online and they said they could give me one of those receivers, but to be on the welcome pack I need to buy my own equipment for a total of $319.

Does that sound right?

Doesn't really surprise me, to be honest. There's always a catch.

In the longrun, you're going to spend a lot less money if you buy your equipment and go with the cheap plan (especially if that's all the channels you care about).

reply to wcnghj
edit: question withdrawn

reply to wcnghj
Thanks for posting this tip!

I called about this today. It was quite confusing but the rep did a good job explaining it to me and getting answers without any "maybes". I'd like to hear from anyone with conflicting info or a better deal.

It is important to call 888-581-9794; at the other two numbers I called the CSRs knew nothing about the Welcome Pack. D'Oh! I should have read the ad on their website first.

Anyway, I did not want DVR, so they said I could get the (VIP?) "222" receiver, which can do one HD output and one SD output via UHF or Cable channel.

I gave them my SSN and credit card for a credit check and they said "free activation and installation" but as it turns out there is a $99 activation fee if I do not commit to 24 months.

And ... I could not commit to 24 months because the minimum package for a qualifying 24-month contract is the family pack at $24.99 per month.

Additionally, to get free installation, I would need to start with the Family Pack, and then immediately after installation (for example on the same day) I would need to call and downgrade to the Welcome Pack.

Net costs:
$99 Activation Fee, one-time
$ 0 Installation
$14.99 Welcome Pack, monthly fee

Requires receive plugged into phone line, otherwise there is a $5 per month charge for the second TV. Whatever.

If you are interested but cannot get this deal from another rep, I can give you the rep's name and number if you PM me.

(I am not affiliated in any way with Dish network and I am not compensated by anyone for providing this info.)
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reply to drslash
I need the name of the Dish rep who won't knows what's what on the "Welcome"pack and adding Encore movie pack. Email:'
politics_galore@hotmail.com
Thanks

My last message was a bit confusing. I need the name of the person who WILL be helpful in adding this package of "Welcome" plus the $4.99 encore. Thanks

reply to ArgMeMatey

Re: [DISH] 14.99 for 20 channels and Locals+Local HD's?

reply to wcnghj
Has anybody gotten this "Welcome Pack" deal set up yet? Any "gotchas"? Thanks.

reply to rabidmoose

I got it set up last week, 2/12/09. $149 up front to install. For that, I now own a 381 receiver and Dish 500. No lease fee, no commitment, no phone line required (I don't have it), $9.99/mo. I also got Cinemax for 1 year for a penny if I signed up for autopay which was a no-brainer. Some bash the 381 but for me it is perfect because it has an ATSC tuner and antenna input that integrates my OTA locals into the box. It came with a UHF remote too which is nice to be able to control the box from other rooms.