Okay, here's the scoop with DISH Network and AAR

[Missy Vixen]

Hi everyone,

I called EchoStar last Friday to determine what was going on re: a start date for AAR on DISH. They called me back this afternoon.

They won't divulge the start date, but the woman I spoke with strongly recommended (four times, if I recall correctly...) to "watch the upcoming Charlie Chat for more information". She says that employees watch the Charlie Chat; it's how they update staff to new offerings as well. I asked her if they had finalized the contracts with Sirius; she said it was happening, but "not today". They are thrilled with the Sirius partnership, especially when I mentioned that Howard Stern has had more than one meeting with them. She also told me (and this one will make the FSTV viewers ecstatic,) that DISH is "very happy" with the response to FSTV. It's one of the most watched channels on the lineup, according to her.

I mentioned that I would post the information at DU, and also told her that there are people here who switched from DirectTV to get FSTV and AAR. (She's in their marketing department. She was happy to hear it.)

Sooooo, AAR's coming, if you want to speed things up, call DISH at 800/333-DISH and request it start NOW, and definitely call the Charlie Chat, which is at the beginning of May!

Julie

[madfloridian]

1. I have Dish, but what the heck is Charlie Chat?

Is Stern talking with Sirius or with Air America. We bought a sirius radio set, and it is so much better listening than streaming!

[Missy Vixen]

3. He's talking with Sirius

Howard Stern's still got two years left on his contract with Infinity. The only way I can see him going to Sirius with Mel Karmazin's blessing is if the fines get so bad that Mr. Karmazin has no other choice than to fire him.

There's evidently another fine in the works; this one's $1.5 million.

I am hoping that he ends up at Sirius; it'll be interesting to watch what happens to "free" radio if he does.

Julie

[UTUSN]

4. "Charlie Chat" Is the CEO Answering Questions (Chat) Live

on Wednesdays, I think.

I've been with Dish for 3 or more years. At renewal time always have second thoughts.

When you deal with them, have your guidelines clear. Don't change packages without knowing what you're doing ahead of time.

My lastest renewal was hung up over whether they would have local channels (DirecTV had'em). Dish got'em soon. (Hadn't seen Charlie GIBSON in years.)

[leanings]

9. Charlie Chat is one of the reasons

I stay with Dish Network. Imagine the CEO of any other major company coming out and directly addressing callers and emails regarding his company live once a week. I like the way they didn't knuckle under to Viacom, either. UCTV and FSTV and now AAR? Dish Network is satellite for the people!

[K8-EEE]

2. I'm Changing From Direct To Dish For AAR & FSTV!

I will let them know, thanks for the number Julie!

[madrchsod]

8. their customer service is great-may take

alittle time to get thru but they are the best. they`ll find the best deals for your needs..because i`ve been a dish subscriber for 5 years and auto pay i got a 300 dollar recorder for 100 bucks. i get east west cbs fox abc plus others. can`t go wrong with dish

[madrchsod]

5. world link!!!

great programming..world music video`s,international programs, news, movies, and chat the planet to name a few...

[nosmokes]

6. coolio

because the stream on this pitiful pathetic dial-up connection is too intermittent to allow listening to without going nuts.

dish network seems to be an ok company. good on em for picking up AAR, i'll definitely be making a call. thanks for the heads up.

[havocmom]

7. Yipee! Thanks for the update, JulieRB.

When I called Dish last week to inquire about AAR the rep I spoke had not idea. Guess I will have to try and catch Charlie Chat.

and a :kick: for the late night crew

[not systems]

10. I get dish to get FSTV and Democracy Now!

Hope to have it installed 1 day from now.