Just hearing about the Sling Box for the first time? It turned a lot of heads and for good reason.  Here’s a look.  Connect it to the Internet and your DishNetwork DVR and a Sling Box compatible receiver.  The Sling Box now lets you view video from any Mac, PC, or iPhone with a broadband connection.  You can manage your DVR and watch your favorite movies, original TV series, and sporting events anywhere you take your computer.  It’s ideal for passing time while waiting for an appointment, during travel, or just for viewing in another area of your home.

Fans of premium channels like HBO and Showtime know how much there is to see and enjoy.  Hit original TV series and movies, Hollywood blockbusters, and major sporting events all become part of the fold when you include premium channels with any DishNetwork plan.  Dish TV makes all the big-name premium channels at a price you can afford.  Choose one or any combination of the following premium channels: HBO, Showtime, Cinemax, Starz, Cinemax and a host of adult television stations.  Activate new service with DishNetwork for the first time and you’ll receive free HBO and Showtime for 3 months.

On the lookout for satellite promotions? You’ve come to the right place.  DishNetwork offers the industry’s best satellite promotions.  If you’re just coming into the DishNetwork fold, then get ready for good news.  All first-time subscribers, on approval, stand to enjoy a $15 monthly discount for an entire year.  Packages covered by this satellite promotion include the Classic Bronze 100, Classic Bronze 100+, Classic Silver 200, Classic Gold 250, and America’s Everything Pak.  All told, you’re looking at up to 290 channels of the industry’s best entertainment for less than $3 a day for 12 whole months.

Effective Jan 1,2010, the community of Hardin, Illinois will no longer have cable TV service. Current provider, Bright Green Communications, is ending its service on said date. The company's owner, Phil Claro, cited several reasons for the decision: increased competition from satellite TV providers, low demand, illegal accounts, and the failure of a significant number of customers to pay their bill.

Mayor Phil Gress said the village council would be open to a new provider coming into town. However,no interested parties have expressed interest to date. Furthermore, Gress views a rebirth of cable TV in Hardin as a lost cause. Over the past three years, two or three cable providers have offered service in Hardin, but failed to turn a profit.

Situations like the one in Hardin aren't uncommon. Numerous small communities around the country have witnessed the demise of cable service. Part of the problem stems from cable company tendencies to hike service rates, whereas satellite providers like DishNetwork have kept their prices steady for a long while. Also compounding the problem is the cost-rich nature of maintaining cable infrastructure. Cable signal runs through underground wires. Periodic maintenance requires tending to huge expanses of cable line, requiring intensive manpower and high labor costs. Satellite technology is a lower maintenance service, allowing providers to offer service at lower rates.

Wis. Cable Rates Increase Despite New Law

Basic Cable rates in Wisconsin have jumped an average of 21 percent over the past two years, despite legislation intended to increase competition and lower cost, this according to an audit released on Tuesday. Passed in 2008, the law didn't curb rate hikes as intended.

This hardly comes as a shock to Barry Orton, a telecommunications professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. "This is isn't a surprise because cable rates go up every year no matter what happens in a state legislature," said Orton. He lobbied against the changes and predicted they wouldn't work as expected.

In July of 2007, Wisconsin basic cable TV cost an average of $13.97 per month to view approximately 20 channels. A little more than two years later, the average price has climbed to $16.89, though it now includes roughly 27 channels. Over that same time period, extended cable TV plans also jumped, rising from $45.97 to $51.24 with the number of channels rising from 75 to 86.

Wisconsin's situation isn't unique and the recent increase in cable TV rates is hardly a new trend. Consumers around the nation have faced rising cable rates for decades. That may cause some TV watchers to feel bleak, but there's hope. In contrast to cable, satellite TV rates have held steady for a significant amount of time. Recently, DishNetwork began offering a $15.00 monthly discount to qualifying new subscribers for a full year. DishNetwork's Classic Bronze 100 plan provides 120 channels at a current rate of $24.99. It's an entry level package, but costs less than a majority of extended cable TV plans and offers more channels.

Comcast Must Win Approval from Regulators

If Comcast Corp. wins approval of its bid to acquire a majority share in NBC Universal, it will likely do so only by accepting strict conditions ordered by federal regulators. At stake in the deal is control of NBC's broadcast network, cable channels and movie studios.

The move has sparked concern among rival cable and satellite TV providers. At this point, federal regulators don't appear likely to reject the bid based on anti-competition grounds. However, they might prohibit Comcast from denying access of NBC Channels to its competitors. In the deal announced on Thursday, Comcast would gain a 51% share of NBC Universal, currently controlled by General Electric. In turn, GE would purchase the remaining shares that it doesn't already own from Vivendi SA.

With all the corporate pieces of the puzzle seemingly in place, the biggest obstacle remaining is the regulatory review. If finalized, Comcast would control popular cable channels like CNBC, Bravo and Oxygen, plus numerous other NBC holdings and interests.

Compare DISHnetwork vs. Cable Television

If you live in an area that offers both cable TV and DishNetwork satellite, you'll want to understand as much as possible before choosing. Nowadays, both cable and satellite TV providers display programming in full digital signal. Because digital is a higher bandwidth signal than its analog predecessor, cable and satellite providers can air sharper picture and audio, and offer a wider array of channels. Entertainment enthusiasts and technophiles have plenty of perks at their disposal whether they choose cable or satellite. Both offer DVR technology, Video on Demand, and access to premium channels. DishNetwork currently offers 3 months of free HBO and the Showtime Network to qualifying new subscribers

The differences between cable and DishNetwork service begin with technology and infrastructure. Cable TV signals travel from a provider hub through underground wires to subscriber homes. Cable providers need to unearth land in order to install new wires and service existing ones. Consequently, many states impose a tax on cable providers, a cost they pass on to customers. Because satellite TV signals travel through the air to dishes mounted on the roof of customer homes, there’s no need to go underground. Consequently, providers like DishNetwork aren't subject to the same taxes as cable companies. That's partly what makes DishNetwork service less expensive than cable. In general, cable providers are more likely to hike monthly subscription rates, whereas DishNetwork has kept its prices steady and low for a significant amount of time.

When it comes to reliability, satellite TV providers like Dish Network have the edge over cable. Though cable beats the old analog system, its outages are more common than satellite and longer lasting. Another key distinction is HDTV definition. Both cable and satellite offer high HD resolution, but cable HD reaches a max of 720 p, whereas DishNetwork can offer 1080 p resolution, currently the highest HDTV definition available

Michael Crowe

Senior Editor

Compare DISHnetwork Vs. DIRECTV

DishNetwork vs DirecTV? It's a question concerning many consumers. If you've done your research, you know satellite TV trumps cable when it comes to reliability, price, and technology like HD viewing. Satellite technology allows service nearly everywhere in the U.S. This likely means that both DishNetwork and DirecTV will be available in your area. Choosing between DishNetwork and DirecTV can be a tough task. Here'zs a look.

In terms of reliability and quality of service, both DishNetwork and DirecTV earn stellar reviews. Both cast signals with 99.9% reliability. Each offers access to hundreds of all-digital channels. Price is a factor for many shoppers. More and more consumers and industry critics are tipping their cap towards DishNetwork for offering a wide reach of channels at a low monthly cost. Qualifying first-time subscribers can enjoy a $15 monthly discount for a full year on several of DishNetwork's most popular programming packages. A high customer-satisfaction ranking means you're likely to enjoy DishNetwork for years to come. However, you'll see what a great value DishNetwork is from the start. A DishNetwork technician may arrive at your home to begin setup in less than 24 hrs. DishNetwork also proudly offers standard installation free in up to four rooms.

With HDTV sets dropping in price, opting for DishNetwork channels in HD is an option well worth considering. You can add up to 80 channels in HD for just $10 month. Those interested in DVR technology, can include a DVR or HD-DVR. Pause and rewind live TV. Store hundreds of hours of programming, or even more when you add an external DVR drive. Earlier this year, DishNetwork released the first and only sling-loaded HD DVR, which allows TV enthusiasts to watch and control shows, movies, and more from any broadband-connected computer or laptop.

Michael Crowe

Senior Editor

What is this thing called the Digital Transition and Why should you listen to me

Welcome to my blog. My intention is to answer all of your questions honestly and intelligently. I have been in the Satellite business for 20 years or so. First as a technician, then a service manager. Currently the general manager of a wonderful call center. We have and continue to sell thousands of satellite systems across the nation. My promise is to answer your inquiries accurately. So let’s get started. The switch has been flipped and the digital transition is in full swing.

Many unhappy and confused people have phoned into our call center this past week, regarding this transition. Some are still interested in obtaining converter box coupons. We have had complaints that the boxes are picking some channels, but not the channels the customer had before the deadline. Some stations need to turn up their digital signal to reach a wider audience and many people need a bigger better UHF antenna, to even see what channels are going to be available at their residence. About 5% of the population effected by the transition have changed to pay TV service.

The most common complaint by far is of digital break up. With the old standard definition format, if the signal is weak, we would have the ages old snowy picture. Many people watched TV this way. With the new digital signals snow is a thing of the past. This new signal does not act like the old signal when it is weak. Digital signals are much more sensitive than standard definition. When a digital signal is weak the picture freezes and then can go black, come back on for a short time and then do the same thing over and over again. Another symptom of a week digital signal is called tiling. The picture actually breaks apart into numerous tiles and freezes on the screen. The only fix for this digital activity is a bigger UHF antenna to collect more signal. Even changing your antenna will not guarantee a clear picture.

Digital signals will not travel as far as the old analog signals. This means channel loss to many residences and bigger UHF antennas or a pay TV service to others. The transition is exactly what the word implies. Things are changing over time. It is a necessary change for a number of reasons. Most people are in the dark as to the necessity of evolving into the digital age. There is no holding back progress. In the beginning change or progress can be frustrating. Our country is well behind European nations as far as digital transmissions are concerned. The benefit will be wondrous. Generations to come will enjoy the transition that is frustrating so many of us now.

The next blog will be understanding all those satellite TV adds, that find their way into our mailboxes and onto our TV screens each week.