The only thing to remember is that the local channel issue stops people from buying. Once you have the system, you can get a local antenna or lifeline cable, and you understand the functionality. But when poeple are looking to buy, they look for local stations and it is a tremendous disadvantage in their minds not to pull the locals off of satellite.
So, in effect, the local channel project that chews up so much bandwidth is just a big sub acquisition tool. Once you have the subs, you can make money, so I think DISH is pursuing a plan that allows them to reach profitability as quickly as possible. Of course, in 5 years or so, when they want bandwidth more than they need new subs, it could be a sticky issue. After all, how do you take away local programming? By then, customers will be better off with an antenna, because locals via antenna will be digital too, and those with HDTV sets will get HDTV quality pictures that DISH won't be able to offer (my opinion, but I am sure that the extra bandwidth needed for HDTV will make that decision for them).
Regards,
NOEL |
