Eat Your Heart Out Charter!!!

When we got home tonight,"The Hopper & Joey" were waiting for us at the front door. A gift from The Dish. Looks good on the real Hopper. Eat your heart out Charter Cable! This and the PAC-12 Networks too!

2013 Football Games Charter Customers Will Not See!

  In all 35  PAC-12 home games will be broadcast on the PAC- 12 Networks. So far these are the games you will not see on Charter!

• Northern Arizona vs. Arizona, August 30, 7:00 pm
• Eastern Washington vs. Oregon State, August 31, 3:00 pm
• Nevada vs. UCLA, August 31, 7:00 pm
• Sacramento State vs. Arizona State, Sept. 5, 7:00 pm
• Weber State vs. Utah, Sept. 7, 11:00 am
• Portland State vs. California, Sept. 7, 2:00 pm
• Central Arkansas vs. Colorado, Sept. 7, 5:00 pm
• Hawaii vs. Oregon State, Sept. 7, 5:00 pm
• San Jose State vs. Stanford, Sept. 7, 8:00 pm
• Fresno St vs Colorado, Sept. 14, 11:00 am
• Southern Utah vs Utah, Sept. 14, TBD
• UT-San Antonio vs Arizona, Sept. 14, TBD
• Boston College at USC, Sept. 14, TBD
• Cal vs Oregon, Sept. 28, TBD
• Oregon vs Colorado, Oct. 5, TBD

As the season progresses more PAC-12 Networks games will be announced. 

 

Still time to switch to Dish this summer, I did!

The Dish Network after one week!

 I love it and wonder why I stuck with our local cable company (now owned by Charter) for over 40 years.  I am getting more for less cost.  The picture is great and rain does not degrade my picture. I switched so I could watch my Ducks on the Pac 12 Networks, which Charter refused to carry, but there is so much more that is good about the Dish Network.

It started when I went into a local store here in Medford named "No Wires Media" locally owned by a couple who's kids attend the same school as my children when they were young.  The wife runs the store and husband does the instillation. No calling someone in some far away call center and taking potluck as to who shows up to do the instillation. They were also able to get me a discount from Charter for the Internet and phone that I was keeping.

I ordered the 200 station package with one Hopper and three Joeys to connect four TVs in our house.

 Last Wednesday the installer arrived at 10 AM and had the system installed by 2 PM.  For the most part he was able to use the old cable wiring to the 4 TVs but did have to run a new line to the master bedroom because we are keeping Charter's Internet and phone service. He installed the dish on the side of the house under a window so if it snows I can reach out the window to remove the snow collection with a brush without going outside; but, yet it is high enough to have a great unobstructed  view of the southern sky and so I can walk under it outside  and not hit my head .  He put the main unit called the Hopper in the living room and the Joeys in my wives's sewing room, the master bedroom and the "Man Cave" downstairs in our half basement.

The Hopper unit has 3 separate TV tuners so we can watch three separate stations in the house or record on one tuner and watch two stations on the other two tuners. If all 4 TV's are in use, one  TV will have to watch the same station as one of the other TVs or watch prerecorded programs recorded on the Hopper which is also a DVR.  Not much of a problem since there is only my wife and I since the Kids grew up and moved out. Each TV gets a remote that controls the Hopper/Joey and the TV.There is even a feature that allows me to find a "lost" remotes!

This is the first time we have had a DVR. It's nice to graduate from the old VCR! I can program it to record any program I want on a regular schedule.  For example I programed it to record Bret Baier's news show "Special Report" which is broadcast on Fox News Monday through Friday at 3 PM here on the west coast. Best program on politics on TV. It has a feature that will allow you to record all four major networks (FOX, ABC, NBC CBS) prime time lineups  every night of the week and keep it for a week automatically.
I now get a "slug" of new TV Channels that I love, again at less cost than Charter such as:

Fox Business Network, Turner Classic Movies, Hallmark Channel, Lifetime Movie Channel, Sundance Movie Channel, NFL Network, CBS Sports Network, 2 Comcast sports channels from California and the Pac 12 Networks!!! Also get NASA and Pentagon Channels.

Best yet,  Dish has "TV Anywhere" so I can watch LIVE, all my TV channels  on my computer at home,  at the office and on  my iPad. Anywhere I have  an Internet connection.  So for example, I can program and watch live TV from my home at  McDonald's in Washington D.C. This is not just a few channels but ALL my channels and at no additional cost.

If you are a cable subscriber and are afraid to switch DON"T BE!

Even if Charter should in the future get the Pac 12 Networks there is no going back for me unless there is a substantial improvement in their system and features.

 With apologies to Peter Paul and Mary:  Charter......where have all your subscribers gone....... gone to Dish everyone.... when will they ever learn, when will they ever learn.

The Dish has landed & Life is Good!

I can get the Pac 12 Networks and otherwise the TV reception and channel selection is great.  Less expensive than Charter and we have joined the 21st Century with a DVR as part of the Hopper!  I can also watch all of the channels on TV anywhere on my iPad. Why did I wait so long!

Don't buy Charter's commercials telling you will lose reception in a rain storm. Tonight we inaugurated our system in the middle of a thunder and lightning storm with hard rain and there was no perceptible change in our reception.

I went through "No Wires Media" a local brick and mortar store here in Medford  located at 1560 Biddle Road and locally owned.

Go Ducks!

Today is D-Day ..... DISH DAY!

 

Today is the day I get the Pac 12 Networks so I can watch my Ducks! Awaiting the arrival of the Dish installer!  Let's Go Ducks.

One More Day for Charter!!!

The Dish Man comes tomorrow to install my Dish!

Countdown till Wednesday and the Dish Installer

Two days and counting!

It's Too Late Charter!

Today I signed up for the Dish Network.  They will install it on Wednesday and I will give a full report here on  the installation.

I have had Cable TV in Medford, Oregon for the last 40 years!  When I first came to Medford the cable system called, Southern Oregon Cable, was owned by the local Smullin family that also owned a Medford TV station.  The FCC required a divestiture and the cable system was sold to McCaw, followed by sales in no particular order to Cooke Cablevision, TCI, Falcon and finally Charter Communications. Now after 40 years with the same cable system  it's time to move on because of Charter's refusal to carry the Pac 12 Networks.

If I can get a reasonable price I will try and keep Charter's telephone and Internet but no longer their TV.

“It’s a fresh perspective and a fresh voice in those discussions.”

Jon Wilner of the San Jose Mercury News had an interview Monday night  with Pac 12 commissioner Larry Scott regarding Gary Stevenson's resignation as president of Pac 12 Enterprises:

*** Scott said he was “not completely surprised” by the departure of Pac-12 Enterprises president Gary Stevenson, who did a masterful job getting the Pac12Nets launched 51 weeks after he was hired.

 *** Lydia Murphy-Stephans, who was hired by Stevenson last fall as GM of the Pac12Nets, has been elevated to president.
She’ll oversee the Networks, Pac-12 Digital, sales and distribution, and she’ll report directly to Scott.
Yes, that means Murphy-Stephans takes over negotiations with DirecTV.
“Lydia will be the leaders of the Networks, and she’ll lead the conversations,” said Scott, who added that he will closely monitor the situation.

"It’s a fresh perspective and a fresh voice in those discussions.”
Will that move things along? There’s a chance, I suppose. But far, far, FAR more important is the price point.
If the Pac-12 continues to offer DTV essentially the same deal it has with DISH, Comcast, TWC, etc. — and there are very good reasons for the league to stand its ground — then I’m not sure it matters who’s leading the discussions on the Pac-12 side.

"Our commitment to doing a deal with DirecTV is as strong as ever,” Scott added. “I hope it leads to an agreement before football season.”
*** My hunch regarding distribution:
Don’t be surprised if the conference strikes a deal with AT&T U-verse in the next few months.
Be very surprised if the conference strikes a deal with DirectTV before late August (if then).

http://blogs.mercurynews.com/collegesports/2013/04/24/pac-12-networks-stevenson-departs-murphy-stephans-ascends-and-the-challenge-ahead/

No Spring Games on Charter

Unless Oregon or Oregon State fans in Southern Oregon want to drive to Eugene or Corvallis this weekend they will not see their teams Spring  Football Games because of Charter Communications. For me I am moving to Dish TV!  I have been a Charter customer since the came to the Rogue Valley and took over the previous cable company, but it's time to move on.

April 26Oregon State: 7 p.m., Pac-12 Networks
April 27
Oregon: 11 a.m., Pac-12 Networks
UCLA: 5 p.m., Pac-12 Networks

Turmoil at Pac 12 Networks?

Is there turmoil at the Pac 12 office?  Gary Sevenson who as President of Pac 12 Enterprises is leaving the networks after less than two years on the job with only the explanation that he is on to "my next adventure."

 While Sevens has held his position he was in charge of establishing and gaining distribution of the Pac 12 Networks.  However, the Pac 12 Networks have been unable to work out a carriage deal with Charter Communications or Direct TV.  

Could these two facts be related?  Inquiring minds want to know!

The San Francisco Business Journal tried to contact Sevens for  more information but "Stevenson did not respond to a request for further comment."

Regardless of the reason he is leaving he  is leaving with the job half done.

Charter Customers Don't Get Your Hopes up But:

There are some negotiations going on with a new carrier and the Pac 12 Networks; but, not named and probably not Direct or Charter

http://blogs.mercurynews.com/collegesports/2013/04/04/pac-12-networks-distribution-deal-coming-soon-but-not-necessarily-with-you-know-who/

No Spring Games for Charter Customers

Every Pac-12 Football Program  Spring Game will be  Televised Live on the Pac-12 Networks!

From San Jose Mercury  News:

March 23
Cal: 4 p.m., Pac-12 Networks (channel lineup below)

April 13
Colorado: 9:30 a.m., Pac-12 Networks
Arizona State: 11 a.m., Pac-12 Networks
Arizona: 1 p.m., Pac-12 Arizona
USC: 1 p.m., Pac-12 Los Angeles
Stanford: 3 p.m., Pac-12 Networks
(Note: During the 1 – 3 p.m. window, the National/Washington/Oregon/Bay Area/Mountain feeds will have a studio show that jumps back and forth between the Arizona and USC games. Fans in the two home regions will see the respective games in their entirety.)
April 20
Utah: 12 p.m., Pac-12 Networks
Washington State: 2 p.m., Pac-12 Networks
Washington: 4 p.m., Pac-12 Networks
April 26
Oregon State: 7 p.m., Pac-12 Networks
April 27
Oregon: 11 a.m., Pac-12 Networks
UCLA: 5 p.m., Pac-12 Networks

Costco Members get $100.00 Costco Gift Card back when you switch to the Dish Network

I was at the local Costco store here in Medford, Oregon and picked up a brochure that Costco Members can get a $100.00 Costco Gift Card when they sign up  for the Dish Network through Costco.  Here is a link:

http://www.dish.com/redirects/partners/costco2/

A Good Consumer Online Forum for those who are stuck with Charter

http://www.dslreports.com/forum/charter

You are not alone out there!

Day 2 Pac-12 Tournament..... NOT on CHARTER

Quarterfinals - Thursday, March 14

12.06 p.m.: No. 1 UCLA vs. ASU (Game 1) Pac 12 Network

2:30 p.m.: No. 4 Arizona vs. Colorado (Game 2) Pac 12 Network

6 p.m.: No. 2 California vs. Utah (Game 3) Pac 12 Network

8:30 p.m.: No. 3 Oregon vs. Washington (Game 4) ESPNU

Except for the Oregon game all games will be on the Pac 12 Network which is not carried by Charter!

Day 1 Pac-12 Tournament .... NOT on Charter

First Round, Wed., March 13Game 1 - No. 8 STANFORD vs. No. 9 ARIZONA STATE, 12:06 p.m. PT, P12N

Game 2 - No. 5 COLORADO vs. No. 12 OREGON STATE, approx. 2:36 p.m. PT, P12N
Game 3 - No. 7 USC vs. No. 10 UTAH, 6:06 p.m. PT, P12N
Game 4 - No. 6 WASHINGTON vs. No. 11 WASHINGTON STATE, approx. 8:36 p.m. PT, P12N

That's right there will be 4 games on the first day of the Pac-12 Tournament in Las Vegas and Charter customers will not be able to see any of them.

Going down to the local Dish outlet today and getting more info on switching to the Dish!

No Pac 12 Tournament for Charter Customers

2013 PAC-12 MEN'S BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
Wednesday-Saturday, March 13-16, 2013
MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas, Nev.
First Round, Wed., March 13
Game 1 - No. 8 STANFORD vs. No. 9 ARIZONA STATE, 12:06 p.m. PT, P12NGame 2 - No. 5 COLORADO vs. No. 12 OREGON STATE, approx. 2:36 p.m. PT, P12NGame 3 - No. 7 USC vs. No. 10 UTAH, 6:06 p.m. PT, P12NGame 4 - No. 6 WASHINGTON vs. No. 11 WASHINGTON STATE, approx. 8:36 p.m. PT, P12N Quarterfinals, Thurs., March 14
Game 5 - No. 8/9 vs. No. 1 UCLA, 12:06 p.m. PT, P12NGame 6 - No. 5/12 vs. No. 4 ARIZONA, approx. 2:36 p.m. PT, P12NGame 7 - No. 7/10 vs. No. 2 CALIFORNIA, 6:06 p.m. PT, P12NGame 8 - No. 6/11 vs. No. 3 OREGON, approx. 8:38 p.m. PT, ESPNU Semifinals, Fri., March 15
Game 9 - 6:06 p.m. PT P12NGame 10 - approx. 8:38 p.m. PT, ESPN Championship, Sat., March 16
Game 11 - 8:02 p.m. PT, ESPN

That's right Charter customers you will NOT get 8 of the 11 Pac-12 Tournament games for men's basketball!!!

Time to move to The Dish!

Dish here I come

As a customer of Charter Communications I have missed watching numerous Pac 12  football & basketball games in my own home because Charter does not carry the Pac 12 Networks.  I have "the bundle" with Charter that includes TV , phone and Internet.  My two year contract with Charter is coming to an end this spring and I had a nice chat online with a Charter representative who told me at the end of my contract my bill will go up $80.00.  However, she offered my a "deal" that if  at the end of my contract I kept my phone and Internet my bill would drop significantly and this would give me the option of getting the Dish Network (with the Pac 12 Networks) for TV  and keeping Charter for phone and Internet  for about the price of my original Charter Bundle. I have no problem with Charter's phone service and their Internet is very good so I get the best of both Charter and the Dish Network.

Dish here I come!

Charter & Pac 12 Networks the #6 Sports News Story of 2012 in Southern oregon

According to the Medford Mail Tribune newspaper the fight between Charter and the Pac 12 Networks was the # 6 sports news story for 2012!

6. Pac-12 Networks

Oregon and Oregon State football fans were infuriated through the fall as the inaugural Pac-12 Networks and major television providers failed to come to contract terms, leaving much of Southern Oregon blacked out as their favorite teams enjoyed wildly successful seasons.

The Pac-12 Networks, which debuted in mid-August, were not picked up by Charter cable or DirecTV, sparking angry missives from viewers and social media campaigns to get deals done. The Pac-12 Networks became available on DISH Network in early September and were also carried on Ashland Home Network.

Pac-12 officials pointed out that satellite company DirecTV — the only top-five provider in the nation without a deal with the conference — and Charter deemed contract terms unfair even though many others had signed on. The TV providers claimed the conference refused to consider distribution and pricing options that would allow an accord.

http://www.mailtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20130101/SPORTS/301010306