Dish Network Tacks $3.00 Onto Basic Programming Packages

There they go again! Dish Network has increased the price of its Basic Programming Packages by three dollars. The highest increase jump at one time in years. February 2007 bill statements will reflect the price hike and along with the statement a letter is included to quickly explain why the raise can't be avoided any longer. It's the same excuse used as before. Television networks want more money to allow Dish Network satellite subscribers to view their channels. Obviously the "Don't up the price" plea by Dish Network to the television guys didn't work. The price shot up and Dish Network certainly isn't going to lose money by paying the difference. They want to make sure their profits are secure and continue to rise so the extra cost is passed on to the consumers who choose their satellite service.

What exactly is included in Basic Programming Packages? Its certainly not programming that makes you want to jump up out of your seat. Sure there are some really good channels like Sci Fi, Comedy Central, and BBC America, but you do tend to get a lot of sports channels with Basic Programming Packages, dish family not included, and if you aren't a big sports nut why pay for them? There are channels that play music the same as a radio called Dish CD music and if you subscribe to America's Top 200 you get Sirius music channels. Sirius doesn't play music videos, but MTV does. USA, TBS, TLC, Discovery Channel and a few others are familiars to those who have cable.

If you want ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, the CW or PBS you will have to pay extra and you can only subscribe to these channels as Locals. You can no longer receive or subscribe to Distant Network Locals. They were taken away from Dish Network subscriber's back in December 1, 2006.

HBO, Showtime, Cinemax, and Starz are not included in Basic Programming Packages. You have to purchase them in a Premium Package for more money. HBO costs $14.99 a month. Showtime, Cinemax, and Starz cost $12.99 a month or if you want a saving's you can purchase two or more Premium Packages. Subscribing to two Premium Packages will cost you $22.00 a month; three $31.00; four $40.00.