DISH Network’s recent decision to drop the VOOM HD channel network has certainly drawn plenty of criticism from viewers who claim they love VOOM and its 24-hour HD programming format. From a business perspective however, the move had to be made.
For those not familiar with VOOM, the concept behind the company was to create and all-HD satellite television provider. After struggling to carve out a subscriber base, VOOM was given new life by Echostar when the parties reached an agreement to have all of the VOOM HD channels carried on DISH Network.
Earlier this year, DISH Network realigned its HD packages, forcing subscribers who wanted VOOM HD to pay $20 for all 15 channels. Subscribers who wanted the dishHD essentials package could subscribe for $10 a month, and would only miss out on the 15 VOOM HD channels and a few additional channels.
Of course, VOOM did not like that move, as it would erode their subscriber base. The parties headed to court to fight things out, DISH Network claiming VOOM had not held up their part of the bargain by failing to invest in new programming. DISH certainly has an argument there, as one of the biggest complaints about the VOOM network is its constant repeats. DISH Network finally pulled the plug, removing VOOM earlier this week, claiming breach of contract.
DISH Network head Charlie Ergen has always taken a hard-line stance with programmers, and has always been willing to cut the cord first and pay his lawyers to work it out in court later. His decision here will probably mean the end of VOOM, as it can count cable operator Cablevision as its only customer.
The bottom line with VOOM is that it was a niche product, enjoyed by only a few in the grand scheme of things. Very few, if any new customers were making the decision to subscribe to DISH Network based on gaining access to VOOM HD. While it may have to field a few customer complaints about VOOM in the short term, the longer term view required DISH Network to clear out the old in order to bring in the new.
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I CERTAINLY HOPE I’M NOT WRONG OR MISTAKEN ABOUT THIS – But I recently contacted DISH TV again about the VOOM programming – Monsters, Ultra, Rave, Equator, etc. – and I was informed that because of customer complaints and comments, etc., that while they are not bringing back the whole VOOM package, they HAVE chosen 4 or 5 of those VOOM channels/programming that people most wanted returned – such as Monsters, Equator, etc. to add to the DISH HD line-up.
Please – everyone who is interested in and happy about this – call DISH TV and find out if they tell you the same thing, and if this information is accurate, we also need to give a big THANK YOU to DISH TV for listening to its customers.
I’d say, let’s flood Dish Network email box by asking for them to bring Voom back— it will certainly keep it high-paying customers fully satisfied and retained. When I emailed them about how disappointed I was for losing the monsters, the kung fu, and the concerts in stunning HD, all they could offer is more and better programming — but, it’s mid september and I’m still waiting. Hey, when you fully enjoy a program, repeats are not an issue.
My family has also waited long enough for the return of Voom. I miss Monsters and Rave and my children miss Animania. I cannot believe the garbage played on the other cartoon channels. Don’t they realize there are other ways to make children laugh than with the vile humor that embarrases me to have my kids watch in front of their Grandparents? Animania had a great recipe. By the way the next time I want to see the weather channel in HD I’ll look out my window.
What was the difference between DishNetwork and the competition? VOOM channels!!! of course!! VOOM channels were the BEST of DishNetwork, especially Equator, Gallery HD, and News HD. That was the main reason for my family and I to subscribe to HD programming with DishNetwork. Now DishNetwork is as boring and tacky as DirectTV or cable. Even though dishnetwork “replaced” the VOOM channels for 22 new HD channels, that’s like comparing oranges with potatoes. I know everything is money, but sometimes the respect for the viewers and the customers’ good taste is more important. We need the VOOM channels BACK please!!
Just two days after it converted 22 relatively low-interest channels to Hi-def (HD), Dish Network has stopped broadcasting the 15 specialty Voom HD channels. The channels, which Dish has long been reported as interested in dropping, include names like GamePlay HD, Treasure HD, Gallery HD, Rave, News HD, and other specialty programming.
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albertjames
Social Media Marketing
Hey Dish, It’s been 5 months since you erased your advantage over all the competition. If you haven’t made a move to add Voom again by November 2008 I’ll be forced to take my monthly $130+ to your competitors. I hope the other subscribers on this thread have the guts to do the same.
Monsters and Rave were the main reason why I decided to go with Dish. You guys also removed the NFL network from my HD package to a more expensive package. That along with the fact that I lose signal if a bird flies too close to the satalite has caused me to check out Direct. More HD channels for less, and hopefully a better quality signal. Dumb move Dish!
Bring back VOOM!
I too will probably drop dish when my contract is up – in about a year. We sorely miss Voom HD TV – Equator especially.
I subscribed to Dish to get the Voom channels especially (rushHD). I was lied to by the salesman saying that yes it was in my package. I get it setup and nothing! googled it and found this out.. smooth move. I’ll drop you guys when my contract is up.
Thanks!
Dish Networks reason for dropping VOOM is bull****. TBS, USA and TNT play the same movies over and over, why didn’t they get dropped, they suck anyway. It seems to me the problem was that Dish Network was greedy and tried to rip people off, wanting extra money from their customers to get VOOM. It looks like they tried to turn VOOM into another HBO or Showtime. It’s greed plain and simple. To hell with Dish Network, I hope DirectTV starts to carry VOOM. personally I liked Monsters HD, it played alot horror movies you don’t see anywhere else.
If Charter Cable or DirectTv have any brains they’ll either start to carry Voom or start up some free HD movie channels like the ones Voom had. Something like Equator, Monsters etc… That would be a way one of the providers could get an edge on the other.
Now Cablevision is dropping Vooms Gallery HD. I would be willing to move to get this kind of quality programming. Is the world that mediocre to let something like this go away. It greatly improved my quality of life to view what Gallery HD is offering.
What can we do about this?
This sucks. I really liked Monsters HD. I hope another satellite or cable provider starts to carry it.
Me and my 5 year old son watched Kung Fu HD on literally an everyday basis, despite the repeats. It provided a bonding experience unlike any I’ve heard of. I can’t describe the sadness both he and I felt when we switched on the channel to find that it was gone. I guess this is it though… I am outraged.
Its really a shame that Cablevision dropped the Voom network from their lineup. We watched all of them all the time, their programs were some of the best on TV.
Mr Dolan you should fire your managers who did this.
We will also post this same e-mail on the cablevision website
Terrible. What a let down. People spending all this money during these times to get HD televisions and you guys cancel VOOM. Why!!!! Oh Yeah. The mighty dollar. That’s all you care about. Not the customers. Not people. Just your wallets and fighting with corporations. I hope you all go out of business. I loved VOOM and it was great to all the Shaw Brothers Productions being put on Kung Fu Channel. my little Nephew thought Quinten was the first to do stuff like that until he saw the Shaw Bros. BRING BACK VOOM AND NO I WON’T PAY MORE FOR IT. COME ON YOU RICH FAT PIGS GIVE SOMETHING BACK FOR ONCE!!!!!!!!
My cable company cablevision aslo dropped Voom, and now replaced great HDTV with USA channel and crapalistic Animalplanet! I am very dissappointed now that we wont be able to watch true HD,as the Voom networks where educational, entertaining and image and sound blew away regular american television!
Not even Verizon offers voom, I will have to move to another country! It should be illegal that these cable companies monopolize the competition and what programs are offered. Bad BAd BAd move Mr. CEO of Crapplevision Inc!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I too share the same concerns with DISH customers, I am with cable vision and they too dropped VOOM. I am very infuriated by their actions and wish there was something more I can do, but unfortunately not enough high-paying cable vision customers complained….I wish the Gov would step in and monitor how much of a monopoly Cable Network is becoming. Now, my Son and I can no longer enjoy coming home and watching the Kung Fu and Monster HD Channels because of these big Gurus making all the decisions for us and never taking into consideration all those loyal paying customers who totally enjoyed VOOM TV! Shame on DISH and Cable Vision.
hey need some cash in these bad times bring back voom!!!!
Now that Cablevision is shutting down Voom in the US,
we’ll probably never see it or it’s like again….. unless
we move to Europe… mediocrity here we come…. DISH
can’t even give us the Smithsonian channel anymore….
230 channels and nothing on! Another win for the greedy corporate masters!
for some reason this post is really messed up in my firefox compared to the rest of your site. just thought id let you know.
That along with the fact that I lose signal if a bird flies too close to the satalite has caused me to check out Direct. More HD channels for less, and hopefully a better quality signal. Dumb move Dish
I can no longer enjoy coming home and watching the Kung Fu and Monster HD Channels because of these big Gurus making all the decisions for us and never taking into consideration all those loyal paying customers who totally enjoyed VOOM TV! Shame on DISH and Cable Vision.
Dish. Thanks for hothing. We enjoyed Zoom Networks. You really offer nothing comparable.
the reason i got dish was for voom. now im stuck with the contract. the kung-fu channel in HD!all of them are or were but still are great show in HD. now i hate tv dont watch nothing in hd so way am i still with dish. o yes the contract. go belly up for taking VOOM hd out.
Please bring back VOOM – it was a main selling point for Dish. They had all our favorite channels – we watched Omelette and an Opera, Eye Over, RAVE, Monster, Kung Fu, Animation, and more. And what did Dish replace it with? Golf and Fishing – really? As if Dish really thinks this is any substitute! Give me my VOOM!!!
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