Competition makes people think. That’s a good thing. Times have been tough for pay-TV in general, with more people thinking about cutting the cord and getting all their entertainment from antennas and from the internet. Most pay TV companies have lost subscribers, and a lot of people have called it an industry in decline.
I think that’s a little bit extreme. I think when there’s a challenge, smart people step up to the plate and come up with a solution. That’s just what DISH is doing. They’ve announced a new plan that brings the “skinny TV bundle” to satellite.
Verizon had some success with creating smaller, customizable bundles of channels last year and at the same time, DISH premiered Sling TV, which brought reasonably priced, customizable bundles of channels to streaming video. Now DISH comes to the table bringing a very similar package to satellite.
Starting at $39.99 per month, you get 50 channels in DISH’s new “Flex Pack.” You can add additional channels to suit your interests, so you don’t end up paying for channels you just don’t want. Even better, you can make changes as you go. Add local channels, regional sports, whatever you want. The price changes depending on what you get.
There’s a lot more detail. The package starts with a base (non-DVR) receiver and goes up from there. You can upgrade to DISH’s Hopper 3 DVR as well.
The Flex Pack core package features more than 50 channels like AMC, TNT, USA, HGTV, E!, Cartoon Network, History, A&E, CNN, Discovery, TBS, Food Network, FX and TV Land. The channel packs include the following:
Locals Pack ($10 per month): CBS, ABC, NBC, FOX, as well as Univision and others based on the local market
Variety Pack ($6 per month): Investigation Discovery, Lifetime Movie Network, Freeform, Bravo, BET, Crime & Investigation
Kids Pack ($10 per month): Disney Channel, Disney Jr., Animal Planet, Nick Jr., Disney XD, Nicktoons, Boomerang, Baby TV
National Action Pack ($10 per month): ESPN, ESPN2, FS1, Velocity, AXS TV, Fuse, TV Games Network, TVG2, Universal HD
News Pack ($10 per month): FOX News Channel, MSNBC, Weather Channel, CNBC, FOX Business Network, BBC World News, Bloomberg, TheBlaze
Heartland Pack ($6 per month): Hallmark Channel, Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, GSN, OWN, Uplifting Entertainment, Discovery Family, Baby TV, PIXL, RFD-TV, Ride TV, FamilyNet
Regional Action Pack ($10 per month): In-market regional sports network(s), Big Ten Network, FS2, Longhorn Network, Outside TV, Pac-12 Network, SEC Network, World Fishing Network, ESPN Buzzer Beater
Outdoor Pack ($4 per month): Outdoor Channel, Outside TV, Sportsman Channel, World Fishing Network
You can also add premium channels for an additional fee. There’s tons of variety. Obviously this package appeals to people who want to spend less, because if you did want everything you’d end up being better off with a traditional package. That’s ok, though, because DISH still offers those. This package is going to be a hit for people who are looking for specific channels that they can’t get from streaming, especially if they already subscribe to Hulu so they get broadcast network programming.
If you’re interested in DISH’s new programming packages, you can give your friends at Solid Signal a call at 888-233-7563. Our helpful reps are ready to work with you!
