Satellite TV - Satellite Television VS Cable Entertainment TV

DISH Network is First Pay-TV Provider to Give Customers Ability to Watch Their Live TV on iPad

noreply@blogger.com (Kiema Inc) — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 18:23:00 +0000

DISH Network L.L.C., today announced that DISH Remote Access, the free application that gives DISH Network customers the ability to watch their live and recorded TV on compatible smartphones, tablets and laptops, is now available for the iPad™. To enjoy live and recorded TV viewing on the iPad, DISH Network customers must have a broadband-connected, Sling-enabled™ device such as the Sling Adapter™ - a small placeshifting device that pairs with DISH Network's ViP® 722 or 722k HD DVRs.

"DISH Network is the only pay-TV provider to offer a true TV everywhere solution, and now we've extended that experience to the iPad," said DISH Network Chief Marketing Officer Ira Bahr. "Unlike mobile viewing from cable and telcos that limit access to select programs, our TV Everywhere services give consumers 24 x 7 access to all of their live and recorded content included with their DISH Network programming subscription."

In addition to TV viewing, the DISH Remote Access app also gives DISH Network customers with compatible DVRs the ability to browse and search up to nine days of programming, schedule DVR recordings, manage conflicts, delete shows on multiple receivers, and transform the iPad into a fully-functioning remote control.

The DISH Remote Access app for the iPad can be downloaded for free from the iTunes App Store.

DISH Network Expands Movie Channel Lineup with Introduction of Starz Entertainment's MoviePlex

noreply@blogger.com (Kiema Inc) — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 18:21:00 +0000

DISH Network L.L.C. reaffirmed its commitment to growing its selection of movie channels with the launch of Starz Entertainment's MoviePlex movie channel into DISH Network's HD Platinum package. As part of the multi-year agreement signed between the companies, MoviePlex's content, along with hundreds of titles from Starz and Encore, will also soon be available on demand and through DISHOnline.com.

MoviePlex offers popular uncut, commercial-free movies with a different movie genre showcased every day. Featured titles coming up on MoviePlex include: "The Fifth Element," "Groundhog Day," "The Karate Kid," "Sleepless in Seattle," "Seven Years in Tibet," "Fried Green Tomatoes," "The Scorpion King," "Happy Gilmore" and "The Sixth Sense."

"DISH Network customers have responded extremely well to our recent launch of movie channels like Starz's IndiePlex and RetroPlex, so we're proud to expand our relationship with Starz by introducing MoviePlex," said Dave Shull, senior vice president of Programming for DISH Network. "Plus, the addition of MoviePlex, Starz and Encore content to our on demand and DISHOnline.com selections will give our customers even more ways to enjoy their favorite TV shows and movies."

"Starz is excited to broaden the distribution of our channels through not only DISH Network's TV service, but also via its on demand and online platforms," said Ed Huguez, executive vice president of Affiliate Sales and Marketing for Starz Entertainment. "The agreement deepens our business relationship with DISH Network for the benefit of its customers and expands the reach of our increasingly popular original programming and great movies."

DISHOnline.com offers more than 150,000 popular movies, TV shows, clips and trailers into one easy-to-use interface. DISH Network customers have the ability to watch their live TV, all of their DVR recordings, and instantly view thousands of movies, TV shows, clips and more, all at no additional charge with their paid subscription and compatible equipment. Through a robust search engine, customers can browse for content by title, network, actor or genre.

DISH Network Rolls Out 3D Movie Selections

noreply@blogger.com (Kiema Inc) — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 18:18:00 +0000

DISH Network is giving customers access to a variety of 3D movies including "Cats and Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore," "The Last Airbender," "A Christmas Carol" and "Step Up 3D." Additional titles coming in January include "Despicable Me," "Shrek Forever After," and "Saw: The Final Chapter." These movies will be delivered in up to 1080p resolution.

To celebrate the introduction of 3D programming and the wide variety of on demand selections available through its DISH Cinema platform, DISH Network is hosting a "Home for the Holidays Sweepstakes" through Dec. 31. Each time a DISH Network customer rents a qualifying movie or event from DISH Cinema, they are automatically entered into a drawing to win prizes like a Sony® 46-inch LED 3DTV, Sony® Portable Satellite Navigation Systems, Sony® Webbie HD™ Cameras, FOX Family Prize Packs and more.

"DISH Network is giving customers the ability to experience the power of 3D from home with a variety of popular movies available on DISH Cinema," said Dave Shull, senior vice president of Programming for DISH Network. "Our customers expect engaging video experiences, and we look forward to bringing them additional 3D titles as we expand our DISH Cinema platform."

To enjoy DISH Network's 3D movie selections, customers will need a 3D television set with compatible 3D glasses and a DISH Network ViP® 922 HD DVR. DISH Network's 3D movies range in price from $5.99-$7.99 and can be ordered through the DISH Cinema interface by pressing "Menu" then "DISH On Demand," or by tuning to DISH Network Ch. 1 or 501.

DISH NETWORK INTRODUCES BLOCKBUSTER MOVIE PASS, FEATURING FIRST SUBSCRIPTION STREAMING MOVIE SERVICE BUNDLE IN PAY TV INDUSTRY

noreply@blogger.com (Kiema Inc) — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 18:15:00 +0000

DISH Network L.L.C. and Blockbuster L.L.C. announced today Blockbuster Movie Pass, the most comprehensive TV entertainment programming package ever delivered by a multichannel pay TV provider.
Beginning Oct. 1, 2011, Blockbuster Movie Pass is available for DISH Network customers, starting at $10 per month, combining the best of TV with the best of movies and games. It features a pay TV industry first: a subscription streaming movie service bundle available on the TV or PC. This programming package is unmatched by any other cable, satellite, telco or online streaming movie service.
Blockbuster Movie Pass includes the following:

Mail It! – More than 100,000 DVD movies, TV shows and games available by mail. No additional charge for high definition Blu-ray™ movies. One, two or three disc plans available. Queue management made conveniently from a link at www.dish.com.

Stream it! – Stream more than 3,000 movies to the TV. Stream more than 4,000 movies to the PC. Watch hundreds of on-demand TV shows.

Play it! – More than 3,000 video games by mail for XBOX®, XBOX 360®, Playstation2™, Playstation3™, and Nintendo Wii™.

Exchange it! – Unlimited exchanges of DVDs and video games at participating Blockbuster stores.

Watch it! – More than 20 premium entertainment movie channels from studios like MGM, Epix, Sony Movie Channel, PixL and more.

“With millions of Internet-enabled DISH Network set-top boxes deployed in U.S. homes and our ability to offer services from the iconic Blockbuster brand, we are uniquely positioned to take advantage of the myriad of ways consumers seek access to their favorite movies, TV shows or games,” said Joe Clayton, CEO of DISH Network. “When you combine Blockbuster Movie Pass with a DISH Network subscription, you get endless entertainment options and convenient access to the content you want, when you want it. And unlike other companies, we offer the simplicity of one company, one bill and one connection.”

From Oct. 1 through Jan. 31, 2012, DISH Network is offering new customers Blockbuster Movie Pass included with their DISH Network subscription for one year when they subscribe to DISH Network’s America’s Top 200 programming package or greater and commit to 24 months of DISH Network service. This is up to $360 in savings.
Blockbuster Movie Pass is also included for three months for new DISH Network customers who subscribe to America’s Top 120 programming package. After the promotional period, Blockbuster Movie Pass starts at just $10 per month. Access to the subscription streaming movie service requires a DISH Network HD DVR.

“We’ve created a package that combines the best assets of the movie entertainment and video gaming industries with the convenience and integration provided by a multichannel video provider,” said Michael Kelly, president of Blockbuster. “Blockbuster Movie Pass is the ultimate programming package for every movie buff. The combination of DVDs by mail and unlimited in-store exchanges provides more than 100 million people living near Blockbuster stores, which are open 7 days a week, immediate satisfaction and unmatched choice.”

About Blockbuster
Blockbuster L.L.C., a subsidiary of DISH Network Corporation (NASDAQ: DISH), is a leading global provider of movie and game rentals and is synonymous with family entertainment. The company provides customers with convenient access to media entertainment anywhere, any way – whether in-store, by-mail, or digitally to homes and mobile devices. With a highly recognized brand and a library of more than 100,000 movies, TV shows and game titles, Blockbuster's multichannel presence serves millions of customers around the world annually. Visit www.blockbuster.com.

About DISH Network
DISH Network Corporation (NASDAQ: DISH), through its subsidiary DISH Network L.L.C., provides more than 14.056 million satellite TV customers, as of June 30, 2011, with the highest quality programming and technology with the most choices at the best value, including HD Free for Life. Subscribers enjoy the largest high definition line-up with more than 200 national HD channels, the most international channels, and award-winning HD and DVR technology. DISH Network’s subsidiary, Blockbuster L.L.C., delivers family entertainment to millions of customers around the world. DISH Network Corporation is a Fortune 200 company.

Dish Network Hits It Out Of The Park With MLB Network

noreply@blogger.com (Kiema Inc) — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 17:55:00 +0000

MLB Network is the ultimate television destination for baseball fans, featuring live games, original programming, highlights, and insights and analysis from the best in the business, including Bob Costas, Harold Reynolds, Al Leiter and Peter Gammons. MLB Network debuted on Jan. 1, 2009, as the largest launch in cable television history. MLB Network’s programming and production have received six National Sports Emmy Awards and 20 nominations. For more information and to find MLB Network in your area, go to www.mlbnetwork.com.

MLB Network provides unprecedented access to all 30 MLB clubs year-round, with more than 100 live regular season games, over 80 Spring Training Games, original programming, coverage of baseball events, like the National Baseball Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, and live studio programming, including its Emmy Award-winning signature daily show “MLB Tonight.”

“With the pennant races heating up, DISH Network brings our customers wall-to-wall baseball coverage and MLB games in HD on MLB Network,” said Dave Shull, senior vice president of Programming for DISH Network. “The addition of MLB Network makes DISH Network the place for fans to follow their favorite teams into the Postseason and keep up with the latest information on all 30 Major League Baseball clubs.”

Check out our new DISH Offers, effective 10/01/11-1/31/12:

noreply@blogger.com (Kiema Inc) — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 15:54:00 +0000

With DISH Network you get more ways to watch the best in TV at the lowest price. Call today and sign up for one of DISH Network´s five packages under $50. And if that isn´t enough, act now and get Blockbuster Movie Pass for 12 months with qualifying packages, a special offer on the Multi-Sports Pack and get your Everyday Price Guarantee until 2013!

DISH Network offers promotional prices starting at just $19.99 a month for a whole year! And with DISH Network, HD is FREE for LIFE!

You get Blockbuster Movie Pass, a FREE HD DVR, FREE installation, and a FREE Sling Adapter.

The best value in TV is available with Wirefly, your DISH Network Authorized Retailer.

MONTHLY BILL CREDITS FOR 12 MONTHS

noreply@blogger.com (Kiema Inc) — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 15:54:00 +0000

Requires 24-month Agreement. When you subscribe to qualifying programming you will receive a credit for each of the first 12 months as follows: $25 per month with America´s Top 250, America´s "Everything" Pak; $20 per month with America´s Top 200; $15 per month with America´s Top 120, Americ'as Top 120 Plus, DishLATINO Dos, DishLATINO Max; $10 per month with DishLATINO Clàsico, DishLATINO Plus, DISH America, DISH America Silver, DISH America Gold; $5 per month with DishFAMILY. You must maintain qualifying programming to receive all credits. You will forfeit credit in the case of a downgrade from qualifying programming or service disconnection prior to 12 months of credits. Maximum number of months with credits is 12. After 12 months, then-current price for package will apply.

BLOCKBUSTER® MOVIE PASS OFFER

noreply@blogger.com (Kiema Inc) — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 15:53:00 +0000

Requires activation of new qualifying DISH Network service between 10/01/11 and 1/31/12. With a 24-month agreement and minimum of America's Top 200 programming package, for the first 12 months of your subscription, you receive a bundle of Blockbuster Movie Pass for $5/mo (regularly $10/mo) and America's "Everything" Pak for $74.99/mo, America's Top 250 for $39.99/mo, America's Top 200 for $34.99/mo, or DishLATINO Max for $34.99/mo. Other qualifying packages include 3-month bundle. Promotional prices continue for applicable promotional period provided you subscribe to both components of the bundle and do not downgrade. After applicable promotional period there will not be a Charge of Service Fee. Includes 1 disc at a time. Requires the following: online DISH Network account for discs by mail; broadband Internet to stream content; HD DVR to stream to TV; HD equipment to receive full range of channels. You can exchange online rentals for free in-store movie rentals at participating BLOCKBUSTER Stores. This offer is not available in Hawaii, Alaska, Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands.

GET HBO, CINEMAX, AND STARZ FREE FOR 3 MONTHS

noreply@blogger.com (Kiema Inc) — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 15:52:00 +0000

You will receive a credit equal to the monthly cost of HBO, Cinemax, and Starz for each of the first 3 months unless you elect to downgrade one or more movie packages prior to the end of your promotional period. After 3 months, you will be billed at then-current monthly price unless you elect to downgrade. If you downgrade within 30 days following end of 3-month promotional period there will not be a Change of Service Fee.

FREE HD FOR LIFE

noreply@blogger.com (Kiema Inc) — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 15:52:00 +0000

Requires 24-month Agreement with qualifying programming and continuous enrollment in AutoPay with Paperless Billing. $10/mo HD add-on fee waived for life of current account, limited to channels associated with selected programming package. Programming packages eligible for free HD include America´s Top 120, America´s Top 120 Plus, America´s Top 200, America´s Top 250, DishLATINO Dos and DishLATINO Max. You may forfeit free HD in the case of service disconnection.

3 MONTHS OF DISH PLATINUM PACKAGE

noreply@blogger.com (Kiema Inc) — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 15:51:00 +0000

Requires qualifying HD package and continuous enrollment in AutoPay with Paperless Billing. You will receive DISH Platinum at no cost for each of the first 3 months. You must call to continue subscription at the end of three months.

PROTECTION PLAN FREE FOR 6 MONTHS

noreply@blogger.com (Kiema Inc) — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 15:51:00 +0000

All new and existing residential customers (as well as new and existing MDU DHA-12 customers) who subscribe to America's Top 120 or higher, or DishLATINO Dos or higher programming packages are eligible for this offer. The DISH America packages and international programming are NOT eligible programming packages. Customer agrees to 24-month term commitment AND Credit Card AutoPay with Paperless Billing; OR Customer pays $99 HD Programming Upgrade Fee.

PROTECTION PLAN FREE FOR 6 MONTHS

noreply@blogger.com (Kiema Inc) — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 15:50:00 +0000

MULTI-SPORT PACK OFFER

noreply@blogger.com (Kiema Inc) — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 15:50:00 +0000

With Qualifying programming you will receive Multi-Sport Pack Programming through 1/4/12. Qualifying programming packages include America's Top 120 Plus, America's Top 200, America's Top 250, DishLATINO Dos; DishLATINO Max, DISH America Silver, and DISH America Gold. You will forfeit programming if you do not maintain a qualifying programming package. You must call to continue subscription at the end of the promotional period.

FREE SLING ADAPTER TERMS

noreply@blogger.com (Kiema Inc) — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 15:49:00 +0000

1) Purchase a Sling Adapter.
2) Opt-in for the DISH Network E-Newsletter and create an online DISH Network account.
3) Install and activate a ViP 722 or 722k receiver and Sling Adapter.
4) Connect the receiver to broadband Internet.
5) Through your online DISH Network account, submit for redemption no later than 75 days from Sling Adapter activation.
6) Your account must be active.
7) You will not be eligible for the prepaid card if you fail to submit by day 75.
8) Allow 6-8 weeks for delivery. (Limit one redemption per DISH Network account.)

Check out these great new promotions from DISH Network!

noreply@blogger.com (Kiema Inc) — Fri, 07 Jan 2011 00:14:00 +0000

New "HD Free for Life" Customer Offer - We are very excited about our brand new offer - "HD Free for Life!" It complements DISH Network's market leadership in HD programming, and is designed to attract new customers, as well as help retain them! This offer provides the free HD channels associated with the America's Top Programming package purchased by the customer. HD's are free for the life of the customer's contract.

Eligible Customers - All new and existing residential customers (as well as new and existing MDU DHA-12 customers) who subscribe to America's Top 120 or higher, or DishLATINO Dos or higher programming packages are eligible for this offer. The DISH America packages and international programming are NOT eligible programming packages. Customer agrees to 24-month term commitment AND Credit Card AutoPay with Paperless Billing; OR Customer pays $99 HD Programming Upgrade Fee.

"$15/Month Off for 12 Months" (America's Top programming) and "$10/Month Off for 12 Months" (DishLATINO programming) - Receive monthly bill credits for the first 12 months of DISH Network Programming.

Eligible Customers - All new and existing residential customers (as well as new and existing MDU DHA-12 customers) who subscribe to America's Top 120 or higher, or DishLATINO Dos or higher programming packages are eligible for this offer. The DISH America packages and international programming are NOT eligible programming packages. Customer agrees to 24-month term commitment AND Credit Card AutoPay with Paperless Billing; OR Customer pays $99 HD Programming Upgrade Fee.

"HBO & Showtime Free for 3 Months" - (will require Credit Card AutoPay with Paperless Billing)
Eligible Customers - All new and existing residential customers (as well as new and existing MDU DHA-12 customers) who subscribe to America's Top 120 or higher, or DishLATINO Dos or higher programming packages are eligible for this offer. The DISH America packages and international programming are NOT eligible programming packages. Customer agrees to 24-month term commitment AND Credit Card AutoPay with Paperless Billing; OR Customer pays $99 HD Programming Upgrade Fee.

Service Plan Free for 6 Months

Eligible Customers - All new and existing residential customers (as well as new and existing MDU DHA-12 customers) who subscribe to America's Top 120 or higher, or DishLATINO Dos or higher programming packages are eligible for this offer. The DISH America packages and international programming are NOT eligible programming packages. Customer agrees to 24-month term commitment AND Credit Card AutoPay with Paperless Billing; OR Customer pays $99 HD Programming Upgrade Fee.

Dish Network for Business

noreply@blogger.com (Kiema Inc) — Wed, 29 Dec 2010 16:54:00 +0000

Give your customers the entertainment they want at business prices you can afford.

Let dish network satellite systems help you grow your business. Whether you operate a restaurant, hotel, apartment — or any business — DISH Network has the TV programming that will attract and retain your customers, tenants, and patrons. Dish Network will help you select or design a package to fits your business needs.

Dish Network caters to:
Apartments and Condos
Developers, HOA's and Property Management
Property Residents
Office and Retail Locations
Bars and Restaurants
Hotels/Motels, Hospitals
Government & Military
Custom Solutions
Special Promotions
Apartment & Condo Developers / Owners
Office & Retail Locations
Bars & Restaurants
Hotels, Hospitals & Assisted Living

Sports For Your Satellite TV Entertainment

noreply@blogger.com (Kiema Inc) — Wed, 29 Dec 2010 16:43:00 +0000

Sports fans do you take interest in soccer, field hockey, football, or track and field? Whatever the case may be, you can always find your favorite sports on DISH Network sports channels. You are sure to have the best ever sports entertainment on TV via DISH Network. You can even watch many of these sports events in 100% digital clarity.

Now let us take a quick look at the sports packages offered by DISH Network:-

Multi-Sport with NFL RedZone on DISH Network

NFL RedZone channel will change your Sundays forever. Multi-Sport package from DISH Network brings you NFL RedZone, NBA TV, NHL Network, Big Ten Network along with 25 local sports networks.

ESPN Game Plan

ESPN Game Plan brings you up to 15 vital match-ups from the best college football conferences each week! Enjoy match-ups from BIG 12, ACC, BIG EAST, PAC-10, SEC, MAC, SUN BELT as well as WAC.

NHL Center Ice

Irrespective of your location, you can grab the best seats with NHL Center Ice. Follow your teams as well as players round the season, with 40 out-of-market games each week. With NHL Center Ice every game is a home game.

Fox Soccer Plus

Fox Soccer Plus is a premium channel which complements Fox Soccer Channel by offering a complete international sports experience. One can watch Live, exclusive soccer matches across the world including England's Barclays Premier League, England's FA Cup, the UEFA Champions League, Coca-Cola Championship, Carling Cup, England Men's National Team and Italy's Series A. you can also enjoy premium rugby from the Magners League, the Guinness Premiership and the Heineken Cup among in this channel.

ESPN Full Court

It is the best college basketball package which delivers up to 30 regular season games per week! Watch match-ups from top conferences in the country.

NBA League Pass

NBA LEAGUE PASS brings you up to 40 live games from across the league. Follow your favorite teams, players or match-up outside your local viewing area.

Willow cricket

Willow Cricket is a round the clock Cricket channel that brings you the best of Cricket live! You will get to see all home games from the Cricket Boards of Australia, England, South Africa, and New Zealand along with live matches of the ICC Champions League.

MLS Direct Kick

MLS Direct Kick offers up to 160 Major League Soccer regular season games and select playoff games.

RTN

Racetrack Television Network us a programming package dedicated to "the sport of kings!" The Racetrack Television Network programming package brings you up to 80 channels featuring horse racing from around the country.

Pot References, Where Are You?

noreply@blogger.com (Kiema Inc) — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 16:58:00 +0000

Caught a vintage episode of Scooby Doo recently. I would say that you didn’t miss much–bad guys in masks, main characters disappearing through hidden doors, those meddling kids, blah blah blah–but apparently, thirty years ago, I did.

The entire gang, sans only Mystery Machine, was traipsing along in a cave, or a spooky warehouse, or some such necessary setting, and Velma made a serene announcement.

“Scooby looks really stressed,” she said. “Let’s give him a Scooby Snack!”

Now, since the show has been resurrected on the Cartoon Network (DISH 176) there are actual Scooby Snacks near your grocer’s freezer. They are graham crackers. They look too disconcertingly like Milk Bones to actually eat. I might have made the Milk Bone connection at the age of seven. The rest of it? I’m thinking no.

I mean, the smoking references popped up in the Scooby Doo movie version of about a decade and a half ago; gentle smoke was seen wafting from the Mystery Machine as Shaggy laughed and laughed– Shaggy and the Snack- consuming Scooby, both of whom are always hungry. The problem was, we members of Gen X were too late to understand the sixties, and too young to fully participate in the eighties. The second time around, now that we’re through college and the Nancy Reagan episode of Diff’rent Strokes– yeah, we get it. It’s kind of like when I saw twins Mia and Tia “flash” Lightning McQueen in Cars, and double entendre on top of double entendre cascade from a re-run of Three’s Company: How in the world did this stuff get under the radar?

We can take it all literally, of course, but then it’s not nearly as much fun. Much as comedian Jim Gaffigan recently tweeted that “Cell phones are the carbon dating of movies,” what’s naughty and what’s nice is the decade marker of Hanna-Barbera.

American Pickers: Are We Just Being Sticklers?

noreply@blogger.com (Kiema Inc) — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 16:57:00 +0000

American Pickers might refer to guitar players, or it might just refer to players in search of vintage guitars.

The latest reality offering from The History Channel (DISH 120, Mondays and Wednesdays, 9 PM EST) is now in its second season, and awash in the same controversy as when it first began:

Are these guys just ripping everybody off?

The two stars, Mike Wolfe and Frank Fritz of Antique Archeology, take Antique Road Show to the antiques. Stationed in Iowa, the two bounce around the American Midwest and South in search of rusty treasure– oil cans, bicycles, vintage movie posters and carnival games. They come calling to what is, for a better term, collectors of junk, and then paw through in search of something eBay worthy.

Sometimes the items sell well. Sometimes they don’t. But the fights in online chatrooms continue: Are they preying on unsuspecting elderly dupes, or are they doing no harm in seeing that the owners of the musty prizes are at least given some cash for an item which they aren’t using? How could this show last past the first season- wouldn’t you hold down on your 1957 Radio Flyer when you saw these guys coming up the front walk? Or are the rip off victims, in fact, the audience, victims of yet another History Channel program which has only the most tenuous link to actual history?

In any case, American Pickers has gotten at least one goal accomplished: Nobody is calling the WWII- happy network “The Hitler Channel” anymore. By taking an ironic leap into the twenty-first century world of candid reality program, The History Channel now finds itself under fire for the same practices as Fox and ABC– aren’t these people being exploited? What are these guys doing to deserve their own series? Isn’t this beneath us all?

But the catch is that American Pickers is entertaining; its two stars enjoy a friendly, if profanity-laden banter, and it speaks to the new economy which has sprung up around Craigslist and eBay. I once saw a housemate grab a pair of shoes for $2.00 at a thrift store, then turn around and make a $30.00 profit online.

“Sometimes I feel guilty about it,” she said, shrugging, “but then I realize that now somebody’s enjoying and appreciating the shoes, and I’m $30 closer to paying off my student loans.”

She might not have a sidekick or a camera crew, but she does have a point about free enterprise.

Semi-Warm in Cleveland

noreply@blogger.com (Kiema Inc) — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 16:56:00 +0000

The summer confection (Wednesdays, 10:00 PM ET, TV Land, DISH 106) has now ended its first season, and I have revisited my verdict. Which is: It’s a criminal waste of talent and potential. But it’s getting better.

Criminal or not, Hot In Cleveland has done well enough to earn itself a second season. How’d this happen? It does just enough things right:

1) Wise limited deployment of Betty White: Perhaps due to her age, perhaps due to the rare smart decision by writers and creators, White isn’t ladled over the series like thick goulash. A little bit of Sophia Petrillo-lite goes a very long way, and some one has wised up to this. White wanders through a scene every now and then to deliver a set-down, and storylines which focus on her character are limited. That keeps her involvement fresh and a loyal audience wanting more.

For example, a highly predictable a episode involving a high school play included White sitting in the audience. As the lights went down, a fanfare sounded, and White cheerfully turned to her castmates and said with great cheerfulness, “I hate it already!” It was the best thing of the episode. It was quite possibly the best thing of the series. A lesser actress would have given a snarky, nasty read, but White’s ability to contrast tone with script gave an otherwise limp line a great deal of life.

2) Aiming for continuity: White’s character contains touches of her Golden Girls role, the dimwitted Rose Nylund. In Hot in Cleveland, White’s character is a sharpwitted Pole, turning the stereotype on its head. She does, however, introduce bits of cultural flavor, just as Rose did. These moments are sprinkled throughout each episode, making for a comfy eating-cheesecake-in-Miami feeling.

The finale brought together the threads of several different plotlines from the series’ inaugural season. Here’s another area in which producers learned their lesson from Golden Girls, one of television’s most infamously inconsistent sitcoms. Viewers now have DVR, DVD, and the memory of the entire Internet, and show creators are bowing to that fact.

Speaking of the finale, that brings me to what Hot In Cleveland should attend to as it prepares for a 2011 season:

1) Stop insulting 99.99% of your viewership: Speaking of the finale, this season’s last episode touched on an issue which reviewers have been hammering, and it’s involved with the premise itself: While the show may be construed as a slam at the superficiality of LA life, it often comes off as a thirty-minute hamfisted exploration of why anyone would actually choose to live in someplace like that awful Ohio. While this isn’t explicitly mentioned in the finale, the attitude rears its ugly, uninformed head throughout.

It has to do with the plot-centric tornado. I’m not turning to TV Land for a Weather Channel-grade primer on how tornadoes work. But… well… when characters are doing things like stepping out into a really windy day and mentioning “the eye of the storm”, we tend to wonder if the writers have gathered all their tornado-related information from Wizard of Oz. And, like a recent episode of Desperate Housewives, it looks like they pretty much have. It may seem like a quibble, but when much of the nation lives in tornado-prone areas, treating this seasonal fact of life like a freaking hurricane is a symptom of a prevailing arrogance

2) “The terrorists have won,” seriously?: Poor Wendie Malick. Not only was her character awarded a line which was old a decade ago, she was also featured no-dimensional storyline featuring a faked disease which required her to–haha!–limp heavily and tote a goiter.
Please give these ladies the strong writing their talent deserves, OK? Then the terrorists will not, in fact, win.

The Big Hair on the Street

noreply@blogger.com (Kiema Inc) — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 16:54:00 +0000

Since all the good scripts seem to have petered out somewhere around 1989, the entertainment industry has endured nothing but re-makes, spinoffs, and sequels–even of movies which were wretched to begin with.

Then again, there are the artiste films which everybody seems to hold up as era-defining classics but few people actually see. One of these is Wall Street, which set out to define the insider trading scandals of the 1980′s. That done, and with his roster of interesting presidents currently exhausted, Stone has scheduled a return to his homage of strongly disliking capitalism. Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps is set for release in September, but don’t worry Shia LaBeouf is involved! How could it possibly miss?

You might well, then, see the original floating past some DISH network near you as the premier date inches closer. Try to catch it, if you haven’t before, even if you saw it already in a rickety, non-stadium-seated theater with original Pac-Man machines blinking in the lobby.

Because now, in 2010, Wall Street is more of an historical piece than the Enormous Moral Statement it originally set out to be. Oh, it’s still a morality play; Gordon Gekko is a mean, bad man who only wants money and Charlie Sheen’s dad is still… um, Charlie Sheen’s dad, a gruff Martin Sheen who’s as pure as the snow driven by a union-staffed plow. What elevates Wall Street is its better-than-average, less-than anvilicious moments of symbolism– as long as you don’t pay particular attention to the script, the hammering message, and most of the actors, you’re in good shape.

But as you watch Michael Douglas stroll down the beach holding his Zach Morris Special cell phone as he brags about his tiny portable TV and new VCR camcorder, as Darryl Hannah’s hair and shoulder pads reach new and gory heights, as an unwrinkled Charlie Sheen dashes past a green flashing set of cathode ray tubes on his way to snort coke and redecorate his apartment with painted plywood cutouts slapped over brick walls… just take it all in for a moment.

People actually lived this way. And we liked it. They were cutting edge, those sweaters from Chess King and button earrings the size of dinner plates. And in thirty years we’ll blink in astonishment at the Twilight movies, and not just for the usual reasons.

So if you doubt that the world needs a sequel of Wall Street, I’d disagree. Historians will thank us for grabbing the moment when iPads were the The Thing and everybody wanted a reality show contract.

Empty Office

noreply@blogger.com (Kiema Inc) — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 16:53:00 +0000

And now, from the Department of “I Thought Mitch Miller Was Already Dead/Steve Carell Hadn’t Already Announced He Was Leaving The Office“?: Steve Carell is leaving The Office (DISH 120, NBC, Thursdays, 9 PM EST). Oh, but don’t worry. The bosses of this boss have a plan. Word is that Portia de Rossi of Arrested Development fame is stepping in as… a socially awkward management type!

Latest in from the rumor mill is that de Rossi (Portia Lee James DeGeneres, if the name change she reportedly filed for goes through) is taking Carell’s place. Normally, adding an Australian to any conceivable scenario can do nothing but improve it. But no matter what de Rossi’s island of origin, it’s mighty cringable that NBC actually seems to be forging ahead with its plan to continue The Office without its central character.

Of course, this is a shark jump of apocalyptic proportions. It might outstrip Totally Different Darren on Bewitched, or even actual Fonzi strapping on water skis and actual jumping over an actual shark in Happy Days.

The only conceivable plan which might work is the potential trial balloon which recently circulated the Internet–that Brit Ricky Gervais, who originated the role on the BBC, might step in. Putting Gervais in the same office where a British flag rested in his honor would be a major-network sitcom first, and create a sense of continuity fascinating enough to carry The Office for at least another season or two.

But it’s not just the sense of a sense of closing an international sitcom circuit which makes Gervais a rare acceptable substitute for major star: He’s not Michael Scott. He was David Brent, who was also a piss-poor manager and cocktail party nightmare–but in utterly different ways than Carell’s take on the character. Gervais wouldn’t attempt to copy Carell; he would be his own obnoxious self. And with last season’s finale suggesting that Michael Scott is going to ride off into the goofy sunset with his lost Human Resources love, Holly, that might be a series reboot worth watching.

Best Dish Network Packages

noreply@blogger.com (Kiema Inc) — Fri, 28 May 2010 16:34:00 +0000

Dish Network Satellite TV is the television service provider that can give your family the TV that it needs in order to stay entertained. That's because it has the massive number of television channels needed to appeal to each and every family member and great promotional offers can now make all of that entertainment more affordable than ever before! Add onto the huge number of Dishnet channels and the great promotional offers with the best technology available anywhere and you have the best possible TV service imaginable.

Dish Network's great service starts out with the high quality that only satellite technology can provide! The fact that this company uses satellite technology makes it possible to deliver great TV just about anywhere in North America. Basically if you have a patch of sky, a TV, and a source of electricity you can take full advantage of all of the great entertainment resources that Dish Network has to offer!

On top of the wide availability of satellite TV the digital technology delivers a great picture and plenty of interactive properties as well. A good example of the interactive features that comes with every Dish TV subscription is the Electronic Program Guide (EPG) that will let you find out all about the TV shows, movies, and sporting events that you can watch without having to surf through the channels. In addition, it will let you go to any channel instantaneously!

Of course, what you really want when you're thinking about TV is lots of channels and Dish Network can definitely provide that! Whether you go for the one hundred twenty television channels of the America's Top 120 package or the massive selection of channels of America's Everything Pak, you'll be able to take advantage of great value when it comes to the amount of programming that you and your family will get to enjoy.

In addition, you'll have the opportunity to make your programming package even better by adding more channels and smaller packages to it in order to customize it! Options like premium movie packages such as Showtime, HBO, Cinemax, and Starz; adult channels; sports channels; international programming; and interactive channels can all be used to make your Dishnetwork subscription packed with even more value!

One especially great option that you can really take advantage of through Dish Network is High Definition Television (HDTV)! In fact, this particular satellite TV company is the best provider of HDTV programming because of the fact that it offers more total high def channels than anyone else! On top of that, with its DISH America service, it's the first and only TV service provider to offer HDTV channels in the form of stand alone programming packages!

This means that you can experience the way TV will be viewed in the future right now! Add in the flexibility of being able to add HD and Platinum HD packages to many existing standard definition programming packages, and you have a lot of High Defintion Television options! This makes Dishnetwork the best satellite TV service and the most affordable!

There are also lots of options that DishTV can give you with the addition of a DVR in your home! The Digital Video Recorder (DVR) is the twenty first century replacement for the old fashioned VCR. They're more convenient because they're easy to program, don't use video cassette tapes, and can store hundreds of hours of video!

As you can see, you get a lot of value for your money when you go with Dish Network Satellite TV! There has never been a better time to start.

Dish Network Satellite Adult Programing

noreply@blogger.com (Kiema Inc) — Mon, 10 May 2010 14:34:00 +0000

Playboy TV

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TENXtsy

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