Mitchell Telecom Company Blog

AMC Contract DIspute

noreply@blogger.com (Mitchell Telecom) — Mon, 21 Dec 2015 18:16:00 +0000

UPDATE: 1/1/16

We have always pointed to New Years Day as the likely timeframe for needing a new contract or losing the AMC and WE signal. While don't have an agreement in place there has been enough positive discussion over the past 24 hours that AMC Networks (owners of the AMC and WE channels) is not requiring Mitchell Telecom to pull those signals at this time. Negotiations are set to continue through the weekend and we expect an update from our programming partner NCTC early next week.

We apologize again for any issues this dispute has caused you and thank you for your patience and ongoing support. As new developments happen, we will be sure to update this post.

Thanks and Happy New Year!

UPDATE: 12/21/2015

Letter to cable subscribers potentially impacted by an ongoing programming contract dispute with AMC Networks.

Dear Mitchell Telecom Cable Subscriber:

In the course of our business year, several programming contracts come due for renewal and nearly all of those deadlines are never seen as Mitchell Telecom is able to find terms that satisfy the programmer and fit the needs of our customers. In the past decade, we have had two agreements expire (or very nearly expire) requiring us to notify customers of the possibility they could be losing those channels until an agreement could be reached.

The most recent addition to that group is AMC Networks, which represents two channels on our programming lineup: AMC (Channel 56 / 653) and WE (Channel 54). Without a new agreement before the end of the year, those channels will go dark at midnight 12/31/2015, because of what we consider as unreasonable rate demands and new channel requirements on the part of AMC Networks.

This is a worst case scenario for these contract negotiations and we apologize for the issues this will cause you and your family. We are continuing active negotiations with AMC Networks along with our programming partner, the National Cable Television Cooperative (NCTC), which helps represent Mitchell Telecom and 5 million other cable subscribers across 800 other cable providers at risk of losing the carriage.

We will continue to work to find an agreement that satisfies all the parties involved, while keeping your bill as low as possible. We will post updates as they become available at www.MitchellTelecom.com and if you have questions on this or another matter, please contact our office at info@mitchelltelecom.com or by calling 990-1000.

Sincerely,

Mitchell Telecom

What I learned over the summer

noreply@blogger.com (Mitchell Telecom) — Wed, 02 Oct 2013 19:07:00 +0000

With the announcement of our Project: Do Good winners early this week, it marked the unofficial end to my summer. Over the summer in support of Project: Do Good, I made nearly 60 visits to community group, service organizations, committees, boards and individuals asking for great ideas to improve the Mitchell community.

That request was met with over 65 ideas for the community to make Mitchell a better place to live, work and play. On Monday, we announced eight award winners from 55 submissions in two of those categories. During the announcement, on a number of occasions I mentioned that we had far more good ideas than we had money available. That is what I learned over the summer, Mitchell is a vibrant place and our community has tremendous ideas for growth.

When we give people a voice and allow them to chart a direction for our community, anything is possible. I look forward to working with the award winners to take these ideas and turn them into reality. I’m also excited for the potential and possibility that can come from the ideas we weren’t able to fund.

Please keep an eye on our progress as we’ll updating you as we go and if you have ideas for community please share them. If you have a personal stake in the improvement of Mitchell, please work to take on one of these projects and help make a difference.

Ideas? Check!

noreply@blogger.com (Mitchell Telecom) — Fri, 06 Sep 2013 15:45:00 +0000

A portion of Project: Do Good closed earlier this week, as we cut off submissions for our LIVE and PLAY categories on Tuesday. The final tally? 55 ideas split between the two categories, an amazing response from the community. We currently have every submission displayed on our windows just inside the main entry of the mall (photo below) and invite you to stop out to see what ideas people have conjured up!

The next step is to review all of the submissions and select finalists (that is set to happen next week). We plan to meet with the finalists of the LIVE category on Monday, September 16th and convene with PLAY category finalists the following week on Tuesday, September 24th. From the finalists, we'll whittle it down a little further by choosing our winners and how we will divvy up the $7500 available in each category. Those winners will be announced at an event at the Highland Conference Center on September 30th.

Keep an eye on your email and the newspaper and an ear on the radio in the next week to learn who has earned their way into the finals.

Channel 90 Coverage

noreply@blogger.com (Mitchell Telecom) — Tue, 03 Sep 2013 13:57:00 +0000

We're back for the fall season with our coverage of local sports from Mitchell High School and DWU. This week we kick the action up a notch with Kernel football LIVE from Joe Quintal Field on Tuesday, Thursday and the Varsity opener Friday (vs Harrisburg).

We get our first look of the Kernel volleyball team in action over the weekend when Harrisburg comes to town on Saturday.

As usual, you can follow all the action on Channel 90.

Check our full fall schedule here - http://www.switchtomitchelltelecom.com/localtv/schedule.php

Make a SPLASH!

noreply@blogger.com (Mitchell Telecom) — Wed, 17 Jul 2013 15:08:00 +0000

Our annual community summer fun day is coming back later this month for it's third year. SUMMER SPLASH is set for Saturday, July 27th and offers FREE admission to the Mitchell Aquatic Center along with fun and games all day capped off by a poolside showing of HERE COMES THE BOOM after sunset (around 9pm).

When we prepare for events like Summer Splash, I'm reminded how great of a community we have in Mitchell. Let's keep that rolling and you can help make Mitchell a better place to LIVE, WORK and PLAY by sharing your ideas during PROJECT: DO GOOD (read more here: http://mit-tel.blogspot.com/2013/06/doing-good.html).

There is still time to participate and we encourage to check out www.DoGoodMitchell.com for more details and to submit your ideas to improve Mitchell. And, if we can ask you to do one more thing, please spread the word about Summer Splash and Project: Do Good.

Who's Hungry?

noreply@blogger.com (Mitchell Telecom) — Wed, 26 Jun 2013 15:00:00 +0000

As a part of our Do Good Summer and Project: Do Good, we want to say thanks to our customers with our annual Customer Appreciation Lunch at Culver's next Tuesday. We're buying burgers, fries and sodas from 11:30am to 1:00pm on Tuesday, July 2nd - who's hungry?

Look for the Mitchell Telecom staff member at the restaurant (HINT: we'll be in the blue polo) and we'll get you hooked up with a voucher for lunch. You'll also see a stuffer in your July bill, which also has all the details.

The lunch is to say thanks to our customers for their continued support and is a part of our Project: Do Good (Read more here: http://mit-tel.blogspot.com/2013/06/doing-good.html). We'll have more information on how you can participate in sharing your ideas for making Mitchell a better place to LIVE, WORK and PLAY this summer.

We look forward to seeing you next week and hearing how we should make Mitchell better (between bites of course)!

Doing Good

noreply@blogger.com (Mitchell Telecom) — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 19:05:00 +0000

Mitchell Telecom announced a new project aimed at repaying some of the goodwill the Mitchell community has bestowed upon our company since our launch. We unveiled Project: Do Good our initiative to make Mitchell a better place to LIVE, WORK and PLAY with over $30,000 of cash and in-kind support pledged to get the creative juices flowing.

So, let me ask you the question - What would you create or enhance to make Mitchell better? Tell us your ideas at www.DoGoodMitchell.com and let's make it happen!

Here's the full press release...

Mitchell Telecom unveils “Project: Do Good” for Mitchell!

Mitchell SD.

Mitchell Telecom Subsidiary Manager Scott Peper held a press conference

Tuesday at the Highland Conference Center to announce a plan to return some of the “goodwill” the Mitchell community has provided to Mitchell Telecom since they installed their first customers in 2005 to today when the company’s fiber optic network provides service over 3,500 Mitchell homes and businesses.

Mr. Peper went on to say “ We are proud to call Mitchell home, and take great pride in Mitchell’s distinction as a Smart21 community of 2013. We’d like to think Mitchell Telecom, our network and services, played a role in gaining that distinction in conjunction with a number of individuals and businesses throughout Mitchell. It’s wonderful to see the some of the secrets that make Mitchell a great community, get a little notoriety. We take tremendous pleasure in announcing a project we are kicking off today and will work on this summer, fall and beyond. We’re calling it Project: DO GOOD , and it has ONE simple goal – TO MAKE MITCHELL BETTER! ”

Through Project: Do Good, Mitchell Telecom is searching for ideas that will make Mitchell a better place and the company is offering over $30,000 in cash and in kind support to kick start creative juices in three broad categories.

LIVE – ideas aimed at improving Mitchell’s quality of life.

WORK – searching for entrepreneurs in the community looking to develop a business

PLAY - ideas with the intent of enriching the experiences of young people.

Mr . Peper went on to say “If you have an idea that will make Mitchell a better place to LIVE, WORK or PLAY, we want to partner with you and make it happen. We will accept submissions until September and you can submit ideas or find out more about Project: Do Good at www.DoGoodMitchell.com.”

If you have any questions or would like Mitchell Telecom to get a time set aside to talk specifically with groups on how they can participate email Scott Peper at speper@mitchelltelecom.com

Hockey Donation

noreply@blogger.com (Mitchell Telecom) — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 13:49:00 +0000

Here's us (Scott, Brice and Carrie) along with Chamber's Sonya and Katie (in the front) during the Chamber's Golf Outing on May 31st.

Why is that important? Well, during the tournament we were sponsoring Hole #18 and playing a couple games for a couple great prizes. One of those prizes happened to be an iPad Mini and we asked interested golfers to pitch in $5 in hopes of winning the mighty-mini. Nearly $500 later ($491 to be exact - I don't know how we ended up with the extra $1), Sally Moody won herself an iPad and we had some money to donate to a worthy cause.

We choose to give the cash to the Mitchell Skating and Hockey Association as they work to pay for the second sheet of ice currently under construction and help pay for the many extras they'll need to make that place sparkle. What a great group for Mitchell and one that really loves their sport. Best of luck to them and we're happy to play a really small part of that effort.

You can learn more about the drive and how you can help here - http://www.mitchellmarlins.com/page/show/688121-twice-the-ice. GO MARLINS!

New Channels Coming May 15th

noreply@blogger.com (Mitchell Telecom) — Thu, 09 May 2013 17:25:00 +0000

Alright Mad Men and Kardashian fans (I assume those groups are mutually exclusive), you are a few days away from being able to watch your shows in HD. Mitchell Telecom will launch AMC HD and E! HD to subscribers on Wednesday, May 15th.

AMC HD will be found on channel 653 and channel 665 will be home for E! HD. Enjoy!

Still not seeing HD? Add it to your account today by calling 990-1000 or email us at info@mitchelltelecom.com.

Network Interns Wanted

noreply@blogger.com (Mitchell Telecom) — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 21:07:00 +0000

As we near the end of the school year, we'll bid farewell to our current cast of network interns that assist us with Mitchell Telecom's video network. These are also the same folks that bring you most of our coverage on Channel 90 throughout the year. We would like to thank both Tanner and Carina and wish them the best of luck as they head toward their professional futures - we should expect big things out of them!

That change means Mitchell Telecom is looking for new interns to work with our staff during this summer and next school year. This is a paid position and one that offers an unique set of challenges to help students prepare for their chosen career path. We're looking for students that have an interest in technology and working in a field of study that lends itself to the job. In the past, we've worked with Multi-Media and Graphic Design folks from DWU as well as Telecom, SCADA and Satellite Communications students from MTI. If you have an interest please submit a resume and cover letter to info@mitchelltelecom.com. Also, if you know of someone that might fit the bill, please ask them to do the same.

Here's a little bit about the position...

Position: Network Intern - Video

Overview: This position will assist in the management, control and troubleshooting of our video network. They will gain an intimate knowledge of the hardware and software elements that power our video product while helping to support our customers. We will expect the interns to learn software, server management and video production tasks that are vital to our cable system across our terrestrial, online and mobile networks.

Requirements: Applicants should be a student in an field of study that relates to the position.

Time: Summer 2013 + 2013/14 School Year

Submission Date: Please send resumes and cover letters to info@mitchelltelecom.com before Friday, April 19th.

The WiFi, it's extending

noreply@blogger.com (Mitchell Telecom) — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 16:44:00 +0000

It's crazy to think about the explosion of wireless device use in our homes over the past couple years. If your house is anything like mine, you've seen exponential growth in the devices that use your in-home Wi-Fi network. Personally, I went from a laptop, iPod Touch and smart phone using our home's Wi-Fi to two laptops, two smart phones, a Roku box, Blu-Ray Player, iPads and iPods - literally five times the number of devices over a pretty short period.

We now NEVER CONNECT TO THE INTERNET VIA A WIRE in our house and haven't done so in quite some time. The byproduct of that growth is a bigger importance and reliance on our Wi-Fi network to make entertainment and information available throughout the home. As you might expect (and probably experience), we found certain parts of the house had better connectivity to Wi-Fi and other areas (garage, bedrooms, deck, etc) would have reduced or no connection.

I needed a way to extend our home Wi-Fi network and do it in a manner that didn't cost an arm and a leg. Thankfully, our techs were able to find a solution that wins on both accounts and connects to our existing router - a home wireless access point.

After using the access point ourselves, we now want to make this product available to our customers who find themselves in the same boat. You can add a home wireless access point to your Wi-Fi network for only $79.95 and we'll have our technicians do the install, set up and make sure your devices get connected.

HOME WIRELESS ACCESS POINT (pictured below)

- Extends the signal from your existing wireless router

- Boosts the Wi-Fi signal in and around your home

- Professionally Installed and Setup

ONLY $79.95

Add one today - email info@mitchelltelecom.com to get started

Mitchell Telecom's home wireless access point

Psych!

noreply@blogger.com (Mitchell Telecom) — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 18:40:00 +0000

Look what you have to look forward to tonight at 9pm! Psych makes it back for Season #7 in the long anticipated conclusion to last April's cliff hanger. Hopefully my man Henry can make it through and Shawn & Gus can put my levels of 80's music and (then) pop culture back to normal!

Busy Week for 90 / Schedule Changes

noreply@blogger.com (Mitchell Telecom) — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 14:40:00 +0000

The start of post-season play is always a fun time for our Local Content Channel 90 crew and that fun began earlier in the week. Tonight (Wednesday) doesn't have anything on tap for games, but we start hot and heavy tomorrow.

District 10B Girls action is slated for 6:30 & 8:00 tomorrow with the winners moving to Saturday's Championship. That game is also scheduled for 6:30 on Saturday and you'll be able to see it on Channel 90 as well. Friday brings two more District Championship games (11B & 12B), both of which can be seen live at 6:30 and 8:00.

The added hoops action on Channel 90 will bump our weekend coverage of Marlin's Hockey to Channel 91. Two games are slated for the weekend featuring Marlin Boy's Varsity. These will be our final hockey games covered for the year, so make sure to tune-in for a big weekend of action.

Hockey Coverage This Weekend (All Games Covered on Channel 91):
- Friday 7pm: Marlin Boys vs Brookings
- Saturday 4pm: Marlin Boys vs Aberdeen

We'll have a similar smashed schedule next week as Girl's Hoops hits Region play and the Boy's kick off Districts. Keep an eye on the blog and your guide for more information.

Anti-Virus Product Launched

noreply@blogger.com (Mitchell Telecom) — Fri, 11 Jan 2013 17:53:00 +0000

Mitchell Telecom now offers VIPRE ANTI-VIRUS, which brings customers the right mix of security technology with the best protection available. This service is built for computer users that need the ultimate online security protection, but aren't technology experts.

Once you complete the quick self-install the software monitors and protects your computer without having to continually update the service. The service stays in place (and up to date) for as long as you keep the service – VIPRE removes the guesswork by ensuring you have everything you need to stay protected online.

Our two pricing plans offer options for users that just need to protect themselves as well as those that have to an entire house of computers to worry about.

- Single Computer Install: $4.00/month (Covers a single PC or Laptop)

- Multi-Computer Install: $5.00/month (Covers up to three PCs or Laptops)

Add it to your account today by calling 990-1000 or emailing info@mitchelltelecom.com!

Go Kernels!

noreply@blogger.com (Mitchell Telecom) — Fri, 04 Jan 2013 19:57:00 +0000

Happy Friday Kernel Fans! We were unable to get permission to bring you a copy of the internet feed over our cable system for tonight's big match-up in Sioux Falls. The best I can offer is a link to the webcast.

This option is from the Argus Leader and includes a chat with their sport's reporter - http://www.argusleader.com/section/washhssports

This feed comes from the Sioux Falls School District - http://media.sf.k12.sd.us/live_washington.php

With either of the above options, I'd suggest pairing the coverage with the play-by-play styling of either of our crack radio stations in town - http://www.kmit.com/ or http://www.1490korn.com/ - GO KERNELS!

In addition to the streaming options, we have a couple local options on our local content channels. We'll feature Kernel Wrestling (vs Yankton) on our flagship Channel 90 at 7:30 and a half-hour earlier, you can tune into Marlin Hockey action on our overflow Channel 91.

Tomorrow will be a jammed pack day of hoops. We have a DWU / MHS Boys Tripleheader on Channel 90 starting at 1PM. We'll also punch through an Internet feed from the MHS Girls trip to Aberdeen on Channel 91 starting at 7:30.

Marlins Intro

noreply@blogger.com (Mitchell Telecom) — Fri, 07 Dec 2012 15:55:00 +0000

It turns out that our professional "trouble fixer" leads a double life as an amateur video producer between trouble calls at our office. No word yet on which version is his Spiderman and which is merely Peter Parker, but our very own, Chris, put this intro together for our Marlins coverage on Channel 90. It'll make it's debut this weekend with four Marlin games on the schedule and set to air Saturday and Sunday. See what you think...

We need your opinion

noreply@blogger.com (Mitchell Telecom) — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 20:58:00 +0000

Could you help us out? We're looking for some insight into how people in the area feel about home monitoring and automation as a service for lack of a better name we're calling 'SMART HOME.'

We have tested potential product and service offerings that, for instance, could keep an eye on your sump pump and alert you when it's not working properly. Perhaps, it's a sensor that tells you when you left your garage door open too long, or maybe it is a camera that keeps an eye on your front door and snaps photos of people coming and going. So, THAT broad range of services is what we're defining as smart home.

Now, this is where you come in - we've developed a short survey to see what areas potential customers would prioritize over the rest. In other words, we're hoping you tell us which way to go next. You can chime in here - http://survey.constantcontact.com/survey/a07e6ndm2t4h9kdrmif/start .

Thanks!

More Channels Now Available

noreply@blogger.com (Mitchell Telecom) — Tue, 27 Nov 2012 14:24:00 +0000

Your access to local content just quadrupled. Mitchell Telecom has partnered with our parent company, Santel Communications, to bring their local content into the Mitchell community. Santel has worked with four school districts in their service area (Parkston, Wolsey, Tripp-Delmont and Woonsocket) to set up local programming that originates from each of the high schools. Similar to our Channel 90, a big chunk of that coverage happens to be high school sporting events and I've included a schedule for the winter months below.

The new channels can be found in our digital package on Channels 101 (Parkston), 102 (Wolsey), 103 (Tripp), and 104 (Woonsocket). The channels along with the game schedule has been added to your digital guide - check there for complete information on dates and times.

CHANNEL 101, PARKSTON LOCAL SCHOOL CHANNEL

December

4 GBB vs Freeman

7 GBB vs Tea Area

14 GBB vs Chamberlain

BBB vs Chamberlain

17 GBB vs Tripp/Delmont/Armour

18 BBB vs Avon

28 Parkston Classic, GBB

29 Parkston Classic, BBB

January

10 GBB vs Wagner

BBB vs Wagner

14 BBB vs Andes Central

17 BBB vs Bon Homme

24 BBB vs Lennox

29 GBB vs McCook Central/Montrose

February

4 GBB vs Scotland

BBB vs Scotland

8 BBB vs Tea Area

9 GBB vs Bridgewater/Emery

12 GBB vs Andes Central

15 BBB vs Mt. Vernon

CHANNEL 102, WOLSEY LOCAL SCHOOL CHANNEL

December

13 GBB vs Iroquois

17 BBB vs Mitchell Christian

January

3 GBB vs JVC

10 BBB vs DeSmet

11 GBB 281 Tourney, 3:30

19 GBB vs Corsica/Stickney

22 GBB vs SBA

28 GBB vs Kimball/White Lake

February

4 GBB vs Lake Preston

5 BBB vs Wessington Springs

9 GBB vs Aberdeen Christian, 1:00

11 BBB vs Hitchcock-Tulare

12 GBB Wolsey-Wessington vs Hitchcock-Tulare, 6:30

15 BBB Wolsey-Wessington vs SBA, 6:30

18 BBB Wolsey-Wessington vs JVC, 6:30

CHANNEL 103, TRIPP LOCAL SCHOOL CHANNEL

December

8 GBB w/ Menno

BBB w/Menno

January

3 GBB vs Mitchell Christian

4 BBB vs Scotland

21 BBB vs Plankinton/Mt. Veron

28 BBB vs Wagner

29 GBB vs Ethan

February

1 GBB vs Marty

BBB vs Marty

14 GBB vs Scotland

CHANNEL 104, WOONSOCKET LOCAL SCHOOL CHANNEL

December

8 GBB Sanborn Central/Woonsocket vs SBA (DH)

BBB Sanborn Central/Woonsocket vs SBA (DH)

January

3 BBB Sanborn Central/Woonsocket vs Andes Central, 6:30

8 GBB Sanborn Central/Woonsocket vs Kimball/White Lake (DH, second game)

BBB Sanborn Central/Woonsocket vs Kimball/White Lake (DH, first game)

11 GBB 281 Tourney, 3:30 (At Wolsey, Channel 102)

25 BBB Woonsocket/Sanborn Central vs Wessington Springs, 6:30

February

4 GBB Sanborn Central/Woonsocket vs Bridgewater/Emery, 6:30

8 GBB Sanborn Central/Woonsocket vs Highmore/Harrold (DH, second game)

BBB Sanborn Central/Woonsocket vs Highmore/Harrold (DH, first game)

Winter Schedule

noreply@blogger.com (Mitchell Telecom) — Wed, 21 Nov 2012 14:37:00 +0000

The Channel 90 Schedule for our winter coverage has been released. You can find a copy of it HERE. Our coverage will again feature Kernel Hoops and Wrestling along with DWU Hoops and Marlins Hockey. In addition to our local teams, we'll feature the Mike Miller, Hanson and DWU classics (one each month) during December, January and February.

New this year will be Final Round coverage of two Kernel Wrestling Tournaments. We'll bring you championship mat coverage during the finals of both the Jerry Opbroek Invite (1/12) and the ESD Conference Meet (2/9). In both cases, the tournaments overlap with coverage from a basketball classic - that means we'll have to feature them on our overflow channel (91).

We're looking forward to another great season from our local teams - Good Luck Kernels, Tigers & Marlins and have a great Thanksgiving, y'all!

A Master's Class in Growing a Business

noreply@blogger.com (Mitchell Telecom) — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 16:06:00 +0000

I was lucky enough to attend the My Biggest Break Luncheon hosted by The Network yesterday at Logan Luxury Theater. It was the 2nd Annual Luncheon that features local business owners that shared their story and what led them to their success. This year's Biggest Break featured Roger Musick and Dick Muth - two guys that have quarterbacked wildly successful businesses in the community for a combined 70+ years and could pen a pretty good how-to manual for growing businesses. I thoroughly enjoyed the 90 minutes and came a way with a number of great themes that I'll plagiarize for years to come - here are three of my favorites...

1. Good People - Find great people, train them right and empower them to do the job. Great advice for any potential entrepreneur.

2. Controlled Growth / Pick Your Spots - In each case, these businesses started off with few or no employees and have exploded to hundreds of employees. But that growth came strategically and in my personal opinion has probably allowed them to control standards over time.

3. Do Something You Enjoy - I got the feeling from both Dick and Roger that if the job became too much of a grind they'd ride off into the sunset. Both guys have family in the business, which adds a layer to this topic - meaning they do something they enjoy with people they enjoy and care about.

Thanks Dick and Roger for the master's class in growing a business and thanks to The Network for hosting this great event.

Kudos Mitchell -- Smart21 Communities of 2013

noreply@blogger.com (Mitchell Telecom) — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 22:46:00 +0000

You saw this right?

Mitchell named as one of the Smart21 Communities of 2013 by the Intelligent Community Forum, a think tank that studies the economic and social development of the 21st Century community. The ICF put our little town along side communities like Philadelphia, PA and Columbus, OH in the US as well as other communities across the globe. Pretty cool, huh?

We at Mitchell Telecom like to think our commitment to the community that brought a Fiber-To-The-Home Network and our broadband, phone and cable services to Mitchell had a little something to do with the community being considered for this award. In actuality, you can look a number of institutions, businesses and our local government that made this possible - we're just happy others take notice of how well we have it in Mitchell.

We have opportunities and access in our homes and businesses that other places in the state, nation and globe would drool over. So....that leads me to a question - what inventive uses of broadband do you see from the people and businesses in Mitchell?

Please post a comment below or if you'd rather email me at speper@mitchelltelecom.com.

Quick Hitters (Channel 90 Version)

noreply@blogger.com (Mitchell Telecom) — Wed, 07 Nov 2012 21:39:00 +0000

- DWU Hoops coverage is back on Channel 90 tonight with a Doubleheader versus York College. The Women's game is set to tip off at 5pm with the Men's game to follow.

- We'll have Region Volleyball coverage on Friday evening as the Kernels take on Sturgis with a trip to the State AA Volleyball Tournament on the line. Coverage starts at 5pm and we'll have it live on Channel 90 with Steve Morgan from KORN on the call.

- Speaking of State Volleyball Tournaments, we'll have expanded coverage from all three tournament sites next week thanks to South Dakota Public Broadcasting. You will be able to find complete coverage of the AA Tournament on Channel 90, the B Tournament on Channel 91 and the A Tournament on Channel 402.

- It seems odd to already have our final football game of the year, but that will happen Saturday afternoon as DWU takes on Midland Lutheran at 1pm from Joe Quintal Field. We'll have that for you on Channel 90 as well.

- My last note is one of apology. We finalized our winter broadcast schedule this week and are now in the process of updating the website. Our pocket schedules will be sent to the printer as soon as the website is complete. After this week / weekend, we only have two more local games scheduled for Channel 90 before the end of the month. Those would be DWU hoops contests featuring the DWU Women (vs Presentation College) on November 20th and a DWU Doubleheader (vs Dordt) on November 28th - check your guide for more information.

Quick Hitters

noreply@blogger.com (Mitchell Telecom) — Fri, 12 Oct 2012 15:26:00 +0000

Would you like Wi-Fi with that?
I read in Telecompetitor today that shipments of Wi-Fi enabled devices will nearly double in 2012. Over 1.5 Billion (with a 'B') devices shipped worldwide shows how far access to wireless Internet has grown into our everyday lives. TVs, Tablets, Mobile Devices, Blu-Ray Players, and hundreds of other devices all now connect to and use your in-home wireless network and they would no no where as useful without that connectivity.

The difficulty that growth can cause users comes from managing your in-home network and making sure each device 'plays' nicely. Mitchell Telecom can help with that headache with our Router Support & Care Plan. For less than $4/month we'll assist in router and security set up and help you connect devices to the network.

Sound interesting / want to learn more? Email our sales team - sales@mitchelltelecom.com and we'll take care of you.

Fo'get about it...
From the Not a Shocker file, I read this week that 'Made In Jersey' was the first casualty amongst the TV Series to premiere in 2012. To make matters worse, they only aired two episodes - OUCH!

Not to toot our horn too loudly, but you'll recall we pegged Jersey as a Loser in our 2012 New Series Preview last month.

Winter Broadcast Schedule
We have received a more than a few requests for our winter schedule for broadcasts on Channel 90. I have our MHS and DWU coverage positioned and ready to go. We've also confirmed carriage for our basketball classics we've covered the past couple years. The final piece of the puzzle is an official schedule for Mitchell Marlins (Boys & Girls) Hockey. I'm told that will happen in the next week and with it we'll be able to round out the schedule.

Handicapping Series Premieres 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Mitchell Telecom) — Wed, 05 Sep 2012 13:18:00 +0000

Every fall brings a new batch of shows looking to gain mass appeal and through that first year a number of those series get cancelled. I suppose that is how the sausage gets made in some respects - throw a bunch of stuff at the wall and see what sticks. As a fan though, how depressing is it see a new show that you invest time in, get cancelled?

I've also developed a bit of a success meter for sniffing out the likely winners and losers of each year's crop - don't kid yourself, it's very much a talent. So, with the season upon us this month, here's how I'll handicap the changes of series premieres in 2012.

Feel free to agree or disagree and please drop in a comment below if you do!

Revolution (Mondays NBC)

- The Show: The US goes dark and every single piece of technology is rendered useless. A family struggles to reunite amid chaos against a militia that kidnaps their brother.

- Gut Reaction: Cool looking show that for some reason reminds me of Heroes right down to the same channel and night. I’m guessing this one starts fast and has some success early while trying to avoid a quick flame out. It seems like you should have a chance if you have JJ Abrams and Jon Favreau on the team, but I’m not wow’d by the cast (too pretty for the apocalypse). -

- The Guess: Count them in for a second season w/ some big changes for the cast in year two.

Go On (Tuesdays NBC)

- The Show: Matthew Perry is a sports talk radio host and recently became widower. He wants to get back to work after the loss of his wife, but his boss forces him to join a support group to deal with the loss.

- Gut Reaction: I’ve always liked Matthew Perry, so there is that. AND, I’ve actually watch the pilot and it made me laugh a couple of times – the group dynamic was fun. BUT, my assessment is that there is not enough here to get laughs every week for 20+ episodes a year.

- The Guess: Find something else to do at 8pm Tuesday. I’d be surprised if it didn’t make it through year one, but shocked if it went beyond that.

Vegas (Tuesdays CBS)

- The Show: Inspired by the true story of former Las Vegas Sheriff Ralph Lamb, a fourth-generation rancher tasked with bringing order to Las Vegas in the 1960s. Lamb wants to be left in peace to run his ranch, but Las Vegas is now swelling with outsiders and corruption which are intruding on his simple life.

- Gut Reaction: This seems like the perfect match of idea and network. I don’t think Vegas is a show that I’ll watch each week, but it seems to speak to the same core group that tune in for other CBS staples (CSI Franchise, NCIS, Blue Bloods, Hawaii 50, etc).

- The Guess: Chalk it up, this one is the biggest ‘hit’ of the new season.

Animal Practice (Wednesdays NBC)

- The Show: "Animal Practice" is a new comedy centering on Dr. George Coleman, a top veterinarian with an impressive list of famous animal patients at the Crane Animal Hospital - a bustling New York City veterinary practice where it often seems as if the patients are running the place. Despite his unorthodox style, George has an undeniable gift with animals of all kinds - except the human kind.

- Gut Reaction: I really like the main character (Justin Kirk) on “Weeds,” so I was holding out hope, but I don’t see how this could be a winner. If the show is going to focus on the animals (as the title would have us to believe) then how long before those story lines get old?

- The Guess: I’m going to put another one in the loss column for NBC who seems to have too many there already.

Elementary (Thursdays CBS)

- The Show: A modern-day spin on Sherlock Holmes who teams up with Dr. Watson to form a crime-solving duo that cracks the NYPD's most impossible cases. Following his fall from grace in London and a stint in rehab, eccentric Sherlock escapes to Manhattan where his wealthy father forces him to live with his worst nightmare - a sober companion, Dr. Watson. A successful surgeon until she lost a patient and her license three years ago, Watson views her current job as another opportunity to help people, as well as paying a penance.

- Gut Reaction: To be honest, I have little to no read on this show. Part of me thinks they are trying to cash in on the Holmes resurgence and the other part thinks it’s a way to capitalize on the goofy crime fighter phenomenon (a la The Mentalist, Psych, etc).

- The Guess: I’ll watch the pilot, but I’m not hopeful. If forced to wager, I’d guess this is a loser.

Nashville (Wednesdays ABC)

- The Show: A legendary queen of country music struggles to maintain her place in the spotlight while dealing with an ambitious rising pop-country vixen who wants to knock her off the throne.

- Gut Reaction: As much as I love Tami Taylor from Friday Night Lights, I can’t get on board with Nashville. I’m guessing too much bad music and drama filled story lines that I won’t care about. That said, I truly believe there is an audience for this show between Hayden Panettiere bringing teeny-boppers or Desperate Housewife’s fans looking for a new show.

- The Guess: This has guilty pleasure all over it – the show will find an audience and stick in the schedule.

666 Park Avenue (Sundays ABC)

- The Show: Welcome to The Drake, Park Avenue's most devilish address, where evil, obsession, and supernatural occurrences are all included in the rent.

- Gut Reaction: The guy from Lost + Vanessa Williams + Creepy Things + Weird Hotel = Big Time Loser. The previews seem to be a mess for me and I don’t get how this show could become successful.

- The Guess: The show finds no audience and gets cancelled before the end of the season.

Quick Hitters –

Guys with Kids – probably would have been good in 1999 (Loser)

The New Normal – any show with NeNe Leakes can‘t be good, which sucks because I like Justin Bartha in National Treasure and The Hangover (Loser)

The Mindy Project – Liked the pilot, but hate the bad accent – Fingers Crossed (Winner)

The Mob Doctor – seems like they should do it as a comedy (Loser)

Last Resort – This could be interesting for a month, then nothing (Loser)

Made in Jersey – Sorry, full up on lawyer shows; try again next year (Loser)

Partners – Good lead in gives it a chance, plus I like the guy from Numbers/10 Things I Hate About You (Winner)

New Channels Coming Tuesday!

noreply@blogger.com (Mitchell Telecom) — Thu, 30 Aug 2012 17:43:00 +0000

Our next batch of HD channels are currently being tested and will be available to customers on Tuesday, September 4th. I know some customers have already seen the channel numbers pop up in the guide, but here is the full list -

HD Channel (#)
WGN (615)
Hallmark (619)
CNN (622)
FOX News (624)
MSNBC (625)
Headline News (626)
Tru TV (643)
Biography (626)
TBS (659)
Turner Classic Movies (662)
RFD TV (683)
Oxygen (687)
Toon (688)
TV Land (689)

The 14 new channels brings our HD lineup to over 65 channels.