At last! We have word from Motorola regarding their plans regarding C-Band and that word is … um … well … judge for yourself:
“Please note that Motorola is continuously working with our customers to deliver expectations and offerings that will meet our customers needs. Motorola operates the C-Band authorization center on a cost-recovery basis for the benefit of those who continue to utilize C-Band as a content delivery platform. As programmers move from C-Band to other distribution methods, costs on a per-user basis continue to rise. Motorola will continue to operate the Authorization Center until the remaining users no longer feel that it is an economically viable distribution strategy for their content.”
On further inquiry, Motorola’s spokeswoman would neither confirm nor deny that the company had promised to keep C-Band authorizations operating at least through the end of the year. So, hmm. What else?
We promised to tell the “other side of the story” and although there appear to be more sides than a hexaflexagon, we will try. On one side of the equation are those who blame the C-Band struggle on NPS. A sample of such comment comes from one reader who writes:
“The real question is “the commitment NPS has to the C-Band business,” after supporting them in this business for over a decade. I have found some consumers indicating that NPS is trying to switch them to Dish Network and refusing to activate any new receivers. I find this troubling that the burden be put onto Motorola, when the discussion should be towards NPS’s commitment.”
In response to such comments (and similar, less polite ones) Jon Pardieck, NPS CFO writes (in part): “This is appalling and far from the truth. NPS has been the back bone to C-Band for many many years…….we are and have been the only C-Band distributor to go to the expense (in excess of $100,000 per month) of re-uplinking multiple programs so our customers can continue to receive the programs they enjoyed watching.”
Mr. Pardieck also notes that NPS is offering the DISH solution to its customers, saying “We feel this is a great offer to a C-Band customer who’s current system is likely to be in jeopardy beyond 2010.”
Finally, we also have some comments from those who believe that the press is complicit in a C-Band death beat. Writes Dr. Mull of Satellite Emporium:
“I contend one of the missing parts of ‘the C-Band Saga’s missing story’ that you are not telling is that part you [and your colleagues] have always not told, and are still not telling. You find C-band worthy of your mention now during your deathwatch? … It’s been all about little dish since their inception. Even now… what’s the buzz in little dish? Oh boy, might they get a la-carte, or not? My - oh - my, what shall the future hold? Such edge-of-the-seat riveting news! No mention at all, as usual, that C-Band was built on a la-carte, and in fact still has it!!”•
I buy my programming from NPS and what I read above is disturbing to me. I’ve notice too that every time I have to call NPS to get a rehit The first thing they ask have you heard about what is going to happen to C-Band and then go into trying to get me to go with the small dish. I mean they are doing a hard sell on that small dish and I don’t want it. I’d rather have my big dish. Before reading this I emailed Motorola abut shutting down the sysmtem. I wished I new this when I had NPS on the phone earlier because I would have confronted them with it. On the hard sell of the small dish they go into how great of a deal you will get and all that jazz. They are really trying hard too. Another thing that makes me mad about this is I spent $500.00 last year to upgrade my C-Band system to the 4DTV. Had I known this I would not have done it and saved my money.
Today June 8, 2010, I received a call from NPS asking me to switch to the small dish. The man said that C Band was dead and that NPS was switching all of its customers, then he gives me a sales pitch to switch me now.
Shame on NPS, they have been bought by the small dish companies.
There is light at the end of the tunnel. C-band is not totally dead. It still will cost you some money, but we may continue offering programming on satellite W5 and Premium movie channels may be still available after December 31st.
For programming on W5 you will need a new MPG4 receiver, but G1 satellite programming even your old 4DTV may be working for a while longer.
Stay tuned as more details will be publish shortly.