Doc's DISH Network Customer Service Experience

My recent DISH Network bill revealed that I had come to the end of my honeymoon period. In other words, the “special introductory rate” was over. At almost a $20 increase per month for my current 200 channel package, $80 for TV was an unnecessary hit to a tight budget. After all, this blog is not going to make me rich. So I decided to contact DISH and cancel my service.

After the click below I’m going to share my customer service experience with DISH Network and reveal the solution we came to. I’ll provide the actual online chat transcript (in red) and then add a little commentary here and there. I think you will be surprised at what transpired and the final outcome. I certainly didn’t expect the resulting solution.

I decided to contact customer service using their online chat feature. I honestly didn't think they would work with me using this option and expected to make a phone call shortly.

Welcome to DISH Network Chat.
Raj (ID: ORW): How may I help you today?
Doc: Hello. I would like to cancel my service without going through the hassle of a phone call. Can you help?
Raj (ID: ORW): I am sorry to hear that you want to cancel the account.

I chose a very direct and to the point message. The response made me feel felt pretty confident that I wasn’t going to have to make a phone call. Good on ya DISH Network!

Raj (ID: ORW): Can please let us know why you want to cancel your account?Doc: We are having to set some priorities to our budget and DISH does not fit at this time. Not unhappy with the service, just not a good budget choice for us currently.
Raj (ID: ORW): I apologize for all the inconvenience.
Raj (ID: ORW): I am very sorry to hear that you are upset about the price increase. Please understand that Dish Network is doing it’s best to keep your prices low and provide you with great value.

I believe these to be canned responses as this is probably not an unusual conversation. I didn't mention that I was unhappy with my price increase so that’s a good assumption. Notice that they are quickly establishing their brand message, even during my customer service chat.

Raj (ID: ORW): I see that you have America's Top 200 pack.
Raj (ID: ORW): In order to reduce your bill you can downgrade your will to America's Top 120 pack.
Doc: The Top 120 package doesn't include key channels that we would watch if we were to maintain service. There's nothing compelling about that package. Honestly, DirectTV's lowest offering has more the of major channels we would watch. So I will have to decline. Cancellation is a better choice for us.

I had actually researched Direct TV’s packages and in my opinion, for the money, Direct beats DISH with their low cost plan with a better selection of channels people would actually watch.

Raj (ID: ORW): I apologize for the inconvenience.
Raj (ID: ORW): Please give me a moment.
Raj (ID: ORW): Thank you for being online.

Here they begin working on their strategy to deal with me.

Raj (ID: ORW): We have Dish family package which is $24.99 per month.\
Doc: What channels are included in the Family package?

This is a long list. I’m including the entire list as a reference as I was unable to locate this list on their site. It appears they keep this plan in reserve for cheapskates, like me, and families concerned about the content their children access. As you will see below, it is a very limited plan. Scroll down to continue this post without reviewing the entire listing.

Raj (ID: ORW): The channels which we offer in Dish family are as follows:
Raj (ID: ORW): 101 DISH NETWORK FYI (DNFYI) N/A 72.7 21 DISH NETWORK
101 DISH NETWORK FYI (DNFYI) N/A 119 17 DISH NETWORK
102 DISH NETWORK PREVIEW (PREVW) N/A 61.5 6 DISH NETWORK
102 DISH NETWORK PREVIEW (PREVW) N/A 110 2 DISH NETWORK
104 IDEA (IDEA) 71 72.7 31 SHOPPING
104 IDEA (IDEA) 71 119 9 SHOPPING
106 TV LAND (TVLND) N/A 72.7 25 FAMILY
106 TV LAND (TVLND) N/A 110 29 FAMILY
106 TV LAND (TVLND) N/A 119 13 FAMILY
110 FOOD NETWORK (FOOD) N/A 61.5 18 FOOD AND NUTRITION
110 FOOD NETWORK (FOOD) N/A 119 6 FOOD AND NUTRITION
111 DO IT YOURSELF (DIY) N/A 61.5 18 HOME AND GARDEN
111 DO IT YOURSELF (DIY) N/A 110 5 HOME AND GARDEN
113 COOKING CHANNEL (COOK) N/A 61.5 6 FOOD AND NUTRITION
113 COOKING CHANNEL (COOK) N/A 110 5 FOOD AND NUTRITION
117 TV GUIDE NETWORK (TVGN) N/A 72.7 23 NEWS/INFO
117 TV GUIDE NETWORK (TVGN) N/A 119 14 NEWS/INFO
119 BIO (BIO) N/A 61.5 6 BIOGRAPHY
119 BIO (BIO) N/A 110 5 BIOGRAPHY
123 MALL (MALL) 83 61.5 4 SHOPPING
123 MALL (MALL) 83 110 10 SHOPPING
134 SHOPNBC (SHNBC) N/A 72.7 7 SHOPPING
134 SHOPNBC (SHNBC) N/A 119 9 SHOPPING
137 QVC (QVC) N/A 72.7 15 SHOPPING
137 QVC (QVC) N/A 119 9 SHOPPING
152 CBS SPORTS NETWORK (CBSSN) N/A 72.7 5 SPORTS
152 CBS SPORTS NETWORK (CBSSN) N/A 110 5 SPORTS
167 GREAT AMERICAN COUNTRY (GAC) N/A 61.5 18 MUSIC
167 GREAT AMERICAN COUNTRY (GAC) N/A 110 11 MUSIC
170 NICKELODEON/NICK AT NITE (EAST) (NICK) N/A 61.5 18 FAMILY
170 NICKELODEON/NICK AT NITE (EAST) (NICK) N/A 119 16 FAMILY
171 NICKELODEON/NICK AT NITE (WEST) (NICKW) N/A 72.7 9 FAMILY
171 NICKELODEON/NICK AT NITE (WEST) (NICKW) N/A 119 16 FAMILY
175 BOOMERANG (BOOM) N/A 61.5 12 FAMILY
175 BOOMERANG (BOOM) N/A 110 15 FAMILY
178 NICK TOONS (NICKT) N/A 61.5 12 FAMILY
178 NICK TOONS (NICKT) N/A 110 15 FAMILY
179 THE HUB (HUB ) N/A 61.5 12 FAMILY
179 THE HUB (HUB ) N/A 110 11 FAMILY
184 ANIMAL PLANET (APL) N/A 72.7 31 EDUCATION
184 ANIMAL PLANET (APL) N/A 119 10 EDUCATION
185 HALLMARK CHANNEL (HLMRK) N/A 72.7 31 MOVIES
185 HALLMARK CHANNEL (HLMRK) N/A 110 11 MOVIES
187 HALLMARK MOVIE CHANNEL (HMC) N/A 61.5 12 GENERAL ENT
187 HALLMARK MOVIE CHANNEL (HMC) N/A 110 1 GENERAL ENT
192 INVESTIGATION DISCOVERY (ID) N/A 72.7 7 EDUCATION
192 INVESTIGATION DISCOVERY (ID) N/A 110 9 EDUCATION
193 SCIENCE (SCI) N/A 61.5 12 EDUCATION
193 SCIENCE (SCI) N/A 110 11 EDUCATION
197 DOCUMENTARY CHANNEL (DOC) N/A 72.7 21 MOVIES
197 DOCUMENTARY CHANNEL (DOC) N/A 110 3 MOVIES
202 HEADLINE NEWS NETWORK (HLN) N/A 72.7 21 NEWS/INFO
202 HEADLINE NEWS NETWORK (HLN) N/A 119 19 NEWS/INFO
203 BLOOMBERG TELEVISION (BITV) N/A 61.5 18 NEWS/INFO
203 BLOOMBERG TELEVISION (BITV) N/A 110 2 NEWS/INFO
205 FOX NEWS CHANNEL (FXNWS) N/A 61.5 6 NEWS/INFO
205 FOX NEWS CHANNEL (FXNWS) N/A 119 6 NEWS/INFO
210 C-SPAN (CSPAN) N/A 72.7 21 NEWS/INFO
210 C-SPAN (CSPAN) N/A 119 9 NEWS/INFO
211 C-SPAN2 (CSPN2) N/A 72.7 5 NEWS/INFO
211 C-SPAN2 (CSPN2) N/A 119 9 NEWS/INFO
212 NASA (NASA) N/A 72.7 21 EDUCATION
212 NASA (NASA) N/A 119 9 EDUCATION
214 THE WEATHER CHANNEL (TWC) N/A 72.7 23 NEWS/INFO
214 THE WEATHER CHANNEL (TWC) N/A 119 6 NEWS/INFO
219 AMERICA LIVE (ALIVE) N/A 72.7 25 SHOPPING
219 AMERICA LIVE (ALIVE) N/A 110 10 SHOPPING
220 MALL (MALL) N/A 61.5 4 SHOPPING
220 MALL (MALL) N/A 110 10 SHOPPING
221 BUY! (BUY!) N/A 72.7 7 SHOPPING
221 BUY! (BUY!) N/A 110 10 SHOPPING
222 HSN (HSN) 84 72.7 15 SHOPPING
222 HSN (HSN) 84 119 9 SHOPPING
223 BEST (BEST) 85 72.7 31 SHOPPING
223 BEST (BEST) 85 110 10 SHOPPING
224 SHOP (SHOP) N/A 72.7 5 SHOPPING
224 SHOP (SHOP) N/A 110 10 SHOPPING
225 SALE (SALE) N/A 72.7 25 SHOPPING
225 SALE (SALE) N/A 119 9 SHOPPING
226 HOME SHOPPING NETWORK 2 (HSN2) N/A 72.7 5 SHOPPING
226 HOME SHOPPING NETWORK 2 (HSN2) N/A 110 10 SHOPPING
227 JEWELRY TELEVISION (JTV) 86 72.7 5 SHOPPING
227 JEWELRY TELEVISION (JTV) 86 110 3 SHOPPING
228 SHOPNBC (SHNBC) N/A 72.7 7 SHOPPING
228 SHOPNBC (SHNBC) N/A 119 9 SHOPPING
229 GEMS AND JEWELRY (GEMS) N/A 72.7 7 SHOPPING
229 GEMS AND JEWELRY (GEMS) N/A 110 10 SHOPPING
230 ICTV (ICTV) N/A 72.7 5 SPORTS
230 ICTV (ICTV) N/A 119 9 SPORTS
240 PURSUIT (HUNT) CHANNEL (HUNT) N/A 119 15 SHOPPING
257 SONLIFE BROADCASTING NETWORK (SBN) N/A 72.7 22 RELIGIOUS
257 SONLIFE BROADCASTING NETWORK (SBN) N/A 119 9 RELIGIOUS
259 INSPIRATION NETWORK, THE (INSP) N/A 72.7 23 RELIGIOUS
259 INSPIRATION NETWORK, THE (INSP) N/A 110 8 RELIGIOUS
260 TRINITY BROADCASTING NETWORK (TBN) N/A 72.7 15 RELIGIOUS
260 TRINITY BROADCASTING NETWORK (TBN) N/A 119 9 RELIGIOUS
261 ETERNAL WORD TELEVISION NETWORK (EWTN) N/A 72.7 25 RELIGIOUS
261 ETERNAL WORD TELEVISION NETWORK (EWTN) N/A 119 9 RELIGIOUS
262 ANGEL ONE (ANGEL) N/A 72.7 15 RELIGIOUS
262 ANGEL ONE (ANGEL) N/A 119 21 RELIGIOUS
263 DAYSTAR (DYSTR) N/A 72.7 15 RELIGIOUS
263 DAYSTAR (DYSTR) N/A 119 12 RELIGIOUS
264 KIDS & TEENS TELEVISION (KTV) N/A 72.7 31 FAMILY
264 KIDS & TEENS TELEVISION (KTV) N/A 110 2 FAMILY
265 CCTV NEWS (CCTV NEWS) N/A 72.7 22 INTERNATIONAL
265 CCTV NEWS (CCTV NEWS) N/A 110 22 INTERNA
Raj (ID: ORW): 266 ANGEL TWO (ANGL2) N/A 72.7 31 RELIGIOUS
266 ANGEL TWO (ANGL2) N/A 110 3 RELIGIOUS
274 LIQUIDATION CHANNEL (LQ CH) N/A 72.7 5 SHOPPING
274 LIQUIDATION CHANNEL (LQ CH) N/A 110 3 SHOPPING
275 NEW (NEW) N/A 61.5 4 SHOPPING
275 NEW (NEW) N/A 110 10 SHOPPING
287 DISH EARTH (EARTH) N/A 72.7 15 GENERAL ENT
287 DISH EARTH (EARTH) N/A 110 21 GENERAL ENT
396 OUTDOOR CHANNEL (OTDCH) N/A 61.5 18 SPORTS
396 OUTDOOR CHANNEL (OTDCH) N/A 119 20 SPORTS
829 DISH NETWORK FYI (DNFYI) N/A 72.7 21 DISH NETWORK
829 DISH NETWORK FYI (DNFYI) N/A 119 17 DISH NETWORK
883 IDEA (IDEA) N/A 72.7 31 SHOPPING
883 IDEA (IDEA) N/A 119 9 SHOPPING
884 CCTV-E (CCTVE) N/A 72.7 15 INTERNATIONAL
884 CCTV-E (CCTVE) N/A 110 22 INTERNATIONAL
976 CD-KIDTUNES (CD 27) N/A 72.7 31 MUSIC
976 CD-KIDTUNES (CD 27) N/A 119 20 MUSIC
9393 THREE ANGELS BROADCASTING NETWORK (3ABN) N/A 61.5 10 RELIGIOUS
9393 THREE ANGELS BROADCASTING NETWORK (3ABN) N/A 129 21 RELIGIOUS
9397 THE IMPACT NETWORK (IMPCT) N/A 72.7 0 PUBLIC INT
9397 THE IMPACT NETWORK (IMPCT) N/A 119 0 PUBLIC INT
9398 RFDTV (RFDTV) N/A 72.7 5 EDUCATION
9398 RFDTV (RFDTV) N/A 110 21 EDUCATION
9399 CHRISTIAN TELEVISION NETWORK (CTN) 267 72.7 15 PUBLIC INT
9399 CHRISTIAN TELEVISION NETWORK (CTN) 267 110 9 PUBLIC INT
9400 BABYFIRST TV (BABY1 ) N/A 72.7 5 PUBLIC INT
9400 BABYFIRST TV (BABY1 ) N/A 110 3 PUBLIC INT
9401 HITN (HITN) N/A 72.7 21 EDUCATION
9401 HITN (HITN) N/A 110 3 EDUCATION
9402 HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES TELEVISION (HHS) N/A 61.5 4 EDUCATION
9403 BYUTV (BYUTV) N/A 72.7 25 EDUCATION
9403 BYUTV (BYUTV) N/A 110 3 EDUCATION
9404 C-SPAN (CSPAN) N/A 72.7 21 NEWS/INFO
9404 C-SPAN (CSPAN) N/A 119 9 NEWS/INFO
9405 PENTAGON CHANNEL (PNTGN) N/A 61.5 4 NEWS/INFO
9405 PENTAGON CHANNEL (PNTGN) N/A 129 21 NEWS/INFO
9406 CLASSIC ARTS SHOWCASE (ARTS) N/A 61.5 4 MOVIES
9406 CLASSIC ARTS SHOWCASE (ARTS) N/A 129 21 MOVIES
9409 TRINITY BROADCASTING NETWORK (TBN) N/A 72.7 15 RELIGIOUS
9409 TRINITY BROADCASTING NETWORK (TBN) N/A 119 9 RELIGIOUS
9410 LINK TV (LINK) N/A 72.7 5 NEWS/INFO
9410 LINK TV (LINK) N/A 110 10 NEWS/INFO
9412 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA (UCTV) N/A 72.7 15 EDUCATION
9412 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA (UCTV) N/A 119 9 EDUCATION
9413 ALMA VISION HISPANIC NETWORK (ALMA) N/A 61.5 4 SPANISH
9413 ALMA VISION HISPANIC NETWORK (ALMA) N/A 129 21 SPANISH
9414 V-ME (V-ME) N/A 72.7 25 SPANISH
9414 V-ME (V-ME) N/A 119 16 SPANISH
9415 FREE SPEECH TV (FSTV) N/A 72.7 5 PUBLIC INT
9415 FREE SPEECH TV (FSTV) N/A 110 10 PUBLIC INT
9417 ETERNAL WORD TELEVISION NETWORK (EWTN) N/A 72.7 25 RELIGIOUS
9417 ETERNAL WORD TELEVISION NETWORK (EWTN) N/A 119 9 RELIGIOUS
9532 ICTV (ICTV) N/A 72.7 5 SPORTS
9532 ICTV (ICTV) N/A 119 9 SPORTS
9601 BTV BUSINESS INFO (BTV) N/A 110 10 SHOPPING
9602 BTV BUSINESS INFO (BTV) N/A 119 9 SHOPPING
9611 BTV BUSINESS INFO (BTV) N/A 110 10 SHOPPING
9612 BTV BUSINESS INFO (BTV) N/A 110 10 SHOPPING
9644 INTERACTIVE TV 2 (ITV2) 98 72.7 31 DISH NETWORK
9644 INTERACTIVE TV 2 (ITV2) 98 110 10 DISH NETWORK
9645 TUNES (TUNES) 99 72.7 23 SHOPPING
9645 TUNES (TUNES) 99 110 10 SHOPPING
9646 NEW (NEW) 72 61.5 4 SHOPPING
9646 NEW (NEW) 72 110 10 SHOPPING
9647 MALL (MALL) N/A 61.5 4 SHOPPING
9647 MALL (MALL) N/A 110 10 SHOPPING
9648 IDEA (IDEA) N/A 72.7 31 SHOPPING
9648 IDEA (IDEA) N/A 119 9 SHOPPING
9649 BEST (BEST) N/A 72.7 31 SHOPPING
9649 BEST (BEST) N/A 110 10 SHOPPING
9850 KBS WORLD (KBS) N/A 61.5 4 INTERNATIONAL
9850 KBS WORLD (KBS) N/A 118.7 17 INTERNATIONAL
9850 KBS WORLD (KBS) N/A 121 15 INTERNATIONAL
9900 D500 (D500) N/A 110 10 DISH NETWORK
9901 D129 (D129) N/A 129 21 DISH NETWORK
9902 D61.5 (D61.5) N/A 61.5 4 DISH NETWORK
9903 D118 (D118) N/A 118.7 7 DISH NETWORK
9905 D121 (D121) N/A 121 21 DISH NETWORK

Again, not a great package and of little interest to me, besides the news channels. Local channels are not included.

Doc: Thank you for sending this listing. We reviewed and found, for our tastes, this is not a viable package for us. We would require the following stations in an extremely low cost package: SyFy, Locals, FOX News, TNT and TCM. Those really are the ONLY stations we watch and much of the content is available online without a cost. So, while I appreciate the offer to work with us, we still don't see how we can justify the cost for stations will would not watch. Cancellation is still our best option.
Raj (ID: ORW): I am sorry to hear that.
Raj (ID: ORW): Your satisfaction is very important to us, so I would like to transfer you to an account specialist for further assistance.
Raj (ID: ORW): Please stay online.
Raj (ID: ORW) has left the session.

So I’ve worked my way through Tier I support (India?) and am now being shuffled on to someone who can make real decisions concerning my account.

Please wait while we find an agent from the CH69 - Loyalty department to assist you.
You have been successfully transferred to Norman (ID: L6N) with the Loyalty department.
Norman (ID: L6N): You have been transferred to the Loyalty Department. Please give me 2 minutes to review your account.
Doc: Sure. Thanks Norman!

So Norman, in the Loyalty Department, is now assisting me. Let’s see what kind of power Norman yields.

Norman (ID: L6N): I don’t want to make any assumptions; can you please help me understand how I can help you?

In other words, I’d spent too much time chatting to the Tier I guy and he does not want to review the entire thread.

Doc: Like many Americans, we are considering our budget closely. Our current Dish rate is $85.00. We understand we can reduce our rate by choosing a different package, but in all honesty, the Top 120 has almost none of the channels we watch. The channels we spend the most time on include: SyFy, LMN, Locals, FOX News, TNT and TCM. A package without those channels would have us simply paying for a service we would rarely use and would not be very budget friendly. Hope that helps.
Norman (ID: L6N): I’d be more than happy to look into this for you.
Norman (ID: L6N): We understand that things are tough and we are willing to work with you. As a courtesy, I can give you $5.00 off for 12 months and you can keep your same package -or $10.00 off for 6 months.

I had to think about this one. I also needed to run this by my budget manager (wife) who I had on Google Voice chat. We both decided this was not a significant savings that would drastically modify our budget.

Doc: While appreciated, this is not a significant enough savings for us to justify on our budget. I'm sorry.

At this point I received the follow auto response in under 5 seconds.

Norman (ID: L6N): Here is what will happen now that your service is going to be cancelled. Boxes will be shipped to you as a courtesy by UPS so you can return the equipment. You will need to return the receivers, smart cards, remotes and LNBF(It is the eye piece on the arm of the dish. It is only attached by a couple of screws, and can be removed with a screwdriver). There will be instructions in the boxes about what needs to be returned. The boxes will be there in 7 to 10 business days after the disconnect date. There will be shipping labels inside of the boxes. If you use these shipping labels there is a $15.00 fee. You may also choose to use the shipping company of your choice. With this promotion you have 30 days from the disconnect date to return the equipment. If we do not receive the equipment within the 30 day period, you will be charged for the full price for the equipment which ranges between $100.00 and $400.00. The charge for the equipment will be placed on your account and/or charged to the debit or credit card we have on file for your account. Could you please confirm your shipping address so we can make sure the boxes reach you?

That one took me off guard. I honestly thought I might be given another option to maintain my current package at a lower rate instead of moving right to the “turn in your boxes” phase. I felt like Flick in A Christmas Story. I had just been double-dogged dared by Ralphie. And he goes on.

Norman (ID: L6N): Based on the terms of the promotion agreement you signed, there will be a prorated early termination fee of $210.00 for the remaining 12 months you have on your commitment. The early termination fee will be billed and then charged to the credit card you used to qualify for the promotion.

Wow! Look at those termination and shipping fees. I actually was not sure if I had a two or one year contract.

Doc: Did we have a two year contract?
Norman (ID: L6N): Yes.
Doc: We thought is was only a one year. Can you hang on a second?
Norman (ID: L6N): Sure.

Drat! It was a two year contract. Time to contact the budget manager again via Google Voice. I won’t post her thoughts about DISH at this time. :-)

Doc: Norman. We have looked at the finances. Given this new information that we have two-year contract. We would like to accept the $24.99 DISH Family plan that was offered to us earlier. That makes the most economical sense for us at this time. This will also give us a year to work with our finances while remaining a DISH customer.
Norman (ID: L6N): Ok.

Our thought process? We had $210 of termination fees and another $45 in shipping fees. That was roughly 10 months of the Family Plan. Even if we didn’t have all of our favorite channels, it made financial sense to keep it if only to have access to news and our DISH 30th Anniversary free Starz package (gotta keep up with Torchwood). Cancel now and we would receive nothing for our money.

Doc: Can you tell me when our two-year contact ends?
Norman (ID: L6N): 7/2/12

I immediately made a note in my Google Calendar. We’ll definitely be reevaluating our options next summer. We live in an area that does not have many options for premium television. Heck, we only have one CBS affiliate that is available over the air. Rumor has it that two cable providers are moving in. I will hold out hope that they will arrive next summer and provide a simple cable installation at an affordable rate.

Norman (ID: L6N): I've made the changed.
Norman (ID: L6N): Is there anything else I can assist you with?
Doc: Thank you. And also thanks so much for working with us through chat. We hate a phone and this really helped us understand our options as we could read them.
Norman (ID: L6N): Ok

I was being very honest and have always found that being polite during customer service experiences yields much higher rewards than being a pain in the keester. Much to my surprise, I was rewarded!

Norman (ID: L6N): I will also give you $5.00off your bill for 6 months.
Norman (ID: L6N): Thank you for chatting with Dish Network, have a wonderful day.
Doc: Wow. Thanks Norman!
Thank you for visiting DISH Network. You may now close this window.

That was absolutely not expected. The representative had already made the sale and there was no reason for him to give me another $30 off my service during the next year. This was an extremely nice customer oriented gesture that demonstrates world class service.

Overall, I am completely happy with my customer service experience with DISH Network. I’ll miss the 200 channels I had with my previous plan (TCM especially), but I won’t miss them at an extra $40/month worth. I applaud DISH for allowing me to do this online without a phone call. All companies should follow suit (take note XM Radio!). I also feel the representatives did a good job recognizing my issues and understanding my need to reduce costs. I applaud them for that as well.

My real wish is for an à la carte option in the cable/satellite industry. I know the industry will probably never support this to save those less popular channels. I also understand that there are bigger issues involved in providing this service than even DISH can resolve; however, the lack of this programming option will drive me to services like Netflix, iTunes, and online streaming. Even at this moment, I am considering attaching a Mac Mini to our HDTV so I can use these services as well as DISH’s own online streaming features. Why should I pay extra when I can watch many shows online for free?