Faced with declining subscription numbers and a price-sensitive customer base, Dish Network has introduced a skinny bundle, somewhat similar to Verizon’s Custom TV FiOS product.
For $40 a month, subscribers will receive a core satellite TV package of more than 50 cable channels, including AMC, TNT, TBS, USA, CNN, Discovery, FX, Cartoon Network, History and A&E.
“Flex Pack” Customers can then choose from one of eight themed add-on channel packages included at the $40 starting price, with each additional extra pack adding a surcharge.
Essential add-ons include the “Locals Pack,” which goes for $10 a month and includes local feeds of the Big Four Broadcast networks and Univision.
Meanwhile, the “National Action Pack" also sells for $10 a month and includes ESPN, ESPN2, FS1, among a flurry of smaller channels.
Also for $10 a month, the “News Pack” adds Fox News or MSNBC to CNN, while the Kids Pack kicks in Disney Channel and Nick Jr.
“Our customers are frustrated with having to pay for hundreds of channels, most of which they never watch,” said Warren Schlichting, Dish executive VP of marketing, programming and media sales, in a statement. “Flex Pack provides a level of flexibility and control that brings our customers closer to the ideal of fully tailoring their channel lineup.”
Verizon has said that it’s similarly configured Custom TV package is its best-selling bundle among new pay-TV subscribers.
As for Dish, it’s looking for subscriber momentum, having lost 281,000 subscribers in the first quarter.
Dish will introduce its new Flex Pack with a national advertising campaign. You can preview one of the spots here.
For more:
- read this Dish press release
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