Goldberg74

My dad called me and told me he's replacing his lousy cable with a Dish Network dish. He's thinking about adding a movie package to it. He asked me what I thought, but i don't care for any of them, so I told him I'd ask around.

What do you think?

My folks, just crossed over into their 50's. My dad likes older movies, but occasionally rents new ones. He's into action films, but one that aren't heavy on the language and sex and stuff. He normally rents a movie every other weekend and frequents the theater alot less often than that. My mom's a prude when it comes to films, but likes other inforamtional programs as weel as the classics. The only brother I have at home is 17 and could care less. He likes new movies and visits the theaters alot, and rents alot.

I told him to go for Starz since they have genre-channels and they could find something they like on that. I wouldn't go for any of them, cause I've got a home video/DVD library that I have to catch up on.

Whatcha all think?

He's getting it installed on Saturday (Sept 7), so he'd kinda like an answer by then...

Souljahh

Since he's into older stuff, he'll probably like the Starz package better. Are they into comedy at all? I would get the HBO package for HBO Comedy alone but that's just me.

Pac-Rat

I'd recommend Starz also. You didn't mention what he's getting, but he would need a Dish 500 to get all the Starz (Encore) stations like the Action channel, and Mystery and so on. If he's picky about PQ, Starz seems to be the best, although it's not perfect. Also, Starz has a 30 day guarantee, so he SHOULDN'T get wacked with a downgrade charge if he didn't like it.
HBO's selling point can also be it's downfall- alot of original programming. HBO also raises the rates the most often.
Showtime-couldn't tell you. Other than SG1, I can't think of the last time I watched it more than 30 minutes.

Jeraden

If you get the Top 150 with Dish, you automatically get some of the Starz channels. I think I get Starz West, one of the TMCs, Action, Mystery, Westerns, etc. You should check the top 150 channel lineup to see which ones come automatically with it.

The choice between HBO/Showtime is a tough one. I've had both and usually keep toggling them back and forth. Currently we have HBO for 2 reasons only - Sex and the City and Curb Your Enthusiasm. My wife stopped watching Sex and the City though - we just get the DVDs when they come out. Plus they got Sopranos and Six Feet Under, although I don't care for either of those.

With Showtime you also get Showtime Beyond, which I liked for the sci fi movies. I think their original series have gone downhill. I used to watch whatever series that was with Sherilyn Fenn (can't remember the name now) but it got canned. The other major bonus with Showtime is you get the Sundance channel - which I actually watched quite a bit. Movie-wise its about equal. Both have some exclusive movies at first, but you can't predict which will have the better ones ahead of time. The choice really comes down to original programming of HBO vs. sundance/showtime beyond.

Icculus

I'd go (actually, I did go) for HBO. Stars just repeats the same movies - I'm not sure how many starz channels do it but they're on a four or five movie loop for a week. Showtime and HBO seem to have similar amounts of movies, one tie HBO will have what I want and another Showtime will have it. HBO wins because of the original programming - The Sopranos, OZ, Sex and the City etc.

Plus, if they sign up now, they can go to HBO.com and get a $25 rebate for signing up before the Sopranos premiere (Sept. 15).

costanza187

My local cable company has the HBO/Starz package, so thats what I have...but I like HBO best because of Sex and the City, and Curb Your Enthusiasm