TheBlaze TV

Blaze CEO Describes Move to DISH Network: ‘Everything Has Changed’

Sep. 12, 2012 5:00am

CEO, The Blaze

Today marks the one-year anniversary of GBTV (now TheBlaze TV). When we launched, our stated goal was to deliver TV over the Internet, not Internet TV. And while streaming video over the Internet was not a revolutionary concept, nobody had ever tried to launch a brand new, online-only, HD-quality TV network before. But that’s Glenn—innovation and risk-taking are part of his DNA. Where others see impossibility, he sees opportunity. (That is one reason why the first-ever show to run on the new network was live from Israel! Glenn never thinks small.)

Twelve months later I am happy to report that we’ve succeeded beyond our wildest expectations. Despite the technical hurdles that are unique to watching our network, over 300,000 people have chosen to subscribe, giving TheBlaze TV a paid audience that’s larger than most free cable channels!

Unsurprisingly, this success has caused some of the major TV distributors to stand up and take notice. In fact, many of the top names in cable and satellite TV have inquired about adding TheBlaze TV to their channel lineups. As a result, we are excited to announce the next chapter in our expansion: TheBlaze TV will be carried on cable and satellite providers nationwide, beginning today with DISH Network. This expansion is in addition to our continued availability as a direct-to-consumer online subscription.

The last year has taught us a lot about running a network and delivering great content to consumers. I wanted to take a moment to share with you some of what we’ve learned and how that has impacted our decision to begin partnering with cable and satellite companies.

Prior to our initial launch I was often asked why we didn’t pursue a traditional cable channel. There were several factors, but the biggest was that we wouldn’t have been able to build the channel we wanted back then without giving up control. To get on the air we would have had to partner with a large media company that could provide us with the staff, infrastructure, and distribution necessary to launch a new network. That was something that we simply were not willing to do. The whole point of starting our own network was to be free from outside influences—giving that independence up right away in exchange for distribution was a non-starter. And so we found another way.

But now, a year later, everything has changed. Our subscribers’ enthusiasm and support has allowed us to make the necessary investments in programming and infrastructure, and we’re now in a position to launch a cable and satellite channel without losing control. We have the best staff, the best talent, world-class facilities and great distribution partners lined up, and we’ve done it all while ensuring that we answer to no one except our own audience.

As we take this next step we are working tirelessly to ensure that we bring all of the advantages we have as a direct-to-consumer streaming network to cable/satellite TV. Here are some thoughts on what we’ve learned, and what we’re going to take with us.

  • Direct Audience Connection. Media fragmentation has been accelerating for as long as “media” has existed, but the pace of new options now entering the marketplace is staggering. A year ago I’d never heard of BuzzzFeed, and now I can’t stop hearing about it. It doesn’t  matter if your distribution medium is “narrowcast” or “broadcast,” having a direct connection with your fans is crucial to engagement. For example, even though I pay for HBO GO through Time Warner Cable, the weekly promotional email comes to me directly from HBO. No matter how viewers decide to consume the TheBlaze TV, we will continue to have a direct connection with them.
  • Advertiser Support.  There is over $100 million spent each year on national talk radio programs by advertisers who don’t care about politics on one side or the other, but simply want to reach consumers effectively. Advertising in political content doesn’t make you political, it makes you smart. Our existing clients have achieved great returns on their investments by reaching a large and loyal audience. In fact, we are proud to say that every advertiser that was with us at launch is still with us today. We intend to expand on the early success we’ve had at bringing these talk radio advertisers to TV. (Those same advertisers who spend $100m/year on national talk radio spend, on average, at least 5x more than that on cable TV advertising.)
  • Audience Demand. We expected to be successful, but we never imagined the scale of our success. There are more people paying a dedicated monthly fee to watch our programming online than there are people watching many existing cable channels that they receive for free as part of their cable package. With that being said, no matter how successful we are as a subscription-only service, we can be even more successful if we add cable and satellite distribution to the mix.
  • Viewing Habits. While there is a huge proliferation of “Smart” devices in homes, including Roku, Boxee, AppleTV, game consoles, and Smart TVs themselves, consumers would often rather just “watch TV.” They don’t want to switch inputs or choose from a vast menu of options, they just want to “see what’s on.” To a lot of tech people, that is counterintuitive. Why wouldn’t people want to choose exactly what they want to watch? But those who work in media have known this for a long time. In fact, the reason that the most valuable spot on TV is the spot AFTER American Idol is because people like to “see what’s on.” We’ve witnessed this phenomenon ourselves.  Even though we’ve been offering all of our content both live and on-demand since launch—people can choose to watch any show at any time—over 50 percent of it is still consumed live. In addition, despite our presence on many connected devices, the majority of people watch our network on a PC or Mac, a device that, oftentimes, is not located in an ideal spot in the home. Many people don’t want to watch TV on their computer, they want to watch TV on their TV—and we’d like to make that as simple for them as possible.
  • Transaction Friction. While I believe that we were right about the DELIVERY of content moving to the Internet, I think that PAYMENT for content is going to remain between cable/satellite companies and consumers for the foreseeable future. For all the complaining that consumers do about ever-increasing prices, it’s really an amazing amount of news, information, and entertainment that is delivered for one monthly fee. I don’t think that consumers want to have to subscribe separately to TheBlaze, CNN and HBO from three different places with three different interfaces and get three different monthly charges on their credit card. Cable and satellite companies have created an excellent billing and payment infrastructure with over 100,000,000 customers—it’s smart for us to take advantage of that.
  • Content Delivery over the Internet. No matter how content is currently delivered, that delivery will eventually be over the Internet.
  • Rise of TV Everywhere. When we began planning for TheBlaze TV it seemed that cable and satellite companies were doing more to restrict content than they were doing to make it available across platforms to their customers. The roll-out of TV everywhere has changed the paradigm. Most of the top cable and satellite companies now have robust iPad apps and online viewing experiences, with more coming each day. This trend makes us feel much more comfortable about our long-term ability to provide great content wherever and however our fans want it.

These are just some of the reasons that we’ve decided to begin partnering with cable and satellite companies to bring our content directly to televisions. There will be some exciting changes as a result, but here’s what won’t change:

  • The Best Content. In 1996 Bill Gates wrote a famous article titled “Content is King.” 16 years later it’s obvious that he was right. Cable and satellite providers have come to us because we have great content (currently over 35 hours a week of live, exclusive, original programming) and a large, passionate, engaged audience. These companies are smart enough to know that it’s their job to have the best collection of content so that their customers won’t leave.
  • Commitment to the Internet. Direct subscriptions continue to be a key part of our long-term strategy and we will continue to deliver our content over the Internet. TheBlaze.com gets over 9 million unique visitors per month, making it one of the most heavily trafficked web sites associated with a TV network in America. We believe that this is a huge complementary asset to our TV programming and we will continue to be digital innovators.
  • Independence. We’re one of a very small number of content providers without corporate ownership. Even though our content may be distributed by the major cable and satellite providers, we remain a fully independent company, not subject to the demands of Wall Street, media conglomerates, or pressure groups. We answer only to those who consume our content.

Thank you for your continued support of Glenn Beck and TheBlaze. It’s been an unbelievably exciting year and we are looking forward to this next chapter. With your continued enthusiasm and support we know it will be another huge success.

Comments (86)

1 2 3
  • TheePolitinator
    Sep. 12, 2012 at 10:17am

    Awww now what are the commies gonna do? Throw a little fit like always? I remember Glenn on his last Fox show, he said they would regret messing with him some day. the day is here. We all need to watch and make sure his ratings are so good no network will say no to adding him.

    Report this comment

    TheePolitinator  
    • TomSawyer
      Sep. 12, 2012 at 2:40pm

      The Dish Network ripped me off. They charged me $50 and then I found out that my apartment was facing the wrong direction and called them back up and told them and they would not refund my money. They must have know it was possible for an apartment to face the wrong direction. It is a scam. They would not refund my $50 and I got nothing for that money. I did not know why they were laughing when they told me to pay $50; it seemed weird they would laugh. Now I know why. They had my address and knew it was facing the wrong direction. They I believe they intentionally ripped me off.

      Report this comment

      TomSawyer  
    • TomSawyer
      Sep. 12, 2012 at 2:43pm

      Glen Beck has honor, but the Dish Network does not. TheBlaze will not be on the Dish Network 3 years from now. It is just a matter of time before Beck understands who they are. They are criminals. The Dish Network ripped me off.

      Report this comment

      TomSawyer  
    • BadDog-NoBiscuit
      Sep. 12, 2012 at 7:11pm

      @TOMSAWYER: As a former DirecTV subscriber that knows what being ripped off is all about, I have had nothing but the best treatment from Dish Network – their Customer Support is the best! I have been a Dish customer for years now and have nothing but good to say about them. I am so excited that Glenn Beck now has a channel on Dish – Kudos to Glenn and all The Blaze TV crew…

      Report this comment

      BadDog-NoBiscuit  
    • TomSawyer
      Sep. 13, 2012 at 1:39am

      @BadDog-NoBiscuit, DirectTV and the Dish Network are owned by the same people. Gotcha.

      Report this comment

      TomSawyer  
    • TomSawyer
      Sep. 13, 2012 at 1:54am

      Update: My comment to @BadDog-NoBiscuit was wrong. I have since learned that Direct tv and Dish Network are not owned by the same people. But that in no way means that the Dish Network did not rip me off. Repeat Dish Network ripped me off.

      Report this comment

      TomSawyer  
    • BadDog-NoBiscuit
      Sep. 13, 2012 at 1:59pm

      @TOMSAWYER: Sorry to hear you think you got ripped off, but I sure would like to hear the Dish Network version of what happened. I REPEAT: I have had nothing but the best treatment from Dish Network – their Customer Support is the best! I have been a Dish customer for years now and have nothing but good to say about them…

      Report this comment

      BadDog-NoBiscuit  
  • TheTruthPrevails
    Sep. 12, 2012 at 9:36am

    Thank the Lord Almighty….no more “circle of death”!

    And most here know exactly what I mean!

    Report this comment

    TheTruthPrevails  
  • The_Cabrito_Goat
    Sep. 12, 2012 at 9:28am

    YAY!

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqwlCIRMLBk&feature=youtube_gdata_player

    Report this comment

    The_Cabrito_Goat  
  • MarkWheeler
    Sep. 12, 2012 at 9:20am

    God bless all that Glenn Beck does for America! A TRUE PATRIOT!!

    I hope that Beck gets on Direct TV very soon too.

    Report this comment

    MarkWheeler  
    • Debra1776
      Sep. 12, 2012 at 9:31am

      Keep up the good work, Glenn and company–I fear we are running out of time, so please keep us informed and pointing us into the necessary education we all need. I have never read so many nonfiction books, and I have quite a library here. I am so happy for the entire organization that is The Blaze.

      Report this comment

      Debra1776  
  • PeachyinGA
    Sep. 12, 2012 at 9:04am

    WooHoo! God Bless America and the opportunities she provides for new innovations!

    Report this comment

    PeachyinGA  
  • potatopatriot
    Sep. 12, 2012 at 8:58am

    What fantastic news! Congratulations Glenn and staff!

    Report this comment

    potatopatriot  
  • drt054
    Sep. 12, 2012 at 8:52am

    Congrats to GB and company. I don’t have cable or dish. I have found various ways to “Cut The Cord” using my computer and watching your programs online is fantastic. Just need a really strong/fast internet connection. I am glad that even more people will have access to your programming. This will bring many more people to the movement. I just ask now PLEASE, PLEASE bring us a Blaze/BlazeTV Android app. You will reach so many more people. Not everybody likes/uses Apple products.

    Report this comment

    drt054  
    • bebeling
      Sep. 12, 2012 at 1:34pm

      I have used my android to watch BlazeTV. I had to stop because unlike with my Roku, when I resume playing, all too often it does not resume where I left off.

      I would love to have an Android App, but only so long as tit has similar functionality to Roku. The iPhone app doesn’t even have these qualities unfortunately.

      Report this comment

      bebeling  
  • Wolverine100
    Sep. 12, 2012 at 8:46am

    Wow

    Report this comment

    Wolverine100  
    • KoolAidDrinker
      Sep. 12, 2012 at 8:54am

      Congratulations to Glen, Pat, Stew and the whole Mercury/Blaze crew. You are living the dream. Enjoy the ride.

      Report this comment

      KoolAidDrinker  
    • watersRpeople
      Sep. 12, 2012 at 8:58am

      You know what a real risk taker does? He charges the beaches of Omaha beach for his nation, and he dares to teach his own children the Lord through liberty, all while surrounding by people who don’t understand the lack of a guiding hand.

      Report this comment

      watersRpeople  
    • KoolAidDrinker
      Sep. 12, 2012 at 1:03pm

      Yo Water boy,

      The beaches of Normandy are quiet now. The trouble we face today is a little closer to home.

      Report this comment

      KoolAidDrinker  
  • xendude
    Sep. 12, 2012 at 8:45am

    Just waiting for direct tv now.

    Report this comment

    xendude  
    • turkey13
      Sep. 12, 2012 at 8:54am

      I had Direct TV and went to Dish and back to D.T. and now have been with Dish 4 years. I had to get a sports package with D.T. to watch Nascar and it is free on the $39.95 package. Does anyone know what channel it is on?

      Report this comment

      turkey13  
  • Bob
    Sep. 12, 2012 at 8:44am

    The left will soon be looking back fondly on the days when Glenn was only available on FOX news. Yet another Glenn prediction that has come to pass. Congratulations to The Blaze TV on all it’s success. I have been watching on my Boxee for the last year and have been amazed at the quality of the sound and picture with a direct stream. Please keep up the great work, you are a blessing to us all.

    Report this comment

    Bob  
  • haras42000
    Sep. 12, 2012 at 8:29am

    cogratulations glenn!!!! may GOD BLESS, you your family and all your great staff. we know we can get the tuth from you. i will still keep my sub.

    Report this comment

    haras42000  
  • smokesters
    Sep. 12, 2012 at 8:29am

    @Glennbeck @theBlaze, thank you all for addin your channel to DISH, I am a subscriber of DISH and I love your show but during these economic tough times I couldn’t justify the 9.99 a month to subscribe, I will now be able to be a loyal watcher via DISH!! Godbless you all!

    Report this comment

    smokesters  
  • Jimd2411
    Sep. 12, 2012 at 8:23am

    We watch Glenn’s programming via paid subscription and using Roku and we will continue doing that. We’ve subscribed since the day subscriptions became available. When Glenn announced he was leaving FOX I thought he had decided to get out of the studio and into the field and we’d see no more Glenn Beck on a regular. Not a good feeling. Glenn Beck and his presentations have done nothing but get better and all the evidence says that will do nothing but continue.

    This MUST mean Glenn Beck programming will be reaching more and more people at a very critical time in our country’s history. Wonderful! The more, the merrier; literally. Congratulations Glenn Beck and Company!

    Report this comment

    Jimd2411  
    • G-WHIZ
      Sep. 12, 2012 at 11:12am

      …and , yes LIBBIES this is what CAPITOLISM looks-like! AAaah–Ha!! :-)

      Report this comment

      G-WHIZ  
  • Texasexpat
    Sep. 12, 2012 at 8:22am

    Congrats to all!!! I’m glad that we still will be able to get this by subscription as it’s the only way for me to see it as we are currently living in Ireland. I watch the radio show in the a.m.( which I get at 2 pm. ), the 5pm. show(10 pm),Real News at 11pm. and Wilkow at midnite! I also got to watch all of the Restoring Love in entirety! Keep up the great work and I’ll keep subscribing. I am a REAL HAPPY CAMPER!!!

    Report this comment

    Texasexpat  
  • caleejr
    Sep. 12, 2012 at 8:18am

    Especially proud of this accomplishment that you AND your team have worked so hard for. You all should be proud. You have built something that people want – and it is because of pure capitalism: See a Need – Fill a need.
    Yes, Glenn – You DID build that!

    Report this comment

    caleejr  
  • scudster
    Sep. 12, 2012 at 8:17am

    Thank you Glenn, for G. B. radio, and now the blaze news. As a subscriber your success has also been my success because you have been the one source of media that I believed I could still trust. Over the past four years I have learned a lot about various sources of American Media. Let’s just say I’m very careful who I listen to and who I believe. Congratulations and thank you on what I believe is a huge success both for the blaze and all the subscribers to Glenn beck media.

    Report this comment

    scudster  
  • ginger100
    Sep. 12, 2012 at 8:17am

    Congratulations

    Report this comment

    ginger100  
  • Critters58
    Sep. 12, 2012 at 8:10am

    Go Beck GO! What about Sky Angel next! Love you guys and want you to have the greatest success ever. With God on your side I expect it to be awesome!

    Report this comment

    Critters58  
  • Sharon Rose
    Sep. 12, 2012 at 7:51am

    Way to go Glenn, hopefully it will be coming to Direct TV as well, Good luck and God bless. In the meantime I will continue my subscription.

    Report this comment

    Sharon Rose  
  • Nobel Reggie
    Sep. 12, 2012 at 7:50am

    Great news about expanded ways to get TheBlaze! I will continue my subscription to TheBlazeTV as part of my continuing support of its superior programming. Financially supporting worthy organizations isn’t unusual. For example, I can access my faith’s message by attending any parish, but I still chose to financially support my home parish.

    Report this comment

    Nobel Reggie  
  • jeff29910
    Sep. 12, 2012 at 7:29am

    I had suspected this move back when Dish became an advertiser. Even if I were to have Dish and get TheBlazeTV for free, I would continue my paid subscription. You give us news and insight that is unique and available nowhere else. Congratulations and God bless!!!

    Report this comment

    jeff29910  
  • bilwlknsn
    Sep. 12, 2012 at 7:17am

    So cool.

    Report this comment

    bilwlknsn  
  • WarEagle04
    Sep. 12, 2012 at 7:12am

    I have to say that I am and have been following GB for years. I signed up for GBTV the day Glenn announced it on the Radio Program. Honestly, its really feels as if the “TV on the internet” concept has failed, and even though they will continue to offer the subscription based service, it seems as if the subscribers will not be a priority due to moving back to traditional TV. Just saying…..

    Report this comment

    WarEagle04  
    • loriann12
      Sep. 12, 2012 at 7:30am

      That was my question, will the GBTV continue, or only be on Dish? I don’t have Dish. I don’t want Dish.

      Report this comment

      loriann12  
    • drt054
      Sep. 12, 2012 at 8:54am

      Commitment to the Internet. Direct subscriptions continue to be a key part of our long-term strategy and we will continue to deliver our content over the Internet. TheBlaze.com gets over 9 million unique visitors per month, making it one of the most heavily trafficked web sites associated with a TV network in America. We believe that this is a huge complementary asset to our TV programming and we will continue to be digital innovators.

      Report this comment

      drt054  
    • ICanComment
      Sep. 12, 2012 at 9:37am

      Thank you, drt054.

      It’s been a conscious decision within our family to discontinue satellite. All our TV content comes via Roku, and it’s nice to hear that the Internet will still remain a medium for Blaze TV. It would be a huge letdown if the Internet streaming ceased. I will still gladly pay for Blaze TV via monthly subscription.

      It sure is counterintuitive to me that probably the majority of folks still want to pay for content they don’t morally approve of, don’t even watch, and pay for content that can only be watched at a fixed time that’s beyond their control. Alas, we humans are creatures of habit. I guess it’s all what you’re used to. I still contend that sooner or later the current cable/sat model of watching “what’s on” will become obsolete. GBTV was and still is (as Blaze TV) way ahead of its time. Watching GBTV the day it came online was kind of exciting and surreal – something I’ll describe to my kids in a sentence starting with, “back in the day…”

      Report this comment

      ICanComment  
  • FHShort
    Sep. 12, 2012 at 6:52am

    Congratulations to you all.

    When Glenn asked last night if we could guess what was coming today, I realized he had given us two big hints. He was cut off mid sentence before the start of Real News and mid program, he told his guests that he had to take a ‘hard network’ break.

    I wish all the hints we have been given over the past several years about more serious matters could be decoded by more of us.

    Report this comment

    FHShort  
  • jeffex
    Sep. 12, 2012 at 6:25am

    Thanks to the GBTV survey …now The Blaze TV you guys sent me a while back …THIS is what I was suspecting would be coming…..only I was hoping it would be DIRECT TV (my current service ) …that will come I’m sure .

    So now y’all can watch Glen …Real News …Wilcow….the whole lineup …on THE HAWPPER !!!!

    I’ll stick with my ROKU system until then ….worth every penny of $10 bucks a month IMO….

    Report this comment

    jeffex  
1 2 3

Sign In To Post Comments! Sign In

Sign Up For Our Newsletter!

TheBlaze

Channel Finder

Find TheBlaze on your TV

This zipcode is invalid, please try again

Channel Finder

TheBlaze is available on channel .

Spread the word!

If you can't find TheBlaze, please call to upgrade your package

Channel Finder

Unfortunately, TheBlaze is not available on .

But you can help! Call at or press CONTINUE to email your provider and urge them to add TheBlaze to your channel lineup.

But you can help! Press CONTINUE to email your provider and urge them to add TheBlaze to your channel lineup.

Continue

Request TheBlaze

Please complete the form

I would like to receive news and information from TheBlaze.
Skip

Thank you for supporting TheBlaze

Interested in doing more? Spread the word about TheBlaze to your friends and family.

Spread the word!

TheBlaze Magazine
Restoring Love