A Word About EastEnders on Dish Network...

I have heard from quite a few of you who watch the current EastEnders episodes on Dish Network's Pay-Per-View channel, and are upset and worried because it is currently unavailable. I've also just seen an online article stoking the fear fires, with a headline claiming 'Dish Drops EastEnders', but that article looks (to me) like it was planted to garner publicity for the source (something we've seen before), and has little relation to the facts (which is why I'm not posting it here). If you have seen it, do not let it alarm you. From what I have gathered, you should not be alarmed at all. If you read this statement below, put out by Dish and BBC Worldwide, you'll see this could possibly be something fantastic for all of us:
 
"The EastEnders TV series is temporarily unavailable as a new distribution model is being finalized by Dish and BBC Worldwide. We regret any inconvenience and remain committed to promptly returning this content to our customers."

This statement does not say 'dropped' or cancelled. It says temporarily unavailable. It says they are committed to returning it. It looks positive to me. The alarmist article mentioned above has little relation to the actual statement. The article is entirely negative, and by the way, it is also negative about EastEnders itself, referring to the truly fabulous storyline and episodes around the 30th anniversary as, 'stunt programming'. Somehow, I doubt any fan who watched that story arc would dismiss it that way.

We have no more details other than the statement at this time, but here's why this statement COULD indicate something great: Many people could never get Dish Network, either because of their location or because it meant they had to give up certain channels (like PBS). But Dish has a new streaming TV service, called SlingTV. To get this service you do not need to have the actual satellite Dish (which is what prevents most people from getting it). Anyone with internet can get their streaming service. If they start offering current EastEnders episodes on their subscription streaming service, everyone in the US will be able to watch EastEnders! And if that happens, everybody wins. Imagine THAT!

It could be that this is the BBC's way of cleaning up all the pirate stuff and getting paid for their content - and the BBC should be paid for their content! Since BBCAmerica cancelled EastEnders, most fans, desperate to watch the current episodes, have been left relying on methods that are unreliable and dodgy. There are even people (pirates) hijacking BBC iPlayer and charging people a subscription fee! This could correct all that. The BBC has a great product (EastEnders) that people in the US want to buy, but there has been no way for them to distribute it. This could be the answer for everyone. It could help the BBC recover the revenue it deserves (and needs to keep the show going strong), and give fans across the country a way to easily watch EastEnders! FINALLY! Keep your fingers crossed that this it it!

Here's another reason to be positive: Dish Network has always treated EastEnders fans well. Fans need to remember that. After BBCA cancelled the show in 2003, Dish Network was the only place that listened to fans and offered us a way to watch (though unfortunately, most of us don't have access to it). Streaming would fix that.

I think that for now at least, Dish should be given the benefit of the doubt that they are trying to do the right thing. Stay tuned to see how this plays out, and by all means, stay positive because there is every reason to be! . . .

That's my opinion based on what I've seen. 
~Deborah Gilbert

***This article was originally published in The E20 Chronicles, the FREE EastEnders e-newsletter. If you'd like a free subscription, just email me at: E20Launderette @ gmail.com

EastEnders Pledge Night on WLIW: Wednesday March 14, 2012

Now is the time for all good Easties to come to the aid of your favorite PBS station:

Tomorrow night, Wednesday, March 14 is the night in New York: It is EastEnders Pledge Night on WLIW! It is time to do your patriotic duty as EastEnders fans and support another year of EastEnders on WLIW with a pledge. And please take note of the one-night only schedule change:

Schedule Alert: For pledge night, EastEnders will begin a half-hour early, at 9:30PM, and go to 11PM. Adjust your miscellaneous recording devices accordingly.

But you do not have to wait until tomorrow night to pledge. You can pledge right now, online, at WLIW's website (using the link below).

Just like during last year's special drive, WLIW has created a dedicated EastEnders pledge page on their website to make it easier for Easties to pledge. The link below takes you directly to the EastEnders Pledge Page:

https://secure2.convio.net/wnet/site/Donation2?df_id=5320&5320.donation=form1&s_src=BOW120301001&s_subsrc=e2

This dedicated EastEnders pledge page allows you to pledge any amount, at any time, and have it count towards EastEnders.

Why should you pledge? Because where else but WLIW is the story of EastEnders in the US possible? WLIW picked up EastEnders when no one else would, and they have stuck with us EastEnders fans through thick and thin (even through those years when their well meaning efforts were met with mostly cultivated animosity). All across the country there were stations where, when when pledges dropped off, the show was cancelled. But here in New York, WLIW has , twice, given fans the opportunity to save the show. And they have always kept to their word. WLIW never forgets about the 'public' in Public Broadcasting. That's YOU! In the last seven years we, EastEnders fans & WLIW, have built a great team: We have worked together to make EasEnders the little show that could. If you're not already a part of that team, please join now! And if you're already a part of it, thank you for your past support and please join again for 2012!

The relationship between WLIW and EastEnders fans is the very definition of Public Broadcasting, and I think that is worthy of all our support!

It is important to note that the last time we had a regular Pledge Night here in New York (December 2010), it was not successful. That is why we had to do that special EastEnders Pledge Drive last February to make up for the balance needed for another year of EastEnders. That came bout because Laura Savini saw that pledges fell short, and because we work with the station, she knew that sometimes Easties need a little extra attention, so she contacted me to ask, 'Do you think you can mobilize your people to raise the balance needed?' We worked together and you responded and that fund drive was wildly successful. But we are hoping that we won't have to organize that kind of special fund drive again - that all EastEnders fans will respond to this WLIW drive so that won't be necessary.

Remember you do not have to wait til pledge night: The EastEnders drive starts now. We all know that things are tough for a lot of people right now, so just give what you can. And know that any and every amount is greatly appreciated!

If any of you have any questions, just email me here at the Launderette to ask. You have your marching orders Easties: Get pledging! Please go to the link above and make your pledge now, or call in to the phone bank during pledge night tomorrow night. Either way, your pledge matters!

THANK YOU!!!

The E20 Chronicles: A New Book About EastEnders to Benefit Children In Need

In the last two years we have published 2 issues of The E20 Chronicles magazine to help support EastEnders on PBS in the US, and it has been very successful. We are always happy to support PBS, but we thought we'd also like to support a children's charity as well, and so we are!

Announcing the E20 Chronicles Book to benefit Children In Need!

This 80 page book, is full of fabulous exclusive interviews with EastEnders actors, writers (and even a producer) including Barbara Windsor, Shane Richie, Pam St Clement, Patsy Palmer, Leslie Grantham, Martine McCutcheon, John Partridge, Nina Wadia, June Brown and more! It is available now on-line, and 100% of the profits go to the BBC's Children In Need telethon. It is available in both the US & the UK (and there is no overseas shipping charge).

To preview and/or buy this fabulous book (see the Table of Contents), just click this link:

http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/2561006

It's a fun read for a great cause. Enjoy!

*At The E20 Chronicles, our mission is to use our love of EastEnders to help non-profit organizations, and we do this entirely as volunteers.

EastEnders & WLIW: WE DID IT!!!

The EastEnders fund drive has been a resounding success! We did not just hit our target; We smashed through it.

Tonight, during the four episode Slumber Party Marathon, WLIW will congratulate EastEnders fans for saving the show. Thanks to all those who contributed, EastEnders will keep rockin' on, on WLIW, into 2012.

And how much did we raise? WLIW gave us the goal of $18K, but in just two and a half weeks we fans raised over $35,000! This will cover 2011 and give us a head start on 2012.

**And it is important to note that EastEnders remains on WLIW, not by people 'protesting', (as was erroneously suggested by someone who had nothing at all to do with the drive), but rather by those fans who choose to work with the station. EastEnders fans and PBS are NOT adversaries, we are on the same team.

Congratulations to all fans who contributed to this drive's success!

Watch EastEnders Wednesday nights at 10PM on WLIW/Channel 21 New York.

**To keep up with all things EastEnders, subscribe to my FREE, weekly EastEnders e-newsletter, The E20 Chronicles. To get on the list, just email me at:

E20Launderette at gmail dot com.

Laura Savini Talks About WLIW's Partnership With EastEnders Fans

If you are an EastEnders fan in the New York area, and you have not yet watched this video, please do:

http://watch.wliw.org/video/1787152160/

WLIW and EastEnders fans are on the same team: In this two and a half minute video blog, WLIW Vice President Laura Savini discusses how we (fans & the station) are working together to save EastEnders in New York. This is what public broadcasting is all about.

Help Save EastEnders on WLIW

URGENT: Save EastEnders on WLIW21

Dear Easties,

WLIW’21s Laura Savini contacted me with some disturbing news for EastEnders fans. The on-air fundraising for EastEnders this year did not raise enough money for WLIW21 to buy another year of the series. We are $18,000 short of what is needed and the new contract must be signed on March 1. Given this shortfall coupled with already tight budgets, the program director cannot justify re-signing.

If we EastEnders fans cannot raise that money by February 28, EastEnders will no longer air on WLIW21. Laura was very clear that this is not any kind of a threat or bluff: It's just an economic reality for the station.

It is actually a testament to the relationship the EastEnders fan community has developed with WLIW21 over the last five years that they did not just cancel the show. Instead, Laura herself called me to let us know that the show is in trouble and is giving us the opportunity to reverse the decision. Please know our loyal viewership and involvement with WLIW21 has been a continual source of pride for the station.

But another reality is this: EastEnders is one of the most expensive shows that WLIW21 purchases, and the programming department simply does not have the funds for it… unless fans support it. And we have to support it every year.

So what can you give to secure another year of EastEnders? We are suggesting pledge levels of $60 and $100 because we need to raise the money quickly. Any pledge amount would help and be gratefully accepted!

There are three ways to donate…

You can pledge on WLIW's website via this link: Click here to donate online

OR- Call 800.767.2121

OR- Send a check made out to 'WLIW/Channel 21', but mail it to me at:

Save EastEnders
c/o D. Gilbert
P.O. Box 1106
Old Chelsea Station
New York, NY 10113

Just as with the drive I organized (in 2005), we will collect the checks and if we do NOT hit the goal, your checks will be returned to you -- if you enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope.

*Please note that donations made on the website or via the 800# will be added to the general WLIW21 Programming Fund if we do not hit the goal.


If you want to another year of EastEnders on WLIW, the time for you to act is NOW! If you have any questions, please email me any time:

E20Launderette at gmail . com

Cheers,

Debbie Gilbert

***BTW, raising $18,000 should be totally doable for EastEnders: that’s just 300 people pledging $60, or 180 people pledging $100. Together, we can do this!!

AND THERE'S MORE:

Anyone who sends in a check for this drive will be entered to win the Albert Square street sign pictured above. It is a plastic replica of the signs we see on the show (24x8 inches), not available in any stores and is autographed, 'Best Wishes, John Bardon'. He brought it to the station when he came to appear on our pledge night, five years ago, and the EastEnders fan who pledged for it at the time, has generously donated it back for us to use again to help keep EastEnders on the air.

Second Issue of the E20 Chronicles Now Available

Hey Easties,

We have been busy little bees getting the second Issue of the E20 Chronicles together for WLIW/Channel 21, New York, and other PBS stations, and now it's here!

The first issue was used by 6 different PBS stations to raise a lot of dosh to help keep EastEnders on the air in the US. And since the response was so great, we have created a second issue, whose sole purpose (beyond entertaining all you rabid Easties) is to be used as a pledge gift for PBS.

This issue features all brand new, exclusive interviews, not available anywhere else; interviews with Barbara Windsor, Pam St. Clement, Gary Beadle, Lucy Speed, Leslie Grantham, Derek Martin, Jane Slaughter, and Tony Jordan.

You'll learn all kinds of new things about EastEnders and the creative people who bring it to you.

The E20 Chronicles is a full size, full color magazine, and a solid read; 44 pages of articles and pictures with no advertisements. And it is available only by pledging to support EastEnders on PBS.

To make your pledge to support EastEnders on WLIW, and get your E20 Chronicles, go to their website by clicking here: WLIW Pledge Gift Page

*Once you get there, click on the 'Search the Full Catalogue' button, then type EastEnders into the search bar, and viola, you're on the EastEnders Pledge Gift page. And when there, you'll see that you can also pledge for the first issue of the E20 Chronicles, as well as that fabulous 25th Anniversary/Sgt Pepper parody print.

**If you are an EastEnders fan from Minnesota, you can get your E20 Chronicles by pledging to PBS Station TPT: www.tpt.org

**And please note: If you are watching EastEnders on a different PBS station, where you got your E20 Chronicles last time, don't fret, you'll be able to get the new one from your station as soon as your EastEnders pledge drive rolls around. But if you don't want to wait til then, you can always pledge to WLIW now!

Keep supporting EastEnders on WLIW (and every other PBS station that broadcasts it), and enjoy the latest E20 Chronicles!

**You can watch EastEnders in the New York area on WLIW/Channel 21, Wednesday nights at 10PM.

The Blokes of Walford (& the Launderette Ladies) Wish You a Happy Holiday!

Here at the Launderette, it gets a little dull just watching the smalls go around in the dryer. So we decided to create this little video greeting for you fellow Easties. To view the video, just click here.