The sub base is substantially more manageable, so it would be a good test of the logistics dept. to test a MPEG4 receiver rollout.
When they pull that off and convert 82 ethnic to MPEG4, that would free additional space to catchup their missing HD's that other providers have carried for a while now and do so in an MPEG2 format.
This would settle the natives while MPEG4 receivers continue to sold to new subs and arrangements for swap/upgrade or whatever are made.
With no disrespect to ethnic subscribers, the price per channel is so much higher due to the lower volume of take up and lack of many viable alternatives, that they might well think this demographic would easily tolerate an imposed upgrade to maintain current programming.
There are some non PVR MPEG4 models and while HD, can work in place of any SD sets.
In many cases, Dish practically gives them away, so with their volumes and Bev's ability to tail in on it, it may be cost effective to offer these at near cost or less just to be able to migrate that much sooner and try and retain some competitive advantage, for if they don't, Bev as we know it today could look radically different at the alledged time of their suspected MPEG4 rollout.