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HBO’s Game Of Thrones 60 Hour Marathon, Starting 4/4

We’ve all done it. Found ourselves wasting an entire day away plopped on the couch watching episode after episode of Friends or getting sucked into the Law & Order: SVU marathons that seem to be on every Sunday. It’s OK though, that’s why they show re-runs – right? Ahead of the season four premier of Game of Thrones, HBO®2 will be airing a 60 hour marathon of the first three seasons beginning at 9:00 a.m. ET/PT on Friday, April 4. Sixty straight hours for fans and new audience members to catch up on all of the drama and action of the epic HBO series. The Emmy® and Golden Globe® winning series has something for everyone – treachery, nobility, love, action, drama, etc. The sixty hour marathon will run through all three seasons twice, back-to-back and will conclude just in time for the season four premiere at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT on Sunday, April 6 on HBO. HBO.com is also launching the Game of Thrones Viewer’s Guide which will give you access to behind-the-scenes content, “interviews” with the cast and much more. Don’t want to miss out on any of the Game of Thrones hype? Order HBO today!

Facebook Fandom Map

Do you ever get the feeling that Yankee fans seem to be everywhere? Well, according to Facebook engineers they are! Based on which official Facebook MLB team page has the most likes from the people who live in counties across the U.S., they have created a  Facebook Fandom Map. The map is fairly predictable with hometown team fans, but it seems as though there are Yankee fans spread across the country. A couple of states such as Alaska and Florida seem to have a lack of unity however. So make sure to “like” your favorite team’s official Facebook page to make your mark on the map! Don’t miss any of your favorite MLB team’s season – sign up for a sports package today! What team’s fans live near you? Check out the map here.

Vacation? Help Prevent Burglary While You’re Away with Tips from Protect Your Home – ADT Authorized Premier Provider

It’s that time of year again – when Spring Breakers are headed to resorts and warmer weather for a break from stress and winter weather. Don’t let leaving your home unattended cause you to stress on your vacation! Follow these tips to help prevent burglary while you’re away.
  1. Motion activated lights – Installing motion activated lights is a good way to help deter potential burglars as the sudden burst of light as they approach your home increases their chances of being seen.
  2. Man’s best friend – Although you probably aren’t leaving your pet home while you’re on vacation, having a pet that makes loud noise such as a bark helps scare off burglars. Animals have better hearing and sense of smell which allows them to become aware of potential threats from a greater distance. The noise will once again increase the chance of the burglar being caught and help deter them from targeting your home.
  3. Curtains and locks on windows – Keeping your curtains closed and windows locked may slow down someone who is attempting to break into your house. It also avoids giving outsiders a clear view of your home and possessions.
  4. Multiple strong locks on all entrances – It may seem like common sense, but people often forget to reinforce back/side doors and doors that lead into their garage. You should treat all doors, no matter where the entrance is, as if it is your front door.
  5. Set Home Security Alarms – Home security alarms with door and window-break sensors will not only set off an alarm that may scare the burglar off, but it also notifies authorities of the intrusion. So even if you’re not home, authorities will be dispatched to your residence to check out what set off the alarm. Most home security alarms also come with fire detectors which is another feature that will put your mind at ease.
Get an ADT monitored Security System for FREE*! Call today! Probably the most well-known home security system is the ADT monitored home security system which gives you total control of your home from any device with ADT Pulse®. ADT Pulse is also featured in the 2014 HGTV Smart Home by showcasing the latest advances in home automation, monitored security, energy efficiency and smart home design in the 2014 HGTV Smart Home Giveaway (Security Systems News).   *$99 Customer Installation Charge. 36-Month Monitoring Agreement required at $36.99 per month (1,331.64), 24-Month Monitoring Agreement required at $36.99 ($887.76) for California, including Quality Service Plan (QSP). Form of payment must be by credit card of electronic charge to your checking or savings account. Offer applies to homeowners only. Local permit fees may be required. Satisfactory credit history required. Certain restrictions may apply. Offer valid for new ADT Authorized Premier Provider customers only and not on purchases from ADT LLC. Other rate plans available. Cannot be combined with any other offer. ADT Pulse Interactive Solutions Services, which help you manage your home environment and family lifestyle, requires the purchase and/or activation of an ADT alarm system with monitored burglary service and a compatible computer, cell phone or PDA with Internet and email access. These ADT Pulse Interactive Solutions Services do not cover the operation or maintenance of any household equipment/systems that are connected to the ADT Pulse Interactive Solutions Services/Equipment. All ADT Pulse Interactive Solutions Services are not available with the various levels of ADT Pulse Interactive Solutions Services. All ADT Pulse Interactive Solutions Services may not be available in all geographic areas. You may be required to pay additional charges to purchase equipment required to utilize the ADT Pulse Interactive Solutions Services features you desire. ADT Pulse Remote installation starts at $199. ADT Pulse Video installation starts at $399. ADT Pulse Home Control with Video installation starts at $499. Burglary, Fire, Carbon Monoxide and Medical Alert monitoring requires purchase and/or activation of an ADT security system with monitored Burglary, Fire, Carbon Monoxide and Medical Alert devices. Fire, Carbon Monoxide and Medical Alert services are an additional charge. Quality Service Plan (QSP) is ADT’s Extended Limited Warranty. 36‐month monitoring contract required from ADT Pulse Remote: $52.99 per month, ($1,871.64), ADT Pulse Video: $58.99 per month, ($2,123.64), ADT Pulse Home Control with Video: $59.99 per month, ($2,159.64), including Quality Service Plan (QSP).  Additional charges may apply in areas that require guard response service for municipal alarm verification. Prices subject to change. Prices may vary by market. Some insurance companies offer discounts on Homeowner’s Insurance. Please consult your insurance company. Local permit fees may be required. Satisfactory credit history required. Additional monitoring fees required for some services. Photos are for illustrative purposes only and may not reflect the exact product/service actually provided. Licenses: AL-15-1104, AK-35221, AZ-ROC217517, AR-2008-0014, CA-ACO6320, CT-ELC.0193944-L5, DE-07-212, FL-EC13003427, DC-602513000006, GA-LVA205395, HI-CT30946, ID-ELE-SC-39312, IL-127.001042, IN-City of Indianapolis: LAC-000156, IA-AC-0036, KY-City of Louisville: 483, LA-F1082, LA-F1914, LA-F1915, ME-LM50017382, MD-107-1626, MA-1355C, MI-3601205773, MN-TS01807, MS-15007958, MO-City of St. Louis: CC354, St. Louis County: 89767, MT-247, NE-14451, NV-68518, City of Las Vegas: 3000002944, NJ-34BF00021800, NM-353366, NY-Licensed by the N.Y.S. Dept. of State UID#12000286189, #12000286451, NC-1622-CSA, OH-53891446, City of Cincinnati: AC86, OK-1048, OR-170997, Pennsylvania Home Improvement Contractor Registration Number: PA22999, RI-3582, SC-BAC5630, SD-1025-7001-ET, TN-C1520, TX-B13734, ACR-3492, UT-6422596-6501, VT-ES-2382, VA-115120, WA-602588694/PROTEYH934RS, WV-042433, WI-City of Milwaukee: PAS-0002640, WY-LV-G-21499

App Puts An End To Waiting for Appointment Windows

We’ve all been there – you are frustrated because you are stuck waiting at home for the cable guy to come sometime during the four hour window they gave you. Good news – there is an app for that! Well, Comcast is thinking about developing one anyways… Comcast wants to develop an app that allows customers to make appointments and see the location of the Comcast technician’s vehicle. It would be intended to alleviate the frustration customers face from not knowing when they can expect the technician to show up. The idea is inspired by Uber – a car service website and app that allows you to track the arrival of your ride. Comcast CEO Brian Roberts applauds the app as “fantastic” in an interview with USA Today. Read the full article here. Does Comcast’s emphasis on customer service make them sound like the cable company for you? Sign up for XFINITY® by Comcast today! 11/21/2014 Update: Comcast has made this feature a reality for its MyAccount app that now tracks the company’s technicians. The app now sends an alert when a technician is about 30 minutes away and allows users to track the technician on a map. Read the press release here.

beIN Sports Releases a Channel Changing Vuvuzela

Remember that distracting humming sound that accompanied all of the World Cup matches back in 2010? Well they’re back as beIN Sports releases a channel changing Vuvuzela  with the “power” to change any TV to beIN Sports – one of the networks carrying live coverage of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. Is it magic? Not quite. The network’s website exposes their magic trick by explaining that when THE GAMECHANGER vuvuzela is blown a mini microphone picks up the sound and tells its 8-bit microchip to respond. The microchip’s response is in the form of an infrared signal to your cable box that commands it to change the channel to beIN Sports. You don’t need to be a magician to get one either – fill out the online form here and beIN will give you updates on how to get one. And while you wait to get THE GAMECHANGER, you can sign up here for a sports package that includes beIN Sports so you can try it out as soon as you get it!

MLB Teamed Up With Match.com

Is a baseball game a good first date? Match.com and the MLB seem to think so. The online dating service has announced that they are launching 29 new fan pages where singles who are fans of the same team(s) can connect. That’s one fan page for every U.S. team. “The Match.com conversation is one we’ve had on and off over the years to see if there’s something we could do together,” said Noah Garden, Major League Baseball Advanced Media’s executive vice president of revenue (USA Today). Since most self-identified fans of a particular team seem to ask other singles about which teams they support, Match.com figured it would be a great way to connect singles with similar favorites as well as drive ticket sales for the MLB. Garden goes on to say, “The idea is put like people together with similar interest and passion. There’s still always room for more butts in the seats” (USA Today). Don’t need a date for this MLB season? Sign up for a sports package today!

DISH Viewer Experience Gets Even Better

Did you notice the quality of your TV just got way better? If you’re a DISH customer who is watching the beginning of the National Invitation Tournament or are catching the latest episodes of popular shows, you more than likely did. DISH has added high definition (HD) programming for ESPNU, ESPNews, Disney East and ABC Family. DISH has also adopted a new policy for their employees called “Bracket Breaks.” The idea is to allow employees to take a break during normal business hours and use the DISH Anywhere™ app to catch up on the March Madness tournament. Most employers are cringing at the sound of this policy as most policies are put in place to prevent employees from sneaking a peek at games that are going on during business hours. Want access to the high quality TV and DISH Anywhere app? Sign up for DISH today!

DISH Encourages Bracket Breaks

It’s ok, you can admit it. You’ve snuck a peak at your March Madness bracket a few times at work and even logged into live streams to try to catch just a minute of the action before your boss notices. Well, you’re not alone. DISH’s latest campaign features Hopper the Kangaroo secretly watching college basketball while at work using DISH Anywhere™. The campaign, which began today features the voice of award-winning actress Rebel Wilson (“Pitch Perfect,” “Bridesmaids”) as Hopper the Kangaroo. Watch the new TV commercial at DISH’s Official YouTube Channel. Additionally, DISH is actually encouraging their own employees to take what they are calling “Bracket Breaks,” so  DISH employees can use DISH Anywhere while at work to enjoy the tournament. “At DISH, we are embracing the madness, and we are encouraging employees to take Bracket Breaks,” says DISH Chief Executive Officer and President Joseph P. Clayton. Take your own “Bracket Breaks” by signing up with DISH today! DISH has enhanced the tournament viewing experience with products such as DISH Anywhere, Game Finder and BracketView. DISH Anywhere allows DISH subscribers to watch all of the hoops action from their favorite devices and Game Finder helps them easily find their favorite team’s games. BracketView displays game stats and results in a typical bracket format.

ADT Pulse

Are you one of those people who gets the feeling you forgot to turn off the coffee maker? What about your curling iron? Oh no! What about the security system? It’s easy to forget to do these things as you’re rushing out the door in the morning which is why coffee makers, curling irons and the like now come with timers and auto-off features. And now, ADT Pulse gives you control over your security system on the go, no matter where you are. Put your mind at ease today by signing up for an ADT Security System here! Order today and get the security system for FREE – that’s an $850 value! How does it work? You can have total control of your home at your fingertips from any of your devices. Lock your doors, arm the security system and even see who is at the front door all by the press of a button on your smartphone. Help prevent your home from being a target at night and turn your lights on remotely. You can even save on your energy bill by controlling your furnace and air conditioner!

HBO Go Passwords: Do They Really Want You to Share Them?

There has been a lot of misconceptions on HBO’s CEO Richard Plepler’s comments concerning sharing HBO Go passwords. But after all the hype over the online streaming service’s outage disaster during the season finale of True Detective on Sunday, we should set the record straight. In January, BuzzFeed ran a post titled, “HBO’s CEO Doesn’t Care That You Are Sharing Your HBO Go Password.” The post talks about Plepler’s lack of concern over young people who use their parents’ HBO Go passwords to stream shows and movies online. His reasoning is that it might actually benefit HBO in the future, hoping that young people who use the online streaming service through their parents’ accounts will one day subscribe themselves. Most readers would find Plepler’s statement logical, but since it is so easy to twist people’s words to create new meaning, it wasn’t long before other articles were written with the same tone of, “HBO wants you to use your friends’ and families’ HBO Go passwords.” And this tone has given the impression that Plepler is encouraging us to freeload. It’s important to know that, however infrequent it is mentioned in these types of articles, that in BuzzFeed’s post Plepler goes on to explain that when kids use their parents’ passwords it serves as a “marketing vehicle” to entice the next generation of viewers to subscribe to the service. He goes on to say that it isn’t necessarily “material to the growth of the business” however, and so with this explanation we must circle back to why it doesn’t raise much of a concern for the network rather than assuming Plepler is giving some sort of permission to use family and friends’ passwords. Want to see for yourself what all the talk is about? Sign up for DISH today and get HBO and HBO Go FREE for 3 months! Click here for more details.