DISH Network First Satellite TV Company to Offer Local Channels in All 50 States; Local Channels Now Available in 127 Markets.Business Editors DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 20, 2004 EchoStar Communications Corporation EchoStar Communications Corporation (NASDAQ: DISH) is the parent company of DISH Network and the maintainer of the satellite fleet that provides the signal that DISH Network markets. (Nasdaq:DISH) announced today that its DISH Network See DBS. (TM) has become the first pay TV company to offer local TV channels in all 50 states and the District of Columbia District of Columbia, federal district (2000 pop. 572,059, a 5.7% decrease in population since the 1990 census), 69 sq mi (179 sq km), on the east bank of the Potomac River, coextensive with the city of Washington, D.C. (the capital of the United States). . DISH Network's launch in the Cheyenne, Wyo., market today builds upon the company's history as the leader in local channel offerings. Nearly 90 percent of the nation's total households are now eligible to receive local channels in 127 markets via DISH Network's satellite TV service, including residents of Alaska and Hawaii. Congress challenged the satellite TV industry in 1999 to make local channels available as widely as possible, and DISH Network has responded with a solution that has opened nearly twice as many markets as its nearest satellite competitor. DISH Network made its announcement at its annual Team Summit retailers' conference that began today in Dallas. It is the largest gathering of satellite TV delegates in the nation. "At DISH Network, we are thrilled thrill v. thrilled, thrill·ing, thrills v.tr. 1. To cause to feel a sudden intense sensation; excite greatly. 2. To give great pleasure to; delight. See Synonyms at enrapture. to achieve this milestone, providing service at a national level nearly unimaginable six years ago," said Charles Ergen, chief executive officer and chairman at EchoStar. "And our pledge to provide the lowest priced, all-digital service in America has given consumers a clear alternative to cable TV's price increases that are five times the rate of inflation." DISH Network in 1999 became the first satellite TV company to offer local channels with a roll-out in 13 markets. "One of the greatest concerns I hear from my constituents is their inability to get their local stations on their satellites," said U.S. Representative Barbara Cubin Barbara Lynn Cubin (born November 30, 1946) is an American politician. She has been a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives since 1994, the sole member of that body from Wyoming. (R-WY). "These channels help keep people informed about what's going on What's Going On is a record by American soul singer Marvin Gaye. Released on May 21, 1971 (see 1971 in music), What's Going On reflected the beginning of a new trend in soul music. in their community and provide important information in emergency situations. I am pleased to know that DISH Network plans to continue its expansion of local channels, not just in Wyoming, but in the entire U.S." DISH Network now offers local channels as part of its new Digital Home Advantage package. Starting at $29.99 per a month, this promotion offers customers free installation for up to four TVs, with no commitment and no hardware to buy and includes more than 60 popular TV channels such as ESPN ESPN Entertainment and Sports Programming Network , Discovery and Nickelodeon, plus local TV channels. DISH Network is also the leading worldwide distributor of interactive TV services. DISH Network offers interactive TV programming to more than 8 million customers nationwide, with 22 interactive TV programs including games, news and entertainment. Additionally, DISH Network offers the most affordable high definition system in the nation and was the first pay-TV provider to offer a high-definition digital video recorder See DVR. (DVR (1) (Digital Video Recorder) A device that records video onto a hard disk from one or more ceiling mounted video cameras. Part of a security system, the DVR typically supports 4, 8 or 16 separate camera channels. ). To learn more about DISH Network or to place an order, please visit www.dishnetwork.com, call 800-333-DISH (3474), or contact your local DISH Network retailer. About EchoStar EchoStar Communications Corporation (Nasdaq:DISH) serves more than 9.7 million satellite TV customers through its DISH Network(TM) and is a leading U.S. provider of advanced digital television services. DISH Network's services include hundreds of video and audio channels, Interactive TV, HDTV (High Definition TV) A set of digital television (DTV) standards that offer the highest resolution and sharpest picture. Although some HDTV sets are available in standard (rather square) screen sizes, the overwhelming majority of sets are wide screen, which eliminates , sports and international programming, together with professional installation and 24-hour customer service. DISH Network is the leader in the sale of digital video recorders (DVRs). Visit EchoStar's DISH Network at www.dishnetwork.com or call 800-333-DISH (3474). |
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