Dish Network Adds More Local High Definition Markets

Scott Greczkowski

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DISH NETWORK ADDS MORE LOCAL HIGH DEFINITION MARKETS

Englewood, Colo. – March 27, 2008 – DISH Network Corporation (NASDAQ: DISH), the nation’s third largest pay-TV provider, today announced that it will begin broadcasting local networks in high definition (HD) in four new markets: Austin, Texas; Flint, Mich.; Orlando, Fl.; and West Palm Beach, Fl. With these additions, DISH Network now offers HD locals in 39 markets, reaching more than 54 percent of U.S. television households with local HD channels.

“We announced earlier this year that we would reach our goal of 100 local HD markets and 100 national HD channels by the end of 2008, and over the next two months we will continue toward this goal by increasing our local HD offerings by more than 60 percent,” said Eric Sahl, senior vice president of Programming for DISH Network. “We understand that our customers watch some of their favorite TV programming through their local networks and by adding these markets we are again demonstrating our continued commitment to enhance how our customers watch TV.”

DISH Network customers in these newly-launched markets can add HD to their programming package for as little as $10 per month. In order to view HD programming, they will also need to upgrade to a dishHD receiver. DISH Network’s award-winning ViP722, a dual-tuner dishDVR, can record up to 55 hours of HD programming and up to 350 hours of standard definition (SD) programming, the most of any set-top box on the market.

Qualified new DISH Network customers who sign up with a 24-month commitment will receive three months of free programming (a $120 value), a free dishDVR and free installation (a $49.99 value).

For more information about DISH Network’s HD offerings or DVR technology, call 1-800-333-DISH (3474), visit DISH Network -- Home, or visit your local DISH Network retailer.
 
That sucks. It seems that if they were going to add more channels this month, they would have held off on that announcement. Looks like Cleveland just got screwed.
 
Not to mention those of us who were looking for more National HD.

The big test will be next week to see if they pick up the Disney-ABC-ESPN nets that are starting up.

If they don't, the future looks ominous.
 
Scott, you said yesterday that one of your contacts said "the week's not over yet", do you have anymore information? can we expect some more movement this week or was yesterday it?
 
That sucks. It seems that if they were going to add more channels this month, they would have held off on that announcement. Looks like Cleveland just got screwed.

Press release this week, doesn't mean they can't have another one tomorrow or next week or next month. HD (including Cleveland) is coming... or at least I keep telling myself that! :rolleyes:
 
My guess is that the week is over unless there was something somewhere that indicated they were going to pick up the new Disney networks over the weekend.

They probably get the channels up and running and then announce what they did.

I bet they are done for now.
 
They did say Cleveland HD before the end of the 1st quarter. That is Monday.

I won't be dumping Dish, but I sure will knock my bill down a notch so I can afford the basic cable to get the locals in HD.

Pretty sad when you have to go back to cable to get locals in HD.
 
Grrr...

I'm in Austin. This means I will probably have to pay for locals again. Moreover, I can look forward to HD-lite versions of local channels sans PBS and CW. :mad:
 
By missing Cleveland, Monday night Dish will be clearly behind their announced schedule on Local Roll-outs, that's for sure. Guess the press release about being "on schedule" will become "inoperative" at that point?

Unfortunately for those of us looking for National HD, Dish has committed to NOTHING until JUNE 9 (the next Charlie Chat). I believe charlie said something like "Certainly by the next Chat some of those channels will be launched." So, if we have even ONE National HD channel by then, they will have fulfilled the minimal commitment they have made. So maybe we will see something around the second of June?

Clearly the commitments don't mean a lot (as seen by missing the Q1 commitment with locals. So I don't really know what to expect. I am trying to dial down the expectations meter to "not much".
 
I am being told that Cleveland is coming in April. While the date could change I am hearing we could see Cleveland as soon as April 10th.

The reason for the delay was a technical one.

Again Cleveland is coming.
 
Heads up for those in the Austin area....

The Austin HD locals are on 61.5. So if you do not already have a dish pointed that way, be prepared for the CSR to tell you that you will need an additional dish, which they will install for "free" with a 24 month commitment or $59.99, your choice.

Talon Dancer
 
Scott, Any national this week? I believe you said your sources said the week wasn't over but I find it strange we haven't seen any uplink activity yet today if the week isn't over.

Thank you.
 
I am being told that Cleveland is coming in April. While the date could change I am hearing we could see Cleveland as soon as April 10th.

The reason for the delay was a technical one.

Again Cleveland is coming.

Good to hear it is a technical delay... I was worried there was a contractual hold-out.

I bet Scott is most excited about the Cleveland HDs more than anything so he can stop hearing from all of us whiny Clevelanders!!

...well I guess there is always the Sci-Fi HD peeps to take that role!
 
Good to hear it is a technical delay... I was worried there was a contractual hold-out.

I bet Scott is most excited about the Cleveland HDs more than anything so he can stop hearing from all of us whiny Clevelanders!!

...well I guess there is always the Sci-Fi HD peeps to take that role!

On the downside, he's probably going to see a dramatic decrease in traffic.
 
From the press release:
"and over the next two months we will continue toward this goal by increasing our local HD offerings by more than 60 percent,” said Eric Sahl"

This leads me to believe there will be NO new national HD's added in the next two months.
Increasing LOCAL HD offerings by > 60% sounds quite ambitious and will certainly be monopolizing their time!

Edit: "So many negative comments for a positive press release, eh?" - oh looky - I just added another one!
 
From the press release:
"and over the next two months we will continue toward this goal by increasing our local HD offerings by more than 60 percent,” said Eric Sahl"

This leads me to believe there will be NO new national HD's added in the next two months.

No national hd in two months??

I'll take that bet.:)