NBC, DISH Network Team to Deliver Unique Guide to NBC's Unprecedented Summer Olympics Coverage
Six Channels on One Screen Let Viewers Quickly Select the Competition They Want to Watch
ENGLEWOOD, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 5, 2004--EchoStar Communications Corporation (Nasdaq: DISH) announced today that its DISH Network(TM) satellite TV service is teaming with NBC to create an NBC Interactive TV (ITV) showcase designed to deliver an array of NBC Universal's broadcast assets, including the networks that will carry the 2004 Summer Olympics coverage.
The showcase is the first ITV multiple picture-in-picture application in the United States and will be free to more than 9 million DISH Network customers with access to "dish home" ITV service.
Beginning Aug. 11 and running through Aug. 29, the showcase will allow viewers to monitor five NBC Universal networks on a single TV screen and select the competition or program that the viewer may want to view in normal, full-screen format. Five of the six showcase windows will air real-time coverage from MSNBC, CNBC, USA, Bravo and Telemundo when it is being broadcast. As many as three NBC networks will simultaneously provide Games' coverage during each Olympic broadcast day. The sixth window will show NBC Network Daily Olympic highlights and a preview of the upcoming Olympic events that will be carried by the local NBC Network affiliate.
"The NBC showcase lets DISH Network customers quickly preview on a single screen what events are on each network and then watch on a full screen whichever channel or competition interests them most," said Michael Schwimmer, EchoStar's executive vice president of Programming and Marketing. "The showcase will be an extraordinary addition to the TV marketplace and serves as a platform for DISH Network's advanced 23-channel ITV offering."
"This summer, we're proud to be able to deliver unprecedented coverage of the Olympics," said Gary Zenkel, executive vice president, NBC Olympics. "Our partnership with DISH Network will allow 9 million of their customers to easily navigate through this wide array of Olympic and NBC Universal options."
The showcase can be accessed:
- through "dish home" on DISH Network channel 100
- by pressing select when a showcase banner is shown on any one of the NBC channels, or
- by going directly to Channel 147 which will house the NBC Daily Olympic Highlights and promotion for Olympic coverage on the local NBC affiliate.
The showcase channel was built by OpenTV (Nasdaq:OPTV), a leading provider of ITV systems and applications. DISH Network customers with OpenTV-enabled standard definition TV receiver models 3900, 4900, 301, 311 and 322 and DISH Player digital video recorder (DVR) models 501, 508, 510 and 522 can view the showcase through "dish home." Because the local NBC affiliate channel location varies from market to market on DISH Network, the NBC Network window on the showcase will feature NBC Daily Olympics highlights and previews of upcoming coverage on the local NBC affiliate.
All five showcase networks will be provided to all of DISH Network's 10 million customers during the 2004 Summer Olympics, regardless of the programming package to which they subscribe and even if they are unable to access "dish home."
About EchoStar Communications Corporation
EchoStar Communications Corporation (Nasdaq
ISH) serves more than 10 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, 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 1-800-333-DISH (3474).
ISH) serves more than 10 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, 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 1-800-333-DISH (3474).
About NBC
NBC Universal is one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production and marketing of entertainment, news and information to a global audience. Formed in May 2004 through the combining of NBC and Vivendi Universal Entertainment, NBC Universal owns and operates the No. 1 television network, the fastest-growing Spanish-language network, a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group, and world-renowned theme parks. NBC Universal is 80%-owned by General Electric, with 20% controlled by Vivendi Universal.
Artwork: A screenshot of the six windows on one screen, with each screen showing a different competition, is available via Business Wire or by contacting Gregg Stucker (see below for contact information).
CONTACT: EchoStar Communications Corporation
Gregg Stucker, 303-723-2310
gregg.stucker@echostar.com
or
NBC Sports Communications
Cameron Blanchard, 212-664-7202
Cameron.Blanchard@nbcuni.com
Gregg Stucker, 303-723-2310
gregg.stucker@echostar.com
or
NBC Sports Communications
Cameron Blanchard, 212-664-7202
Cameron.Blanchard@nbcuni.com
SOURCE: EchoStar Communications Corporation
