SportsTime Ohio launched on DISH Network

[chaddux]

Communications Corporation (NASDAQ: DISH) and its DISH Network satellite TV service announced today that it is launching SportsTime Ohio, the television network of the Cleveland Indians.

SportsTime Ohio is a Northern Ohio regional sports network offering a variety of sports programming produced for the Ohio sports fan, including extensive coverage of the Indians. DISH Network customers, who subscribe to America's Top 60+, DishHD Bronze or any higher package, now have access to 130 regular-season games in 2006 on channel 431.

"SportsTime Ohio is a powerful addition to our robust sports line-up and gives Indians fans complete coverage of their team," said Eric Sahl, senior vice president of Programming for DISH Network. "With SportsTime Ohio on DISH Network, customers now have access to the Indians without the need for extra, costly services." Because of their dedication to the negotiation process, DISH Network has guaranteed that their customers will not miss a pitch of the 2006 Cleveland Indians season, said Jim Liberatore, President of SportsTime Ohio. "We are thrilled to have DISH Network as a partner and are extremely appreciative of their dedication to their subscribers." DISH Network now offers new customers an additional $100, plus three months free of Starz Moviepack, when they sign up for America's Top 120 programming package. America's Top 120 includes more than 165 all-digital channels for only $34.99 per month, plus local channels can be added for just $5. This offer comes complete with free standard professional installation, no hardware to buy and a free digital video recorder (DVR) equipment upgrade with an 18-month commitment.

SportsTime Ohio's first regular-season broadcast is scheduled for Tuesday, April 4, at 2:05 p.m. (EDT), when the Indians face the defending World Champions, the Chicago White Sox.

About EchoStar
EchoStar Communications Corporation (NASDAQ: DISH) serves more than 12 million satellite TV customers through its DISH Network, the fastest growing U.S. provider of advanced digital television services in the last five years. DISH Network offers hundreds of video and audio channels, interactive TV, HDTV, sports and international programming, together with professional installation and 24-hour customer service. Visit DISH Network at www.dishnetwork.com or call 1-800-333-DISH (3474).

Link to Press Release

 

[John Corn]

:up Cool, wonder if we will see these games in hi def? I'm not use to seeing Dish (officially) picking up sports programming before D*.

 

[GeorgeLV]

:up Cool, wonder if we will see these games in hi def? I'm not use to seeing Dish (officially) picking up sports programming before D*.

STO is showing up in the EPG on DirecTV channel 657. Same deal for SNY on channel 625.

 

[psumattDE]

Interesting though - looks like for right now, they're only showing Indians games - so it will be a part-time channel at the beginning.

 

[JerseyGuy]

Congratulations to all you Indian fans out there hopefully this is a good sign for the launch of SportsNet NY, The New York Mets network. I didn't even thing they were negotating with SportsTime OH.

 

[psumattDE]

I wonder how long until it shows up in the programming guide??

 

[ronfelder]

comcast sportsnet

now the need to fight and challenge to get comcast sportsnet in philly. i know they've tried and failed in the past, but they and DirecTV shoudl challenge it again.

I know quite a few people who stay with cable only for sprtsnet and would jumpt to sat. if they could get it there.

Ron

 

[Ilya]

Good news. But will it only be in SD???

 

[ronfelder]

?

Good news. But will it only be in SD???

What's good news? That comcast sportsnet of philly is coming in sd? Or are you talking about sportstime of Ohio?

Ron

 

[Ilya]

SportsTime Ohio!

They produce all games in HD, but sounds like on Dish Network this will be in SD only. At least until they launch Cleveland locals in HD.

 

[BFG]

You wont see comcast philly on satellite until the fcc forces comcast to let them negotiate for it when comcast goes to finalize the adelphia deal.

but anyways keep it on topic...

 

[bigtimber]

I have a question on Sports Net Ohio being available to Dish customers with HD bronze and above. Is this only available on a regional basis or on a nationwide basis. I live in Montana and have been following the Indians for 50+ years and would be thrilled if this was nationwide.

 

[BFG]

It's available to no one with HD Bronze or At60

You need HD Silver or At 60+ above, and then it's only available to the cleveland region.

You need to buy the MLB-EI pack to watch indians games in montana

 

[Ilya]

It's available to no one with HD Bronze or At60

You need HD Silver or At 120 above...

Why?
According to the PR above, DISH Network customers, who subscribe to America's Top 60+, DishHD Bronze or any higher package, now have access to 130 regular-season games in 2006 on channel 431.

 

[BFG]

Last time I checked the Bronze was equivalent to At60, which does not include RSNs. I think it's an error in the PR

here's a RSN for example.

http://www.dishnetwork.com/content/programming/channels/index.asp?NetwID=50364

It's not included in Bronze, STO will be no different

 

[Tvfan24/7]

Is the DishHD Gold package the equivalent of AT180 and does it include all the non premium hd channels as well as the VOOM channels?

 

[BFG]

yes

 

[Tvfan24/7]

Thank you very much!

 

[grumpy1]

I suspect that Jim Liberatore and Fastball Sports Productions must have really caved in on their original pricing scheme for E* to have picked up Sportstime Ohio. Roda on WKNR claimed that Fastball originally demanded more from the satellite providers for carriage than they requested from the local cable operators. Other than TW with their STO partnership pricing E* and D*, by holding out until now, probably received a better deal than most because the Indians ownership really wants everyone to be able to see all the games.

STO will probably be carried on E* very similar to FOX SportsOhio. It will be available only to those in the Cleveland and some surrounding DMAS and it will have the same horrible, horrible SD PQ. As for availability on E* in HD LIL when launched -- strongly doubt we will see the part-time STO channel carried in HD on E* though I'd certainly love to be proven wrong.

 

[dreddick]

I wonder how long until it shows up in the programming guide??

FYI - I emailed support to ask if this would just show up on my guide (I have 180 and I'm in NW Ohio) - the reply...

...There was a delay of adding this new channel on our programming packages. It will be added on April 4, 2006, and since you have America's Top 180, it will be automatically added....

David