DISH Network Adds Three New Pakistani Channels

[Scott Greczkowski]

DISH Network Adds Three New Pakistani Channels to International Programming Line-up

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. --(Business Wire)-- April 8, 2004 -- EchoStar Communications Corporation (Nasdaq: DISH) announced today that its DISH Network(TM) satellite television services recently added GEO TV, ARY Digital and ARY One World to its Urdu-language programming schedule. This addition continues DISH Network's leadership role in broadcasting international programming, specifically Urdu-language broadcast television. DISH Network offers 57 international channels in more than a dozen languages, including Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Polish, Portuguese, Japanese and Russian.

DISH Network is committed to providing our international customers with the best value and channels available, said Michael Schwimmer, EchoStar's senior vice president of Programming. GEO TV, ARY Digital and ARY One World give DISH Network's Urdu-speaking customers even more choices in Pakistani television, including immediate access to news, events and entertainment.

GEO TV's line-up of innovative information and entertainment shows are threaded with up-to-date information and news as it happens. It promises to be a complete offering to meet the information and entertainment needs of the Urdu-speaking population in the U.S.

ARY Digital provides a complete package of family entertainment, including cartoons, fashion, music, drama, news and sports. ARY Digital offers a wide array of programming, including popular comedy and game shows.

ARY One World, an Urdu- and Hindi-language channel, is the first bilingual, 24-hour news channel. ARY One World focuses on Pakistani current affairs and breaking news.

DISH Network also broadcast the historic India vs. Pakistan cricket tour, which was available exclusively on DISH On Demand Pay-Per-View in the U.S.

For additional package information or to order GEO TV, ARY Digital, ARY One World or the India vs. Pakistan cricket tour, please visit www.dishnetwork.com, call 800-333-DISH (3474), or contact your local DISH Network retailer.

About EchoStar

EchoStar Communications Corporation (NasdaqISH) serves more than 9.4 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 800-333-DISH (3474).

 

[AcuraCL]

I wonder how many Pakistani package subscribers they have compared to HD subscribers ....

 

[gpflepsen]

Damn, this had me so excited I peed myself.

 

[TNGTony]

Acura, the main difference is that the entire Pakistani package takes up less than ½ of the space that ONE HD channel takes up.

See ya
Tony

 

[IndyMichael]

And they won't add College Sports TV or the NFL Network?

 

[bradleys]

According to E*'s SEC 10-KA form, filed March 29, 2004, bottom of page 4:

International Programming. Currently, we offer approximately 60 foreign-language channels including Arabic, South Asian, Hindi, Russian, Chinese, Greek and many others. DISH Network remains the pay-TV leader in delivering foreign-language programming to customers in the United States at superior values. We believe foreign-language programming is a valuable niche product that attracts a number of new subscribers who are unable to get similar programming elsewhere.

 

[TennVolFan]

Tony:

Which orbital slot?

 

[hankh]

Tony:

Which orbital slot?

61.5 and 148, that I know of. I think one of their new slots may also be dedicated, in part, to foreign channels.

 

[mboy]

Great 3 new Pakistani channels and No channel to watch the highest grossing and most popular team in MLB. Unreal!

 

[mkm4]

Tony:

Which orbital slot?

121

-- Kirk

 

[TNGTony]

mboy,

Dish has offered YES an a la carte channel slot with ALLLLLLL the money collected going to YES. Yes has refused. If they wanted to put up the channel and charge $14.99 a month for it, Dish would have it up is an instant.

---
The international channels all on 121 with very few exceptions. Most of them are also on their original slots at 61.5° and 148° Take a look at www.dishchannelchart.com on channels 580-899 for the international channels and their satellite locations.

See ya
Tony

See ya
Tony

 

[belawrence]

Remember, there are those of us who welcome niche programming such as this-I ordered all Pak programming as soon as I noticed it in the guide.