Dish Network® Outlines Upcoming Hd Launch Schedule

[Scott Greczkowski]

DISH NETWORK® OUTLINES UPCOMING HD LAUNCH SCHEDULE

Englewood, Colo., March 18, 2008 – DISH Network Corporation (NASDAQ: DISH), the nation’s third-largest pay-TV provider, today confirmed that plans to enhance its HD programming line-up this spring remain on track, despite the launch anomaly experienced by the AMC-14 satellite on March 14.

Over the next two months, DISH Network will increase its local HD offering by more than 60 percent with the addition of HD broadcast networks in the following markets:

April

· Abilene, TX
· Austin, TX
· Baltimore, MD
· Columbia, SC
· Flint-Saginaw-Bay City, MI
· Ft. Myers, FL
· Greensboro, NC
· Milwaukee, WI
· Orlando, FL
· Providence, RI
· Tampa, FL
· West Palm Beach, FL

May

· Beaumont, TX
· Burlington, VT
· Grand Rapids, MI
· Green Bay, WI
· Greenville, SC
· Huntsville, AL
· Knoxville, TN
· Norfolk, VA
· Richmond, VA


“DISH Network customers can be reassured that the expansion of our HD programming over the next few months will proceed as planned,” said Charlie Ergen, Chairman, CEO and President of DISH Network. “We are fortunate to have two more satellites scheduled for launch later this year to continue our HD rollout and reach our year-end goal of 100 local HD markets and 100 national HD channels.”

Upcoming national HD announcements may include the addition of ABC Family HD, AMC HD, BET HD, The Biography Channel HD, Bravo HD, Cartoon Network HD, CMT HD, CNN HD, Disney Channel HD, ESPN News HD, HBO2 HD, IFC HD, MGM HD, MoreMAX HD, MTV HD, Nickelodeon HD, Sci-Fi HD, Smithsonian Channel HD, Starz Edge HD, Tennis Channel HD, Superstation WGN HD, The Weather Channel HD, Toon Disney HD, USA Network HD and VH-1 HD.

For more information about DISH Network, call 1-800-333-DISH (3474), visit DISH Network -- Home, or visit your local DISH Network retailer.

 

[LASooner]

Now we know what's coming SOON


Upcoming national HD announcements may include the addition of ABC

 

[ScoBuck]

I was one of many that thought that only a small percentage of the public would even be that aware of the goings on at these big TV providers - mostly limited to the people on this and similar forums. I now see just how strong the boards (led by SatGuys of course) really is.

However the speed with which DISH has responded to the AMC-14 situation and the very public attempts at putting out this word so quickly shows to me that they are concerned that news (or misinformation regarding this) would spread quickly and have a real effect on their current sub base and ability to attract new business.

I salute their prompt response to the situation. I hope they get AMC-14 back on track ASAP.

 

[darrencp22]

hrmm cleveland missing from that list too.. i guess Cleveland doesnt rock

 

[nlk10010]

Notice, the national HD announcements are upcoming (not necessarily the channels) and, as you say, they may include....

At least it's not any more general than it was before the launch failed....too bad they are not as specific with national HD as they are with LIL, but that is their customer base, after all.

 

[JamesJ]

Notice, the national HD announcements are upcoming (not necessarily the channels) and, as you say, they may include....

At least it's not any more general than it was before the launch failed....

you need to go back through Scotts statements, He put that they cant announce those channels as coming without a proper press release. If they have that list there you can be assured they are signed or are VERY close.

 

[markd]

We'll Memphis is not on the list anymore Oh well, I get all my locals fine OTA. It just would be nice to be able to record/watch two locals at the same time. Can't do that with OTA.

 

[JamesJ]

hrmm cleveland missing from that list too.. i guess Cleveland doesnt rock

sadness has overcome me, we were uplinked and everything I am hoping this is all misprints!

 

[nlk10010]

you need to go back through Scotts statements, He put that they cant announce those channels as coming without a proper press release.

I'm not sure I understand you: what is a "proper press release" and why do they need one? Do they need one of these "releases" to announce HD LIL?

If they have that list there you can be assured they are signed or are VERY close.

Why? On what do you base this statement?

 

[Scott Greczkowski]

Correct they "may include". A few of those channels don't have HD versions yet, and some of those channels they dont have signed contracts for, but negoations are almost complete for them.

I guess they can't announce channels officially until they are launched which is why press releases about new channels come out after the channel launches.

 

[seminole2001]

Soon > Eternity

 

[Bradtothebone]

........However the speed with which DISH has responded to the AMC-14 situation and the very public attempts at putting out this word so quickly shows to me that they are concerned that news (or misinformation regarding this) would spread quickly and have a real effect on their current sub base and ability to attract new business.

I salute their prompt response to the situation. I hope they get AMC-14 back on track ASAP.

Don't kid yourself. What they're REALLY worried about are their investors, a lot of whom have only seen in the news that E* "lost a satellite."

With that being said, I'll take off my Cynic Hat and second your salute and second the motion for safe transit for AMC 14!

Brad

 

[thedamaja]

How many of these LIN markets? I predict multiple E* installs in Green Bay before football season.

 

[JamesJ]

I'm not sure I understand you: what is a "proper press release" and why do they need one? Do they need one of these "releases" to announce HD LIL?

A proper Press realease would be Dish Network is excited to add SO and So channel...also they dont need one for lil, but they do put them out.

Why? On what do you base this statement?

Based on Past statements made by Scott, also why would dish say we are including this channel, or this channel with no real intention of carrying it, I understand people may be a little upset with Dish right now, but Dish is a pretty solid company, and surprisingly to alot of people they are out to make money not lose it.

 

[Smitty7831]

Very bummed to NOT see Cleveland. What's the deal?

 

[Fanucci]

stuart,

Maybe they took our Cleveland locals off the list because they are going to add them in March. Right........

 

[nlk10010]

All I'm saying is that Dish has never said they are going to launch this or that specific channel in this or that timeframe (like they apparently have for LILs). They have never said anything which would be inconsistent with them launching very few if any national HD over the next 6-12 months.

Which tells me that most likely the "announcements" they have made are more show than go (there may be a few that they can't announce for legal reasons but I don't think that's very many). Charlie will always be Charlie and will not hesitate to keep from signing an agreement if he doesn't get what he wants, even though he will end up charging us about the same as services (e.g. D*) that do have the channels.

We've been down this road before. When you keep doing the same thing and expect a different result well, then.....

 

[Smitty7831]

stuart,

Maybe they took our Cleveland locals off the list because they are going to add them in March. Right........

Hope you are right!

 

[JamesJ]

All I'm saying is that Dish has never said they are going to launch this or that specific channel in this or that timeframe (like they apparently have for LILs). They have never said anything which would be inconsistent with them launching very few if any national HD over the next 6-12 months.

Which tells me that most likely the "announcements" they have made are more show than go (there may be a few that they can't announce for legal reasons but I don't think that's very many). Charlie will always be Charlie and will not hesitate to keep from signing an agreement if he doesn't get what he wants, even though he will end up charging us about the same as services (e.g. D*) that do have the channels.

We've been down this road before. When you keep doing the same thing and expect a different result well, then.....

I understand where you are at, and what you are saying. But I also know that dish may be trying to turn a new leaf and try this whole communicating with their customers thing I hope it works/

 

[JamesJ]

smitty and fanucci, I am still hoping for a misprint or oversight as Cleveland has been promised since 2006 and They already have placeholders for them on the satellite! I hope they wouldnt tease me like that.