NBC Universal, DISH Network Team to Deliver Dynamic Interactive and HD 2006 Olympic Winter Games Coverage
Multiple Channels on One Screen Let Viewers Quickly Select the
NBC Universal Channel They Want to Watch
NBC Network Olympic Broadcast Available in High Definition
New to this year’s mosaic is the NBC Olympics Showcase, providing viewers with access to information such as medal counts, updated television listings and select athlete biographies. DISH Network also announced today that it will broadcast the NBC Olympic coverage in high definition available to all DISH Network HD viewers.
The mosaic will allow viewers to monitor six channels on a single TV screen and select the competition or program that they want to view in normal, full-screen format. DISH Network customers can view five NBC Universal networks simultaneously: MSNBC, CNBC, USA, Bravo and SCI FI, three of which will broadcast NBC’s Olympic coverage. A sixth screen will show NBC’s Daily Olympic Highlights, as well as a preview of upcoming Olympic events to be aired across the NBC Universal networks.
“The NBC mosaic lets DISH Network customers quickly preview on a single screen what events are on each network and then watch on a full screen whichever competition interests them the most,” said Eric Sahl, senior vice president of Programming for DISH Network. “The mosaic is an extraordinary addition to the TV marketplace and serves as a platform for DISH Network’s advanced 25 virtual and enhanced ITV channels.”
“NBC Universal is excited to partner with EchoStar to offer the 2006 Winter Olympics," commented David Zaslav, NBC Universal Cable. "Our unprecedented cable coverage this year will provide viewers with a more extensive and interactive Olympics experience including up-to-the-minute updates and medal count."
Viewers can access the NBC mosaic or the NBC Olympics Showcase through “DISH Home” on Ch. 100, or by selecting a trigger that will appear on the NBC Showcase commercial. Only subscribers to America’s Top 120 programming package or higher will be able to view MSNBC.
The mosaic was built by OpenTV (NASDAQ:OPTV) and the NBC Olympics Showcase Enhanced TV application was created by Pixel Play, both leading providers of ITV systems and applications.
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 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.
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Press Contact:
Heather Black, EchoStar Communications Corporation, 720-514-5351, heather.black@echostar.com
