The following was sent out tonight to Dish Network Retailers. It marks how they plan on phasing out the SuperDISH.
The launch of our Echo X satellite is providing us with the ability to move local network programming from SuperDISH (121° or105° orbital locations) to a DISH 500 antenna. We will begin moving 54 DMAs in two phases. Therefore, the necessary antenna will be a DISH 500 and will no longer be a SuperDISH antenna for new customers who subscribe to local network programming in these affected DMAs, or existing customers in these DMAs newly subscribing to their locals.
Please note that as of the effective date for each DMA (please look at the tables below to see the phase to which each DMA is assigned – For Phase 1, the effective date is April 21, 2006 and for Phase 2, the effective date is May 5, 2006), no incentives or other payments of any type that arise from or relate to a SuperDISH antenna will be payable in connection with DISH Network subscribers who are located within the affected DMAs and newly subscribe to their local network channels, but do not subscribe to International programming (or other applicable programming that requires a SuperDISH as determined by DISH Network).
Existing customers in these DMAs who are subscribing to their local network channels should continue to use their installed SuperDISH antennas to view them until otherwise notified.
Phase 1 DMAs: Effective date, April 21, 2006
Joplin Missouri
Albany Georgia
Boise Idaho
Charleston South Carolina
Evansville Indiana
Madison Wisconsin
Panama City Florida
Traverse City Michigan
Baltimore Maryland
Gainesville Florida
Green Bay Wisconsin
La Crosse-Eau Claire Wisconsin
New Orleans Louisiana
Augusta Georgia
Columbus-Tupelo Mississippi
Flint Michigan
Ft. Wayne Indiana
Lansing Michigan
Macon Georgia
Toledo Ohio
Tri-Cities Tennessee/Virginia
Phase 2 DMAs: Effective date, May 5, 2006
Terre Haute Indiana
Albany New York
Champaign Illinois
Chattanooga Tennessee
Columbia South Carolina
Jefferson City Missouri
Davenport Iowa
El Paso Texas
Fargo North Dakota
Ft. Smith Arkansas
Greensboro North Carolina
Greenville North Carolina
Lincoln Nebraska
Meridian Mississippi
Milwaukee Wisconsin
Missoula Montana
Mobile Alabama
Monroe Louisiana
Montgomery Alabama
Myrtle Beach South Carolina
Norfolk Virginia
Peoria Illinois
Portland Maine
Quincy Illinois
Rochester New York
Rockford Illinois
Savannah Georgia
South Bend Indiana
Syracuse New York
Topeka Kansas
Wichita Kansas
Wilkes Barre Pennsylvania
Youngstown Ohio
In light of the end dates for SuperDISH antennas in the affected DMAs, please keep an eye on your inventory levels, and plan accordingly. We hope that this transition away from SuperDISH in these local markets reduces installation times and inventory costs.
Thanks for Supporting DISH Network!