The Dish Network News Blog

When I was growing up we had only one television in the house and I was the remote control well into my late elementary school years. The Disney Channel was not free and it was always a treat to go to my grandparents and watch “Kids Incorporated”. Satellite T.V. was something from the Twilight Zone and High Definition programming was never even heard of. Every kid on my block had rabbit ears and I’m not talking about the soft white fluffy kind that eats carrots.

These days’ televisions are in kitchens, children’s rooms and even the garage. Universal remote controls are sold at Drug Stores and by 2009, analog will be a thing of the past…my past that is. These days high definition channels are on the rise and satellite T.V. is very real, and a leading competitor in the cable industry giving millions of Americans across the U.S. a choice in their cable. With that being said, cable companies from the West Coast to the East Coast are raising cable rates leading me to question, “Do these corporate bullies not understand that the American public has a choice in their cable provider or does the American public not know that they have one?

Recently both Comcast and Cablevision have announced yet another recent rate hike for their cable customers, and unfortunately for their customers this is not the first one this year. Many speculate that this recent increase is an attempt to force viewers into a bundle package agreement and a commitment contract. I am here to tell you folks, that you have a choice and an obvious one at that. Satellite providers like Dish Network are capable of providing service to 97% of the nation’s population and still growing. So make yourself a fried bologna sandwich, crack open a bottle of pop and rest assured that Dish Network will continue to offer their viewers the lowest cable packages, superior customer service and a growing amount of High Definition channels along with promising their viewers a $49.99, 200 plus channels, no rate hike until 2009 package…if only they could bring back Land of the Lost back in Dish Networks high-quality high definition.

Some good news on the Dish Network home front regarding beam openings and beams that are remaining open to new subscription opportunities. Dish Network High-Speed Internet powered by WildBlue has new beam coverage open for customers located within Southern Texas, from the lower Rio Grande Valley to the lower Texas Gulf Coast. These new beams just reiterate Dish Networks commitment to leading the satellite industry. For more information on Dish Network please contact 1-866-989-3474 or visit their website at dish-network.com.

Many of us take for granted the reliable satellite local network programming that we receive from Dish Network but for a few local network access has not been available…until now.

Dish Network recently announced their plan to launch three new local SD programs as early as January 2008. With the addition of Helena MT, Laredo TX and Yuma AZ, Dish Network will be providing local network programming to 178 markets throughout the United States. This new addition will mean that DishNetwork will be representing an area over 97% of U.S. Households.

In recent months Dish Network announced their plan to offer ABC WWAY, NBC WECT, FOX WSFX and PBS WUNJ from the Wilmington, North Carolina, DMA. For more information on your local programming provided by Dish Network please visit the dish-network.com local channel listings

Dish Network allows customers to expand their DVR storage capacity with an external hard drive. If an external hard drive is connected, TV2 users now may access the recordings on the connected external hard drive. Please keep in mind that if the person at TV2 is using the external hard drive, the person at TV1 will have to wait until TV2 is finished; it’s now first-come, first-served between TV1 and TV2!

With Dish Network’s IP Callback, a customer’s ViP622 DVR or ViP722 DVR that is connected to their broadband-enabled home network would allow these receivers to “call in” to download Pay-Per-View purchases without needing a phone line. The IP Callback with can also be used for various other features such as PPV Ordering, DISH on Demand Ordering, and Saving $5 since the Programming Access Fee Waived. Subject to applicable terms and conditions, the home networking IP connection provides certain Pay-Per-View ordering capability via remote control and a continuous connection may satisfy the requirements for waiving the $5.00 Additional Outlet Programming Access Fee.

Dish Network models ViP622 DVR & ViP722 DVR receivers use DishCOMM technology to communicate with each other using the power lines in the home via HomePlug. By using HomePlug, you only need one Dish Network receiver connected to a phone line and the other receivers will be able to dial out through the receiver connected to the phone line.

Two connectivity options include:

1. Plug the receiver directly into the wall – The receiver needs to be directly connected into the wall power –but not a GFI or switched outlet.

2. If using a surge protector, plug the receiver into the HomePlug port of a HomePlug-compatible, surge-protected power strip – Do not use a Panamax power strip. A Panamax power strip does not have the HomePlug outlet needed, so it will not transmit the data through the power lines.

Dish Network is currently moving their International programming to different satellite orbital locations to free up capacity for future DISH Network programming. This migration initiative will also help minimize the need for many International programming subscribers to have multiple antennas.

This migration is an on-going initiative, which is expected to be completed around Q1 2008. Different International programming language groups will be migrating to their new orbital locations at different times. Dish Network said that even though International programming orbital locations will be changing, most corresponding channel numbers will remain the same.

Dish Network has already begun migrating International programming currently transmitted from the 121° orbital location to the 118.7° orbital location. Additionally, select International programming currently transmitted from the 61.5° or 148° orbital locations will also be moving to the 118.7° orbital location. When the migration is complete, International programming will no longer be simulcast from the 121° orbital location, but will instead ONLY be broadcast from the 61.5°, 148° or 118.7° orbital locations. Again, please note that this migration is occurring in phases.

Dish Network announced the launch of TBS in HD for DISH Network Commercial Services, effective October 12^th on Channel 542 at the 61.5° and 129° orbital locations!
Dish Network said that there has been significant demand for TBS in HD from their Public and Private customers for this channel, and they are happy to now offer it in our programming lineup – especially since it broadcasted a considerable number of 2007 Major League Baseball Playoff games.
TBS in HD is available in the following packages at no additional charge – Effective October 12, 2007

• Business HD (Private viewing locations only)*                $20.00/month  
• Business HD Max (Private viewing locations only)*                     $30.00/month 
• Hospitality HD (Public viewing locations only)**               Starting at $50.00/month*** 
•  Hospitality HD Max (Public viewing locations only)**       Starting at $60.00/month*** 

*Business HD and Business HD Max require a subscription to Private Plus.
**Hospitality HD and Hospitality HD Max require a subscription to Max View and Commercial Sports.
***Programming rates for HD packages in Public viewing locations are based on Fire Occupancy Certificates

If your one of the many unfortunate NBA fans that does not have Jack Nickelson’s good fortune of having courtside seats to the hottest NBA games being played then Dish Network has your solution.  On October 30th, Dish Network announced that NBA TV is now included in their national lineup of HD programming.  Currently Dish Network is the leading satellite company ranked number one in customer service and offers 75 high-quality, high-definition channels.   NBA TV is not just another sports channel, it is Dish Networks ultimate source for all things basketball, whether it be the latest in basketball news, minute by minute play of live NBA basketball games, and live interviews with basketball stars and legends of the game, as well as bringing you the most memorable highlights in basketball history.