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Posts with tag DishNetwork

DirecTV delivers 31 new HD channels -- kind of

by Ben Drawbaugh, posted Aug 14th 2008 at 4:21PM

DirecTV HDWhen DirecTV recently promised it'd have 130 HD channels on August 14th, we have to say this isn't exactly what we had in mind. What we expected was 31 new HD channels that would match the lineup that Dish recently revealed, but what we got was 4 real HD channels (Planet Green HD, ABC Family, Showtime Showcase HD, Showtime Extreme HD), 12 HD regional sports networks and 18 HD PPV channels. Sure, technically this is 31 new HD channels, but what about; Travel Channel HD, Outdoor Channel 2 HD, a whole slew of HBO and Cinemax HD channels, and finally all the Starz and Encore channels? According to DirecTV, all the HD PPV channels are simply place holders until the rest are brought online, but even with that excuse, this is just yet another reason why we take DirecTV's press releases with a grain of salt.

Warner Bros. 85th Anniversary celebration makes for a lot of HD VOD

by Richard Lawler, posted Aug 14th 2008 at 2:41PM

Warner Bros. is all over digital distribution in celebration of its 85th anniversary, pushing 85 of its classic flick onto video on-demand, most in high definition and many of them available in HD VOD for the first time. Anyone with Time Warner, Comcast, Cox, Charter, Rogers, DirecTV or DISH Network should have access to flicks including Doctor Zhivago, Casablanca, Chariots of Fire, Mad Max Beyond the Thunderdome straight from their remote starting today. Additionally Time Warner has lined up a series of indoor and outdoor screenings in LA and New York so keep an eye out for those. Great films in high quality without having to leave our couch, if we could stop watching the Olympics we'd take a look, check out the full list after the break. [Disclosure: Engadget is part of the Time Warner family]

DISH offers Interactive TV mosaic for Olympics overload

by Steven Kim, posted Aug 8th 2008 at 5:28PM

Olympic rings bike
One look over our 2008 Beijing Olympics guide will tell you that there's just too much content to absorb; even just the NBC coverage is enough to induce HD OD. But DISH customers might be able to drink more comfortably from the fire hose thanks to Ensequence, which is bringing the Interactive TV mosaic to the games. As seen at the U.S. Open, this will montage feeds from six NBCU channels into a single screen. Viewers can then soak all six channels in at once or zoom in on a single channel. Even this six-fold reduction might not be enough, so various news and digest services will also be made available on DISH channel 100 -- especially appealing is the compiled highlights of the day's events. DirecTV has shown that it can play the multi-screen game, too, so don't be surprised to see it there as well.

[Image courtesy ChinaDaily]

DISH Network might attempt DirecTV merger again?

by Richard Lawler, posted Aug 6th 2008 at 7:39PM


DirecTV and DISH Network trying to get together again? That's the idea according to the Wall Street Journal, apparently in response to DISH making "a major strategic shift" after losing 25,000 subscribers in Q2. Of course the last time these two tried U + me = Us back in 2001, regulators put the smackdown on the idea, but apparently DISH CEO Charlie Ergen thinks things may be different now. We can see how a 90% drop in subscriber growth (and a blown satellite or two) could cause anyone to reevaluate things, but as our extensive experience watching daytime TV proves, running into a new relationship to escape ones problems never works out long term, but it is interesting to see if either is really willing to stop the constant one-upmanship and concentrate on taking on the cable (& telco) companies together.

[Thanks, Adam]

EchoStar nets $41-million adjustment for AMC-14

by Steven Kim, posted Aug 5th 2008 at 11:11AM

EchoStar nets $41-million adjustment for AMC-14
How's this for a silver lining to a cloud? EchoStar picked up a $41-million insurance claim for its winged bird, the AMC-14. Sure, a loss like that is always hard, but it's safe to say that with the successful EchoStar XI launch, DISH has picked itself right up again (we're sure the insurance check helps ease the pain, too). But most importantly from where we stand, the AMC-14 mishap hasn't really slowed down DISH HD rollouts. Now, if only something could be done about the company's declining subscriber rolls.

DISH Network loses 25,000 net subscribers in Q2, sees revenue increase

by Darren Murph, posted Aug 4th 2008 at 11:07PM

DISH Network's Q1 wasn't anything to be proud of, and unfortunately for the satcaster, it seems that Q2 isn't much better. After suffering a 90% drop in subscriber growth during the first of the year, DISH's Q2 earnings report highlights an approximate loss of 25,000 net subscribers during the quarter ended June 30, 2008. Granted, it still has just south of 14 million customers hanging tight, so don't go crying over its misfortunes or anything. Furthermore, it still managed to increase total revenue by 5.6% (from $2.76 billion to $2.91 billion) year-over-year. The real question is what will happen in the second half of the year now that both it and DirecTV are clearly aiming to one-up each other at every possible turn. Ah, satellite drama.

DISH Network 1080p VOD preview

by Ben Drawbaugh, posted Aug 4th 2008 at 3:06PM

DISH VOD 1080p

While DISH is still a few weeks away from delivering 1080p VOD, some of the details of how it'll actually work are starting to emerge. The content will be delivered to your HD DVR the same way some of DISH's VOD is, via your broadband satellite connection. It will be downloaded whether you want it or not, and once the transfer is complete, it'll show up with the rest of the VOD offerings. Before you'll be able to play the content though, the box will run a 1080p test to ensure your TV is up to snuff. If for whatever reason your display isn't capable of displaying 1080p, then the box will convert it to whatever resolution you usually use. This is cool and all, but we really can't wait to see how it looks. Sure, 1080p is the ultimate resolution available to consumers today, but we all know too well that resolution is only one of many factors involved in the ultimate video experience.

DISH to have 150 HD channels this year and 1080p VOD in August

by Ben Drawbaugh, posted Jul 31st 2008 at 10:23AM

DISH NetworkTake that DirecTV, you announce 1080p "this year" and 130 HD channels in August and DISH one ups you with an announcement that it'll start offering 1080p VOD in August -- but DirecTV fanboys will take some comfort in the fact that DirecTV's latest bird started broadcasting HD channels today, while Echostar XI won't start for a few more months. Either way, this is good for everyone, but based on both company's track record, we tend to take DISH's word over DirecTV's -- after the whole CES 07 lie. DISH subscribers with MPEG-4 HD DVRs should receive an update in the next two weeks that will allow them access the 1080p VOD movies, such as I Am Legend. The release also goes on about how the quality will be "same as Blu-ray Disc quality," but we'll believe that one when we see it for ourselves.

DISH Network's DTVPal converter box goes retail at Sears

by Darren Murph, posted Jul 22nd 2008 at 6:58PM


Although DISH Network's $59.99 DTVPal converter box went on sale late last month, you've had to order it via the DTVPal website or by phone... until now. The NTIA-approved (meaning you can use your $40 voucher on it) box will soon start surfacing in 511 Sears retail locations along with 194 Sears Dealer stores, meaning that you can actually get in your vehicle and pick one up should you choose to do so. For us introverts, we'd still much rather have a brown box dropped off at our doorstep, but oftentimes there's nothing like instant gratification.

DISH Network goes live with HD locals in Beaumont / Port Arthur, Texas

by Darren Murph, posted Jul 18th 2008 at 10:20PM

We'll admit, DISH Network's latest press release isn't all that thrilling for folks outside of Beaumont / Port Arthur, Texas, but it's entirely better to see something like this rather than another funeral invite for its latest satellite. DISH has just lit up HD locals in the aforesaid area, simultaneously putting another check mark on its summer rollout list and giving everyone else hope that they'll be next. Yeehaw!

DISH Network's EchoStar XI successfully reaches orbit

by Darren Murph, posted Jul 16th 2008 at 10:02AM Breaking News


It's official: the AMC-14 debacle can be pushed aside from the rear of your mind, as DISH Network's most recent launch went off without a hitch. Sea Launch has announced this morning that EchoStar XI, which lifted off late last night, has successfully reached orbit. Shortly after cruising was complete, operators at the Gnangara ground station in Perth, Australia "acquired the spacecraft's first signals from orbit." It's noted that "all systems performed nominally throughout the mission," and it looks as if we should have 15 years of uninterrupted service from this one just as soon as it goes into action... which will hopefully happen sooner rather than later.

[Via Reuters]

Countdown to EchoStar XI liftoff begins, live webcast starting soon

by Darren Murph, posted Jul 15th 2008 at 7:19PM


Just a friendly reminder for you folks with nothing better to do on a Tuesday evening than watch a satellite get airborne: DISH Network's EchoStar XI lifts off tonight at around 10:21PM PT (that's 1:21AM ET on July 16 for those on the east coast), and as usual, the whole thing will be broadcast live on the web. Hopefully we won't have bad news to report on in the morning, but considering the fate of the AMC-14, we aren't crossing that possibility out entirely.

[Via Spaceflight Now, thanks VANBROTHERS]

DISH Network details HD only TurboHD packages

by Darren Murph, posted Jul 10th 2008 at 8:14PM

Good on you, DISH Network. Rather than sitting idly by while everyone already knows that 17 new HD channels are coming in August, the satcaster has pushed out a press release making the newcomers official. 'Course, you didn't really expect DISH to push aside the opportunity to trumpet its pending leap to 100+ high-def stations, did you? Nevertheless, those 17 that we mentioned earlier today are indeed coming on August 1st, but what we didn't know was how exactly the long-rumored HD only packages would work. Also beginning on August 1st, the handful of TurboHD packages -- which will deliver only high-definition channels -- will be available with or without locals starting at $24.99 and topping out at $49.99. Check out the read link for more details. Oh, how we long for the day where HD only packages are commonplace across carriers.

DISH to roll out 17 new HD channels on August 1st

by Ben Drawbaugh, posted Jul 10th 2008 at 7:29PM



During a retailer chat today, DISH announced the addition of 17 new HD channels for August. But from the looks of the pictured slide, aside from three of the new channels it appears that this is mostly an HD movie channel update. The other thing we noticed was that most of these channels are not currently available on DirecTV and by at least one person's count (Scott G), this puts DISH Network as the first provider to offer 100 HD channels -- if you include regional sports networks. Of course this might change soon enough though, as DirecTV expects to have its new bird, DirecTV 11, operational in September while Dish Network's Echostar XI is expected to lift off in less than a week. Oh, what a beautiful time to be alive.

DISH Network's EchoStar XI lifts off on July 15th

by Darren Murph, posted Jul 10th 2008 at 12:56PM


For those of you who dedicate a few waking moments to tracking satellite launches (oh yes, we know you're out there), here's another one for your push-pin chart. DISH Network's EchoStar XI, which we already knew would be leaving this stratosphere in the summer, will be lifting off on July 15th. If everything goes to plan, rockets will fire just prior to 10:21PM PDT, with a two-hour window for launch. Should it make it to space (we haven't forgotten about the AMC-14 just yet), a 72-hour countdown will ensue, during which a series of tests will (hopefully) be completed. The bird has been designed to live in orbit for some 15 years and provide DISH Network subscribers with more (HD) content, though we aren't sure just yet how long it'll be before it's really put to good use. Got those fingers crossed? Good.




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