Dish expands HD channel capacity with new satellite
on July 12, 2010
Over the weekend Dish Network successfully launched EchoStar XV, the company’s second satellite launch of the year which will allow Dish to provide more HD channels to customers. The company still says it offers over 200 high-def channels (a disputed claim) which would be more HD channels than any other provider including DirecTV.
Why is that number disputed? Some service providers refer to video-on-demand channels, pay-per-view, and individual title offerings as “HD Channels” — while many consider a channel to be an individual network which provides a variety of programming, such as ABC HD, ESPN HD, or TNT HD.
To the dismay of many customers, Dish Network dropped Disney Channel HD, Disney XD HD, ABC Family HD and ESPNews HD last month claiming Disney wanted “significant” fees to carry the channels. Disney, in a counter statement, said Dish was never given permission to carry the high-def channels. However, the Disney channels still remain in the standard-def lineup and negotiations are underway to get the high-definition channels up and running again.
Dish says its EchoStar XV satellite will also bring local HD programming to more markets. Currently, the company provides local HD channels in 156 markets.
“DISH Network is the only pay-TV provider that offers ‘HD Free For Life‘ to every customer, and we’re proud that EchoStar XV will soon allow us to provide even more high definition channels for free.”
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