EchoStar's DishNetwork

A bit of biography...

Dish Network is the second largest direct broadcast satellite (DBS) service provider in the US. Together with DirecTV, it shares the US home satellite TV market. Dish Network started commercial DBS broadcasting  in 1996, after its first TV satellite - EchoStar I - has been launched in 1995. Dish Network is still owned by its parent company, EchoStar Communications Corporation, based in Englewood, Colorado.

Equipment...

The two main components of Dish Network's digital home system are: (1) satellite mini-dish receptor and (2) receiver.

The original standard dish was 18" in diameter (Dish300), with a single LNB (low-noise block down-converter) element, capable of receiving signal from a single satellite. More advanced model was Dish500, slightly larger at 20" in diameter, with two independent LNB units. It could handle more (up to 500) channels, allowing simultaneous reception from two satellites.

Yet larger dishes (Dish1000, SuperDish) were used when exceptionally high reception capability for both, stronger DBS Ku-band signals, or weaker FSS signals, is needed (usually for locations on the periphery of TV satellite's "footprint").

Dish Network's receiver also goes from standard models (311 and 322), offering basic features and limited interactivity, to more advanced DVR (digital video recorder) and HD/HD-DVR receivers for handling high-definition programming.

Programming...

Basic programming packages offered by Dish Network range from America's Top60, with over 60  channels, to America's "Everything", with over 230 channels. The two intermediate packages add more of audio channels, lifestyle entertainment and sports, with somewhat better movie channel selection than the basic package. The top package includes premium movie packs (HBO, Starz, Showtime, Cinemax) as well as NBA TV. Among latest additions is DishFAMILY pack, the most affordable so far.

Other than basic packages, Dish Network offers a number of special programming packages, such as adult programming (from Playboy TV to The Hot Zone), or several specialized sport packages for extended coverage of selected sports. On top of it, Dish Network offers numerous international packages and a la carte channels from around the world.

Dish Network's fleet of 13 active satellites (12 emitting to the US) serves over 12 million customers (declining trend). In comparison to DirecTV, Dish Network is more oriented toward expanding its service to rural US areas, where satellite TV has become a dominant television service.

With term commitment, Dish Network satellite TV service comes with free system installation, and no equipment to buy (it is leased to the subscriber for a small monthly fee).  Dedicated 24/7 customer support.  

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