DISH Network Targets Growing Demand For High-Definition TV

[Gregg Lengling]

EchoStar Communications says it is now offering the most affordable high definition television (HDTV) package in the nation. The DISH Network HDTV System provides consumers with everything they need to start enjoying HDTV: a 16:9 HD television monitor, an HD satellite TV receiver, a satellite dish, home delivery and standard professional installation, all for less than $1,000.
Further establishing itself as the leader in high definition TV, DISH Network offers a package of popular HD channels, including ESPN HD, Discovery HD Theater, HDNet and HDNet Movies for $9.99 per month or $109.89 annually, the lowest prices in the industry.

DISH Network also offers high definition channels such as CBS-HD, HBO-HD, Showtime HD, and DISH-On-Demand pay-per-view HD movies.

Offered to new and existing residential customers through a special promotion through Jan. 31, 2004, the DISH Network HD System includes a DISH 811 HD satellite TV receiver/decoder and the customer's choice of a 34-inch CRT or a 40-inch rear-projection wide-screen HD monitor, all for only $999. Delivery and installation are included. Customers must agree to purchase at least America's Top 60 programming package (formerly America's Top 50) for $24.99 per month and the HD package for $9.99 per month for one year.

For new customers who already have an HD monitor, DISH Network offers a promotion making the DISH 811 HD satellite TV receiver available for free. This is a savings from the MSRP of $399.

DISH Network has further strengthened its HD product line with the introduction of the first-of-its-kind high definition digital video recorder (DVR). The DISH Player-DVR 921 is available now for a $600 upgrade when customers purchase the DISH Network HDTV System. The DISH Player-DVR 921 features a 250-gigabyte hard drive capable of recording up to 25 hours of high definition video or up to 180 hours of standard definition content, or a combination of both.

The DISH Player-DVR 921 contains all the features of DISH Network's complete line of DVRs, plus a dual tuner that allows the user to record two different shows while viewing a third pre-recorded show. The DISH Player-DVR 921 also includes a picture-in-picture feature for standard definition on any TV. No other pay TV company offers the innovative combination of HD and DISH Video on Demand features -- including fast-forward/reverse, pause, and 30-second skip-ahead -- as the DISH Player-DVR 921.