DISH 5 Million ITV HHs: Top in U.S.

[Steve Mehs]

In case you missed the news: EchoStar's DISH Network said it has more than 5 million households that can access its 14 interactive TV channels, an accomplishment which may make it the top provider of ITV content in the United States.

DISH Network customers receive the ITV offering - DISH Home - as an added benefit to their programming packages. DISH Home offers "on-demand" access to news, weather, entertainment, sports and other information normally found from other resources, all available through a click of the remote control.

Customers also can pay their DISH Network bill via the service. More interactive channels are expected to be added to the 14 currently available, EchoStar said.

DISH Home content providers include STATS, Visiware, Tribune Media Services, Gist Communications, Games Inc.'s Lottery.com unit, AccuWeather, OpenTV and EchoStar. All interactive channels are powered by OpenTV, the ITV company providing software, content and applications for delivering and managing interactive television services.

From SkyReport (http://www.skyreport.com/skyreport/jan2003/012103.shtm#four) (Used with Permission)

[Cyclone]

I have it, its not that big a deal. An integrated web browser and broadband internet connection would be a big deal.