From a good source

[tampa8]

Sometime ago this source gave me info that I posted at DBSFORUMS that turned out to be correct. He/She has now told be a couple of things that I will post. I believe they are new or somewhat new.

1. The 121 slot will be spotbeam only with no plans for any HD or conus there.

2. Hartford locals is a given. Three of the major networks (ABC NBC FOX) and WB (WTXX) are ready when Dish is. The source could not confirm CBS or UPN is on board from Hartford.

3. Dish is working on a "HD PAK" but what it will consist of either has not been determined or the source just does not know. It may not be a stand alone pak, but an add on to one of the packages.

4. HD programming will be available at 110 eventually. That is not to say it will not be available where it is now also. He/She does not know.

So take it for what it is worth. I guess time will tell how accurate this is!

[Mike123abc]

If 121 was going to be a spot beam for Ku band it would have been filed with the FCC a long time ago... Perhaps they meant for Local markets no national programming, but the actually beams hit the entire US.

[tampa8]

I repeated what he/she said so I don't know. (spotbeam was their word not mine) It doesn't make sense to use it for local only if not spotbeam does it?

[Darkman]

so what about them new Ethnics that were rumoured to be at 121 (if 121 will be spotbeam only)?

where will new Ethnics be? (maybe ask your "saurce" about this, tampa) :)

[Mike123abc]

Nasa reporting it will go up in July: http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/calendar/

What E9 is listed as is: 2 Ka tp and 32 Ku tps and 24 C tps
alt. name: Telstar 13

Note it is 32 Ku transponders not spot beam:


http://www.corporate-ir.net/ireye/ir_site.zhtml?ticker=dish&script=410&layout=-6&item_id=390255

The above is actually the link from the Dishnetwork web site press release:

The satellite payload also includes 32 Ku-Band fixed satellite services (FSS) transponders, at approximately 120 watts, that will enhance EchoStar's current U.S. DISH Network satellite TV service, including additional service for Alaska and Hawaii

[Mike123abc]

They could serve up to 500 channels from this bird since the Ku-FSS transponders have more capacity than the ku-DBS transponders. It would make the most sense to serve LIL from here for the smaller markets. Since about 70% of the population is currently being served by the 119/110 sats for LIL, less than 30% of the subs would have to buy the more expensive triple satellite dish. At 120 Watts there is actually more power on the satellite than the ones at 148 & 61.5.

[TNGTony]

Darkman, the hundred foreign language channels at 121° is no rumor. See http://www.corporate-ir.net/ireye/ir_site.zhtml?ticker=dish&script=410&layout=-6&item_id=398207

"LITTLETON, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 4, 2003--EchoStar Communications Corporation (Nasdaq:DISH) announced today that its DISH Network satellite TV service is preparing to launch up to 100 new international television channels this summer and offer a one-dish solution for customers seeking news, sports and entertainment from around the world, in addition to a robust selection of American programming packages, all on a single dish.

With the launch this year of the EchoStar IX satellite, DISH Network intends to add up to 100 international channels from India, the Middle East, the Philippines, Vietnam, Korea, Africa, China and more. DISH Network currently offers 42 channels of international programming in more than a dozen different languages."

See ya
Tony

[Darkman]

Tony - of course i didn't mean rumor in that way - lol (i know those ethnics are coming)...

By rumor, i guess i ment (or just put it that way), that those will be at 121 location...

another words, the word "rumor" was applied to the word "121", and not to "ethnic channels" themselves :)

[JohnH]

Originally posted by Mike123abc
They could serve up to 500 channels from this bird since the Ku-FSS transponders have more capacity than the ku-DBS transponders. It would make the most sense to serve LIL from here for the smaller markets. Since about 70% of the population is currently being served by the 119/110 sats for LIL, less than 30% of the subs would have to buy the more expensive triple satellite dish. At 120 Watts there is actually more power on the satellite than the ones at 148 & 61.5.

Not necessarilly more capacity. Since they are stating 32 not 24, probably just means they are spaced the same as in the DBS band and are only 27mhz TPs.

[Jacob S]

Lets not forget about the internet access. I wonder what the plans for this would be, when the service would launch, and so forth. I also wonder if they would have some type of bounty for those customers on Starband or DirectWay.