DISH Long-Term Locals Goal: 150 Markets

[Steve Mehs]

While EchoStar has plans to take its local TV slate to 106 markets by the end of the year, executives told retailers attending this year's Team Summit in Atlanta that long-term efforts call for the delivery of local TV channels to 150 markets across the United States.

If and when EchoStar takes DISH Network's local TV slate to 150 markets, the DBS service would cover 90 percent of U.S. TV Households, executives told retailers at the summit. Also part of the programming expansion is the delivery of 100 international channels.

In addition, executives said they are working on a broadband offering that would cost less than $50 a month, but details were not available.

There was some good news specifically for retailers attending the summit. EchoStar executives said they plan to refer closed - or direct - sales to retailers in the "Summit Advantage" program for installation, service and support. EchoStar also said it plans to repay retailers for re-connects.

During the summit, EchoStar executives promoted the DISH PVR 522, a personal video recorder with the capability of recording two live programs while watching a pre-recorded program or recording two live programs at the same time.

The company also pushed its DISH PVR 921, a set-top box unveiled in January that has the capability of recording HD programming, and the new 66-centimeter SuperDISH. SuperDISH will support DISH Network's delivery of new programming, including new international channels and the expanded local TV slate.

From SkyReport (http://www.skyreport.com) (Used with Permission)

[Jacob S]

I wonder how they would get the additional 44 markets up, use 105 when they get a satellite launched there next year? Or are they going to lease 105 like I heard a few people mention? Perhaps they would add the rest to 121, seeing that the markets would have half as many channels in many cases to offer than the bigger markets, it would allow for twice as many markets to be added.

I wonder if DirecTv is going to offer more than 100 markets and if they would choose the markets Dish chose not to do. Even if they did do some of the same ones, there are bound to be certain markets that one would cover that the other wouldnt, especially seeing that they are smaller markets. That means out of the 60 markets that may be left there may only be 40 left that are not offered over satellite. I wonder if there would be some type of plan to offer those or if those would be deemed not worth providing. When you get into markets that small I figure if one provider offers them the other may not. If each took 20 and the other 20 that would take care of it.

I think broadband for under $50 would be great, but what about the hardware and installation costs? That is what kills the deal now with current offerings even though they offer internet for this cheap.

[TNGTony]

Well, I got a report today that Flint and Lancing Michigan are going to be getting their locals on dish! This was reported in respective local papers.

Like I've been saying, there is room on the current spot beams for about 10-20 more locals especially if most have 5 channels. And on top of that you add 121 and the leased space on 105 when that satellite is launched.

See ya
Tony

[Jacob S]

I wonder which markets will be on 110? I had been told a while back that Charleston/Huntington, WV will not be able to be put on the spot beams because there is no room there for it.

Also how come will there be no spotbeams on 121? Is it because it is a medium power satellite or is spotbeam technology able to be applied to medium power satellites?

[Mike Phillips]

Any idea when or what sat. the Lansing locals will be on Tony?Thanks so much for the great news!!!!!Mike