Dish to add Reality TV channel

[FTA Michael]

So we have the bandwidth for another AT150 channel, and Dish is going to skip Trio, PBS Kids, College Sports et al for this?? :icon_cry:

The press release:

Reality TV Will Offer Premiere and First-Run Reality Programming from the U.S. and Around the World

LONDON and LITTLETON, Colo., Sep 22, 2003 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- Zone Vision Enterprises, an international media company based in London, England, and EchoStar Communications Corporation today announced that DISH Network(TM) will add Reality TV to its America's Top 150 programming package before the end of the year.

Building off the success of its Reality TV channels distributed throughout Europe, the UK, Africa, Asia-Pacific, India and Latin America, the new Reality TV channel will feature, first-run reality series, classic reality series and U.S. premieres of reality programming from around the world.

Reality TV will feature original television productions and television series produced exclusively for this channel. Currently, Zone Vision has programming agreements with such international distributors as CBS, GRB Entertainment, RDF Media, BBC Worldwide and Rive Gauche International Television.

"DISH Network is excited to be the first distributor of Reality TV in the U.S.," said Michael Schwimmer, senior vice president of programming for DISH Network. "We are certain our subscribers will enjoy a full-time channel dedicated to the growing popularity of the reality television genre."

Reality television has taken many forms in the past few years, but Reality TV's programming focus is on capturing real life drama as it actually happens. The channel documents everyday life from the breathtaking to the bizarre, providing insights into the experience of everyday people. Through footage captured on the spot, Reality TV takes viewers to the front lines of police units, emergency medical staff and rescue teams around the world. Outlandish home videos that provide lighter moments and in-depth investigations broaden the channel's overall programming mix.

"This is a tremendous moment for Reality TV," said Chris Wronski, chairman and president of Zone Vision. "We are delighted to make our U.S. debut on DISH Network and complete our channels' global reach. Reality TV has been the fastest growing international network for the last two years and is the first commercial global network to be created from outside the U.S."

Zone Vision's Reality TV channel was first launched in Europe in late 1999 and has gained distribution in more than 125 territories in just four years. The most significant recent launch was in the UK, where the channel is now available to more than 8 million cable and satellite subscribers and consistently rates in the top 50 channels in this 300+ channel market. Worldwide, Reality TV is now broadcast in 16 different languages and is available to over 35 million subscribers.

About EchoStar

EchoStar Communications Corporation (Nasdaq: DISH) is the owner of DISH Network(TM), the fastest growing U.S. provider of satellite television entertainment services with 9 million customers. DISH Network delivers advanced digital satellite television services, including hundreds of video and audio channels, Interactive TV, digital video recording, HDTV, sports and international programming, professional installation and 24-hour customer service. Visit EchoStar's DISH Network at < www.dishnetwork.com > or call 1-800-333-DISH (3474).

About Zone Vision

For over 10 years, the Zone Vision Group has developed a pre-eminent market position as a digital channel broadcaster and distributor of international satellite channels. Zone Vision currently owns and operates the following channels: Reality TV, Romantica, Europa Europa and Showtime (Turkey). Zone Vision currently manages and represents services available to 84.5 million homes in over 125 countries.

In addition to its operating group in London and international headquarters in Amsterdam, Zone Vision also has 16 regional offices. With over 250 specialist personnel, the Company's commitment to understanding and addressing the unique business needs of international broadcasting is unparalleled. Activities conducted by the Group include channel creation and management, channel representation and program sales.

[jrbdmb]

So we have the bandwidth for another AT150 channel, and Dish is going to skip Trio, PBS Kids, College Sports et al for this?? :icon_cry: I don't particularly care for this stuff, but I can see how the ratings for this channel will probably be higher than the other channels subs have been asking for. never overestimate the taste of the American public ... :kickbutt:

[MikeW]

Wouldn't it be nice to have Shwimmer's job? You see him give the same load every month on the CC (we're looking into it..we're in negotiations..etc...) then..boom!!! A deal is struck and millions of Dish Network fans are excited to see the fruit of his efforts!!!!Reality.TV????? Thanks Mike!!! Great Job!!! Now how 'bout something that the customers asked for????

[dtcarson]

'Classic' reality series? Apart from Real World [which is about as UNreal as I've ever seen], aren't most 'reality' shows only 3-5 years old? How can something 5 years old be classic? Unless this is another aspect of 'Quick, make some money off it before people realize how stupid this stuff is and get sick of it.'

This is one 'network' that will not be on my Channel List. If I want a 'reality' network, I'll go to Discovery.

Unfortunately, you're right, this probably will be a popular channel. I wouldn't mind so much, if this pulled all the reality crap off the other networks.

And if this is the case, shouldn't our bills go down? 'Reality' TV is one of the cheapest types of programs to make--get a bunch of usually Gen-X morons together, promise them all 15 seconds of fame and save 1 million dollars for one 'winner', put them in unrealistic situations, ask them every five minutes for their 'deep' opinion of the previous five minutes, and you've got a show. Pure profit.

[rtt2]

Shwimmer is slick on the CC; did you see him on the question about the African American channel? I was amazed on the response he was able to give when put on the spot like that on TV.
While I may not care much for this particular channel, I may catch a show here or there. But I really would like other channels like Fine Living, HBO Zone, Outer Max, @Max, Trio,

[newsub]

Shwimmer is slick on the CC; did you see him on the question about the African American channel? I was amazed on the response he was able to give when put on the spot like that on TV.
While I may not care much for this particular channel, I may catch a show here or there. But I really would like other channels like Fine Living, HBO Zone, Outer Max, @Max, Trio,

yeah give me goodlife tv, mtvhits, vh1 mega hits, bet jazz,etc rather than this stupid channel. What's next, the 24 hour channel that describes sleeping habits of the african rhino?

[btbrossard]

What's next, the 24 hour channel that describes sleeping habits of the african rhino?I think the National Geographic Channel is already available ;) .

My wife watches all sorts of reality tv. I can't stand it.

I guess this will be another station I never watch.

/Benjamin

[mwgiii]

YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

With all the quality channels out there (Ovation, Goodlife, Trio & PBS Kids) Dish decides to put on a fad channel which will be out of business in 2 years.

COME ON DISH, HOW ABOUT THROWING US A QUALITY CHANNEL BONE, instead of the great masterpiece Reality TV and GOL TV.

[Adam Richey]

Well, I completely agree about Trio and Ovation. Those should have been on LONG before some of this other crap. Supposedly, according to a rumor on here, there are supposed to be 3 or 4 new channels for Dish by the end of the year. Wasn't it Fine Living, Oxygen, Nicktoons TV, and Lifetime Real Women?

[toomuchtv]

This new "reality" channel is probably cheap to carry while the ones THE PAYING CUSTOMERS actually want would cost DISH some money.

[billpa]

COME ON DISH, HOW ABOUT THROWING US A QUALITY CHANNEL BONE, instead of the great masterpiece Reality TV and GOL TV.


It's OK to demand, ask for, beg for, any channel that's available, but the argument that you shouldn't put on channel x unless you've first put on channel y doesn't really work. Some of us really LOVE GOL TV--and I don't care that you don't like it...it doesn't matter. I don't think I would ever watch more than five minutes of Reality TV but it doesn't affect me one bit that it will soon by on my EPG.

[AndyMon]

YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

COME ON DISH, HOW ABOUT THROWING US A QUALITY CHANNEL BONE, instead of the great masterpiece Reality TV and GOL TV.
Will agree with you on Reality crap but don't even think of messin' wit my GOL-TV. It's one of the reasons I didn't switch to D*. Now if they'd only put GOL-TV in HD...... :D

[bsdetect]

The only thing you'll get bitchin here is feel a little better for having to let it all out. To get some results, you'll have to contact Dish. And not just one or two, but hundreds of thousands or a million. Other than that, if channels like Trio and such are deemed indispensable, there are competing outlets that have it. In the meanwhile, Dish will just rake in the big bucks it's making.

[btbrossard]

The only thing you'll get bitchin here is feel a little better for having to let it all out. To get some results, you'll have to contact Dish. And not just one or two, but hundreds of thousands or a million. Other than that, if channels like Trio and such are deemed indispensable, there are competing outlets that have it. In the meanwhile, Dish will just rake in the big bucks it's making.I think the purpose of this FORUM is to discuss topics related to all aspects of satellite TV. I don't think DBSTalk would be the wrong place to discuss possible new channels on either Dish or DirecTV.

If you are looking foward to a 24/7 Reality TV channel, then good for you. I hope you enjoy it.

/Benjamin

[Chris Blount]

The only thing you'll get bitchin here is feel a little better for having to let it all out. To get some results, you'll have to contact Dish. And not just one or two, but hundreds of thousands or a million. Other than that, if channels like Trio and such are deemed indispensable, there are competing outlets that have it. In the meanwhile, Dish will just rake in the big bucks it's making.Top ranking people at Dish look at these forums every day so expressing your feelings here help. With that being said though the best course of action for everyone is to send Dish a certified letter about how they feel. That will have the most pull.

[Jacob S]

They are probably adding this channel because they get first chance at it which allows them to have something different than the other program providers, and is probably cheaper than the other channels especially since they are just starting and a long-term contract can be had for a bit cheaper than a channel that has been on the air and gains its popularity.