DISH Eyes HD in Future Plans
SkyRetailer
August 10, 2005
http://www.skyretailer.com/
EchoStar is working on a few initiatives that consumers could see come to
fruition in the near- and long-term future.
For starters, the company and its DISH Network service are working to
expand high def programming offerings. EchoStar CEO Charles Ergen reminded
listeners during a conference call highlighting second quarter results that
DISH Network will soon add high def offerings from VOOM. He added that HDTV
locals - possibly as many as 20 markets - also are part of the future HD
mix along with 50 national high def channels.
Also, expect a new set-top box offering from EchoStar that will become part
of the satellite TV company's partnership with SBC Communications. In July,
SBC executives hyped a "Home Zone" product that will integrate a DISH
Network set-top box with SBC's DSL service.
As for other comments, Ergen spoke about satellite broadband. He said
WildBlue's recent debut appears to demonstrate the service is "very
technically sound," but added that the economics of the satellite broadband
offering - such as the cost of equipment - raises some questions.
Ergen said EchoStar is "proceeding cautiously" with its satellite broadband
efforts, and the company continues to look for "the right standard with the
economics that make sense" with regards to a dish-based Internet offering.
================================
George Antunes, Political Science Dept
University of Houston; Houston, TX 77204
Voice: 713-743-3923 Fax: 713-743-3927
antunes at uh dot edu
Reply with a "Thank you" if you liked this post.
_______________________________________________
MEDIANEWS mailing list
[email protected]
To unsubscribe send an email to:
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
