DISH Network recently announced 22 new national HD channels to join its existing HD channel line-up. The new high definition offerings, three of which were delivered in April and the rest being rolled out this week (Sunday, May 11th to Wednesday, May 14th), include high definition versions of some popular channels such as Sci Fi Network, Bravo, ABC Family, Biography, MGM, Smithsonian, the Cartoon Network and USA.
The complete line-up of new high definition channels includes:
- ABC Family HD (DISH Network Ch. 180)
- Biography HD (Ch. 119)
- Bravo HD (Ch. 129)
- Cartoon HD (Ch. 176)
- Cinemax 5 Star (Ch. 381)
- Cinemax HD West (Ch. 380)
- Comcast Sports Network Bay Area HD (Ch. 419)
- Comcast Sports Network New England HD (Ch. 435)
- CNBC HD (Ch. 208)
- CNN HD (Ch. 200)
- Disney HD East (Ch. 172)
- ESPNews HD (Ch. 142)
- Hallmark Movie Channel HD (Ch. 187)
- MGM HD (Ch. 385)
- Sci Fi HD (Ch. 122)
- Smithsonian HD (Ch. 374)
- Tennis Channel HD (Ch. 400)
- Toon Disney HD (Ch. 174)
- Travel Channel HD (Ch. 215)
- USA HD (Ch. 105)
- Weather Channel HD (Ch. 214)
- World Fishing Network HD (Ch. 396)
"We are excited to extend our competitiveness in HD by enhancing our already comprehensive HD lineup with these 22 channels, bringing our total HD lineup to over 95 channels," said Eric Sahl, senior vice president of Programming for DISH Network. "These launches, along with other recent additions such as the New England Sports Network (NESN) HD, reinforce our commitment to offer the best in entertainment."
DISH has promised at least 100 national HD channels by the end of this year, and despite some recent setbacks with a failed satellite launch, appears to be on track for this goal, assuming other launches are more successful. What didn't appear in the press release was the near simultaneous removal of some previously available HD channels. Channels from the “VOOM” networks, such as Treasure HD, VOOM Movies and HD News were removed unceremoniously from DISH Network's HD line-up (and from their web site channel listings) this week. Is it a net gain for HD lovers? Some see the trade of these 24/7 HD-specific VOOM channels for these new channels (some of which feature upconverted, letterboxed SD content) as a step down, but I'm sure there are fans of CNN, Sci Fi Network, the Cartoon Network and Bravo who welcome the new High Def offerings.
[Editor's note: The last 5 VOOM channels were removed last night (5/13), making the net "gain" only 7 high definition channels]
The future of DISH Network's award-winning DVR (Digital Video Recording) technology (including the ViP622 and ViP722 set-top boxes) was in some doubt recently as DISH was refused its appeal for a new hearing in a lawsuit filed by TiVo for patent infringement. TiVo was awarded over $73 million in damages in the suit and the ruling could have required DISH to disable DVR feature in some customers' set-top boxes. However, DISH Network maintains that only a small set of customers are affected by this as all of their newer model DVRs are running re-designed software that does not infringe on TiVo's patents. DISH Network also stated that they intend to take the TiVo patent infringement case all the way to the US Supreme Court.
Amidst this relative uncertainty, however, DISH Network's subscriber base continues to grow - up 35,000 in Q1, 2008 - as do its profits - reportedly $259 Million in Q1, 2008 (58 cents per basic share). This represents a 67% gain over the same period last year ($157 million or 35 cents/share).
As of May, 2008, DISH Network claims 13.8 million subscribers (vs. DirecTV's current subscriber count of 16.8 million) and currently offers the lowest entry price for satellite programming at $19.99/month for a basic package.
In an effort to gain additional customers, DISH is currently offering a "three months free" promotion - new DISH Network subscribers who sign up with a 24-month commitment will also receive three months of free programming (a $120 value), a free dishDVR like the ViP722 and free installation (a $49.99 value).
DISH affiliate AllSat is making the deal even sweeter with new DISH customers being offered a free $50 Visa gift card, iPod Shuffle, portable DVD player or DVD home Theater in a Box System:
