Satellite TV Blog

DishNetwork Gains 350K Subscribers In Q4

2007-03-16T10:22:00.000-07:00

EchoStar added approximately 350,000 net new subscribers during the fourth quarter, ended December 31,2006. Over the year, EchoStar's DishNetwork added 1.06 million subscribers.

EchoStar said total revenue during the quarter reached $2.58 billion, up 17 % from $2.20 billion from the same period in 2005. Total revenue for the year reached $9.82 billion, up 16.2 % from the $8.45 billion recorded in 2005.

Net income totaled $153 million for the quarter, up from $133 million a year ago. For the year, net income totaled $608 million, compared with $1.51 billion in 2005.

Dishnetwork Passed 13 Million Customers Milestone

2006-12-23T06:39:00.000-08:00

Dishnetwork satellite TV service passed the 13 million subscriber mark. Dishnetwork is the fastest-growing pay-TV provider in the nation since 2000, with more than 7.74 million net new customers over the past 6 years - more than all other satellite television and cable companies during this period.

Dishnetwork reached one million subscribers in 1997 and passed the 12 million customer milestone last year, in December 2005. This company offers customers more than 500 channel choices, including 30 national HD channels - the most offered by any satellite TV provider.

Dishnetwork expects to raise programming prices by about 3 % in 2007 because of rising programming costs.

Dishnetwork to Provide Ku Bandwidth

2006-11-28T04:48:00.000-08:00

Dishnetwork satellite TV service announced that its subsidiary, EchoStar Fixed Satellite Services Corporation has entered into a contract with Sprint Nextel to provide domestic Ku-band Fixed Satellite Services (FSS) capacity.

The long-term contract will provide full-time, part-time, and on-demand satellite capacity to support the Sprint Nextel Emergency Response Team (ERT) and Engineering Sales Support (ESS) programs.

Sprint Nextel offers a comprehensive range of wireless and wireline communications services bringing the freedom of mobility to consumers, businesses and government users.

Dish Network to Carry Lionsgate Films

2006-11-10T01:54:00.000-08:00

EchoStar Communications Corporation and its DishNetwork satellite TV service signed an agreement with independent film maker Lionsgate Entertainment to carry the studio's titles on its DISH On Demand and Pay-Per-View services.

Q3 2006 Earnings

2006-11-09T06:42:00.000-08:00

During the quarter Dishnetwork added 295,000 net new customers, ending the quarter with 12.755 million subscribers. Churn for the quarter was 1.76% compared to 1.70% in Q2 and 1.86% for the same period a year ago. During the quarter, the average revenue per subscriber was $62.86, an increase of $0.15 per sub over the second quarter and an increase of $4.99 for the same period a year ago.

Source: Q3 2006 Earnings Call Transcript - at SeekingAlpha.com

Dishetwork High-Speed Internet

2006-10-20T07:08:00.000-07:00

Dishnetwork today launched "DISH Network High-Speed Internet powered by WildBlue". It is a two-way satellite service that provides an always-on, high-speed data connection. Available packages are up to 30 times faster than dial-up.

Consumers can find out more about this service through authorized Dishetwork retailers.

Dishnetwork is the fastest growing U.S. provider of advanced digital TV services in the last 5 years.

DISH Network Again Leads Satellite TV Industry

2005-05-18T00:56:00.000-07:00

DISH Network satellite TV service finished first among all pay-TV providers in the American Customer Satisfaction Index - ACSI - for the second straight year.

DISH Network finished above all cable companies for the fifth consecutive year.

The ACSI surveyed consumers in 2005 for their opinions about quality and overall value.

More about Dishnetwork offer.

New offer from Dish Network

2005-05-03T01:47:00.000-07:00

New DishNetwork customers selecting America's Top 60 programming package will receive the AT180 channels for the first three months at no additional cost.

For more information visit VMC Satellite.

www.satellitetvland.com

About VMC Satellite

2005-01-14T07:00:00.000-08:00

VMC Satellite, Inc. is the largest authorized Dish Network Dealer online. Over 150,000 people visit their website every day.

VMC Satellite was the only company selected by the Federal Government to install satellite TV in the United States Capitol Complex.

www.satellitetvland.com

Want HDTV?

2004-12-22T07:37:00.000-08:00

Get up to two FREE HDTV receivers ($399 value each) when you sign up for any Dish Network programming plan and get High Definition programming for just $9.99 per month.

Learn more about HDTV - click here.

www.satellitetvland.com

About DirecTV

2004-12-09T05:29:00.000-08:00

We think Dish Network is much better than DirecTV. Period.

Dish Network Satellite TV System

Satellite TV Glossary - Part 3

2004-12-07T01:21:00.000-08:00

Geostationary: Satellites orbit the Earth 22,300 miles above the Equator and rotate at the same relative speed and direction as the Earth's surface. Therefore, the satellites appear stationary.
Gauge: Gauge is a unit used to measure wire thickness. The smaller the number, the thicker the wire.
Hard Reset: A hard reset is the same as rebooting a computer. First turn the unit off, unplug the power cord, remove the access card, reinstall the access card, wait 1 minute and plug the power cord back in. Turn it back on.
Installation: Setting up the customer's dish and equipment to receive DBS programming. Installation includes mounting the satellite dish antenna, positioning it to receive a signal, and activating service.
Installer Technician: A trained field service technician that provides installation services of VMC Satellite.
IRD (Integrated Receiver Decoder): A satellite receiver with a built-in decoder for unscrambling subscription channels. It is usually called the receiver.
KU-band: Signal frequency range between 11 and 14 GHz. that is often used with communications satellites.
LNB or LNBF (Low Noise Block down-converter): Amplifies received signals and converts them from microwaves to lower frequency signals which are then sent along a cable to the satellite receiver.
MDU: Multiple Dwelling Unit.
Moving Pictures Experts Group (MPEG): The organization which defined the standards for moving pictures, like movies.
MPEG I/II Compression: Method to compress digital signals. Thanks to compression it is possible to combine several programs into one satellite transponder.

www.satellitetvland.com

Free DVR from Dish Network

2004-12-06T01:54:00.000-08:00

VMCsatellite.com offers free satellite TV system from the Dish Network.This include a free DVR. Digital Video Recorder ($499 retail value) records 100 hrs of your favorite shows without tapes. You can zap commercials, pause, and rewind live shows.

www.satellitetvland.com

Satellite TV for Beginners

2004-12-05T01:50:00.000-08:00

Satellite television offers the viewer a vast array of programming choices. While cable TV viewers are restricted to a few tiers of limited programming options, satellite viewers have a wide range of channels and bundled services to choose from. These range from economical packages featuring a modest selection of popular programs to elaborate packages offering a huge selection of every conceivable variety of programming - local channels, general entertainment, premium movies, sports, shopping channels, family programming, ethnic programming, music and special interest channels.

www.SatelliteTVLand.com offers more info about satellite TV.

DISH Network Adds 350,000 New Subscribers

2004-12-04T02:17:00.000-08:00

EchoStar Communications Corporation reported that its DISH Network satellite TV service added 350,000 new subscribers during the third quarter of 2004.With the additional subscribers, EchoStar said it had over 10.475 million subscribers.

Here's what Dishnetwork is offering.

Dolby Surround vs. Dolby Digital

2004-12-03T06:23:00.000-08:00

There are 2 differences between Dolby Surround and Dolby Digital. First Dolby Surround only has 4 channels; Left, Right, Center and Surround (rear). Dolby Digital (AC-3) has 5.1 channels; Left, Right, Center, Right surround, Left surround, and low frequency effects (Sub Woofer). In addition, AC-3 includes a Phase Delay which gives the illusion of a sound reflection which is either closer or further from you than the actual speaker and gives a more realistic sound profile.

Visit SatelliteTVLand.com for more information about satellite TV.

If you live in an apartment can you still get a dish?

2004-11-29T06:50:00.000-08:00

In most cases, yes, if you have a balcony. The law requires that your landlord must give you permission.FCC rules permit residents of rental property to install a satellite dish, but only in certain areas.

Generally, FCC rules permit renters to install a dish only in areas that are subject to the renter's exclusive use and control. Generally, this means an area that you may use, but that is not available for the general use of all tenants. Such an area may include a balcony, patio, yard, deck or other area that only you have the right to use. If you have such an area, you may install a dish.

For more info about satellite dish visit SatelliteTVLand.com

Satellite TV Glossary - Part 2

2004-11-22T06:57:00.000-08:00

Digital Audio Broadcasting: Standard which describes the method of transmitting digital audio.
Digital Compression: A process of translating video images into a digital code which takes up less transmission space than the original signal would have. This allows more channels per satellite transponder: from four-to-one for live video to eight-to-one for film.

DISH Network: The trademark name of Echostar,Inc. for its DBS Satellite TV system and programing.
DISH Network System: The trademark name for the consumer hardware created to receive DISH Network programming. The hardware includes a dish (standard size is a 20" multi-sat dish, called DISH 500), a remote control, and the DISH Network Receiver.
DISH Network Receiver: All DISH Network receivers are manufactured by Echostar Corp.Some units are made for JVC and they do differ slightly, but they are still the same.
DTH: Direct to home. Official term used by the Federal Communications Commission industry to refer to the satellite television and broadcasting industries.
DVB: Broadcast standard for digital radio and television, using MPEG II compression. DVB is being supported by all European manufacturers and broadcasters.
Echostar: The company that owns and operates DISHNetwork.
Elevation: How high a satellite is from the horizon.
Feed Horn: A device which collects the signals at the focus of the satellite dish and channels them to the LNB.
Footprint: An area of the earth that is able to receive a particular satellite’s signals. This depends on the satellites beam.
Fixed Dish System: Satellite system in which the dish does not have to be moved.Dish Network is fixed dish system.

What is DBS ?

2004-11-19T06:45:00.000-08:00

DBS stands for Direct Broadcast Satellite. DBS is a term used to discribe satellite TV platforms that broadcast high powered satellite signals directly to the home owner who uses a small dish to receive the signal. Another common meaning of DBS is Digital Broadcast Satellite.

Dish Network Offer

2004-11-16T07:08:00.000-08:00

VMCsatellite is currently offering free satellite TV systems from the Dish Network. Each package includes up to four free satellite receivers, a free satelite dish, and free installation from a trained professional. More info...

Satellite TV Glossary - Part 1

2004-11-11T07:22:00.000-08:00

Access card : A removable credit-card-sized plastic card included with each satellite receiver. The card identifies each individual receiver and provides PPV billing information each month to your program provider.
Additional Outlet (A/O) : Receivers other than the primary one can be connected to the dish allowing other televisions in the house to be on different programs than the one connected to the primary receiver. An A/O also refers to a convenience outlet where there is not another receiver and the television will show the same programs as the television connected to receiver.
Audio/Video Jacks: There are three jacks: one for the video, one for the right channel sound and one for the left channel sound. The audio jacks are necessary for the sound to be in stereo.Coaxial cable will not provide stereo from the satellite receiver.
Azimuth: The horizontal direction of a satellite.
Bandwidth: Range of frequencies occupied by a signal or allowed by receiving equipment.
Baseband: The raw satellite TV signal before it is re-modulated to become a signal that is suitable for a TV.
Blackout Area: A predefined area of the country where a particular programming service will not be available, usually because of contractual agreements.
Clarke Belt: Named after its founder Arthur C. Clarke, the Clarke Belt is an orbit used by satellites at a height of 22,250 miles, in which satellites make an orbit in 24 hours, yet remain in a fixed position relative to the Earth’s surface.
Coax Cable: Coax or coaxial cable is the standard type of cable used by all satellite TV technicians. The cable is round and is available in black, gray and white although black is most common used. Coax cable carries the signal from the dish to the satellite receiver and on to your VCR and TV.
DISH Network System: The trademark name for the consumer hardware created to receive DISH Network programming. The hardware includes a dish (standard size is a 20" multi-sat dish, called DISH 500), a remote control, and the DISH Network Receiver.

Do trees and buildings affect reception?

2004-11-08T05:06:00.000-08:00

Yes, any blockage of satellite TV signals will reduce system reliability or if significant enough will stop all reception. Many Direct Broadcast Satellite (DBS) systems are installed to close to trees and after the tree grows, the owner begins to experience intermittent signal loss. DBS systems including DISH network will provide a clear picture so long as enough signal can be received by the satellite receiver.
The minimum amount of signal that you should be receiving for trouble free operation is around 70. This holds true for DISH Network satellite TV.
Rain and snow will reduce the amount of signal that travels through the airwaves. This is called rain fade.Your local satellite service technician can determine if you have a tree growth issue or if you have another problem.

History of Satellite TV

2004-11-06T05:15:00.000-08:00

The roots of what we know as satellite TV can be found in the works of Arthur C. Clarke ("2001, A Space Odyssey"). In 1945, Clarke suggested that worldwide communication would be possible if three space platforms orbited the Earth.

After the success of the Soviet launch of the Sputnik satellite in 1957, the United States recognized the need to get into the “space race.” Thus began one of the greatest technological leaps in the history.
1963 : The first communication satellite was developed and launched by a consortium of business and government entites.
July 1963. : The first satellite communication was between a U.S. Navy ship in the harbor of Lagos, Nigeria and the U.S. Army located at the naval station at New Jersey.
1978. : Television began using satellites. Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) introduced Public Television Satellite Service. Broadcast networks adopted satellite communication as a distribution method form 1978 through 1984.
Direct to Home (DTH) satellite receivers were developed in the early 1980's.
1986 and 1990. : Early successful attempts to launch satellites for the mass consumer market were led by Japan and Hong Kong.
The first successful attempt by the United States was made by a group of major cable companies. Echostar Dish Network entered the market in 1996 offering cheaper prices and forcing all of its competitors to do likewise.

Welcome

2004-11-05T07:28:00.001-08:00

Hello and Welcome to SatelliteTVLand.com blog.

Visit www.satellitetvland.com