Dish Network is the Satellite TV service provider which has more than 13 million subscribers in U.S. Dish Network Satellite TV is a leader in delivering advanced digital television services that comprises of hundreds of video and audio channels, Interactive TV, Pay per View, Dish On Demand, HDTV, Sports and International programming via digital direct to home Satellite TV technology.
History of Dish Network : A look at its past
Echostar Satellite was founded in 1980 by Charlie Ergen, Chairman and founder of Echostar, distributor of C band television systems. Dish Network was established in 1995 by Echostar. It had the head quarter in Englewood, Colorado and has 22,000 employees.
EchoStar acquires the orbital slot at 119o west longitude. Echostar I is the first satellite launched by Echostar from Xichang, China in 1995. In 1996, the second satellite Echostar II launched from Kourou, French Guiana and the third high power satellite Echostar III from Cape Canaveral, Florida in 1997.
In 1998 Dish Network’s headquarter is relocated to Riverfront building in Littleton, Colorado. From Baikanur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan, Echostar IV is projected in 1998. Dish Network Satellite TV has won the 110o west longitude orbital slot from news corporation.
Dish Network has secured 2 million customers within three years. In 1999 Dish Network Satellite TV broadcast Dish 500 which is the world’s first 500 channel satellite TV system and Dish Network is awarded first for customer satisfaction. The fifth satellite Echostar V is launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida in 1999.
Dish Network Satellite TV has started providing New HDTV satellite TV receiver from 2000. Michael Dugan is appointed as Echostar’s President and Chief operating officer in the year 2000. In the same year Echostar VI is successfully launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida. For the second time Dish Network Satellite TV is ranked first in customer satisfaction and it reached 5 million customers in the year 2000.
In 2001, Echostar delivered Dish Network PRO 301, the first in new series of satellite television receiver and then PRO 501 which is the premium satellite television receiver featuring Digital Video Recording, the Interactive TV.
In the year 2002 satellites Echostar VII and VIII are launched successfully and Dish Network satellite TV has started offering National Hockey League center Ice Package. Echostar offers Dish Network Satellite TV customers the bundled DSL internet service with digital satellite television. National Basketball Association’s NBA league pass Package is also offered by Dish Network satellite TV. Dish Network satellite TV has crossed eight million of subscribers in the year 2002. Echostar put an end to the merger agreement with Hughes.
In 2003 Dish Network Satellite TV approved New Value paks with HBO/Cinemax and introduces Spanish language movies on pay per view. Qwest forms an agreement with Echostar to offer satellite services as a part of communication bundle and SBC communication also forms a partnership with Echostar to proffer SBC Dish Network television service.
Echostar IX, is the first satellite to launch with commercial Ka band payload for broadband service in 2003. Dish Network is the first satellite TV provider to reach one million Digital Video recorders and it deploys Super Dish to offer local TV channels.
Dish Network Satellite TV broadcast new High definition satellite TV receiver bundled with new HDTV monitors and it has announced bundling accord with Sprint services in 2004. Dish Network Satellite TV tie its hand with Sirius satellite radio service to offer plans with Radio Shack. It wins the long term partnership with viacom in order to have the right to broadcast CBS, MTV and other channels. The strength of Dish Network has crossed over 10 million in 2004. Dish Network is the first to launch interactive tv multiple picture in picture application.
Dish player DVR 625 is developed in 2005 on which, Echostar, plans to offer Video on Demand (VOD) service. Dish player DVR 942, is the first multi room satellite tv receiver that records in high definition. A Pre Paid television platform DISHNOW is provided by Dish Network Satellite TV in 2005. In the year 2005 Dish Network delivers ESPN and television dominicana nationwide and it has crossed 11 million customers.
Dish Network projects Echostar’s X satellite and nation’s largest HD lineup in 2006. It also introduces DishFAMILY programming. Echostar signs an agreement with wildblue, high speed internet service to provide high speed internet. Nearly 13 million households have got Dish Network Satellite TV.
DishDVR, MobileDISH, ViP722 HD DVR and free HD DVR Receiver are launched by Dish Network in 2007. Dish Network Satellite TV is ranked first in customer service by the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI).
In 2008 Echostar changes the name of the company to Dish Network corporation and creates sister company, Echostar corporation. Echostar introduces New HD DVR ViP612, DTVPal, DTVPal DVR and new Digital to analog converter boxes. Now the customer strength has crossed 13 million.
Popularity and it’s Growth
Dish Network has over 200 offices across the country to support installation. It is the only 500 channel Satellite TV system in the world for the subscriber to pick and choose from. Dish Network is the first to offer satellite receiver for less than $200,( which has a built in Digital Video Recorder), MPEG multi room high definition and digital video recorder satellite receiver. It is the first to provide Local channels to local markets in all 50 states.
Dish Network is the third largest pay television company which shows 53% growth in subscribers and gross sales. The operating revenue of the corporation increased to 2.08 billion as compared to 1.36 billion in the previous period. Dish Network Satellite TV has delivered a strong performance in terms of revenue growth and the outlook for the industry remains positive as well as the forth coming year promises to be an exciting one for Dish Network.
Growth Of Revenue
The revenue growth for the year 2000 has increased to $2.715 billion which is $1.603 billion in the previous year 1999. The total revenue for the year shows the increase of $1.112 billion was primary charge to Dish Network subscriber growth.
In the year 2001 the total revenue has increased to $4.001 billion an increase of $1.286 billion when compared to the total revenue of the last year 2000. The increase in total revenue shows the gradual increase in the number of Dish Network subscribers.
The total revenue of the year 2002 has increased to $4.821 billion an increase of $820 million when compared to the previous year 2001.The revenue totaled for the year 2003 is $5.399 billion, an increase of $987.5 million when compared to the year 2002. The revenue is increased to 22.4% in terms of Dish Network Satellite TV subscriber growth.
Dish Network subscriber revenue has increased to $6.677 billion for the year 2004 which is an increase of $1.267 billion or 23.4% when compared to the year 2003.The revenue growth for the year 2005 has increased to $7.955 billion which is an increase of $1.277 billion, was primary charge to Dish Network Satellite TV subscriber growth.
The total revenue of the year 2006 has increased to $9.376 billion an increase of $1.389 billion when compared to the previous year 2005.Dish Network subscriber revenue has increased to $10.674 billion for the year 2007 which is an increase of $1.252 billion or 13.3% when compared to the year 2006.
The total revenue of the year 2008 has increased to $11.62 billion an increase of 5% when compared to the previous year 2007.The revenue totaled $2.905 billion for three months till March 31,2009 which is an increase of $61 million when compared to the last year 2008.
Programming Packages Offered
Dish Network Satellite TV offers Eight programming Packages which comprises of Sports, Movies, Family and entertaining programming.
English Programming Packages
Dish Family, Classic Bronze 100, Classic Bronze Plus, Classic Silver 200, Classic Gold 250, America’s Everything Pak comes under Basic Packages.
Sports Packages
Dish Network Satellite TV helps the viewers to have different varieties of sports Packages corresponding to their interest. Apart from Basketball, Hockey, Soccer and Football Packages Dish Network Satellite TV also proffers the sports channels like ESPN Game plan, Regional Sports, Big 10 Sports,NBA League pass, Zee Sports etc.,
Premium Packages
HBO, Starz, Showtime, Cinemax, Playboy, Video on demand are the Premium Movie Packages available in Dish Network Satellite TV.
Local Programming Package
In excess of 155 cities Dish Network offers local channels.
Spanish Programming Package
The Spanish programming Packages in Dish Network are Dish MEXICO, DishLATINO Clasico, DishLATINO Plus and DishLATINO Max
International Programming Package
Dish Network delivers around 150 international channels in 28 Languages.
Alaska/ Hawaii / PR/ VI Package
Alaska , Hawaii and Puerto Rico/VI are the channels offered by this Package in Dish Network Satellite TV.
Pre Paid Package
DishNow is the affordable pre – paid satellite TV where there are no contracts and no monthly bills. The subscriber has to get the equipment from the Dish Network retailer. After installation purchase programming in the form of pre paid PIN.
Special Features of Dish Network Satellite TV
Equipment
Dish Network offers Satellite TV equipment and installation for free of cost up to four rooms. There is no excess amount charged for a DVR receiver or an HDTV receiver. As Dish Network Satellite TV possesses the ownership of the equipment, there is no need for the subscriber to buy new equipment if it gets damaged. He can repair it at the cost of service charge.
Price
Dish Network offers the basic Package at the rate of $19.99 for 40 channels and goes up to $74.99 for 350 channels. Dish Network Satellite TV is the only Satellite TV that provides many number of channels for the least Package of $19.99.
Parental Lock
The Parental Lock feature in Dish Network Satellite TV allows the customer to hinder others from watching selected channels unless they enter the correct password. This feature helps the parent to restrict their children from watching unwanted channels.
Dual- Tuner Duo Receiver
Dual Tuner Duo receiver is the unique technology in Dish Network. Dual tuner Duo receiver connected to phone line or high speed connection provides service on two TVs for the price of just one receiver with all of the same features on both.
The Dual tuner Duo receiver allows the consumer to watch Picture in picture (PIP), that helps to see two programs at the same time in single TV.
Closed Caption Support
AskDish is an interactive tool which provides subscriber the quick support for Dish Network questions including technical problems, billing . The Closed Caption option in dish network helps the customer to put questions hotline which gives the subscriber tips and a list of resolution to solve the issue.
HD Programming
Dish Network is the first to offer HD programming Packages. The total number of HD channels in Dish Network are 55 including local channels excluding Video on demand and Pay per view. The lowest HD Package begins at the rate of $24.99.
DVR(Digital Video Recorder)
The DVR feature in Dish Network enables the viewer to record up to 350 hours and that can be stored in DVR. The subscription fee for the DVR is $5.98 per month.
Pre Paid Payment
Dish Network Satellite TV is the earliest to afford Pre paid Satellite TV DishNOW, the best in payment options. The user can purchase Pre paid pin from the Dish Network retailer. After installation Call Dishnow then enter the pin number and the information required, then select the desired Package.
Dish Entertainment Magazine
The Subscriber can plan TV viewing for the day, week or the month by the help of Dish Entertainment Magazine. It proffers complete TV listings for over 120 Networks, A – Z movie guide to over 4000 movies every month, Movie descriptions with ratings and exclusive features, interviews and hot Hollywood gossip.
Online Account Management
Dish Network’s Online Account is an easy way to manage your billing online. The user can view and pay the bill online, Sign up for auto pay for paperless billing. Credit card Auto pay, Electronic funds transfer, One time credit card and debit card payment, One time Check Payment, check by phone and Pay in Cash are the modes of payment available in Dish Network.
Customer Satisfaction
Dish Network Satellite TV has excellent customer service with 24 hour online support and toll free telephone support.
Dish Network service serves the customer with the very best in leisure time entertainment.
Dish Network offers many Programming, International and Sports Packages to fulfill the subscribers passion which earns a great reputation in terms of customer satisfaction. Dish Network is the preference of the subscriber in offering better, affordable and cheaper programming packages in 100% digital quality and sound.