ENGLEWOOD, Colo. – American DBS service Dish Network announced today it is raising the high definition bar by becoming the first in the industry to offer high definition programming in 1080p, the highest and best HD resolution available.
This new functionality is part of the satellite company’s latest and largest expansion in high definition services, which includes the rollout of TurboHD, the industry’s first 100 percent, all-HD suite of programming packages.
Dish said will launch 17 new national HD channels tomorrow, surpassing its goal of reaching 100 national HD channels five months ahead of schedule, so that it will now offer up to 114 national HD channels and added it plans to expand that line-up to 150 channels by the end of 2008, made possible by the recent launch of Echo XI, its newest satellite.
“Over the years, DISH Network has maintained a very competitive high definition offering in the marketplace, providing customers with a premium HD product including the best technology, signal and experience – at the best value – that no other pay-TV provider can come close to matching. Our latest system upgrade coupled with the introduction of TurboHD further strengthens our position as the leader in digital television and high definition television,” said Charlie Ergen, chairman, CEO and president. “We know that once consumers start watching their favorite TV shows in high definition, their viewing habits change and their preference switches to all-HD programming. Only Dish Network gives them that option, all for an industry-low price of $24.99 per month.”
The new HD services are supported by a proprietary system upgrade that, starting August 1, is being rolled out to all MPEG-4 HD DVR receivers. The upgrade activates a unique feature of the set-top boxes, improving the current standard of HD delivery used by pay-TV providers such as the ability to output 1080p programming. By early August, all DISH Network customers with MPEG-4 HD DVR receivers will have the only set-top boxes in the U.S. enabled to display 1080p content, allowing them to maximize the full potential of their 1080p-compatible HDTV sets.
