HDTV Magazine Signal News______________
DISH NETWORK TO ADD HDNet, HDNet Movies
DISH Network Unveils New SuperDish Technology Capable of Providing Consumers
up to 50 HDTV Channels
ATLANTA - May 1, 2003 - EchoStar Communications Corporation (NASDAQ: DISH)
and its DISH NetworkT, a leading provider of satellite television
entertainment services, announced today an agreement to offer customers this
summer two new high definition TV networks, HDNet and HDNet Movies.
EchoStar Chairman and CEO Charles Ergen and HDNet Co-founder and President
Mark Cuban are making the announcement at DISH Network's annual Team Summit
satellite TV retailer conference here where more than 3,000 attendees
gathered for seminars and workshops about new DISH Network products and
services.
HDNet and HDNet Movies will be available to customers using DISH Network's
new SuperDish, unveiled to satellite TV retailers today. The SuperDish, an
elliptical 66- centimeter dish, is capable of offering customers access to
hundreds of popular DISH Network channels, local channels in new markets,
HDTV channels and international programming. The SuperDish is capable of
receiving satellite signals from three orbital locations.
"DISH Network is enriching the home theater experience everywhere by
delivering more HD sports, movies and special events like those offered by
HDNet," said Ergen. "By developing the capability for SuperDish to provide
up to 50 HD channels, DISH Network will offer consumers a more superior
alternative to the dominant cable companies."
DISH Network will announce pricing and packaging for HDNet and HDNet Movies
when they are made available to DISH Network customers this summer.
"With HDNet and HDNet Movies, DISH Network customers will be able to enjoy
great original programming, sports, award-winning movies, timely news,
features and documentaries, all in 1080i - the highest possible resolution,"
said Cuban. "HDNet offers more original programming produced in 1080i HD
than any other network, and we are pleased to be working with EchoStar and
its new SuperDish to bring a new level of entertainment to DISH Network
subscribers 24 hours a day, seven days a week."
HDNet features a variety of HDTV programming, including live sports,
sitcoms, dramas, action series, documentaries, travel programs, music
concerts and shows, special events, and news features including the popular
HDNet World Report.
HDNet Movies delivers full-length feature films transferred from 35mm to
high-definition, including titles from an extensive library of Warner Bros.
films and more than 250 blockbuster theatrical hits from Sony Pictures
Television. HDNet Movies features a mix of theatrical releases, made-for-TV
movies, independent films and shorts.
HDNet and HDNet Movies will be added to DISH Network's existing HDTV lineup
of Discovery Theater HD, HBO, Showtime, CBS and a pay-per-view movie
channel.
For more information on DISH Network, visit www.dishnetwork.com, call
1-800-333- DISH (3474) or contact your local DISH Network retailer.
EchoStar Communications Corporation (NASDAQ: DISH) and its DISH Network is a
U.S. leader in offering satellite television entertainment services to 8.18
million customers. DISH Network provides advanced digital satellite
television services to the home, including hundreds of video, audio and data
channels, personal video recording, HDTV, sports and international
programming, professional installation and 24-hour customer service.
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