DISH Network to Buy DBSD North America
DISH Network, after a draw-out legal battle that has taken months, is set to acquire satellite operator DBSB North America. DISH will purchase DBSB, which is a subsidiary of ICO Global Communications, for $1 billion. Because DBSD is on the verge of bankruptcy, DISH will also make loan to the company for $87.5 million.
Charles Ergen, the founder of DISH Network, has recently been trying to expand his influence and also the digital empire that he currently owns. In addition to DISH, he is also the owner of EchoStar Communications. Ergen is attempting to expand his network of companies by buying up debt in DBSD as well as other satellite providers. Ergen is hoping that those debt investments will eventually turn into equity.
There is speculation that Ergen is investing in companies such as DBSD because of their access to broadband spectrum. With access to this spectrum, DISH Network would be in a place to build out extensive wireless networks that could support voice and data.
The settlement is not final yet and must still be approved by the FCC and the courts.
DISH Offers Programming for Sports Lovers
If you are a sports lover, DISH Network has a package out there that will meet your needs. Whether you are a football fanatic or a loyal college basketball fan, DISH Network offers an array of affordable packages with extensive programming options. DISH Network is one of the only satellite TV providers to offer such a wide range of sports programming. They are committed to providing sports fans with all of the sporting events that they want at a price that they can afford.
Sports packages must be added onto a regular DISH Network package such as America's Top 120 and or America's Top 200. DISH Network offers a wide variety of packages including:
- Multi-Sports Pak with NFL Red Zone- Gain access to all kinds of regional sporting events and watch all of the best NFL games live.
- ESPN GamePlan Package- This package offers the best games from every college football conference.
- NHL Center Ice- Gain access to all of the hockey games that you want including regular season games and playoff games.
- NBA League Pass-Watch up to 40 NBA games live every week including playoff games, regular season games and championship games.
- MLS Direct Kick- Watch over 160 Major League Soccer games from the regular soccer season along with a limited amount of playoff games.
MTV Show 'Skins' in Hot Water With Big-Name Advertisers
MTV's new teen drama 'Skins', which premiered on DISH Network on Jan. 17, is in hot water with several big-name advertisers because of exceptionally racy content. 'Skins', adapted from the wildly-popular British version, centers around hard-partying teens who experiment with everything from alcohol to sex to drugs.
Even though we live in an age where many television shows are not shy about airing racy content, 'Skins' takes things a step further. They are being accused of airing scenes that potentially violate federal child pornography statues due to the young age of some of the actors on the show.
And when you receive those kinds of accusations, many big name-advertisers will be very wary of airing commercials during that show. In fact, many advertisers are so fearful of being associated with the show that they have already pulled the plug on their ads. Companies including Taco Bell, Wrigley gum, Subway, Schick, General Motors and H&R Block have all already done so. It is estimated that MTV will lose as much as $2 million dollars in ad revenue per episode as a result.
This loss in advertisement revenue is especially difficult for MTV to swallow because 'Skins' has been getting good ratings. The premiere episode had a solid 3.3 million viewers, especially in the core demographic of 12 to 34-year-olds.
Even more distressing to MTV executive is the fact that 'Skins' was suppose to be the network's re-entry into scripted television. In the past few years, their programming has been almost entirely comprised of reality shows including 'Jersey Shore', 'Teen Mom', and 'The Hills'. Even though these shows garner high ratings, there is no diversity when it comes to MTV's television show lineup.
Will MTV continue to air a show that has high ratings but no advertisers supporting it? Will 'Skins' get the point and try to clean up the racy content? We will just have to wait and see.
DISH Now Offers Over 200 National HD Channels
DISH Network consistently sets themselves apart from the competition because of their excellent customer service, wide range of programming options and unparalleled picture quality. Because of these things, and many other things, DISH is one of the world's premiere satellite television providers.
Another major factor that now sets DISH apart from its competitors is their HD programming . They are currently the only pay-TV provider to offer over 200 national HD channels. Many other cable and satellite companies only offer a handful of HD channels or HD programs at certain times of the day. The HD channels offered by DISH Network are full-time and give customers the opportunity to watch whatever they want, whenever they want to.
These 200 channels allow customers to enjoy sports, movies, music and network television like never before. HD is far superior to standard definition TV because of its high resolution. This higher resolution means clearer a picture quality, crisper images and an overall better television viewing experience.
Here are some of the stations that DISH Network customers can now enjoy in HD:
- TNT HD
- AMC HD
- Cinemax HD
- HBO HD
- CNN HD
- ESPN HD
- NFL Network HD
- MTV HD
- Showtime HD
What Sets DISH Network Apart From the Competition
DISH Network is one the world's premiere satellite television providers, providing service to millions of residential and business customers all over the world. They provide excellent service at affordable prices, yet some people are still loyal to DirecTV or a major cable providers such as Comcast or Time Warner.
Make the decision right now to get the best value for your money by switching to DISH Network. And luckily for you, it has never been a better time to become customer. They are currently offering many DISH Network specials to new customers who sign a contract and they are constantly upping their standards when it comes to picture quality and customer service.
DISH Network always manages to stay one step ahead of their competitors. Here are just a few ways in which they are out performing the competition:
- Fantastic customer service- DISH was ranked best in customer service among all satellite and cable providers in 2010.
- Affordability- Packages start at just $25 a month.
- Picture quality- They are the first pay TV provider in the U.S. to offer over 200 HD channels including USA and TNT.
- Customer service- Speak with a friendly, helpful agent every single time you call in.
- Programming- Access to a wide range of programming options including entertainment, news and sports.
DISH Network's programming, affordability and picture quality are simply unmatched by any other pay TV provider. Make 2011 the year that you finally get the programming that you want at a price that you can afford.
