The DISH Network reference article from the English Wikipedia on 24-Jul-2004
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DISH Network

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The DISH Network is a direct broadcast satellite (DBS) service that broadcasts digital satellite television and audio to households in the United States. Owned by Echostar, DISH Network was launched in March, 1996 and is DirecTV's primary competitor in the United States.

DISH Network originally used an 18-inch satellite dish called DISH 300 which allowed subscribers to receive a signal from one satellite location. Nowadays, DISH Network uses 20-inch satellite dishes called DISH 500, which allows subscribers to receive satellite signals from two satellite locations simultaneously. Slightly larger, 36"x20" dishes (called SuperDISH) are being introduced with capability to receive satellite signals from three satellite locations simultaneously. Both DISH 500 and SuperDISH are becoming more common as DISH Network (as well as other DBS services) are attempting to squeeze more programming onto their growing systems, particularly local American television network affiliates stations, and foreign programming.

Unlike DirecTV, DISH Network has no partnership to deliver broadband satellite Internet service as it recently severed its partnership with the American satellite broadband company Starband.

In 2003, DISH Network began providing in-flight satellite TV service to the U.S. airline Song. In 2004, selected music channels from Sirius satellite radio were added to DISH Network's lineup of audio-only channels.

Every month, DISH Network has a show called Charlie Chat which features news about upcoming hardware, programming events, and new channels. Charlie Ergen and Jim De Franco host the show and take questions from e-mail and live callers.



Number of Subscribers throughout the years


YearSubscribers


199520,000


1996100,000


1997250,000


1998500,000


19991,000,000


20002,000,000


20004,000,000


20005,000,000


20029,000,000


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