Echostar's Dish Network and Its Commitment to Giving the Best and the Most Satellite Capacity
Echostar had succeeded in upholding its vision in most ways but one. Echostar’s satellite TV outfit, Dish Network, was able to give its subscribers the best that cable and international networks had to offer. But as far as local channels were concerned, Echostar still proved to be inadequate. The company, however, was willing to go to various lengths to change this.
The First Step to Offering Local Channels
Echostar III would prove to be one of the critical strengths of Echostar as it finally allowed them to offer local channels to selected areas in Easter USA. Echostar III was a Lockheed Martin A2100AX, with an orbital location of 61.5° W.L., and launched on September 11, 1997.
The successful launch of Echostar III gave Dish Network another breakthrough achievement in its industry. It made Echostar the first of its kind to offer local channels, but the company certainly wasn’t satisfied with that. The company knew that in order to be the best, they had to offer the best and the most, and Echostar was determined to do that.
More Successful Satellite Launches
In May 1998, Echostar IV was successfully launched. With a half-conus 148° orbital location, the satellite enabled Echostar to offer local channels to selected areas in the Western US market.
In September 1999, Echostar V was launched. With local programming selection sufficiently covered, the company’s fifth satellite was designed to strengthen its core programming as well as offer HDTV. Echostar V had an orbital location at 110°.
Five more satellites were launched in succession. Echostar VI, VII, VIII, AX, and X made its first orbit in the years 2000, 2002, 2003, and 2006. These satellites, however, would not be the last.
With its continuous efforts to offer the best and the greatest satellite capacity for its subscribers, Echostar moved forward with more satellite launches. A powerful FSS-Ku satellite (Echostar XI), for instance, was launched late in 2007. Echostar XIV, on the other hand, is a high-powered DBS band satellite that nears completion this year and has an expected launch on 2010.
Overall, Echostar and Dish Network have under its command ten commercial satellites and 3 FSS Ku-band satellites – numbers that no other satellite TV company is again able to currently match. Its orbital slots include 61.5°, 77°, 105°, 110°, 118.75°, 119°, 121°, 129°, 148°, and 158°. Besides the future launch of Echostar XIV, the company also has other applications with the FCC that, when approved, would translate to new non-traditional Ku and Ka frequencies for more comprehensive service.
For Dish Network with local programming call 1-866-580-0687 or order online today!
For DIRECTV including local programming call 1-866-768-1216 or order online today!
DIRECTV transmits digital satellite signals to households across the United States as well as Latin America. For subscribers in Alabama & Hawaii, these subscribers must maintain a different type of satellite dish.
Dish Network offers its subscribers a large package base to choose from. With local programming only an additional $5 a month and no additional equipment required to view this programming, subscribers are happy to maintain their neighborhood broadcasts.
As a television viewer, we recognize the importance of having local channel programming. With a new satellite TV subscription, the importance and ease of finding a provider who offers local channel programming is atop a priority list for new subscribers.
