DISH to roll out 17 new HD channels on August 1st
During a retailer chat today, DISH announced the addition of 17 new HD channels for August. But from the looks of the pictured slide, aside from three of the new channels it appears that this is mostly an HD movie channel update. The other thing we noticed was that most of these channels are not currently available on DirecTV and by at least one person's count (Scott G), this puts DISH Network as the first provider to offer 100 HD channels -- if you include regional sports networks. Of course this might change soon enough though, as DirecTV expects to have its new bird, DirecTV 11, operational in September while Dish Network's Echostar XI is expected to lift off in less than a week. Oh, what a beautiful time to be alive.
Filed under: Satellite, New content
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
mntwister @ Jul 10th 2008 11:55PM
This is great news for a movie fan like me! I have seen the schedules of those channels, many of which are broadcasting alot of movies in HD that aren't on other channels. Nice job DISH:-)
Blake @ Jul 11th 2008 1:02AM
Nice! ive been waiting for this for a while. but dish networst is still dead. Im really surprised that they were able to stay afloat this year. Directv is gunning for everyone.
Nick @ Jul 11th 2008 12:34PM
someone want to clue me in on which of these DTV doesn't get...
All of them that I see are available on DTV.
Besides, they haven't mentioned how many dishes you're gonna need to get echo 11, and let's face it, DTV will not be undone, no matter how much it takes.
Nick @ Jul 11th 2008 12:42PM
Nevermind, I looked it up, and they're right, most of the channels aren't available on DTV, but they wouldn't effect me anyway. It'll be interesting to see DTV's september rollout. it'll have to be more impressive than this, with a new sat operational and all.
Does anyone know if this is all contingent upon echo 11 being operational?
mntwister @ Jul 11th 2008 2:14PM
No this has nothing to do with Echo 11 being operational. There's no way they could add channels as soon as August 1. But I do think locals in HD are going to be added for every territory and Dish will have the same amount of high def as Direct, and Dish's dvr is miles ahead. I am not one of those who thinks one is better than the other, I started with Dish and am a very happy customer and I appreciate how fast they are adding channels.
Nick @ Jul 12th 2008 5:43PM
They'll have the same amount of HD as DiTV until the new sat comes up. DiTV has obtained a reputation as being the HD capital of the world, and if it wants to continue it's record numbers of new subscribers during the christmas season right before the digital changeover, it's not going to be outdone. No matter what it takes. All that can be HD will be HD in directvland. It'd be stupid to think otherwise.
mntwister @ Jul 12th 2008 7:25PM
Nick, for a long time Dish was the leader in HD. DirecTV only had the lead for the last half of last year into the first quarter oif this year. What makes you think they will remain the leader? Surely DISH will have much to promote this holiday season too. I would say they will be, by the holiday season, very much equal. As of now Dish has many more HD local markets going on, but I am sure that will change now with Direct's new sat. But don't forget Dishg has a new one up soon too :-)
Jesse @ Jul 17th 2008 2:06PM
Nick what are you talking about?
" DiTV has obtained a reputation as being the HD capital of the world" Dish has for many years over 7 has more HD channels then Direct, until the past 5 or so months. I guess it doesnt take a long time for something to build a reputation in your eyes. The reality of the whole thing is that its good when dish gets more HD channels, because it pushes direct to get more HD channels and the cycle goes on and on. Capitalism at its best, which can only benefit customers. And I'll leave with the fact that DISH NETWORK HAS THE REPUTATION as being the best HD service provider. They have better choices for programming packages, better hardware period, not argument can be made :) Comparing the VIP 722 to direct's HD DVR is like comparing a computer (VIP 722), etchosketch (Directs DVR). Im sorry i had direct for years until the vip 722 came out and im not looking back at my days when i was naive thinking direct was on the cutting edge of technology.
PitBull @ Jul 19th 2008 5:47PM
Whats up with all this talk about HD. Yeah, thats the BIG deal right now, especially with the technology moving as fast as it has. HD is nice and I enjoy it on my 52in Sony Bravia XBR4 but what about Customer Service. HD is there and always will be. Good movie not on HD, buy a BlueRay player. My point is, Customer Service is what matters to me and let me tell you something.......DTV has done nothing but PISS ME OFF!!!!!!! From making a mess when they installed the system, to hanging up on me 8x in a row, to asking me to fix my own satilite on the roof, to ........ well, so much more & it does nothing but PISS ME OFF more when I talk about it. Dishs Customer Service has been outstanding!!! & they are more then willing to help when I have a problem, unlike Dish. The only time DTV was willing to help was when the contract expired & when I said "I am switching to Dish!!!!!!!"
DMX @ Jul 26th 2008 2:05PM
DTV sucks. i remember DTV would call me about there service and about their equipment but when i said what Dish Network had, they said well if you ever plan on switching give us a call.
$hit they tried say they had alot of channels but i told them i dont watch alot of the channels they offer so whats the point of having 200 channels when i'm only going to watch like 15 of them.haha