Skip to Content

Joystiq has you covered with all things Metal Gear Solid 4!
AOL Tech

Posts with tag echostar

AT&T demands payment on $500 million DISH note

by Darren Murph, posted Jun 18th 2008 at 1:23PM

We sort of figured the flames in the AT&T / EchoStar relationship were all but extinguished, but this pretty much puts the lid on things. According to a recent 8-K filing with the SEC, AT&T is demanding that DISH Network pay back a $500 million note which is due July 2010. Reportedly, the note would have eventually converted to DISH shares at $60.25, but given the current $33 stock price, it seems AT&T isn't really interested in twiddling its thumbs. Bernstein Analyst Craig Moffett mentions that the note was "first acquired in 2003 as part of AT&T's strategic resale agreement with DISH (formerly EchoStar)," and while neither party has outrightly denied a potential buyout, this kind of action seems to signify that the love connection has been terminated.

[Thanks, VANBROTHERS]

Voom HD claims over $1 billion in damages from DISH Network drop

by Darren Murph, posted Jun 3rd 2008 at 3:12PM

If you had a sneaking suspicion that somewhat just wasn't right when all 15 of the VOOM HD networks suddenly vanished from DISH Network's lineup, um, you were right. Apparently EchoStar (now DISH Network) and VOOM Networks had inked a 15-year deal in 2005 that would give the latter "a license fee of $3.25 a month per HD subscriber receiving VOOM." Now, VOOM has "filed an amended complaint against EchoStar, claiming it will suffer more than $1 billion in damages." More specifically, it notes that "EchoStar had no right to terminate the affiliation agreement on the basis of a trumped-up and pretextual claim of breach simply because it no longer liked the deal it struck." As expected, EchoStar is remaining mum on the subject, but its ex-partner is seeking "substantial damages in an amount to be determined at trial." This one could get real ugly, and fast.

DISH / EchoStar keep fighting back, sue TiVo again over DVR patent

by Ryan Block, posted May 30th 2008 at 9:06PM

The timeshifting DVR patent that's been at the core of TiVo's closed-but-not-quite-closed lawsuit with DISH / EchoStar is being contested yet again by the very same company. Not content just appealing to the Supreme Court regarding the Federal Circuit's ruling against a rehearing for the last case, DISH / EchoStar has started up a whole new lawsuit against TiVo, requesting a Delaware court find the new version of their DVR software does not infringe TiVo's patents -- presumably as an embittered and pre-emptive measure before TiVo could kick off its inevitable next suit. Don't worry if you're confused as all hell, so are we -- the point is, despite the fact that decisions have been made and rulings handed down, these two companies are still managing to sue, re-sue, and counter-re-sue one another.

DISH Network's EchoStar XI heads to Sea Launch for summer liftoff

by Darren Murph, posted May 28th 2008 at 6:10PM


While we patiently wait for EchoStar XV to lift off in 2010, it seems the countdown for EchoStar XI is much, much closer. Space Systems/Loral has just announced delivery of said satellite to Sea Launch's home port in Long Beach, California. The 20-kW bird will be used to "expand capacity for DISH Network," and while a definitive launch date isn't mentioned, we are told that it should blast off sometime this summer. According to Rohan Zaveri, Vice President of Space Programs for DISH Network, there is "a good deal of anticipation as it gears up for the EchoStar XI launch," and considering the fate of the AMC-14, we'd surmise a good deal of nail-biting, too.

[Image courtesy of Sea Launch]

Sling TR-40 quietly rebadged as the DISH Network DTVPal

by Ben Drawbaugh, posted May 23rd 2008 at 3:43PM

DISH Network DTVPal
Echostar can't seem to decide what brand to put on its upcoming DTV converter box. The device that many DTV converter box shoppers seem to believe will be the one to get, won't be available until June and although we originally heard it would be sold as the Sling Media TR-40, recently the little box has gotten 50 percent smaller and will be called the DISH Network DTVPal. A few sites are already accepting pre-orders that are expected to ship on June 16th, which won't help you very much if you signed up for your voucher on the first day like we did.

[Thanks, Josh]

DISH Network's EchoStar XV satellite gets set for launch... in 2010

by Darren Murph, posted Apr 22nd 2008 at 5:18PM


It wasn't too long ago that we sat in awe as EchoStar X lifted off into outer space, and in around two years, we can all relive that moment as EchoStar XV does the same. Announced today, Space Systems/Loral was chosen to "provide a new direct broadcast satellite (DBS) for DISH Network," and the bird will be based on the outfit's "space-proven" 1300 platform. As it stands, this becomes the eighth SS/L satellite built for EchoStar, and while we're not told exactly what it's heading up to handle, we are informed that it will "support the expansion of DISH Network's programming and services." Hopefully it'll have a few less issues than the AMC-14 when it lifts off in 2010, eh?

DISH Network launches SCI FI HD and USA HD!

by Ben Drawbaugh, posted Apr 18th 2008 at 5:08PM

USA HD and SCI FI HD
DISH has been telling us that the unfortunate fate of AMC-14 wasn't going to get in the way of its HD plans and you know, we're starting to believe 'em. Seriously, how could you not with all the new local markets recently, then CNN HD a few days ago and now the two channels many have really been waiting for -- Battlestar Galactica in HD anyone? Now to those who subscribe to DISH's AT100 and Essentials HD (or higher) package, SCI FI HD is available on channel 122 HD and USA HD is available on 105 HD.

[Thanks, Scott!]

DISH Network can't stop, won't stop fighting TiVo, heads to Supreme Court; your DVR is safe

by Richard Lawler, posted Apr 11th 2008 at 7:22PM

DISH Network hasn't taken "no" "denied" or "not yours" for an answer before in its battle against TiVo, and it's not going to start now. In a statement, the company expressed its plans to appeal the Federal Circuit's ruling against a rehearing to the Supreme Court. No matter how it ends, customers don't have to worry about jackbooted government agents (or software updates, whatever) stealing their precious DISH DVR functionality, because its "next generation" DVR software has already been downloaded to your box, and does not infringe on any patents. We'll leave this up to the lawyers to fight out (and write amusing disclaimers about), but in the meantime hit the read link to hear DISH's side of things.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

TiVo's win over DISH Network upheld by court of appeals: It's over

by Richard Lawler, posted Apr 11th 2008 at 1:07PM Breaking News


Bad day for DISH Network, first its satellite is gone for good and now comes word its appeal to overturn TiVo's lawsuit has been denied. That should put an end to the legal push and pull between the companies, with TiVo firmly on top, DISH customers could have their DVRs pulled out from under them. Win in hand, TiVo has a lot more leverage against other providers to put its service on their boxes, (which might not be the worst thing if you've used some cable DVRs) and leaves the company looking a lot more lively.

[Thanks Zatz Not Funny & Thomas Hawk]

DISH Network's small spectrum buy leaves analysts perplexed

by Darren Murph, posted Mar 27th 2008 at 7:36AM

Although AT&T, Verizon and the rest of the telco gang stole the limelight (and threw down some serious coinage) at the conclusion of the recent spectrum auction, little ole DISH Network managed to get in on the action, too. Apparently the satellite provider scooped up 6MHz of bandwidth that would cover around 75-percent of the US, but analysts are still scratching their heads trying to figure out why. Its sliver would reportedly enable it to launch a mobile TV service, though most assume it wouldn't jump in with a number of providers already out there trying to stay afloat. It could also use its winnings to enable STBs to report viewing habits and utilize two-way services without being hooked up to a phone line. Nevertheless, Craig Moffett, an analyst at Sanford C. Bernstein, asserts that there are simply "more questions than answers at this point," so we reckon we'll just keep on testing our patience for now.

DISH Network hiring 200 in call center to handle growth

by Darren Murph, posted Mar 2nd 2008 at 8:29AM

Just days after hearing that Verizon would be staffing its Syracuse call center with 335 new employees over the next few years, DISH Network is announcing that it too needs a few good men / women to "accommodate customer growth." Reportedly, the satellite provider is looking to hire 200 folks in its Tulsa, Oklahoma facility before June 1st of this year, primarily in the Technical Support division. Once the hires are made, the total workforce at the 78,500-square-foot center would amount to 650, but there's still room for a few more heads considering DISH's plans to "eventually employ about 1,000 people" in Tulsa.

DISH Network's AMC-14 satellite set for March 15 launch

by Darren Murph, posted Feb 26th 2008 at 8:38AM


Guess what, DirecTV subscribers? Your satellite provider isn't the only one launching a new bird into orbit next month. On March 15, the AMERICOM-14 (AMC-14) will blast off from Kazakhstan and begin its mission of providing DISH Network with "the bandwidth resources needed to increase the number of high-definition and other services offered by EchoStar nationwide." Of course, we've no idea how quickly customers will begin reaping the benefits from yet another sat in the sky, but we'll be a whole lot closer to knowing when this thing (hopefully) departs the atmosphere as planned.

[Via SatelliteGuys, thanks Joe]
[Image courtesy of LaunchPhotography]

EchoStar's TR-40 DTV converter box not available 'til June / July

by Darren Murph, posted Feb 22nd 2008 at 8:34PM


For those of you out there eying EchoStar's $39.99 TR-40 DTV converter box since it first made headlines at CES, we've got tough news. According to TWICE, the critter won't be shipping out until June or July of this year, which could mean that early appliers to coupons will miss out. If you'll recall, those $40 government-issued vouchers have to be redeemed within 90 days of receiving them, and moreover, it seems as if the firm is still deciding what brand name(s) it'll use to market the device. Here's to hoping we see a release closer to June and further from July, eh?

Good news for TiVo: court upholds patent claims against Echostar

by Nilay Patel, posted Jan 31st 2008 at 1:40PM

The TiVo vs. EchoStar case got another little push towards finally ending today, as the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit ruled that EchoStar had indeed infringed part of TiVo's "time warp" patent. You might recall that the case had recently been on hold while the USPTO re-affirmed that the patent was valid -- armed with that decision, the appeals court ruled that EchoStar had crossed the line on the software component of the patent, but that more information was needed regarding whether or not EchoStar's hardware also infringed. That means we're in for another round of wrangling down in Marshall -- we'll keep you updated, if we can manage to stay awake.

[Via Zatz Not Funny! Warning: PDF read link]

Slingbox SOLO gets reviewed

by Richard Lawler, posted Jan 25th 2008 at 12:35PM

First spotted in FCC pics back in August, the Slingbox SOLO has finally hit the review circuit. Lacking the hardware-assisted HD streaming output of the just announced Slingbox PRO HD, the SOLO brings the original Slingbox Pro's HD inputs and VGA-res output to a dongle-less existence. The people at PC Magazine hooked up the 'box and found plenty to admire in Sling's software and easy setup, pausing only to lament the short included ethernet cable and lack of WiFi. With its $180 MSRP, this Slingbox is a good option when your HDTV is far away, at least until the PRO HD hits the streets.




Weblogs, Inc. Network

AOL News

Other Weblogs Inc. Network blogs you might be interested in:

Joystiq
Download Squad
The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)
BloggingStocks
Xbox 360 Fanboy
Autoblog
Big Download Blog
AOL Sports Blog