Dish Adds 22 National HD Channels

By Greg Tarr -- TWICE, 5/12/2008 7:56:00 AM

Englewood, Colo. — Dish Network said it has launched today 22 additional national high-definition channels for its direct-to-home satellite service.

The company now has about 80 national HD channels, after it removed 15 that were previously supplied by VOOM HD. Dish Network CEO Charlie Ergen said in a conference call Tuesday that the VOOM channels were being pulled after the company failed to honor an agreement with the satellite TV provider. Dish has been engaged in a lawsuit with Rainbow Media Holdings, which distributes the VOOM service.

“These launches, along with other recent additions such as the New England Sports Network (NESN) HD, reinforce our commitment to offer the best in entertainment,” stated Eric Stahl, Dish Network programming senior VP.

The satellite provider also said it is offering new customers the opportunity to upgrade for free to a DishHD DVR receiver. One such model, the ViP722, is a dual-tuner HD DVR that operates two televisions in separate rooms. The ViP722 can record up to 55 hours of HD and up to 350 hours of standard definition and allows customers to pause, rewind and fast-forward their favorite TV programming.

Qualified new customers who sign up with a 24-month commitment will also receive three months of free programming (a $120 value), a free DishDVR like the ViP722 and free installation (a $49.99 value). For more information on Dish Network, visit www.dishnetwork.com or call (800) 333-DISH (3474).

National HD channels add to Dish Network package include the following:

ABC Family HD (DISH Network Ch. 180)

Biography HD (Ch. 119)

Bravo HD (Ch. 129)

Cartoon HD (Ch. 176)

Cinemax 5 Star (Ch. 381)

Cinemax HD West (Ch. 380)

Comcast Sports Network Bay Area HD (Ch. 419)*

Comcast Sports Network New England HD (Ch. 435)*

CNBC HD (Ch. 208)

CNN HD (Ch. 200)

Disney HD East (Ch. 172)

ESPNews HD (Ch. 142)

Hallmark Movie Channel HD (Ch. 187)

MGM HD (Ch. 385)

Sci Fi HD (Ch. 122)

Smithsonian HD (Ch. 374)

Tennis Channel HD (Ch. 400)

Toon Disney HD (Ch. 174)

Travel Channel HD (Ch. 215)

USA HD (Ch. 105)

Weather Channel HD (Ch. 214)

World Fishing Network HD (Ch. 396)

*Launches Wednesday, May 14