Englewood, Colo. — EchoStar announced a subscriber-retention initiative offering current DISH Network customers an upgrade to a hard-drive-equipped DISH Player-DVR 510 for $79.

Charlie Ergen, EchoStar CEO, made the announcement during his "Charlie Chat" program on his DISH Network service, stating it will become available on April 15.

The DVR/receiver will record up to 100 hours of programming. EchoStar is also offering installation service to customers who take advantage of the special offer.

EchoStar now charges a $4.98 monthly fee for the digital recording service, unless a customer subscribes to DISH Network’s upper-tier America Everything Pak programming package.