Englewood, Colo. — EchoStar said it has added two new high-definition regional sports networks to its DISH satellite TV service, and is now shipping its MobileDISH in-car satellite service, a programming package that includes a new antenna technology from RaySat.
The two new HD RSNs give EchoStar’s DISH satellite service a total of nine high-definition regional sports networks (RSNs) to date. The service added seven others last month.
The new HD RSNs are owned by Fox and include Sun Sports (DISH Network Ch. 372), which offers Florida viewers professional games and events in HD, and SportSouth (Ch. 381), which serves other Southern region viewers.
EchoStar said it will continue to explore carriage of additional HD RSNs throughout the year. HD feeds will be offered for SportsNet New York this summer and Altitude this fall.
DISH Network’s HD sports offerings include NFL Network HD, ESPN HD, ESPN2 HD, Rush HD, WorldSport HD, local HD networks in 29 markets and now nine RSNs that will feature game-only content in HD.
DISH Network also offers sports and HD enthusiasts a digital video recorder (DVR) to record their favorite programming and exciting sports moments, to control their own instant replay by pausing live TV and rewinding, as well as the ability to fast forward through time-outs, halftimes and commercials using a 30-second skip feature.
The satellite service is offering subscribers who sign up now with DISH Network the ability to get the ViP622 HD DVR at no upfront cost.
New and existing subscribers can sign up for DISH Network’s DishDVR Advantage, which is an all-inclusive TV package with more than 200 SD channels, local channels where available, a state-of-the-art DVR serving two TVs and free standard professional installation with no extra fees for $49.99.
For $69.99 a month customers can customize their DishDVR Advantage plan with DishHD. The HD RSNs are available to customers who subscribe to DISH Network’s America’s Top 100 Plus programming with DishHD.
In other news, EchoStar said it is now shipping its MobileDISH technology, which was unveiled at the International CES. The system allows DISH Network customers to watch live satellite television from their vehicles, even while in motion.
The mobile satellite antenna, designed by RaySat, mounts to a vehicle’s roof rack to access DISH Network satellite signals.
MobileDISH customers — both established and new DISH subscribers — can choose a programming package starting at $29.99 per month for the MobileDISH 100 package, and $42.99 per month for the MobileDISH 200 package.
The Starz Movie Pak can be added to the MobileDISH packages for $12.99 per month, and the Encore Movie Pak may be added for $4.99 per month.
