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Dish Network: Entertainment for Almost Anywhere We Go
Satellite TV: Continuing to Drive the Evolution of Television Viewing
Satellite TV: Adding Value for Your Customers
Satellite TV and Local Stations: Setting the Record Straight
Satellite TV: Providing Great...Radio?
2006 archived satellite TV articles(4)
Dish Network continues to show up in places where one doesn't expect to find it. The satellite TV service established a reputation for providing access to premium programming in less common locales from the very beginning. For those living in more rural areas, satellite TV was the only service available to provide the level of entertainment most people desired with a signal that could be depended upon.
More recently, Dish Network can be sited just about anywhere in the form of their portable multimedia device, Pocketdish. The handy entertainment gadget allows users to store up to 10,000 MP3, WMA or WAV music files and 200,000 photos, enjoy games, or view programming transferred from their Dish Network DVR.
For those whose lives include either long trips or toting passengers about, Dish will now offer the option of taking satellite TV along for the ride. A new low profile mobile satellite antenna which mounts on the roof rack of a vehicle offers passengers the opportunity to occupy their travel time by watching their choice of a 100 channels of Dish programming.
In-flight entertainment is a growing area for DISH as well. A number of Delta's newer planes offer the satellite providers entertainment for passengers. Virgin America is a
Certainly Dish Network is going places; practically anywhere their audience wants to go. For millions of those whose hectic lives leave less and less time to sit at home relaxing in front of their television, the flexibility of enjoying a favorite satellite TV program no matter where we are is a blessing.
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The diversity of programming available in homes has certainly increased dramatically in recent years and it appears to be a trend that will continue well into the future. Certainly satellite TV has played a significant role in this evolution of the viewing experience and Dish Network has made it clear that it intends to be a driver by adding fresh and exciting programming on a routine basis.
In recent weeks, Dish Network has announced the addition of several new services. For HD fans, the addition of A&E HD should be welcomed news. The programming offers such fan favorites as The Sopranos, CSI Miami, American Justice, Cold Case Files, Dog the Bounty Hunter, and King of Cars. Not all A&E shows are broadcast in HD at this time but the future holds promise and currently many providers aren't able to deal with the bandwidth demands so Dish Network is one of the few spots to pick it up in HD.
For something more innovative, Dish Network customers can check out Current TV. Current was the brain child of Al Gore and others and was launched back in 2005 with a focus on creating a forum for user generated content. At this time Current estimates that approximately 30% of its programming is made up of user generated short programs, or "pods" which focus on topics of news and interest lasting only 3-7 minutes. Users of the service can vote on content, called "greenlighting" to identify the best content. Google even provides hourly information on the most popular web searches to keep up with the topics that are of greatest interest.
Another recent addition is a great option for those who prefer information packed viewing. The Health and Human Services channel is now offered as part of the Free Public Interest package through Dish Network.
Certainly satellite TV has played a significant role in adding more sports, movies, and premium television shows to the viewing schedule. However, its role in providing more culturally diverse programming, the most HD programming available, and more innovative programming is changing the industry and Dish Network satellite TV is clearly continuing its role as a forerunner.
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Satellite TV has offered many the ability to enjoy premium television channels in locales that have been unable to access cable services for many years. From tractor trailers and mobile homes to businesses and homes in remote or rural areas, satellite TV has been there when other services were unable to meet the need.
Aside from accessibility, satellite TV has also offered unparalleled access to a broad spectrum of programming. Providing the most HD programming available and bringing international programming from all corners of the globe has made satellite TV enticing for many subsections of the population and made it indispensable in areas of the country with larger immigrant populations. From Chinese and Russian to Spanish and Indian, the options with satellite TV are impressive.
Certainly the ability to offer customers excellent entertainment regardless of location and which is suited to their customers' specific interests, is a way for many businesses to add value to their product or service.
A quality satellite TV package can be a draw for new customers and help to retain current residents in an apartment complex or condominium community. Dish Network satellite TV, for instance offers a Digital Home Plan which allows property owners and Home Owner Associations to install a shared dish system which can help limit the number of dishes necessary and assure appropriate placement. Residents are then billed the standard residential rates and receive the best in television programming. Through their Bulk Programming and Neighborhood Value Plan residents are able to avoid having a receiver at every TV outlet and savings are realized when an entire complex is under the plan. With this plan, individual residents are still able to upgrade their individual service to HD or premium options.
Many satellite TV providers will also work with property owners, management companies, and developers to create unique programming solutions to match the needs of the community. In these instances, a site visit is conducted and a unique proposal developed to assure the greatest savings and to identify the goals and needs of the customer. The process for selecting and installing a customized system is easy and convenient. A single call will allow a business to set up the site visit, get an evaluation and proposal, and later, to assure professional installation.
From remote cabins and resorts to multi-family housing units in more populated areas, and even businesses that serve a customer population with specific viewing interests, satellite TV can bring the value many businesses hope to offer their customers. By working with the provider, these same businesses can customize their package and realize significant cost saving as well, making satellite TV a great value added solution.
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For viewers considering their television programming options, satellite TV and cable television are their primary choices. Both services offer their customers hundreds of premium channels that provide quality entertainment in the home. For some consumers however, there still exists a misconception that they are not able to receive local channels with satellite TV services. Although this might have been true several years ago the situation began to change back in 1999 and is now merely a myth in most situations.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) provides oversight for the rules and policies related to satellite stations in the
For viewers hoping to benefit from the programming offered by satellite TV providers and yet also receive programming from their local television stations this was welcomed news. Luckily, satellite TV providers were also motivated to provide this service as it would allow them to compete better with cable companies resulting in a fairly rapid movement toward offering local stations to as many satellite TV customers as possible.
At this time Dish Network for instance, is offering local channels to a few hundred of their service areas. The satellite TV provider routinely offers ABC, NBC, CBS, PBS, Fox, CW, and My Network TV as well as other area specific stations. UPN and WB super stations are also available rounding out their offerings to meet the viewing needs of most customers.
Local stations can be added on to any satellite programming package for around $5 per month. Determining the availability of local stations in any given area is simple. The Dish Network website for example allows users to search by address or zip code to check the availability local channel services on the spot.
The days of missing all local broadcasts or erecting a large over-the-air antenna on the rooftop are fading into myth. Satellite TV customers are able to enjoy their local stations with the same service that can provide the most diverse programming and largest volume of HD broadcasts in the industry.
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For music lovers who thrive on surrounding themselves with the uninterrupted sound of their favorite tunes, satellite TV may provide the perfect diversion. As satellite radio has expanded in popularity since 1992, it has become evident that the format provides almost limitless listening opportunities with hundreds of stations representing nearly every genre of music imaginable. As millions of customers know, the commercial free format offered by satellite radio provides a more pure listening experience than any traditional radio broadcast.
However, for many cash strapped or budget conscious consumers, the switch to satellite radio has been delayed. For them the additional purchase of a receiver and the monthly subscription fee for the service is not in their entertainment budget. For these more hesitant buyers, satellite TV is apparently able to step in and fill the audio void.
Satellite TV providers have been somewhat quietly providing satellite radio to their customers for a number of years now. Dish Network for example has included over 60 Sirius satellite radio channels in many of their programming packages for their customers at no additional cost since 2004. This is in addition to a similar number of channels of Dish Music and CD music. The combination of the diverse, commercial free satellite radio offerings and the outstanding digital, CD quality audio of satellite TV is the perfect pairing for any audio enthusiast.
Whether a fan of contemporary or classic pop, rock, soul, country, Hip Hop, R&B, Christian, or Electronic Dance the Sirius stations can provide the sound that's required. Any holes in the music programming of the satellite TV provider are quickly filled by Dish Music and CD channels providing everything from KidsTunes to jazz.
Certainly, the majority of consumers in the
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