DISH to Distribute Voom's HD Channels

[GCyr]

DISH News Release

DISH Network Expands High-Definition Package with Addition of VOOM
Programming; Lineup Will Include 10 Original VOOM HD Channels

ENGLEWOOD, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 29, 2005--EchoStar
Communications Corporation (Nasdaq:DISH) announced that its DISH
Network(TM) satellite TV service will expand its high-definition
television (HDTV) package by adding 10 original VOOM HD networks,
expected to be available May 1, 2005. With the addition of these
originals to its current slate of HD programming, DISH Network further
establishes itself as the leader in high-definition TV.

The 10 VOOM HD networks will include RUSH HD, Gallery HD, Rave HD,
Ultra HD, Equator HD, Monsters HD, Animania HD, Majestic HD, HD News
and Guy TV HD. These networks will give viewers a high-def experience
in such entertainment categories as science fiction, fashion, travel,
music concerts and more.

"The addition of these original channels makes the DISH Network high
definition package the best in the pay-TV industry," said Eric Sahl,
vice president of programming for EchoStar. "With programming offering
the finest clarity and resolution, customers enjoy a better TV
watching experience."

Customers can sign a one-year agreement and receive six free months of
HD programming with high-definition receivers in up to two rooms at no
charge. For a limited time, those who sign up can also receive more
than 180 standard definition channels for only $19.99 a month for the
first three months, plus a free DVR upgrade, with next-day
installation.

For more information on DISH Network, visit www.dishnetwork.com, call
1-800-333-DISH (3474), or contact your local DISH Network retailer.
For downloadable, print quality images of DISH Network equipment,
installations or the DISH Network logo, visit
http://www.dishnetwork.com/content/...int/index.shtml.

Also check news story at:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/04/29/AR2005042901089.html

[boomertsfx]

I'm holding out for mpeg-4 based satellites/receivers.

[Dawne]

I heard Voom was in trouble....is this Dish partnership a possible bail out?



Dawne

[Pats_fan]

Crap. I have been contemplating getting DirecTV b/c of NFL Sunday Ticket, but this move by Dish certainly makes them a lot more attractive, IMO.

Any thoughts on Dish v. DirecTV? Does anyone have any feedback regarding these HD Channels? Is the programming any good?

[upr_dcker]

I had a neighbor who had Voom, so I can only report on what I saw when I visited his house. I have a TV with a built-in HD tuner, and I was completely unimpressed with Voom and didn't even consider it as an option. Nothing wrong with the picture; everything looks great in HD. It's just that the programming was rather dull (I had trouble finding shows that I enjoy watching) and also quite expensive.

I know that DirecTV's HD package is quite good (I haven't really looked into Dish Network's, but I imagine that it's similar). With DirecTV, you get a couple of movie channels (one of which also shows sports occasionally), ESPN HD, and Discovery HD. Incidentally, DirecTV also is running some sort of rebate for former Voom customers.

[boomertsfx]

I find that dish network doesn't compress their channels (esp locals) as much as DTV, but DTV has launched a new satellite which should provide more bandwidth and spot beams for HD locals via satellite... of course it's a little bit down the line...

The only reason I'm with DirecTV is the TiVo... if they had TiVO for dish net, I would be there most likely!

[GCyr]

From what I've been reading in newsgroups, the new (VOOM) DISH HDTV channels are on a different satellite. They're not on one of the two satellites that we can pick-up with a single dish, so a 2nd dish is required.

To compare DISH/DirecTV, check http://www.kaptainsatellite.com/compare_satellite_dish_tv.htm -or- http://www.dish-vs-direct.com/comparisions/channels-comparison.htm.

I didn't check to see if they're up-to-date, but it's someplace to compare the two. Except for specialty programming (e.g., NFL Ticket on DirecTV), every time I've done a channel/cost comparison between the two, DISH always comes out a better deal.