HDTV: DISH Network Promises to Do Better In 2008
The satcaster says it will launch new satellites to expand capacity.
By Swanni
Speaking to reporters at the Consumer Electronics Show, Vogel noted that DISH was unable to launch two new satellites last year to expand its high-def capacity. He did not elaborate on the reasons behind the satellite delay.
But Vogel said the satcaster will launch four new satellites in 2008 -- and expand its HD channel count from 76 to 100.
"We had a little problem with satellites (in 2007)...so we did OK, not great (with HDTV)," he said. "We expect to do better in 2008 with more choices in HD."
DIRECTV passed DISH last year as the number one provider of high-def channels, expanding its channel count from nine to nearly 90 channels.
While not mentioning DIRECTV, Vogel said DISH's HD offering in 2008 will be "very competitive, very focused."
DISH CEO Charlie Ergen added that the first of the four new satellites will be launched in the first quarter of the year.
"When that satellite launches, we will have the capacity for 100 HD channels," he said.
Ergen also said that DISH will transmit all high-def channels in MPEG4 by year's end.
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