Dish Network Blames Sub Drop On HDTV
The satcaster says competition for high-def viewers has risen.
By Swanni
In its fourth quarter report, released today, Dish said it added 85,000 net subscribers, far below what Wall Street analysts had projected.
Lehman Brothers had estimated that the satellite TV service would bring in roughly 167,000 subscribers in the fourth quarter, according to Reuters. Dish Network added 350,000 new subscribers during the 2006 fourth quarter.
Dish officials said the housing slowdown was one reason for the sub decrease, but added that the expansion of high-def services from DIRECTV and other TV providers has made it more difficult to attract new customers.
DIRECTV expanded its high-def lineup from nine to 90 channels in the 2007 fourth quarter. Dish now has around 70 national HD channels, but further national and local expansion has been slowed by delays in new satellite launches.
"Satellite launch delays at DISH Network have slowed its growth of local HD markets, which in turn has delayed its own aggressive retention marketing efforts," the company said in a SEC filing, Reuters reported.
Dish said last month that it plans to launch four new satellites this year to increase its high-def capacity.
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