The satcaster said it added 35,000 net subscribers in the first quarter, compared to 310,000 in the same period last year. Dish Network now has 13.8 million subscribers, more than three million less than rival DIRECTV, which now has 17 million.
In an analysts call following the company's release of its first quarter report, Ergen said yesterday that difficulties in launching new satellites over the last year has hurt the satcaster's subscription efforts.
Dish Network had planned to lease space on satellites in 2007 and 2008 to expand high-def capacity, but the launches have either failed or been aborted.
"I think we probably missed the HD window last year," Ergen said, noting that DIRECTV expanded its high-def lineup from nine to more than 90 national HD channels.
But Ergen said two more satellites are scheduled for launch this year which will expand capacity. In addition, Dish added 20 new High-Definition channels this week, although it also removed 15 Voom HD channels to make room for them.
“We believe we can replace those channels with other channels that have more value for our customers,” Ergen said.
Dish Network, which now has about 80 national HD channels, says it will offer 100 by year's end, assuming the new satellites are launched and become operational.
"We think that things are going to be better for us, and we think we're doing a lot of the right things," Ergen told the analysts.
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