Dish Says It’s Freezing Package Prices
Satellite Provider Also Adding HD Channels
By Kent Gibbons -- Multichannel News, 1/7/2008 1:37:00 AM
Dish Network said Monday it was freezing prices on most popular programming packages, including DVR services, until February 2009.
DishDVR Advantage packages including America's Top 100 or 200 programming package including local channels, a free two-room digital video recorder and standard professional installation will stay $39.99 or $49.99, depending on the programming package selected.
DishFamily, with 40 family friendly channels, will hold at the same non-promotional monthly price of $19.99. Dish also said it’s offering three months free programming to new customers, plus other promotions.
The satellite-TV provider, scheduled to hold a press conference today at the International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, also said it plans to increase its national HD channel count to 100 from 76 this year. It also plans to add local HD channels in 65 new markets, bringing its HD local market total to 100.
Dish Network plans to launch three satellites in 2008, adding bandwidth.
It said it’s beginning HD launches with 11 local markets including: Austin, Texas; Baltimore; Cleveland; Columbia, S.C.; Flint, Mich.; Greenville, S.C.; Huntsville, Ala.; Jackson, Miss.; Knoxville, Tenn.; Orlando, Fla.; and Richmond, Va.
Dish said its local HD penetration with those markets is 80% of U.S. TV households.
Dish also plans new HD packages as low as $10 per month for more than 20 popular HD channels, starting Feb. 1.
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