Dish to Launch 22 More HDTV Networks

Additions Pushes HD Roster To 95 Channels

By Linda Moss -- Multichannel News, 5/12/2008 8:03:00 AM

Dish Network will keep its high-definition expansion rolling as it launches an 22 additional national HD networks this week, according to the satellite provider.

This week’s additions, most of which will launch today: ABC Family HD; Biography HD; Bravo HD; Cartoon HD; Cinemax 5 Star; Cinemax HD West; Comcast Sports Network Bay Area HD; Comcast Sports Network New England HD; CNBC HD; CNN HD; Disney HD East; ESPNews HD; Hallmark Movie Channel HD; MGM HD; Sci Fi HD; Smithsonian HD; Tennis Channel HD; Toon Disney HD; Travel Channel HD; USA HD; Weather Channel HD and World Fishing Network HD.

Dish Network said it remains on target to reach its goal of offering 100 national HD networks by yea-end.

“We are excited to extend our competitiveness in HD by enhancing our already comprehensive HD lineup with these 22 channels, bringing our total HD lineup to over 95 channels,” Dish Network senior vice president of programming Eric Sahl said in a statement. “These launches, along with other recent additions such as the New England Sports Network HD, reinforce our commitment to offer the best in entertainment.”

Dish Network has told securities officials that problems with the satellite AMC-14, which was declared a total loss last month because it couldn’t be positioned into the correct orbit, would not impact its HDTV rollout this year.

The satellite provider said it would assess other satellite-capacity sources in terms of meeting its long-term HDTV needs.