The Space Race
With the simple change of the clocks over the weekend there seems to be a change in the air, it almost feels like spring. But if you’re a satellite junkie like me there is more excitement then just spring in the air. The excitement is that both satellite companies will be launching new satellites over the week. New satellites that will give customers of both satellite services more services and choices.
Dish Network should be the first one up as their satellite is scheduled to launch at 7:18PM ET on March 14th. ILS will launch its Proton powered rocket carrying the new AMC-14 satellite from Kazakhstan. The AMC-14 satellite will be going to Dish Networks 61.5 degree orbital location.
While as of this writing Dish Network has not announced any plans for this satellite, I can tell you that many folks will want a dish aimed at this location later this year. From what I am hearing the 61.5 location could soon be the home of Dish Networks new all MPEG4 service that we have heard hints about for over the past year.
Over the past few months Dish Network has been working hard on it’s 61.5 location where it currently has two satellites. One of the satellites currently at 61.5 is the old satellite that was used to operate the now defunct VOOM satellite service. Dish has been working on getting ready to turn spot beam feature that this satellite is equipped with. These spot beams will allow Dish to send many areas their locals in full high definition.
In addition Dish Network will soon be given some extra transponders as the Christian Satellite Service “Sky Angel” will soon be going dark on satellite instead moving to an internet based IPTV service. With all this space and the ability to server local into local HD service to many areas opens a lot of possibilities for the satellite provider.
Sea Launch is getting ready to launch the new DirecTV 11 satellite from its special launch platform located in the sea at the equator. This launch is currently scheduled to take place on March 17th at 6:49PM ET. The new DirecTV 11 satellite is an advanced KA band satellite and will enable DirecTV to offer its customers even more High Definition services.
After the launch it is expected that the new satellites could be in service for customers in 30 to 60 days after liftoff. From where I sit this is an exciting time to be a satellite customer.
Charlie Chat Tonight
Dish Network CEO Charlie Ergen will be live tonight as Dish Network presents “The Charlie Chat.”
The Charlie Chat which as of late has been more “fluff” then “stuff” could be interesting if you’re a fan of the Sci-Fi Channel hit television show “Battlestar Galactica” as Charlie’s special guest tonight is Tricia Helfer who stars on the show as “Number Six.”
I would hope that her appearance tonight is to help Dish Network announce that it is finally going to offer its customers the new Sci-Fi HD channel. However with the disappointment of recent chats I personally would not be surprised if there were no major announcements tonight.
If you’re a fan of the show you will want to tune in, and if your not then find something better to do with your hour and skip the Charlie Chat. If there is anything interesting mentioned on the chat you can bet I will report it here at MultiChannel.COM.
The Charlie Chat airs tonight at 9PM ET / 6PM PT on Dish Network channel 101.