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The leader in satellite TV entertainment

DISH Network Corporation (NASDAQ:DISH), through its subsidiary DISH Network L.L.C., provides more than 14.3 million satellite TV customers, as of June 30, 2010, with the highest quality programming and technology at the best value, including HD Free for Life. Subscribers enjoy the largest high definition line-up with more than 200 national HD channels, the most international channels, and award-winning HD and DVR technology including the ViP 922, the world's only DVR with built-in Sling functionality. DISH Network is first in Customer Satisfaction among all cable and satellite providers according to the 2010 American Customer Satisfaction Index survey results for the U.S. largest cable and satellite TV providers. DISH Network Corporation is included in the Nasdaq-100 Index (NDX) and is a Fortune 200 company.


DISH Network is the offspring of EchoStar Satellite L.L.C., a satellite TV equipment distributor founded by CEO Charlie Ergen, his wife Candy and their friend Jim DeFranco in 1980. In 1987, EchoStar filed for a Direct Broadcast Satellite (DBS) license with the FCC and in 1992, was granted access to orbital slot 119° West Longitude. With the successful launch of the EchoStar I satellite in December 1995, EchoStar established the DISH Network brand name in early 1996 and began providing a wide array of programming to consumer homes. Since then, EchoStar and DISH Network launched a number of satellites to accommodate the companies' rapid growth, and count 14 owned and leased satellites in their shared fleet.

In January 2008, EchoStar and its DISH Network subsidiary split into two separate companies, DISH Network Corporation (NASDAQ: DISH) and EchoStar Corporation (NASDAQ: SATS). EchoStar Corporation now serves as a key technology partner to DISH Network Corporation, providing the company with award-winning set-top boxes and other TV technology that helps DISH Network continue to offer the ultimate TV experience to its customers.

Throughout its 29-year history, DISH Network has demonstrated its entrepreneurial spirit by achieving significant industry firsts:

  • First pay-TV provider to offer more than 200 HD channels
  • First company to offer a satellite receiver for less than $200
  • First to develop a UHF remote control
  • First to offer an Integrated Receiver Descrambler (IRD) for C-band satellite TV
  • First nationwide installation network dedicated solely to satellite TV systems
  • First to offer satellite receiver with built-in digital video recording
  • First satellite TV company to offer local channels to local markets in all 50 states
  • First in the pay-TV industry to transmit all standard and high definition programming in the
    MPEG-4 Advanced Video Coding Standard
  • First to offer an MPEG4 multi-room high definition and digital video recorder satellite receiver
  • First to offer high definition programming in 1080p
  • First to launch a programming package in the U.S. designed specifically for Mexicans with DishMEXICO
  • Only pay-TV provider to offer converter boxes as a solution for those affected by the digital transition
  • First to offer digital-to-analog converter box with DVR functionality

DISH Network Management

DISH Network's Executive Structure

E-Mail the DISH Network Executive Team

Our History

Learn more about how DISH Network was started and the milestones of our success!