Satellite Tv Service

It should be relatively easy for just about anyone to find DISH Network TV listings, since there are literally thousands of places to go on the Web for the information (in addition to traditional printed magazines, guides and brochures available at retail sites).

If there is any challenge to dealing with DISH Network TV listings, it may be in deciding which channels or programs to watch.

According to one encyclopedia definition, DISH Network "is a direct broadcast satellite (DBS) service that provides satellite television and audio programming to households and businesses in the United States.

" (DISH stands for Digital Sky Highway.) This service is provided by EchoStar Communications Corporation. Started more than 10 years ago (1996) the network is a direct competitor to cable television companies in the U.S. In 1987, EchoStar applied for a DBS license with the Federal Communications Commission and was granted access to geostationary orbital slot 119° West longitude in 1992, according to the company's Web site.

This now experienced company has a customer list approaching 13 million and, judging from news releases and marketing information from the company, program offerings and broadcast contracts change with some regularity.

But there are some definite packages of program listings to choose from. According to information from DISH Network, customers can choose a family package that includes 40 channels, a top 100 package or the more wide-ranging plan that includes 250+ channels. In addition, there are Latino, high-definition and international plans available, with content that rivals cable offerings and other satellite plans.

The competitive business of cable/satellite television is constantly shifting, with programming contracts changing on a regular basis and companies offering special packages to attract new customers or upgrade current customers.

Example: According to several sources Dish Network's loss in a court ruling meant that on December 1, 2006, Dish Network cut distant local channels (ABC, NBC, CBS, and FOX from NYC or LA). A majority of customers were not impacted, though those who were had to get the channels through a combination of a third-party provider and Dish Network.

This involved All American Direct. According to company information, customers choosing this option would continue to get both Dish Network channels and All American Direct Channels through their current system.

Keeping up with the changes is aided by the industry magazines and Web sites, as well as by sources such as TV Guide, which supplies programming guides for many of the major cable and satellite plans, including Dish Network.

Not only that, but also many other program guides, listings and commentary are available. Some of these have updated guides to Dish Network TV listings, guides for broadcast channels, how-to guides for choosing service and channel packages etc. In early years, it was sometimes difficult to find out just what was offered on satellite television. The information explosion has long since reached the satellite TV industry.