| Dishnetwork's history as one of the country's top | | | | Always ahead of the opposition in terms of |
| digital satellite TV companies is filled with industry | | | | technology, EchoStar provided satellite receivers |
| breakthroughs. Dish Network has been working | | | | equipped with digital video recording capabilities |
| hard for the past decade to bring the best in | | | | before any other satellite TV company did so. |
| digital satellite TV to its subscribers. Launched in | | | | EchoStar was founded in 1980 by Charlie Ergen, |
| 1995 by EchoStar Communications Corporation, | | | | the company's Chairman and CEO. He started out |
| Dish Network has continually grown, and so has | | | | in the business distributing C-band TV systems. He |
| its customer base, which now stands at about 12 | | | | formed EchoStar with the help of his wife, Candy, |
| million. Adding new channels, more high definition | | | | and a friend, James DeFranco. In 1987, EchoStar |
| options, and special subscription packages while | | | | got its Direct Broadcast Satellite (DBS) License |
| developing a reputation for the best customer | | | | from the Federal Communications Commission. |
| service in the satellite TV business, Dish Network | | | | Forging ahead, EchoStar began offering DBS |
| has become the best choice for digital satellite TV. | | | | service in 1995, starting EchoStar 1 and initiating |
| A public company with about 20,000 employees, | | | | Dish Network. |
| EchoStar Communications Corporation is based in | | | | The following year saw the debut of EchoStar II, |
| Englewood, Colorado. The company has been | | | | which increased Dishnetwork's capabilities and |
| around for 24 years, and its achievements in the | | | | services. From there, EchoStar added continually |
| satellite industry have been exceptional. Included | | | | to its group of satellites, sending EchoStar III into |
| on the Nasdaq-100 index, EchoStar is now a | | | | space in 1997. EchoStar IV went up in 1998, and |
| Fortune 500 company. In addition to starting Dish | | | | more satellites followed. Now, EchoStar has nine |
| Network, EchoStar has many significant industry | | | | satellites in orbit. Together, these satellite work to |
| accomplishments to its credit: | | | | make Dish Network's more than 250 channels |
| EchoStar was the first in the business to provide | | | | available to subscribers in high quality digital format |
| satellite receivers for under $200 to its | | | | with super sharp Dolby audio. |
| customers. | | | | No doubt about it, EchoStar and Dish Network are |
| EchoStar made Integrated Receiver Descramblers | | | | a dynamic pair, continually spear-heading |
| available for use with C-band satellites before any | | | | developments and services in the satellite TV |
| other satellite company in the country. | | | | industry, providing no charge equipment to |
| EchoStar was the very first satellite TV company | | | | subscribers, and creating a customer-friendly |
| to spotlight single-mindedly on the installation of | | | | atmosphere, with 24-hour technical support by |
| satellite TV service, as well as the first provider | | | | phone. The future looks bright for the Dish |
| to bring local channels to local customers in every | | | | Network team, and there's more excitement to |
| state. | | | | come for Dish Network subscribers. Stay tuned! |