Dish Network, commonly referred to just as DISH, was founded in March 1996 as Echostar. The company was originally a distributor of C Band satellite TV systems. They launched their first satellite Echostar I at the end of 1995. They made their first broadcast in March of 1996.
In 1999, Dish was the first to release a HDTV tuner. In 2003, Echostar IX was launched, which allowed broadcasting of all local channels to US consumers.
In 2011, Dish acquired the assets of bankrupt Blockbuster Inc. and subsequently added Blockbuster Movie Pass to their offerings. That same year, the company spent more than $3 billion acquiring cable and satellite companies who were failing or in bankruptcy. 
Dish also attempted to acquire Hulu in late 2011, but Hulu owners declined to sell.
In 2012, Dish dropped Network from their name and just goes by DISH. Their parent company is still called Dish Network.
Dish’s main service is satellite television, although it is considering adding satellite internet to its line up. It has petitioned the FCC, but remains in limbo at the moment. The company’s offerings are similar to other satellite and cable companies. Viewers can choose from a series of service bundles, paying more money for more channels. Company officials believe that by offering something different (internet) they have a better chance of standing out from their competition.
Dish Network independent dealers have repeatedly been charged and fined for employing illegal telemarketing tactics, such as violating do not call lists and making calls in which a live telemarketer does not connect promptly after the call is answered.
The company has been sued and countersued dozens of times over the years. Dish admitted in 2001 that they had employed more than 100 law firms and countless attorneys to handle these lawsuits over the past decade alone.
Dish currently services over 14 million customers in the US and in 2015, annual revenue of $15.1 billion. Dish is publicly traded on the NASDAQ under the ticker symbol: DISH. Headquarters for the company are located in Englewood, Colorado.
Dish Network, commonly referred to just as DISH, was founded in March 1996 as Echostar. The company was originally a distributor of C Band satellite TV systems. They launched their first satellite Echostar I at the end of 1995. They made their first broadcast in March of 1996.
History
In 1999, Dish was the first to release a HDTV tuner. In 2003, Echostar IX was launched, which allowed broadcasting of all local channels to US consumers.
In 2011, Dish acquired the assets of bankrupt Blockbuster Inc. and subsequently added Blockbuster Movie Pass to their offerings. That same year, the company spent more than $3 billion acquiring cable and satellite companies who were failing or in bankruptcy.
Dish also attempted to acquire Hulu in late 2011, but Hulu owners declined to sell.
In 2012, Dish dropped Network from their name and just goes by DISH. Their parent company is still called Dish Network.
Dish’s main service is satellite television, although it is considering adding satellite internet to its line up. It has petitioned the FCC, but remains in limbo at the moment. The company’s offerings are similar to other satellite and cable companies. Viewers can choose from a series of service bundles, paying more money for more channels. Company officials believe that by offering something different (internet) they have a better chance of standing out from their competition.
Dish Network independent dealers have repeatedly been charged and fined for employing illegal telemarketing tactics, such as violating do not call lists and making calls in which a live telemarketer does not connect promptly after the call is answered.
The company has been sued and countersued dozens of times over the years. Dish admitted in 2001 that they had employed more than 100 law firms and countless attorneys to handle these lawsuits over the past decade alone.
Dish currently services over 14 million customers in the US and in 2015, annual revenue of $15.1 billion. Dish is publicly traded on the NASDAQ under the ticker symbol: DISH. Headquarters for the company are located in Englewood, Colorado.
