DISH Network Information And Offers

The first 24-hour French language children’s channel has been launched on DISH Network. Tivi5MONDE is available as part of the French Bouquet programming package which is priced at $19.99 per month and also includes TV5MONDE USA, America’s 24-hour French language entertainment channel.

Tivi5MONDE provides the best of French-language programming content which includes animation, education and dramas for tweens and young teenagers.The channel’s programming content is intended to apples to kids aged between 4 and 14 years old.

Marie-Christine Saragosse, General Manager of TV5MONDE said, "We are very pleased to launch this new channel with our long-time partners at DISH Network and to expand the TV5MONDE brand in the U.S. We anticipate Tivi5MONDE driving interest among young American Francophones and Francophiles while further promoting French-culture and language in the states."

Tivi5MONDE will start out offering programming that includes Chasseurs De Dragons, Galactik Football, Les Daltons and Marsupilami.

TV5MONDE is the only digital, world-wide French-language network, broadcasting 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, to more than 220 million homes in 200 countries, making it the leading general entertainment television network in the world in terms of subscribers. In the United States.

DISH Network continues to cement their lead as the top provider of international programming with the addition of this new French-language channel. Although I do not have any specific information about more new programming being planned by DISH, I suspect we’ll see the company continue to expand on its already-impressive line-up of international programming.

Rural Media Group is preparing to launch a brand-new channel called RuralTV. Already well-known for their RFD-TV channel, Rural Media Group will launch RuralTV on DISH Network during February according to channel’s Facebook page.

With satellite television’s popularity among rural viewers, the decision to launch RuralTV on DISH Network makes sense. There are still rural areas in America where cable TV and other land-based services such as fiber optics are not available, making satellite service an excellent choice for many rural residents.

RuralTV is described as a “new rural business and lifestyle channel,” and will feature programming that includes news, daily market coverage that targets the business and policy issues of rural America. The new channel will also include equine programming, country music and entertainment programs, livestock auctions, rural events and international features.

Rural Media Group’s existing channel, RFD-TV is currently distributed to approximately 41 million homes and provides rural-focused programming 24 hours a day. RFD-TV is available on numerous pay-TV services such as DISH Network, DirecTV, Comcast, Verizon FiOS, Mediacom, Charter Cable, Optimum, Brighthouse, Suddenlink, Time Warner Cable, Cox Cable, and more than 600 independent rural cable systems.

In addition to programming produced for U.S. viewers, Rural Media Group also distributes programming to an international audience including viewers in Germany, Holland, South Korea, New Zealand and Australia.

A recent study conducted by TiVo reached a conclusion that does not surprise me at all. They found that DVR users watch more recorded programs compared to what they watch “live” (real time). The numbers conclude that DVR users watch recorded programming 62 percent of the time compared to only 38 percent of the time for “live” programming.

I’m a pretty hardcore DVR user so I would not hesitate to estimate that around 90 percent of what I watch is recorded. I do watch some ‘live’ TV but often get frustrated with the number of commercials that one has to endure when watching TV in real time. I guess it’s easy to get spoiled by the ability to “zap” through 90 seconds or so of commercials by pressing a button a few times.

There’s also the time shift factor. Having my DVR set up to record my favorite programs gives me the convenience of watching them when I want to watch them. Another benefit is that I hardly ever miss my favorite programs due to something unexpected that comes up such as a phone call or someone stopping by for a visit.

Since my wife and I don’t have a whole lot in common when it comes to television entertainment, the DVR also solves problems when there are conflicts regarding which program will be watched. Since our DISH Network ViP 622 DVR allows us to watch one program while recording another one at the same time, we both get to see the programs we want.

I suppose I’ve reached the point where I have a hard time thinking about watching TV without the benefit of a DVR. As I’ve said before, if you’re thinking of signing up for DISH Network I highly recommend getting a DVR if your budget allows. It will change the way you watch TV for the better.

DISH Network has recently announced an agreement with Univision which will result in the addition of new Spanish language programming available to DISH subscribers.

Univision, the leading provider of television programming for Hispanic Americans has entered into a multi-year agreement with DISH to provide expanded programming that is set to be introduced during the first half of 2012.

These additions will include new channels from Univision which include Univision Deportes, Univision tlnovelas, Univision Noticias. DISH will also offer exclusive access to Univision Deportes Dos.

Also included are Univision networks including the Univision Network, TeleFutura, Galavision as well as six TV channel offerings: Bandamax, Clásico TV, De Película, De Película Clásico, , Ritmoson and Telehit.

In addition to the new networks and channels, DISH Network’s Blockbuster @Home service will be offering thousands of hours of novelas and Spanish-language movies that will be available on-demand, allowing subscribers to watch their selections whenever they want.

"We are pleased to have reached an innovative deal with Univision for their newest channels and their primetime novelas on demand," said Dave Shull, senior vice president of Programming, DISH. "DISH is the leading provider of Latino content in the United States. This deal for exclusive linear and VOD content from Univision provides our customers with the broadest selection of top quality Spanish-language content."

This new agreement represents Univision’s first authentication partnership with a pay-TV provider, giving DISH subscribers access to Univision’s impressive offering of current prime time and library content.

This new agreement. makes DISH Network the best pay-TV choice for Hispanic viewers. DISH Network has long been the leader in international programming and this new agreement should further strengthen their position in that arena.

Having enjoyed the benefits of broadband internet for the last ten years or so, it’s hard to imagine going back to the days of dial-up internet. We had lived here about three years before broadband internet was was available and relying on dial-up while most of my friends and relatives has broadband was a bit frustrating.

Even these days, when it seems like just about everyone I know has access to broadband internet, there are still a lot of people who don’t have access to it. Many of these folks are in rural areas where it might not make sense for the broadband providers to offer service due to the poor return on the investment that would be required to install the required cables or fiber optic lines.

Although internet via satellite has been available for a while now, the technology and speed is being improved upon to bring subscribers a better experience. DISH Network has joined forced with ViaSat to offer a brand-new bundled service that includes DISH Network satellite television and next-generation satellite broadband service.

Beginning in February, the new bundles will be available to subscribers starting at $79.98 and will feature up to 12 Mbps download and 3 Mbps internet upload speeds, around-the-clock telephone technical support at no additional charge and installation starting at $99.00.

"This is one more example of DISH meeting the needs of consumers," according to DISH CEO Joe Clayton. "The market potential for this new Internet service is substantial given the nearly eight million to 10 million mostly rural American households that are unserved and millions more left with slower broadband alternatives."

Bundling satellite TV and broadband internet service simplifies things for subscribers since they can enjoy both services with the convenience of a single installer, one customer service organization as well as a single bill.

The newly renamed Blockbuster @Home service from DISH Network (formerly called Blockbuster Movie Pass) now offers more on-demand programming for children.

DISH Network announced that more than 3,000 new titles have been made available that are suitable for younger viewers. The new titles are intended for the three to thirteen-year-old age group. Expanding their offering of entertainment choices for the whole family appears to be an important priority for DISH.

Included among the new programs available as part of this expansion are offerings from Cookie Jar, Lions Gate Films, Scholastic Media and Vivendi Entertainment.

Some of the programs now available to Blockbuster @Home subscribers include Goosebumps, Heathcliff, I Spy, Inspector Gadget, Madeline, Strawberry Shortcake and Veggie Tales.

The Blockbuster brand is known for two things: family and movies and now we offer our customers more of both," said Dave Shull, senior vice president of Programming, DISH. "Our kid’s programming expansion provides families an even bigger selection of shows that are exciting and educational.

Although access to these on-demand titles usually requires a broadband-connected HD DVR, a new feature called “DISH Unplugged” will be available on the soon-to-be-released Hopper whole-home HD DVR system which will make many of these titles available directly from DISH Network satellites with no broadband internet connection required and no buffering to interrupt viewing.

To access Blockbuster @Home or other DISH Network on-demand titles, a DISH HD DVR ViP 612, ViP 622, ViP 722, ViP 722k or Hopper whole-home HD DVR system is required.

On-demand programming is where cable TV providers have had an advantage over satellite TV providers for a long time. That may be changing. DISH Network has recently announced new on-demand features that will give subscribers on-demand access to HBO programming.

DISH subscribers with select broadband-connected HD DVRs who have HBO or Cinemax included as part of their programming package will soon have the ability to access a new and improved version of HBO On Demand and Cinemax On Demand. This will enable them to choose from HBO’s impressive selection of on-demand programming.

Nearly every episode of HBO favorites such as Boardwalk Empire, Deadwood, Game of Thrones, True Blood and The Sopranos will be available to watch at a time of the subscriber’s choosing. Hit movies, sporting events, documentaries and comedy specials will also be available.

Due to the technology used to transmit television programming to satellite subscribers, on-demand programming has presented a challenge for satellite providers. With the ability to connect DISH Network systems to the internet, DISH was able to significantly improve their on-demand offerings. However, subscribers lacking broadband internet service were not able to take advantage of the new on-demand content.

The announcement of “DISH Unplugged” changes that by making hundreds of HBO TV shows and movies available to subscribers who have the forthcoming Hopper whole-home DVR system and do not have the system connected to the internet. Available on-demand programming will be delivered direct from the satellite without buffering. Programming available via “DISH Unplugged” will be updated on a daily basis, giving subscribers access to the most up-to-date HBO programming content.

The Hopper is set for release sometime during the first quarter (January – March) of 2012.

DISH Network is clearly making moves to close the on-demand gap that has existed between cable and satellite providers for a long time. As a dedicated (some might say addicted!) DVR user myself, the increased availability of on-demand programming available from DISH is certainly a welcome development.

Tablet devices are becoming more popular by the day and it’s easy to see why. Although accessing the internet on an iPhone, Blackberry or other smart phone is also popular, those of us with vision not quite as sharp as it once was, the tablet makes a lot of sense due to the larger display.

I’ve surfed the web on an iPhone and iPod, I didn’t find it particularly easy due to their small size. Many people love using the internet via their phone, but for myself, I prefer a tablet.

DISH Network has improved it’s Remote Access app for the iPad, enabling access to thousands of streaming on-demand movies and television programs. DISH subscribers with subscriptions to the Blockbuster @Home package or select premium movie packages, including HBO and Cinemax, will now be able to watch popular movies, TV shows and other programming by way of the newly-updated DISH Remote Access app on their iPad.

Using the Remote Access app for the iPad requires users to have a DISH log-in ID and password, a iPad with broadband internet access. The Remote Access app for iPad is available for free download by DISH customers at Apple’s iTunes Store.

Watching live TV using the Remote Access app for iPad also requires a DISH HD DVR with a broadband connection and a DISH Sling Adapter.

Yes, “Thuuz” is kind of a funny name, but it’s not without meaning. It’s derived from the second syllable of the word enthusiast. A fitting name for this app since it targets sports fans who crave the excitement of those special moments when a crucial turnover turns the tide of an NFL game or a game-winning home run secures a play-off spot for a MLB team.

Thuuz is an application for Google TV which can be integrated with DISH Network systems to enable cutting-edge features that take the TV viewing experience to the next level.

Thuuz is one of those technologies that may make you scratch your head and wonder how they do that. The app continually scans sporting events that are being aired and uses computer algorithms to detect elevated levels of excitement and then places a notice on the screen to alert the viewer about a key event taking place during a particular sporting event. The application is also capable of recording the key event as it unfolds for later viewing.

Thuuz monitors broadcasts of Major League Baseball, National Hockey League, soccer, cricket and rugby games, along with both pro and college football and basketball games. The Thuuz app uses factors such as parity, pace, novelty, momentum and context in the special algorithms that automatically assign an excitement rating to each event.

"The thrill of watching sports comes from witnessing the drama and suspense as it unfolds," said Warren Packard, CEO and co-founder of Thuuz. "Instead of just catching the news after the fact, DISH subscribers can now watch the most compelling sports action play out, either live or time-shifted. The combination of DISH’s extensive sports programming, Google TV’s interactive platform, and excitement analytics built into the Thuuz app deliver an optimal experience for the sports enthusiast."

Google TV devices with Android 3.1 will work with the Thuuz app. The new Logitech Revue with Google TV is available to DISH Network subscribers for only $99.

Just a short time ago DISH Network announced their brand-new whole-home DVR solution at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. DISH may have lagged behind their competitors in this area for a while, but they may be making up for it with superior technology.

The “Hopper” is the main brain of the new system and will drive units called “Joeys” that can be placed in other rooms of a home to allow access to DISH Network programming. The Hopper will support three Joeys, giving customers a total of four separate locations in the home to access DISH Network programming and recorded content in HD.

This new whole-home DVR system – unlike most competitors – allows full-function DVR capability on each remote Joey unit. This means all viewers can take advantage of features such as the ability to pause, play and rewind live TV as well as recorded programs.

The Hopper features a 2-terabyte internal hard drive which allows the storage of up to 250 hours of recorded HD programming or 1,000 hours of standard-definition programming, which, according to DISH Network CEO Joe Clayton, offers twice the storage capacity of competing units from other pay-TV providers.

A very impressive-sounding feature of The Hopper is its ability to record six HD programs at the same time. This feature does mandate a disclaimer however. Six programs can be recorded simultaneously only during prime time (from 8:00 pm to 11:00 pm Eastern) because four of the six recorded programs are what “the big four” networks are offering during that time period. Branded as “Primetime Anytime,” this feature will record all of the primetime programming on ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC every night and retain the recorded programming for up to eight days. The other two programs that can be recorded during this time are selectable by the user.

Even while recording six programs at once, the system still allows all four units to play back any recorded or on-demand content that’s available.

The Hopper boasts some other unique features such as Bluetooth connectivity for connecting Bluetooth-enabled devices such as wireless headphones. The new remote control technology introduced with this system may help make lost remotes a thing of the past thanks to its remote locator feature which allows the user to make the remote control emit a “beep” that should more easily lead to the discovery of a lost remote control.

Currently, much of DISH Network’s on-demand programming is dependent on access to a broadband internet connection. The Hopper, with its “DISH Unplugged” capability provides access to hundreds of the most popular movies and TV shows by delivering them to the hard drive via satellite. DISH Unplugged provides a high quality picture with no buffering problems and provides access to many of the same streaming movie choices offered by Blockbuster @Home, including premium movie access.

This new whole-home system also doubles as a whole-home music distribution system which features access to 73 SiriusXM channels and includes album art and a collapsible list of music channels at the top of the channel guide, making it faster and easier for music fans to find their favorite tunes.

Users are likely to appreciate the system’s easy and fast tile-based user user interface that also includes predictive search capability.

Having recently heard a report that labeled set-top boxes as some of the most energy inefficient devices in the typical home, it’s welcome news to discover that a four-room installation of this new system is 50 percent more energy efficient than previous models.

In keeping with the spirit of “interconnected everything,” The Hopper also features apps that allow users to access Facebook, Twitter, Pandora, photo sharing sites, games, news and more.

We’re likely to be hearing more about this new whole-home DVR system in the near future. DISH Network expects The Hopper to be released during the first quarter (January – March) of 2012. Stay tuned.