DISH continues to offer free preview channels to subscribers, giving them an opportunity to check out channels that are not part of their programming package.

This month, the following channels are available to all DISH Network subscribers. DISH has been offering pretty generous free previews in recent months, with many of them lasting for the entire month. Some free previews are significantly shorter with some being offered just for a weekend.

The following are the free preview channels available during the month of February along with the dates that each free preview channel is available.

WE tv: February 2 – 28

GSN (Game Show Network): February 2 – 28 (available in high definition)

NHL Center Ice: February 13 – 19

The Military Channel: February 2 – 28

The Travel Channel: February 2 – 28 (available in high definition)

Existing customers should contact DISH Network if they want to upgrade their programming package.

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.

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.

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.

With the arrival of the new year, the EPIX family of channels has made some changes to their lineup available through DISH Network.

The most notable change is the addition of a new channel to subscribers who are signed up for Blockbuster Movie Pass. The new channel, known as EPIX 3 brings Hollywood favorites to viewers including current releases such as Super 8, True Grit and Rango.

EPIX 3 also delivers original comedy programming and music specials and a lot more content from the extensive collection in the EPIX library of programming.

The other change is the re-branding of the channel formerly known as “The 3 From EPIX,” which is now called “EPIX Drive-In.” The channel, available as part of DISH Network’s “America’s Top 250” and “America’s Everything” programming packages, specializes in bringing drive-in movie classics to viewers. A diverse offering of action, comedy, sci-fi and horror movies of the 70′s, 80′s, 90′s as well as more current titles are featured on the channel.

A sampling of titles appearing on “EPIX Drive-In” includes The Terminator, Child’s Play, Back To School, Rollerball and Teen Wolf.

To celebrate the re-branding, A special showcase of films from "King of the Cult Film" director/producer, Roger Corman, will be aired through the 1st quarter of the new year. Corman’s drive-in classics include Battle Beyond the Stars, Bloodfist, Caged Heat, Carnosaur, Death Race 2000, Grand Theft Auto, Humanoids from the Deep, Rock n’ Roll High School and Slumber Party Massacre.

Corman, obviously pleased with the exposure his work will enjoy on “EPIX Drive-In” was quoted as saying: “Many of my films first entertained drive-in movie audiences, so it’s very appropriate for EPIX to be presenting some of my most iconic movies in this context. It’s a fun idea and a great way for new, younger audiences to connect with my work. I am thrilled that my pictures will help jumpstart EPIX Drive-In and am excited about working with EPIX."

DISH Network also expressed their thoughts on these changes with senior vice president of Programming Dave Shull saying, "Our goal is to bring the best entertainment to our viewers and provide them content they want, when they want it, and we are pleased to continue working with EPIX to offer more movie choices to our subscribers on EPIX Drive-In and EPIX 3.”

“EPIX Drive-In” is available on Channel 292 and “EPIX 3” is available on Channel 382 for subscribers with qualifying programming packages.

To someone like myself the word cricket brings to mind the insects that fill the air with their high-pitched calls during the summer months in this part of the world. To others, however, cricket has an additional meaning. It’s a sport that many people around the world are quite passionate about.

I’m not at all familiar with the sport of cricket, and there does not seem to be a whole lot of coverage of it here in the United States where other sports dominate the airwaves. That certainly does not mean there’s no demand for televised cricket here.

People who have come to the U.S. from other countries often bring their hobbies and interests along with them. Thanks to TV providers like DISH Network, cricket fans who have immigrated to America don’t have to give up on watching coverage of the sport from around the world.

DISH Network, long known as a stand-out in the industry for providing the best in international television programming offers two programming packages devoted to cricket – The Cricket Pack and NEO Cricket.

These packages allow cricket fans to access coverage of cricket matches from locations such as England, New Zealand, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, The West Indies, Australia and South Africa. This comprehensive coverage keep cricket fans well connected with their favorite teams as they travel from game to game around the world.

Also featured are cricket news updates and interviews which round out programming that can be enjoyed by cricket fans in the United States around the clock.

Ordering DISH Network is easy. Just make a toll-free call to 866-537-9648 to order or to learn more about what DISH Network has to offer.

RT, for those who do not already know, is a television network originating in Russia that is also known as “Russia Today.” Russia Today focuses their broadcasting efforts on the international audience and delivers programming in multiple languages including English, Russian, Spanish and Arabic.

Fans of RT America who also subscribe to DISH Network will be pleased to learn that the channel is now available to them.

RT America, as the name suggests, is aimed at the viewing audience in the Americas. Russia Today boasts the 2nd largest viewing audience in the U.S. among international news channels, coming in just behind the BBC.

RT America broadcasts from studios located in Moscow, Washington, D.C., Miami, Los Angeles, London, Paris, Delhi and Tel Aviv.

Approximately six years old, Russia Today launched during 2005 with more than on hundred English-speaking journalists in various locations around the world.

RT America has attracted some measure of controversy by reporting on stories that are not normally covered by major media outlets, with some critics going as far as accusing them of being an outlet for conspiracy theories.

Russia Today maintains their coverage is “fair and balanced,” although it is acknowledged that they deliver news and other information from a Russian perspective. The channel’s executives say that they welcome controversy and provides an alternative to the mainstream media.

DISH Network subscribers can tune in to RT America on channel 280.

See RT’s official announcement announcing their availability on DISH Network at the RT website.