Very reminiscent of the NFL’s “Red Zone” channel, the MLB Network is launching the “Strike Zone” channel. The new channel which was launched on April 10th and is included as part of DISH’s “America’s Top 200” package and can also be viewed as part of the “Multi-Sport Pack.”

Strike Zone’s mission is to provide Major League Baseball fans with a kind of “Headline News” of the MLB on two nights a week, Tuesday and Friday.

Fans can stay abreast with all the latest news and happenings from the MLB, including highlights from the latest games, live “look ins” at current games and news updates.

For the busy fan who may not have time to catch all their favorite teams as they play throughout the season, Strike Zone is the perfect way to stay updated and all the latest happenings.

Strike Zone is available on channel 153 for subscribers with a qualifying programming package.

During this month, DISH will be adding the Universal Sports Network channel to their Multi-Sport programming package.

The Universal Sports Network is best-known for their coverage of the Olympic Games but also covers a wide variety of other sports programming including World Championships, World Cups and Grand Prix Events for cycling, curling, gymnastics, ice hockey, karate, marathons, skiing, speed skating, swimming, track & field, table tennis, triathlons, volleyball and Rugby.

To provide the best in sports programming that this channel has become so well-known for, the channel has agreements with the following organizations: International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), International Cycling Union (UCI), International Federation of Gymnastics (FIG), International Rowing Federation (FISA), International Rugby Board (IRB), International Swimming Federation (FINA), International Ski Federation (FIS), Major League Lacrosse (MLL).

Universal Sports Network provides unique programming  throughout the year that usually only receives attention every few years. Broadcasting on television and the internet, fans can follow Olympic athletes as they compete in other events between the games.

During June of 2010 Universal Sports in cooperation with the IRB revealed that the Universal Sports Network would bring "unprecedented national television and digital media coverage of the 2011 and 2015 Rugby World Cup tournaments." This statement was issued jointly by Universal Sports CEO David Sternberg and the Secretary General of the IRB Mike Miller.

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.

DISH Network seems to be adding new channels at a good pace lately. We’ve seen the company make some significant additions to its international programming lineup recently and has also added a few sports networks here and there as well.

This latest addition is probably one of the most significant additions to their sports channel offerings that they’ve made in a while where the U.S. professional sports audience is concerned.

Yesterday DISH Network brought the MLB Network to their sports offerings on channel 153 for subscribers who are signed up for the America’s Top 200 (and above), DISH Latino Dos or MultiSport packages.

The addition of MLB Network brings DISH Network a step closer to matching the sports programming offerings of DirecTV, which is considered by some to have better programming offerings for sports fans.

The MLB Network provides baseball fans with great MLB content and includes coverage for all 30 clubs on a year-round basis. The channel also broadcasts more than 80 spring training games, over 100 live regular season games as well as special programs such as the award-winning daily show “MLB Tonight” and the Baseball Hall of Fame induction ceremony.

The addition of the MLB Network to DISH Network’s sports offerings comes at an interesting time since the baseball season is starting to near the exciting end-of-season period where top teams battle for the ultimate prize: A world series victory.

“We are excited to bring MLB Network and our award-winning high definition programming to DISH Network’s customers," said Tony Petitti, president and CEO of MLB Network. "We have experienced an incredible year of growth and this partnership is in line with our goal to make MLB Network available as widely as possible.”

MLB Network is sure to influence a good number of baseball fans in favor of DISH Network if they are trying to decide which pay-TV service is right for them.

With DISH Network seemingly on a serious channel-adding mission lately, it will be interesting to see what the company will be adding to their lineup next.

Consumers wishing to sign up for DISH Network can call 866-537-9648 to order or learn more while current DISH Network subscribers can call 800-333-DISH to change programming packages or add new package options.

A new agreement will bring the Spanish language version of the National Geographic channel, otherwise known as Nat Geo to DISH Network beginning on July 1st. The new channel will go by the name National Geographic Mundo and will offer programming from it’s sister channels, some of them reworked to better suit a Hispanic audience.

Nat Geo is one of my favorite channels, so Spanish language viewers who enjoy the same kind of programming I do are in for a treat. It’s not  entirely clear to me which programming will make its way to the new channel, but I know that the original channel offers popular programs like “Alaska State Troopers,” “The Dog Whisperer with Cesar Millan,” “Wild Justice” and “L.A. Hardhats.”

It has been reported that the channel will also offer new programming that may or may not be available on other National Geographic channels, although I strongly suspect there will be programming developed exclusively for the channel that will cater to the audience that is expected to tune in.

With Hispanics being one of the fastest-growing ethnic groups in the country, the market for channels like National Geographic Mundo seems as if it will only improve with time. Hispanics now account for about 50 million residents, which marks about a 40% increase between the 2000 and 2010 national census.

This is yet another example of DISH Network’s continuing efforts to retain their leadership as a broadcaster of international programming. My own research has indicated that DISH is the clear winner in the arena of international programming when compared with the other satellite broadcasters and cable TV providers that are available in my area.

Already a leader (if not the leader!) in international programming, DISH Network has launched the PTC Punjabi channel. This new channel brings exclusive programming to U.S. subscribers including popular favorites such as Preeto TOP10, Voice of Punjab, Ghar Ghar Vich Ghuggi and Miss PTC Punjabi 2010.

There’s lots more to see on PTC Punjabi, including news, current events and other informative programming featuring the Punjabi perspective on various issues that affect the world.

PTC Punjabi can be found on DISH Network channel 604 for subscribers as part of its Punjabi Pack, which also includes GPunjab-Newstime, Alpha Etc Punjabi, Jus Punjabi TV, Pubjabi TV, Jus One and MH1 for just $19.99 per month.

“With the addition of PTC Pubjabi, the No. 1 rated Punjabi channel in India, we continue to provide our customers with the most high-quality channels of any TV company in America,” according to Chris Kuelling, vice president of international programming for DISH Network. “DISH Network is proud to be the go-to TV provider for the widest variety of top-rated International programming at the absolute best price in the industry.”

PTC Punjabi director and COO Rajiee Shinde had this to say: “PTC Network has always strived to provide more than just television to every Punjabi. We strive to be a part of their everyday life and we are glad that through DISH Network, we are also able to touch every Punjabi’s life in the U.S.”

To get DISH Network, check out the latest DISH Network deals and select the package that is right for you.

DISH Network has announced the addition of Benfica TV, a popular Portuguese sports channel. Benfica TV is currently available to subscribers in the U.S only.

Benfica TV is a news, entertainment and sports channel aimed at the Portuguese-American communities, and includes games from the most popular sports clubs in Portugal. The national soccer time, Benfica, is well-represented, but other sports are also covered, including hockey, indoor soccer and basketball.

Benfica TV also features programs that range from talk shows, history, entertainment and live interviews that focus on the  Benfica Sports Club.

“With the addition of Benfica TV, we continue to assert ourselves as the pay-TV leader in international programming with the most options – including the most exclusive international content – available at the best value for our international customers,” said Chris Kuelling, vice president of International Programming for DISH Network.

“Benfica TV is proud to bring the universal sporting traditions of the Benfica club to new and existing fans and customers,” said Luis Filipe Vieira, President of Benfica. “We are excited to partner with DISH Network and bring this great channel into the U.S.”

Benfica TV can be found on DISH Network Channel 739. The channel will be available to subscribers a la carte for $9.99. There is also the option of signing on for $24.99 per month as part of the Luso Pack, which also includes RPTi, SIC International, SIC Noticias and EuroNews.

I’ve probably spent about 15 minutes watching shopping channels in the nearly dozen years I’ve been a DISH Network subscriber. As you can tell, home shopping channels just aren’t my thing. There are. however, people that just love buying various items from the shopping channels. For example, my mother-in-law has purchased all kinds of things over the years, and continues to do so to this day.

I’m more of an internet shopper myself, but to each his own, as the old saying goes.

For DISH Network subscribers who do like watching shopping channels, and purchasing items from them, a new opportunity to expand their choices is coming in August. The new channel, which will be known as HSN2, will not be like the original Home Shopping Network channel in the sense that it will broadcast programs and content that has already been broadcast on HSN’s main channel, giving viewers a second chance to check out offers that they had previously missed.

Home shopping fans can expect to see the new channel debut on DISH Network on August 1st.

Epix, a joint venture movie channel owned by three Hollywood studios is reportedly talking with DISH Network about getting their fledgling channel into the sat caster’s programming line-up.

Currently, Epix, which was launched at the end of October, is being offered only on Verizon’s FiOS service, which means it’s potential audience is currently stalled at about 2 and a half million viewers.

Talks appear to be going well and may result in a deal that could close within weeks. When DISH subscribers could expect to see the channel is still not certain if a deal is reached.

Epix, which is a result of a partnership between Paramount Pictures, Lions Gate Entertainment Corp and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, is also working to interest other carriers in their new channel. Time-Warner Cable is rumored to be close to a deal with Epix, but cable giant Comcast has not expressed any interest. Perhaps they have bigger fish to fry with their plans to grab a big piece of NBC.

The creation of Epix seems to have been prompted by Showtime’s saber-rattling last year when it said it would like to cut back on the fees they are paying to movie studios to show their films. Apparently, the three big studios figure they can go it on their own and let Showtime find out how things go if a good portion of their library of content goes under lock and key.

One of the most recent additions to DISH Network’s programming choices is INSP: The Inspiration Network.

The new channel launched on DISH network on August 27 and will substantially boost the Inspirations Network’s subscriber base. The  channel was also launched on DirecTV on the same day.

INSP senior vice president John Roos commented about the new deals with the satellite broadcasters and was pleased by more than doubling the network’s distribution footprint, which allow the network to do more original programming, which has been one of its goals.