In cooperation with HBO’s HBO GO and MAX GO, DISH subscribers who subscribe to premium programming from HBO or Cinemax can now watch nearly all programming offered by those premium services. Most of the online programming is available in high-definition, which will require a broadband internet connection that operates at speeds of 3 Mbps or more.

Most cable modems operate at speeds of 3 Mbps and in many cases, much higher speeds. With advancements in DSL technology in recent years, DSL connections that operate at speeds of 3 Mbps or greater are available in many areas. For example, my DSL service operates at 7 Mbps, which is more than adequate when watching online HD content.

These new offerings present a great opportunity for subscribers to catch up on favorite movies or series on their schedule rather than waiting for them to air according to the HBO or Cinemax schedules. Popular movies such as Up In The Air, The Hangover and  Avatar will be available instantly for subscribers via DISHOnline.com, HBOGO.com or MAXGO.com.

Subscribers (like me) who may have missed out on enormously popular series like The Sopranos (I know, it may be hard to believe!) now have a great opportunity to enjoy the entire series from the beginning all the way through to the conclusion at their convenience.

Other popular series available from HBO include Band of Brothers, Deadwood, and Sex and the City.

Speaking on behalf of DISH Network regarding these new offerings, said Dave Shull, senior vice president of Programming said: “DISH Network is thrilled to be working with HBO to bring this broad collection of top-billed content to our customers for instant access at DISHOnline.com. "DISH Network customers with an HBO or Cinemax subscription can also get new series titles after their premiere — plus bonus content including interviews, recaps and behind-the-scenes extras — none of which are available through Netflix’s online service.”

It’s clear that DISH Network is not resting on its laurels when it comes to staying competitive with online and on-demand offerings from their competition. I suspect the company will continue to introduce new programming options for subscribers which include both online programming and programming available through their traditional broadcasting methods.

DISH Network’s DISHOnline Service Offers HBO and Cinemax Programming

As someone who grew up getting his video entertainment from the good old “boob tube,” I’m not as enthusiastic about watching video on my PC as my kids are. It’s hard to break away from my comfortable old recliner, my remote control and my 51-inch TV. For some of us who might be considered “old school,” the place for TV-watching is the living room.

I will admit to catching a few TV series episodes and movies online and the experience was actually pretty good, although I still must say I prefer my “legacy” set-up.

DISH Network is certainly not ignorant about the whole internet video thing and are moving to stake their claim in that area. DISH recently emerged as the winner of the auction of the bankrupt Blockbuster and has fueled a lot of speculation about the company’s plans for Blockbuster.

It’s obvious that competition has been heating up recently in the pay-TV space for on-demand and pay-per-view programming content. DISH Network competitor DirecTV has recently been running television commercials boasting that they are offering somewhere around 6,000 on-demand titles for subscribers to access at no extra cost.

A recent deal inked between DISH Network and EPIX will allow Platinum subscribers to access over 3,000 films and other EPIX programming via DISH Network’s DishOnline service.

Dave Shull, senior VP of programming for DISH, said that the company is committed to offering the best video content available, which can be watched anywhere. Shull went on to explain that the new partnership with EPIX "Is why our partnership with EPIX is an important step in the expansion of the already robust lineup of popular movies available online and on on-demand at DishOnline.com”

As a DISH Network subscriber myself, I look forward to more online and on-demand programming content becoming available. There’s little doubt that they will be taking necessary steps to stay competitive with other broadcasters like DirecTV and the cable companies.

EPIX, a joint venture between Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios, Paramount Pictures unit, and Lionsgate offers up a vast library of over 15,000 films from the the three film makers and their partners.

DISH Bolsters Online Content With EPIX Deals

I think it’s safe to say that my kids spend far more time watching video on the internet than on TV. They spend hours watching YouTube videos and TV programs on sites like Hulu.com. Since they practically grew up with a mouse in their hands, they feel pretty natural parked in front of a computer monitor as opposed to the glowing tube I spent countless hours watching when I was a kid.

This move to online video entertainment is not lost on DISH Network. Today they have launched a brand-new website that will allow viewers to watch DISH Network programming online. As soon as I learned about DishOnline.com I went to the site and was able to log in easily using the same username and password that I use to access my DISH Network account online.

I took a few minutes to browse through the programming that was available and it appeared to be a pretty impressive amount of programming, including popular programs like 24, Big Brother, House and many more. At the moment the new service is in “Beta,” and the number of programs available seems to vary quite a bit from program to program.

Personally, I’ll still be doing most of my TV viewing in front of my 51” HDTV, but where I see this service really coming in handy for me is if I happen to miss an episode of one of my favorite programs. Even with my DVR, I sometimes screw up and manage to miss something I really wanted to see. DishOnline.com will be a very welcome resource during those times.

I’m not quite sure if I am ready to tell my kids about this yet. I’m a bit concerned that they will start using outrageous amounts of bandwidth and get us on the “naughty list” with Comcast who we depend on as the only broadband internet provider available in our area.

I’m a bit unclear so far on whether or not all this new content on the DishOnline.com site will be accessible from my DVR. If that’s the case, I’ll be able to catch those missed shows in all their 51” HDTV glory.

Obviously DISH Network subscribers will have the most to gain from the launch of the new site, although there is supposed to be some free content available for everyone, so at least it will give DISH a chance to showcase some of their features.

As soon as my wife is done watching “her shows” for the evening, I will go up and give the features of my DVR a thorough going-over to see if there are any new ones that give me access to all that programming on DishOnline.com.

DISH Network Extends Online Offerings

The fourteen new markets which have new HD channels are: Augusta, GA.; Davenport, IA; Evansville, IN.; Monroe, LA.; Paducah, KY.; Rochester, MN.; San Angelo, TX; Shreveport, LA.; Wichita, KS. and Wilmington, NC.

The remaining new channels are scheduled to be launched on August 18th, when DISH Network will launch local HD programming in Bangor, ME; Macon, GA.; Rochester, NY.; and Traverse City, MI.

Dave Shull, senior vice president of Programming for DISH Network had this to say regarding the new channels: “DISH Network is proud to offer the most HD local coverage in America. We continue to expand our local HD channel service because we know how important it is to our customers to watch sports, movies and their favorite primetime shows in high definition.”

DISH Network offers local HD programming in 170 markets, accounting for 96% of U.S. households.

A number of DISH Network packages are available for every budget and include free installation.

DISH Network Expands HD Offerings in 14 Markets

Both new channels feature family-friendly programming for both kids and parents alike. Discovery Kids en Espanol is an excellent choice for kids who are learning Spanish and includes engaging programming that makes learning fun. Programs such as "Harry y su Cubeta de Dinosaurios," "Milly Molly" and "Poko," guide kids on journeys that ultimately lead to a better understanding of the world around them.

Discovery Familia is geared towards a more more mature audience and features programming on the subjects of history, food, parenting and travel. Some of the network’s best-known shows include "Dulces Suenos," "Chef a Domicilio" and "Espacio Vital."

The Discovery Channel is one of my favorite channels, and I suspect that Discovery Kids en Espanol lives up to the reputation that the network has earned for itself.

"We are pleased to offer our Latino customers two of the most sought-after Spanish-language channels in the U.S.," said Dave Shull, senior vice president of Programming for DISH Network. "DISH Network is proud to be the go-to TV provider for the widest variety of top-rated Spanish-language programming at the absolute best price in the industry."

senior vice president and general manager for Discovery Networks U.S. Hispanic Group, Luis Silberwasser, was quoted as saying: "The launch of Discovery Kids en Espanol and Discovery Familia into DISH Network’s DishLATINO suite of packages responds to an increasing demand for high quality, family-friendly, Spanish-language television."

Discovery Kids en Espanol airs from 6:00 am to 9:00 pm (Eastern) while Discovery Familia comes on immediately after at 9:00 pm (Eastern). Both are broadcast on DISH Network Channel 853.

The two new channels are available through DISH Network’s DishLATINO Clasico packages and higher tier programming packages.

DISH Network Adds Discovery Kids en Espanol and Discovery Familia

The new agreement will allow NeuLion to distribute some DISH Network international channels over their IPTV service. More and more people are getting TV entertainment on the internet these days and companies and networks are moving to satisfy the demand.

DISH Network offers the most international programming in the business with more than 180 international channels in more than 28 different languages.

Although “satellite TV on your PC” has been a common theme used by scammers selling various lists of web sites that carry TV programming, this partnership looks to make “satellite TV on your PC” a reality – at least some of the programming anyway.

The lines appear to be blurring more and more between television entertainment and the internet. With TV networks making some of their most popular programs available to watch online and new developments like the one between DISH and NeuLion, it appears that we can expect to see more partnerships like this in the future.

Personally, I’m most happy in my recliner in front of my 51-inch HDTV when I want to watch some television, but I have actually caught some of my favorite programs online after missing them on my DVR due to some error on my part, and it’s really quite handy in those circumstances.

DISH Network To Team With NeuLion

There is also a war of sorts that is going on between the satellite and cable companies with each of them claiming the most HD channels. Some folks make the mistake of believing that all you need to do is buy an HDTV set in order to watch HD programming all of the time.

The truth of the matter is that you will not see HD-quality programming on your new HDTV set unless the signal that is being transmitted is an HD signal. As it stand now, most television programming is still being transmitted in standard definition. That goes for the cable systems, satellite systems and local over-the-air broadcasts.

Just the other day I saw a commercial from Comcast that was advertising their superior number of HD channels when compared to DirecTV satellite. I have a hard time believe that, especially since I have seen Comcast commercials in the past they I considered deceptive.

I have heard recently that DirecTV has recently updated their HD offerings and now have about 100 HD channels. I don’t have Comcast cable TV service myself but my relatives in Massachusetts do and the last time I talked to them, Comcast was not offering anywhere near 100 HD channels on the system that are serviced by.

Dish Network currently offers about 75 HD channels but promises to upgrade that to 100 channels this year with the launch of new satellites. I just hope they are able to position the new satellites close enough to the 100, 199 or 61-degree satellites to allow me to catch them with the dish antennas I currently have now. I don’t mind having two dishes on my house but it seems like three might be pushing it a little.

Consumers Continue To Snap Up HDTV Sets