DISH Network and EchoStar

EchoStar started in 1980 after the company’s chairman and CEO, Charlie Ergen, entered the satellite TV industry as a distributor of C-band satellite TV systems. Operations quickly expanded while earning a reputation as an innovative company dedicated to providing customers with state-of-the-art equipment, systems and service. 

In 1987, EchoStar filed for a direct broadcast satellite (DBS) license with the Federal Communications Commission. EchoStar has six satellites in orbit and three more in production.

DISH Network has its headquarters in Littleton, Colo. It is is EchoStar's state-of-the-art direct broadcast satellite system with the capacity to offer customers over 500 channels of digital video and CD-quality audio programming using a single small satellite DISH. DISH Network provides customer support with the help of over 7,000 DISH Network customer service representatives available by telephone or e-mail around the clock. DISH Network delivers the most popular entertainment, news, sports and international channels. Additionally, with final passage of satellite TV legislation, DISH Network currently offers local ABC, CBS, NBC and FOX network channels, as well as popular super stations and independent network channels in some markets, to more than 60 percent of the U.S. market. As the fastest growing DBS company, DISH Network has added over 100,000 customers each month consistently since October 1998. Customers are choosing DISH Network over cable or other satellite TV providers in record numbers due to DISH Network’s pledge to offer more channels, more choices and more movies… all at the most affordable prices.