Dish Network in the News

Distance Learning on Dish Network

NEEDHAM, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 22, 2000--United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA) announced today that it is assuming control of Educating Everyone, Inc., a Florida-based not-for-profit foundation created to provide quality distance education opportunities through multi-media services.

USDLA was created in 1987 to facilitate the growth of distance learning and to serve as the institutional voice of the distance learning industry. "The acquisition of Educating Everyone enhances USDLA's mission of promoting the growth of distance learning,'' said USDLA Executive Director John G. Flores. "USDLA looks forward to increasing the visibility of Educating Everyone by incorporating their accomplishments into the greater scope of services that a larger organization like USDLA offers.''

For almost three years, Educating Everyone, Inc. has been building working relationships between direct-broadcast-satellite (DBS) companies and educational organizations to pursue additional distribution for educational content. Educating Everyone is currently managing a pilot project that is examining how a 24x7 open access channel can be maximized for the distribution of distance education content directly to schools and teacher homes. The pilot project runs on EchoStar Communications Corporation's DISH Network(TM) as channel 9413. With the completion of the pilot project, USDLA will continue to oversee the channel and further develop its educational offerings.

"We are excited about combining our mission with USDLA's, thereby maximizing both entities' efforts to promote and provide quality distance education to everyone'', added R. Scott Zimmer, Executive Director of Educating Everyone, Inc. "We have confidence that USDLA will be able to build upon our efforts in the coming years.'' Zimmer will join USDLA's Advisory Board to facilitate the transfer of control.

The transfer of Educating Everyone's assets to USDLA is effective immediately, and the current Board of Directors of Educating Everyone, Inc. is resigning. USDLA will continue the distribution of Educating Everyone's programming through the DISH Network(TM) and will build on that base to add additional educational content for students, parents, teachers and other educational professionals.