Dish adds EPIX HD and eight more to crack 200 HD channels, depending on how you count to 200

By Richard Lawler

Dish hasn't let the TiVo case hanging over its head stop the ball from rolling, first launching the Sling-powered ViP922 DVR and now announcing it will add eight new HD channels including EPIX HD (coming in May), G4 HD, Headline News HD, History International HD, Nat Geo Wild HD, ShortsHD, Style HD and Turner Classic Movies HD. However the libations may be flowing a bit too heavily around the Englewood, Colorado headquarters since the company claims this puts it over the 200 HD channel mark — an odd statement since just a few weeks ago it was only at 160 or so, even including PPV feeds. The trend towards HD VOD has certainly changed the channel (or "choices" as the latest trend has become) counting game, but we'll have our eyes pinned to the guide to figure out how this latest bit of funny math went down once these channels are actually on the air.

Update: Looks like the new channels are live according to a post on SatelliteGuys:

  • 375 Shorts
  • 380 Epix
  • 115 Style
  • 202 HLN
  • 191 G4
  • 132 TCM
  • 121 History International
  • 190 Wild

Update 2: According to Multichannel News, that "200" claim includes 57 ViP922-only VOD "channels". That counts, right? No?

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DISH Network Becomes First and Only TV Provider to Offer 200 National HD Channels
Significant Industry Milestone Includes Launch of EPIX HD

ENGLEWOOD, Colo., April 19, 2010 /PRNewswire via COMTEX News Network/ — DISH Network L.L.C., America's fastest-growing pay-TV provider, today became the first and only company to offer 200 national high definition channels. New additions to the nation's largest full-time HD line-up include EPIX HD, G4 HD, Headline News HD, History International HD, Nat Geo Wild HD, ShortsHD, Style HD and Turner Classic Movies HD.

Consumers can enjoy these high definition channels and more via the most advanced DVR technology in the industry, DISH Network's award-winning ViP 922 SlingLoaded DVR. This is the world's only DVR with integrated Sling technology, allowing DISH Network customers to watch their favorite programs anytime and anywhere via their laptop or mobile device. Customers with a ViP 922 have access to 200 HD channels through a giant 1 terabyte hard drive – twice as large as any other distributor's DVR.

"While others repeatedly claim they have the capacity to offer 200 HD channels, only DISH Network has delivered," said Tom Cullen, executive vice president of Sales, Marketing and Programming for DISH Network. "We are pleased to continue to lead the industry in delivering the best movies and entertainment with channels such as EPIX HD."

For more information on the nation's largest HD line-up as well as the ViP 922, visit www.dish.com.

EPIX Marks Its Sixth Distribution Deal;

Will Reach 30 Million Homes by May 2010

New York, April 19, 2010 – EPIX™ today announced its launch on DISH Network, making its content available to the distributor's more than 14.1 million customers around the nation. This is the first national distribution deal for EPIX and will accelerate significantly its reach to millions of American consumers.

EPIX is the premium entertainment joint venture formed by Viacom Inc. (NYSE: VIA and VIA.B), its Paramount Pictures unit, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. (MGM) and Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF), which provides consumers the latest Hollywood movies, 15,000 films from three of the top motion picture libraries and cutting-edge original programming and special comedy and concert events, exclusively in HD and SD. Specific terms of the agreement with the DISH Network were not disclosed.

"Partnering with EPIX underscores our ongoing commitment to deliver the very best in HD entertainment to our customers," said Dave Shull, Senior Vice President of Programming for DISH Network. "EPIX is an important part of our increased HD channel offering and strong expansion of our movie lineup. DISH Network subscribers will now have access to exclusive programming and movie content in HD that can be found only on EPIX."

Mark Greenberg, President and CEO of EPIX, said, "Teaming with DISH Network to make EPIX available to its more than 14 million satellite TV customers is a major step forward for us as we expand our national footprint. DISH Network is committed to delivering the very best in HD entertainment, and recognizes that EPIX is an important part of that experience ."

EPIX has concluded carriage agreements with six distributors. In addition to DISH Network, EPIX has reached agreements with Verizon FiOS, Cox, Charter, Mediacom and NCTC, carriage that will make the service available to consumers in over 30 million homes by May 2010.

EPIX offers a linear channel, on demand service and online service at www.EpixHD.com, offering consumers over 200 films and original programming each month on TV and on demand. EpixHD.com is the leading online destination for movies, with the most HD films plus studio exclusives, behind the scenes footage, movie extras and access to an innovative online screening room feature which enables consumers to invite friends anywhere to watch movies while they chat online in real time. Additionally, the enhanced service, EPIX Megaplex, will deliver over more than 3,000 films at anytime and anywhere.

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