EchoStar
Communications Corporation (NASDAQ: DISH) and its DISH Network(TM) satellite TV
service today unveiled a dynamic, nationwide branding and advertising campaign
with a money-saving offer for new customers. The campaign, declaring that DISH
Network is "Better TV for All," will appeal particularly to dissatisfied
cable customers.
Simply
stated, "Better TV for All" means DISH Network offers the lowest all-digital
price in America, with award-winning customer satisfaction and the latest technology.
Based on
public reports, 1.2 million households have switched to satellite TV since January,
bringing satellite's share of pay-TV users to more than 25 percent. According
to a recent survey conducted by the Leichtman Research Group, Inc., 60 percent
of former digital cable subscribers who maintain a pay-TV subscription cite expense
and "poor value" as the top reasons for dropping the service. DISH Network's
new campaign alerts dissatisfied cable customers to the better option of satellite
TV.
"Research
indicates that most cable subscribers don't know the benefits of satellite TV,"
said Michael Neuman, president and chief operating officer of EchoStar. "A
significant percentage of them have no idea that DISH Network is less expensive
than digital cable despite DISH Network's lowest all-digital price in America.
This new campaign will educate those unhappy cable TV watchers."
The
"Better TV for All" campaign promotes DISH Network's commitment to protect
television viewers across the country from inferior picture quality, sub-standard
customer service and outrageous prices forced upon them by cable providers.
A
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) report on cable industry prices released
in February confirmed that DISH Network programming packages cost 20 percent less
than those typically offered by digital cable.
The
campaign's new elements include updated graphics, a re-designed website and an
edgy television, print and radio advertising effort. The advertisements serve
as a wake-up call to people who have endured over-priced digital cable service
too long.
"Our
new campaign and positioning statement, 'Better TV for All,' aims to remind people
how unhappy they are with their current cable-TV service," said Jody Martin,
DISH Network senior vice president of Marketing. "We want everyone to know
that they have a better choice in pay TV, and it's DISH Network."
Celebrating
the campaign, DISH Network is offering new customers one month free service and
three free months of HBO, Showtime and Cinemax when they sign up for any qualifying
programming package. The offer comes complete with free standard professional
installation, no hardware to buy and a free digital video recorder (DVR) equipment
upgrade with an 18-month commitment. The basic package, America's Top 60, includes
more than 60 all-digital channels, with locals in more than 160 markets, for only
$29.99 per month following the first month.
For
more information on DISH Network, visit www.dishnetwork.com, call 800-333-DISH
(3474), or contact your local DISH Network retailer. For downloadable, print-quality
images of all the graphical elements associated with the new brand campaign, DISH
Network equipment or installations, visit www.dishnetwork.com/pressroom.
About
EchoStar
EchoStar
Communications Corporation (NASDAQ: DISH) serves more than 11.4 million satellite
TV customers through its DISH Network(TM), the fastest growing U.S. provider of
advanced digital television services in the last five years. DISH Network offers
hundreds of video and audio channels, Interactive TV, HDTV, sports and international
programming, together with professional installation and 24-hour customer service.
Visit EchoStar's DISH Network at www.dishnetwork.com or call 800-333-DISH (3474).