EchoStar and WebTV Networks Deliver Digital Video Recording for Satellite TV Customers
New WebTV Personal TV Service and DISHPlayer 500 Offer Digital Video Recording, Interactive Television, Internet Access, Games and More
LITTLETON, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 14, 1999-- EchoStar Communications Corp., (NASDAQ: DISH - news, DISHP - news) and WebTV Networks, Inc., announced today that the new WebTV Personal TV service, featuring digital video recording, is now available for EchoStar's DISHPlayer(TM) satellite TV system. Together, DISH Network(TM) and WebTV Networks deliver a complete enhanced TV product called DISHPlayer, which features digital video recording, hundreds of popular digital satellite TV channels and interactive TV programs, Internet browsing, Instant News and games -- all in a single set-top unit. DISHPlayer 500, the world's first interactive satellite TV receiver, is available now for only $299 and is being demonstrated this week at the Western Cable Show at the Los Angeles Convention Center at Microsoft's booth no. 2311.
An incredible holiday gift for television viewers, the DISHPlayer 500 satellite TV system includes a DISH 500 antenna, a set-top receiver and a remote control unit. WebTV Personal TV service, which includes up to 12 hours of recording time and Instant News, is offered for only $9.99 per month; WebTV Plus service for Internet access is available for just $24.95 per month; and DISH Network satellite TV programming packages start at $19.99 per month.
DISH Network Delivers the Most Choices in Satellite TV Programming
DISH Network, the fastest-growing satellite TV provider in the United States, gives consumers access to up to 500 crystal-clear digital video and CD-quality audio channels, including popular programming, local broadcast networks, sports events, pay-per-view movies, premium movie packages and more.
``DISH Network and WebTV now offer customers four incredible products in one -- a satellite TV system, digital video recorder, game player and Internet browser -- all in the comfort of their own living rooms for the lowest price in the industry,' said Charlie Ergen, chairman and CEO of EchoStar. ``And DISH Network can now offer a clear alternative to cable for consumers who want their local broadcast networks along with hundreds of all-digital channels.'
Giving Viewers Control
The new DISHPlayer 500 is the world's first satellite TV receiver with a built-in 17.2-gigabyte hard drive capable of simultaneously recording and playing back full-quality digital video -- without the hassles of a videotape. The disk drive makes possible a number of enhanced features for customers who subscribe to WebTV Personal TV service, such as up to 12 hours of digital video recording, TV Pause, skip, fast-forward or rewind any selected program; downloadable video games via satellite; and Instant News. The TV Listings allows users to view programming seven days in advance and to quickly search and find programs to watch or automatically record with a touch of a button. WebTV Personal TV service gives viewers greater control over their TV with the ability to freeze a ``live' TV program using TV Pause or instantly replay or skip ahead a few seconds to their favorite movie scene or the next big play of a sporting event.
In addition, WebTV Personal TV service provides viewers with an Instant News channel that delivers the latest headlines, business, weather, sports and stock information, which they can customize right on their TV. Instant News is updated throughout the day via satellite, requiring no Internet connection. Also, games such as You Don't Know Jack and Solitaire are included with the purchase of a DISHPlayer.
Interactive TV Programs and Internet Features
With a click of the remote, WebTV Plus Internet service enables viewers to directly interact with their favorite programming, such as playing along with game shows, voting in news polls, retrieving more information on their favorite stars or sports games, or doing their holiday shopping -- all from the comfort of their living rooms.
WebTV Plus service offers interactive programming, such as The Today Show, Judge Judy, JEOPARDY!, Wheel of Fortune, Dateline NBC, The Weather Channel, and more.
WebTV Plus also provides TV viewers an avenue to explore the Internet from the comfort of their living room with an easy-to-use web browser, with access to chatrooms, newsgroups, and six email accounts. Plus, Kid Friendly features ensure a safe and fun Internet environment for children.
DISHPlayer also comes with an optional keyboard for only $49. The WebTV Personal TV service can be ordered by calling DISH Network, and WebTV Plus service can be ordered directly from the user's DISHPlayer system. Customers subscribing to both the WebTV Personal TV and WebTV Plus services may receive a $5-per-month discount.
DISHPlayer satellite TV system recently won an award from Popular Science magazine for ``Best of What's New' in 1999, and was chosen by the editors of etown.com as the 1999 satellite television Product of the Year on the basis of performance, quality, technology and value.
For more information about DISHPlayer 500, DISH Network programming, WebTV Personal TV Service, or to contact one of DISH Network's more than 20,000 retailers nationwide, call 1-800/333-DISH (3474) or visit www.dishnetwork.com.
DISH Network is EchoStar's state-of-the-art direct broadcast satellite system that is capable of offering over 500 channels of digital video and CD-quality audio programming, fully MPEG-2/DVB compliant hardware and installation. DISH Network was also ranked number one in customer satisfaction among satellite/cable TV subscribers by the J.D. Power and Associates 1999 Cable/Satellite TV Customer Satisfaction Study. EchoStar launched its newest high-power direct broadcast satellite on a Lockheed Martin rocket on Sept. 23, 1999. EchoStar V, located at 110 degrees W.L., allows DISH Network to offer 500 channels, including local channels, high-definition television, Dolby Digital surround sound, Internet and high-speed interactive television and data services, all on a single dish. DISH Network, which currently serves approximately 3.25 million customers, is a trademark of EchoStar Communications Corporation. DISH Network is located on the Internet at www.dishnetwork.com.
About WebTV Networks
WebTV Networks, Inc., is a leading provider of enhanced TV services using Internet and digital technologies. WebTV Networks offers a range of enhanced TV services for set-top boxes, satellite products and other TV-related devices. Today, these services include the WebTV Classic service, the WebTV Plus service and the WebTV Plus service for satellite. WebTV Networks owns and operates a network of TV services and provides enabling software and hardware reference designs to consumer electronics manufacturers. WebTV Networks, based in Mountain View, Calif., is a wholly owned subsidiary of Microsoft Corp.
Microsoft, WebTV Network and WebTV are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries. Other products and company names mentioned herein may be trademarks of their respective owners.
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