Founding Years
Back in 1980 a company was formed under the name EchoStar L.L.C. Founders were Charlie Ergen, Candy Ergen and Jim DeFranco. Originally a distributor of C-Band Satellites, EchoStar filed for a direct broadcast satellite license to broadcast satellite television with the Federal Communication Commission in 1992. The FCC granted the orbital slot 119 west.
Birth of DISH Network
The first satellite was launched in December of 1995 called EchoStar I. The success of EchoStar I marked the beginning of an era to develop a fleet of satellites over the next couple of decades. In 1996, the DISH Network name was born with the successful launch of EchoStar I and the completion of its satellite uplink center in Wyoming.
Through the Years
In 1998, EchoStar purchased assets from News Corporation acquiring the majority of the orbital slot at orbital slot 110 west. The acquisition was the beginning of a one dish solution for receiving multiple signals from different satellites in the sky. This system would soon be known as a Dish 500 antenna. This satellite dish offered the potential to carry up to 500 channels from one dish. By 1999, the company created their first High Definition Receiver. Five years later the launch of a Ka band satellite named EchoStar IX would help provide access to local channels in all 50 states. That same year the company reached a milestone with 10 million customers.
By 2005, Cablevision sold its subsidiary assets with satellite television provider Voom to EchoStar including a satellite in the orbital slot 61.5 west. A few years later in 2008, EchoStar and DISH Network would split into two separately publicly traded companies. EchoStar was left control of the satellite fleet, while DISH Network heads up the monthly subscription part of the business. EchoStar still plays a critical role to the success of DISH Network.
DISH Network Today
In 2011, Blockbuster was acquired out of bankruptcy. The household name was speculatively retained for branding and an opportunity to compete with services like on-demand movies, rentals and streaming services.
Other acquisitions include a wireless spectrum purchased from bankrupt companies DBSD and TerreStar. Charles Ergen has expressed plans to launch a wireless internet and mobile service that can compete with the likes of cable and telephone companies across the country. A petition is pending with the FCC to consider the recently acquired spectrum for use with LTE high-speed internet.
In June 2011, Charlie Ergen stepped down as CEO. His successor Joseph Clayton was introduced who now handles day-to-day operations of the company while Charlie remains a board member. Later that year an attempt to purchase Hulu dissolved after Hulu's owners broke down talks and decided not to sell the company.
DISH Network is the second largest satellite television provider in the United States. DISH Network services include television, audio and interactive services to over 14 million customers at the end of 2011. The company's headquarters is based out of Meridian, Colorado.
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