New Satellite could add more HDTV

[Gregg Lengling]

http://www.audiorevolution.com/news/0602/21.echostar.shtml

Check this out, Dish Network is launching a new bird today.


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Gregg R. Lengling
RCA P61310 61" 16x9
gregg@camelcomm.com

[kjnorman]

With this reconfiguration there will be more residual bandwidth on the current satellites currently in the sky which could be used for more HDTV channels. As plasma sets and lower cost HDTVs start to penetrate the market, a breakthrough in HDTV programming (like having 25 to 50 good HDTV channels 24 hours per day – available by satellite) could make HDTV more the standard than the exception. If the merger between DirecTV and Echostar is denied, the two companies will have to develop their satellite networks with redundant programming that uses up space needed for HDTV programming.

Perhaps by 2004. Even if the merger is approved later this year, I would be surprised if this happened anytime in 2003. Still, I hope I am wrong - and if I am, Dish/DirectTV would have a new customer beating down their doors for a subscription!

Then again, who is going to supply these 25 to 50 channels? Most could be locals for different markets, meaning that in reality you may only have access to 3 to 5 HDTV channels in your own market. If that is the case, I could see myself sticking with cable. I am sure that TWC may have a few more HDTV channels by then.

Kerry