Dish Network to Offer HD-Only Package

[1969pontiac]

Dish Network to Offer HD-Only Package
The lineup will include 70 channels.
By Swanni

Washington, D.C. (January 22, 2008) -- Dish Network next week will introduce a new programming package that will only include High-Definition channels.

That's according to an article by Home Media Magazine.

The new package, which will be available on February 1, will include more than 70 national HD channels and will cost $29.99 a month.

However, the $29.99 package will not include some popular standard-def favorites such as E! and the Sci-Fi Channel unless the subscriber adds them in a different package.

Home Media reports that Dish's HD-only package will include all high-def channels currently offered in the satcaster's 'DishHD Essential' and 'Ultimate' packages, except for premium movie and sports channels such as HBO HD, Showtime HD and NBA HD.

Those channels must be purchased separately.

Dish is expected to offer a local HD channel option where available.

The satcaster said this month that it expects to increase its national high-def lineup from 76 to 100 HD channels by year's end.