DISH Expands HD Locals, MPEG-4 Platform



DISH Network has continued efforts to expand local HD channel offerings as well as its MPEG-4 platform.

On the HD locals front, DISH on Thursday added high-def local channels for six markets: Columbia-Jefferson City, Mo.; Des Moines-Ames, Iowa; Lincoln and Hastings-Kearney, Neb.; Omaha, Neb.; Quincy-Hannibal-Keokuk, Ill.; and Waco-Temple-Bryan, Texas. DISH said that with the additions its service now offers local channels in 76 markets reaching 72 percent of U.S. TV households.

Also, DISH said it would begin transmitting its MPEG-4 delivery system to consumers in 21 additional markets in the Eastern half of the United States. The new markets include: Abilene-Sweetwater, Texas; Atlanta; Birmingham, Ala.; Chattanooga, Tenn.; Columbia-Jefferson City, Mo.; Des Moines-Ames, Iowa; Florence-Myrtle-Beach, S.C.; Ft. Myers-Naples, Fla.; Huntsville-Decatur, Ala.; Jackson, Miss.; Joplin-Pittsburg, Mo.; Lincoln and Hastings-Kearney, Neb.; Memphis, Tenn.; Mobile-Pensacola, Fla.; Omaha, Neb.; Quincy-Hannibal-Keokuk, Ill.; Sherman, Texas/Ada, Okla.; South Bend-Elkhart, Ind.; St. Louis; Topeka, Kan.; and Waco-Temple-Bryan; Texas.

The additions join 31 other markets with the service. Customers who sign up for DISH in the 52 markets with access to the platform will receive all standard and high-def programming in the MPEG-4 Advanced Video Coding Standard.