ENGLEWOOD, Colo., June 12, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- DISH Network Corporation (Nasdaq:DISH), the nation's third largest pay-TV provider and the digital transition leader, today announced an agreement with Tribune, America's largest employee-owned media company, to add WGN America in HD to its lineup of more than 80 national HD channels. As part of the agreement, DISH Network(r) this week will begin to carry high-definition programming from four Tribune stations in major markets -- KCPQ FOX, Seattle, Wash.; WPIX CW, New York, N.Y.; WGN-TV CW, Chicago, Ill.; and KTXL FOX, Sacramento, Ca.
The agreement also provides for DISH Network to launch and carry the HD signals of the rest of the Tribune group, with 23 television stations in 19 markets.
"With the Cubs and White Sox leading their divisions in the Major Leagues, we are excited to reach this agreement with Tribune to launch WGN America in HD. Now, DISH Network subscribers throughout the country can follow this exciting season in high definition, especially the upcoming cross-town battles between the Cubs and Sox at Wrigley Field and U.S. Cellular Field later this month," said Eric Sahl, senior vice president of programming for DISH Network. "Along with WGN America in HD, we are also pleased to add Tribune's local signals in high definition to our lineup. These are some of the most popular stations in the markets Tribune serves."
"We're very pleased to extend our agreements with DISH Network," said Bill Shaw, general manager of WGN America. "This agreement provides solid value for Tribune and will deliver our best entertainment, sports and news programming to DISH Network subscribers in the best format possible -- full HD."
Located on DISH Network channel 239 HD, WGN America in HD is available to DISH Network customers who subscribe to AT200 Essential HD and higher, as well as DISH Network's exclusive HD-only Absolute programming package, available for $29.99 per month. DISH Network's Latino subscribers may find WGN America in HD in DISH Latino MAX HD and higher.
WGN America, previously known as Superstation WGN, carries more baseball games than any other national television network -- all in high definition, with Dolby Digital 5.1 audio. WGN America is also the home of the Chicago Bulls, whose games are also carried in HD.
Earlier this year, DISH Network announced plans to enhance its HD programming line-up throughout 2008. DISH Network continues its commitment to reach the year-end goal of 100 local HD markets and 100 national HD channels.
DISH Network offers new customers the opportunity to upgrade for free to a dishHD DVR receiver like the ViP722(tm) -- which recently received the top-ranking Editors' Choice awards from both CNET and PC Magazine. The ViP722 is a dual-tuner HD DVR that operates two televisions in separate rooms and offers up to 500 hours of storage capacity allowing customers to pause, rewind and fast forward their favorite TV programming.
For more information about DISH Network's HD offerings or DVR technology, call 1-800-333-DISH (3474), visit www.dishnetwork.com, or visit your local DISH Network retailer.
About Tribune
Tribune is America's largest employee-owned media company, operating businesses in publishing, interactive and broadcasting. In publishing, Tribune's leading daily newspapers include the Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune, Newsday (Long Island, N.Y.), The Sun (Baltimore), South Florida Sun-Sentinel, Orlando Sentinel, Hartford Courant, Morning Call and Daily Press. The Company's broadcasting group operates 23 television stations, WGN America on national cable, Chicago's WGN-AM and the Chicago Cubs baseball team. Popular news and information websites and the CLTV News cable network complement Tribune's print and broadcast properties and extend the Company's nationwide audience. At Tribune we take what we do seriously and with a great deal of pride. We also value the creative spirit and are nurturing a corporate culture that doesn't take itself too seriously.
About DISH Network Corporation
DISH Network Corporation (Nasdaq:DISH), the nation's third largest pay-TV provider and the leader in digital television, provides more than 13.815 million satellite TV customers with industry-leading customer satisfaction which has surpassed major cable TV providers for eight consecutive years. DISH Network also provides customers with award-winning HD and DVR technology including the ViP722(tm) HD DVR, which received the Editors' Choice awards from both CNET and PC Magazine. In addition, subscribers enjoy access to hundreds of video and audio channels, the most International channels in the U.S., industry-leading Interactive TV applications, Latino programming, and the best sports and movies in HD. DISH Network offers a variety of package and price options including the lowest all-digital price in America, the DishDVR Advantage Package, high-speed Internet service, and a free upgrade to the best HD DVR in the industry. DISH Network is included in the Nasdaq-100 Index (NDX) and is a Fortune 300 company. Visit www.dishnetwork.com/aboutus or call 1-800-333-DISH (3474) for more information.