EchoStar Announces Push/Pull Video on Demand Service Incorporated Into IPTV Transport Platform

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — EchoStar FSS Corporation (EFSSC), a subsidiary of EchoStar Communications Corporation (Nasdaq:DISH), today announced that it is offering a “push and pull” video on demand (VOD) service as part of its IPTV platform, ViP-TV. The launch of ViP-TV was announced earlier this week.

The VOD content for ViP-TV is based on EchoStar’s existing VOD service, which is currently offered to DISH Network satellite TV subscribers. Because it is both a push and pull service, ViP-TV offers more movie and programming options than the current popular titles associated with a push-only VOD service.

The VOD service also includes the associated infrastructure support for customers’ content delivery networks to help them maintain high-quality video transport to their end users.

“EchoStar’s ViP-TV VOD service is robust out of the gates because it has already been developed and deployed as part of DISH Network,” said Mike Kelly, executive vice president of EchoStar FSS. “All of the services associated with ViP-TV are supported by EchoStar’s world-class infrastructure. We are committed to using state-of-the-art technologies to offer the highest-quality products and services to our customers.”

ViP-TV offers over 300 local and national channels, push and pull VOD service and associated infrastructure support to telcos, private and rural cable operators, municipalities and master-planned community video providers that have obtained the rights for distribution of such programming over their wire-line networks. The service is delivered using a high-powered Ku Band satellite with full continental U.S. coverage, so it can be deployed rapidly and maintained at a low cost.