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From the "simple" beginnings of broadcasting a signal from a land-based source to a receiver (television set), the experience of watching television has grown to include hundreds of channels and several methods of distributing programs. One of the latest popular methods is satellite service, with DISH Network as a major player.

According to one encyclopedia definition, DISH Network "is a direct broadcast satellite (DBS) service that provides satellite television and audio programming to households and businesses in the United States." (DISH stands for Digital Sky Highway.) This service is provided by EchoStar Communications Corporation.

Started more than 10 years ago (1996) the network is a direct competitor to cable television companies in the U.S. In 1987, EchoStar applied for a DBS license with the Federal Communications Commission and was granted access to geostationary orbital slot 119 West longitude in 1992, according to the company's Web site.

Telstar was the first satellite to send a television signal. The transmission was relayed from Europe to the satellite over North America in 1962. Canada launched a satellite in 1972 to carry TV signals. History records that the first commercial satellite was the Early Bird (1965). The former Soviet Union developed the first nationwide network for satellite service in 1967.

Though the DISH Network satellite service is now wildly successful, the project had difficulties in the beginning. Several attempts to launch a satellite failed before EchoStar I was successfully orbiting in 1995. In the past 12 years, the number of households subscribing to DISH Network has risen from about 20,000 to more than 11 million.

According to figures from the company, EchoStar Communications Corporation serves more than 11.3 million satellite TV customers through DISH Network, and is a leading U.S. provider of advanced digital television services. New figures for 2007 indicate that the company has more than 13 million customers. As with cable service, satellite broadcast service includes such options as "regular" video/audio programs, pay-per-view, high definition programming and more.

DISH Network is available throughout the U.S. including Hawaii, Alaska and Puerto Rico. A larger receiving dish is usually needed to get a good signal outside the continental U.S. Areas outside the continental United States will usually need a larger dish to receive an adequate signal.

Dish sizes vary from the smallest 24-inch dish to a dish as wide as 1.5 meters. Dish Network has started to provide Internet access to compete with cable companies. One of the newest services tried by DISH Network is broadband satellite Internet service. The company has contracted with local telephone companies to provide services in this area. An initial agreement with Starband for Internet service ended in 2003.

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