Dish Network 2010 Annual Report Download - page 9

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TV households. In addition, we provided local HD channels to markets representing approximately 94% of U.S. TV
households.
Receiver Systems. Our subscribers receive programming via equipment that includes a small satellite dish, digital
set-top receivers, and remote controls. Some of our advanced receiver models feature DVRs, HD capability, dual
tuners (which allow independent viewing on two separate televisions) and Internet-protocol compatibility, which
allows consumers to view movies and other content on their televisions via the Internet and a broadband connection.
We rely on EchoStar to design and manufacture all of our new receivers and certain related components. See “Item
1A – Risk Factors.”
DISHOnline.com. DISHOnline.com gives DISH Network subscribers the ability to watch television programs,
movies, and clips online at no additional charge with their paid subscription and compatible equipment.
DISHOnline.com offers more than 150,000 movies, television shows, clips and trailers.
DISH Remote Access. DISH Network’s free remote access (“DISH Remote Access”) gives subscribers the ability
to remotely manage their DVRs using compatible mobile devices such as smartphones, tablets and laptops through
their broadband-connected receiver.
Google TV. Google TV combines search capabilities and content from the Internet with our DISH Network
subscription television services to give DISH Network subscribers the ability to search the Internet, check e-mail,
interact with social media, and find additional online programming content while simultaneously watching
television.
Content Delivery
Digital Broadcast Operations Centers. The principal digital broadcast operations facilities we use are EchoStar’s
facilities located in Cheyenne, Wyoming and Gilbert, Arizona. We also use five regional digital broadcast
operations facilities owned and operated by EchoStar that allow us to maximize the use of the spot beam capabilities
of certain owned and leased satellites. Programming content is delivered to these facilities by fiber or satellite and
processed, compressed, encrypted and then uplinked to satellites for delivery to consumers.
In connection with the Spin-off, we entered into a broadcast agreement pursuant to which EchoStar provides certain
broadcast services to us, including teleport services such as transmission and downlinking, channel origination
services, and channel management services for a period ending on January 1, 2012. We may terminate channel
origination services and channel management services for any reason and without any liability upon at least 60 days
notice to EchoStar. If we terminate teleport services for a reason other than EchoStar’s breach, we are obligated to
pay EchoStar the aggregate amount of the remainder of the expected cost of providing the teleport services.
Satellites. Our DISH Network programming is currently delivered to customers using satellites that operate in the
“Ku” band portion of the microwave radio spectrum. The Ku-band is divided into two spectrum segments. The
portion of the Ku-band that allows the use of higher power satellites 12.2 to 12.7 GHz over the United States is
known as the Broadcast Satellite Service (“BSS”) band, which is also referred to as the Direct Broadcast Satellite
(“DBS”) band. The portion of the Ku-band that utilizes lower power satellites 11.7 to 12.2 GHz over the United
States is known as the Fixed Satellite Service (“FSS”) band.
Most of our programming is currently delivered using DBS satellites. To accommodate the more bandwidth-
intensive HD programming and other needs, we continue to explore opportunities to expand our satellite capacity
through the acquisition of new spectrum, the launching of more technologically advanced satellites, and the more
efficient use of existing spectrum via, among other things, better modulation and compression technologies.
We own or lease capacity on 13 satellites in geostationary orbit approximately 22,300 miles above the equator. For
further information concerning these satellites and satellite anomalies, please see the table and discussion under
“Satellites” below.
Conditional Access System. Our conditional access system secures our programming content using encryption so
that only paying customers can access our programming. We use microchips embedded in credit card-sized access