Dish Network Corporation, commonly known as Dish, is an American-based satellite and streaming television provider. The company was founded in 1980 by Charles Ergen, Cantey Ergen, and Jim Defranco as EchoStar Corporation. The company then started offering satellite television services in 1996 and later split into two entities: EchoStar Corporation and Dish Network. Dish has since grown to become the third-largest pay-TV provider in the United States, with over 12 million subscribers.
Dish offers a variety of TV packages to its customers, including a core package of over 190 channels and add-on packages for sports, movies, and international programming. The company also offers a variety of streaming services, including its own on-demand streaming service, Sling TV. In addition to traditional television services, Dish also offers internet and phone services to residential customers, as well as TV services to businesses.
Dish has been recognized for its innovative products and services. In 2012, the company launched the Hopper, a set-top box that allowed users to skip commercials, record multiple shows at once, and stream content to mobile devices. The Hopper has won numerous awards for innovation in television technology. Dish has also made a significant investment in 5G technology, partnering with a variety of companies to test and develop 5G networks.
In recent years, Dish has faced challenges from the rise of streaming services, as well as disputes with programming providers. In 2018, the company had a highly-publicized dispute with CBS that resulted in CBS channels being temporarily unavailable to Dish subscribers. Dish has also faced challenges in its efforts to launch its own 5G network, with regulatory and logistical issues delaying the rollout.