Post by dkennedy on Jan 18, 2006 5:38:59 GMT -5
Dish Network picks up NFL Network which also broadcasts in high-definition
Local cable provider had dropped it
January 18, 2006
By Will Buss, News-Democrat
Dish Network has launched an aggressive marketing campaign to attract Charter Communications cable subscribers who may be missing the NFL Network.
The satellite television company picked up the network, which broadcasts some pre-season National Football League games and recasts condensed versions of regular-season games, in September after St. Louis-based Charter booted the package.
A radio and print campaign has begun to lure customers as playoff games are under way and the Super Bowl is to be played in three weeks.
Dish Network spokesman Marc Lumpkin said the Denver-based company has increased its channel capacity and added the NFL Network in its mid-tier package for $42.99 a month, which includes 120 channels, and also broadcasts in high-definition.
"We want to let people in St. Louis know that they now have that choice," Lumpkin said. "We have very competitive rates."
Charter spokesman Anita Lamont said lack of subscribers forced the cable company to drop the football package.
"Unfortunately, there was not enough subscriber interest in the sports tier to make that program package viable within the terms of the NFL Network's contract with Charter," Lamont said. "The NFL Network insisted on being relocated to a different tier, with broader customer coverage. Charter felt that did not make sense."
Charter Communications serves more than 6 million customers in 40 states and is the primary cable provider in the St. Louis area, including the metro-east.
Dish Network entered the St. Louis market in 1996 and today reaches more than 12 million customers nationwide.
Local cable provider had dropped it
January 18, 2006
By Will Buss, News-Democrat
Dish Network has launched an aggressive marketing campaign to attract Charter Communications cable subscribers who may be missing the NFL Network.
The satellite television company picked up the network, which broadcasts some pre-season National Football League games and recasts condensed versions of regular-season games, in September after St. Louis-based Charter booted the package.
A radio and print campaign has begun to lure customers as playoff games are under way and the Super Bowl is to be played in three weeks.
Dish Network spokesman Marc Lumpkin said the Denver-based company has increased its channel capacity and added the NFL Network in its mid-tier package for $42.99 a month, which includes 120 channels, and also broadcasts in high-definition.
"We want to let people in St. Louis know that they now have that choice," Lumpkin said. "We have very competitive rates."
Charter spokesman Anita Lamont said lack of subscribers forced the cable company to drop the football package.
"Unfortunately, there was not enough subscriber interest in the sports tier to make that program package viable within the terms of the NFL Network's contract with Charter," Lamont said. "The NFL Network insisted on being relocated to a different tier, with broader customer coverage. Charter felt that did not make sense."
Charter Communications serves more than 6 million customers in 40 states and is the primary cable provider in the St. Louis area, including the metro-east.
Dish Network entered the St. Louis market in 1996 and today reaches more than 12 million customers nationwide.