DISH Network was dealt a blow today as their newest satellite, the AMC-14, failed to reach geosynchronous transfer orbit. While SES Americom is the actual owner of the satellite, DISH Network was planning on leasing use of the bird to expand HD offerings for its customers.
International Launch Services, or ILS, reported the “anomaly” on its website earlier today. Apparently, the launch went off as planned and completed the first burn. The second burn, however, failed to complete, and the Lockheed Martin built satellite did not reach its targeted orbit.
While AMC-14 was not destroyed, and there may be options on getting some service out of the satellite, it still hurts DISH Network in several ways.
DIRECTV has its own satellite going up on Monday, March 17th. If all goes well, they expect their HD capacity to rise to near 150 national channels by year end. Already bloodied in the HD war, DISH faces a potential knockout punch in the months ahead.
No related posts.
{ 2 trackbacks }