DISH Network L.L.C. and Blockbuster L.L.C. announced today Blockbuster Movie Pass, the most comprehensive TV entertainment programming package ever delivered by a multichannel pay TV provider.
Beginning Oct. 1, 2011, Blockbuster Movie Pass is available for DISH Network customers, starting at $10 per month, combining the best of TV with the best of movies and games. It features a pay TV industry first: a subscription streaming movie service bundle available on the TV or PC. This programming package is unmatched by any other cable, satellite, telco or online streaming movie service.
Blockbuster Movie Pass includes the following:

Mail It! – More than 100,000 DVD movies, TV shows and games available by mail. No additional charge for high definition Blu-ray™ movies. One, two or three disc plans available. Queue management made conveniently from a link at www.dish.com.

Stream it! – Stream more than 3,000 movies to the TV. Stream more than 4,000 movies to the PC. Watch hundreds of on-demand TV shows.

Play it! – More than 3,000 video games by mail for XBOX®, XBOX 360®, Playstation2™, Playstation3™, and Nintendo Wii™.

Exchange it! – Unlimited exchanges of DVDs and video games at participating Blockbuster stores.

Watch it! – More than 20 premium entertainment movie channels from studios like MGM, Epix, Sony Movie Channel, PixL and more.

“With millions of Internet-enabled DISH Network set-top boxes deployed in U.S. homes and our ability to offer services from the iconic Blockbuster brand, we are uniquely positioned to take advantage of the myriad of ways consumers seek access to their favorite movies, TV shows or games,” said Joe Clayton, CEO of DISH Network.

“When you combine Blockbuster Movie Pass with a DISH Network subscription, you get endless entertainment options

and convenient access to the content you want, when you want it. And unlike other companies, we offer the simplicity of one company, one bill and one connection.”

From Oct. 1 through Jan. 31, 2012, DISH Network is offering new customers Blockbuster Movie Pass included with their DISH Network subscription for one year when they subscribe to DISH Network’s America’s Top 200 programming package or greater and commit to 24 months of DISH Network service. This is up to $360 in savings.
Blockbuster Movie Pass is also included for three months for new DISH Network customers who subscribe to America’s Top 120 programming package. After the promotional period, Blockbuster Movie Pass starts at just $10 per month. Access to the subscription streaming movie service requires a DISH Network HD DVR.

“We’ve created a package that combines the best assets of the movie entertainment and video gaming industries with the convenience and integration provided by a multichannel video provider,” said Michael Kelly, president of Blockbuster. “Blockbuster Movie Pass is the ultimate programming package for every movie buff. The combination of DVDs by mail and unlimited in-store exchanges provides more than 100 million people living near Blockbuster stores, which are open 7 days a week, immediate satisfaction and unmatched choice.”

For die-hard baseball fans who have never had the chance to visit Fenway’s famous Green Monster, watch a game within “The Friendly Confines” of Wrigley Field, or eat an original Dodger Dog at Dodger stadium, DIRECTV is launching the perfect 3D series just for them. Beginning this Saturday, DIRECTV is giving fans an unprecedented view of America’s national pastime with its new, original 3D series, On Deck with Jamie and Mike.

On Deck with Jamie and Mike, hosted by two spirited sports fanatics, Jamie Kaler and Mike Bunin, who are also known for their roles on TBS’ sitcom, My Boys, is giving viewers an in-depth look at famous ballparks across the country, the cities that house them and the fans that bring them to life. The series will premiere in 3D on Sept. 24 at 9 p.m. ET/PT and is available exclusively on n3D, Powered by Panasonic (channel 103). The show will also air in 2D on DIRECTV’s Audience Network (channel 239) beginning at 7:30 p.m. ET.

“What makes real baseball fans so passionate about the game is so much more than just the players on the field,” said Chris Long, senior vice president, DIRECTV Entertainment. “It is the smell of the stadium, the feel of the seats, the taste of the food they have waited all year to eat and the familiar faces that greet them when they walk through the gates. On Deck with Jamie and Mike in 3D will bring that same nostalgia to our 3D baseball fans and give them the best baseball road trip of their lives without having to get up from their couch.”

DIRECTV, one of the world’s leading video providers, has acquired all three seasons of the critically acclaimed, award-winning Canadian comedy series Less Than Kind. Produced and distributed by Toronto-based Breakthrough Entertainment, the series will make its exclusive U.S. debut this fall on DIRECTV’s AUDIENCE Network™, joining fellow Canadian hit Call Me Fitz as part of the network’s stable of comedy programming. UTA, on behalf of Breakthrough Entertainment, brokered the deal with DIRECTV.

The comedy-drama series follows the trials and tribulations of Sheldon Blecher (Jesse Camacho), an overweight 15-year-old with a self-destructive driving instructor father, a pyromaniac mother and a failed-actor brother who won’t get out of his room. The family business, Blecher’s Driving School, is crashing. And to add insult to injury, the family lives in Winnipeg. As Sheldon struggles to escape his family and his family struggles to keep the business running, cars crash, hearts break, blood pressure boils, and corned beef is eaten. Less Than Kind is a smart, edgy, dysfunctional half-hour comedy that chronicles Sheldon’s attempts to manage his teenage years. It offers a sharp, humorous look at the twists and turns that take place between the hugs and kisses in a “loving” family.

“DIRECTV’s AUDIENCE Network™ is connecting with viewers throughout the U.S. and we are proud to have Less Than Kind as an important part of its prime-time line-up,” said Nat Abraham, Vice President of Distribution for Breakthrough Entertainment.

“Clever, smart and unpredictable, Less Than Kind is a perfect fit for the AUDIENCE Network™,” said Patty Ishimoto, vice president Entertainment DIRECTV and general manager of the Audience Network™. “We are thrilled to add it to our line-up of comedy programming and to introduce our viewers to the eccentric members of the Blecher family.”

Entering its third season January 2012 on HBO® Canada and The Movie Network Canada, Less Than Kind boasts Mark McKinney as its executive producer. The Canadian actor-comedian is best known for his memorable work on The Kids in the Hall and Saturday Night Live, before moving on to write and star in the acclaimed Canadian series Slings and Arrows.

“This really is a tradition going back to Kids in the Hall,” said McKinney. “We would write the weirdest sketch we could and then try and make it accessible to the audience. You want your characters to have afflictions and have to deal with things. In this case, our lead is overweight but the irony is that he’s carrying the burden of this tremendously dysfunctional family.”

After debuting on Canadian television in October 2008, Less Than Kind was quickly embraced by TV audiences and critics alike. In 2010, the series earned fifteen Gemini Awards, including Best Comedy Series, Best Direction, Best Writing, and Best Individual Performances. Less Than Kind also earned nine individual Canadian Comedy Awards, including Best Writing, Best Ensemble Cast and Best Individual Performance in a Comedy Series, as well as multiple Best Comedy Writing awards from the prestigious Writers Guild of Canada.

Less Than Kind is a production of Breakthrough Entertainment and Buffalo Gal Pictures. The series is executive produced by Ira Levy, Peter Williamson, Phyllis Laing, Mark McKinney, Marvin Kaye, and Chris Sheasgreen.

A number of HD channels are not viewable due to issues in connection with Dish Network’s service interruption from a satellite located at the 129 orbital location.

DIRECTV, America’s exclusive source for the popular NFL SUNDAY TICKET™ service that allows fans to follow their favorite team no matter where they live, is challenging die-hard, displaced NFL fans across the country to prove their undying loyalty to their favorite out-of-market NFL team with the launch of the Fourth Annual Ultimate Displaced Fan Contest.

Contestants will vie for a chance to earn the title of DIRECTV’s Ultimate Displaced Fan by submitting videos, essays, or photos that creatively displays the extreme dedication to their team and how they deal with living outside of their team’s home market.

In addition to bragging rights, the winner of the contest will receive the dream NFL prize package: a trip to Indianapolis for Super Bowl XLVI, two tickets to the game, a radio tour with a member of their favorite team on famed “radio row” and the opportunity to play alongside celebrities and NFL greats in DIRECTV’s nationally televised Celebrity Beach Bowl. The winner also receives a year of complimentary DIRECTV programming, along with the 2012 NFL SUNDAY TICKET™ service. The contest is underway and entries should be submitted to the DIRECTV Ultimate Displaced Fan website atwww.ultimatedisplacedfan.com

Fans can get involved by voting for their favorite Ultimate Displaced Fan entries through a fan voting feature that allows them to cast their vote for the top 10 monthly entries for a chance to win random, bi-weekly prizes. Each month during the contest the submission that receives the most fan votes will win autographed memorabilia from Peyton or Eli Manning or an NFL.com gift card. Voting begins Oct. 1 when entries begin posting to the contest website.

“NFL fans’ passion and unabashed loyalty to their home team has driven the enormous popularity of our exclusive NFL SUNDAY TICKET™ package, and through our Ultimate Displaced Fan contest we’re encouraging those fans to take that enthusiasm to another level,” said Tony Goncalves, senior vice president, Product Management, DIRECTV. “With this contest we’re honoring those die-hard, displaced NFL fans by giving them a chance to have some fun and show their loyalty and dedication to their favorite team and win some awesome prizes.”

Last year the Ultimate Displaced Fan title was awarded to Kris Jones, a Raleigh, N.C. resident with a fanatical loyalty to the Baltimore Ravens. Jones won with a creative video that provided viewers with a tour of his “Ravens Room” – the home of his Baltimore memorabilia, wall decals and a special bed where he superstitiously tucks himself in between Ravens-branded sheets the night before every game.

Both displaced and regular fans alike will enjoy new features with the NFL SUNDAY TICKET™ package this season, making the experience of watching every out-of-market game every Sunday better than ever. In addition to NFL SUNDAY TICKET™ To-Go being available on more devices this year, fantasy players, for the first time, will be able to view their NFL.com Fantasy Football teams and scores directly on their TV screen while watching every game every Sunday afternoon on DIRECTV. A “Watch Now” icon assigned to their fantasy player will enable the viewer to tune instantly to that player’s game in progress – an experience that is unique to NFL SUNDAY TICKET™ customers. DIRECTV will also offer a new enlarged, four-cell Mix Channel for afternoon games to enhance the viewing experience.

DISH Network L.L.C. announced tonight it will launch MLB Network, the 24-hour television network dedicated to baseball. Beginning tonight, MLB Network will be available on channel 153 to customers who subscribe to one of DISH Network’s America’s Top 200, DISH Latino Dos or MultiSport packages.

“With the pennant races heating up, DISH Network brings our customers wall-to-wall baseball coverage and MLB games in HD on MLB Network,”

“We are excited to bring MLB Network and our award-winning high definition programming to DISH Network’s customers,”

said Tony Petitti, president and CEO of MLB Network. “We have experienced an incredible year of growth and this partnership is in line with our goal to make MLB Network available as widely as possible.”

DIRECTV’s live coverage of Tropical Storm Irene has concluded. Please tune to your local news affiliate for updated storm information.

We’re ready to help our valued customers who may have been adversely affected by the recent hurricane. If your satellite has been displaced, you have lost power or have had to evacuate, we are happy to temporarily suspend your account or send out a service technician to realign your satellite dish.

A federal judge in Illinois today denied Comcast’s request for a temporary restraining order (TRO) against DIRECTV in an attempt to handicap the company from advertising its best offer of the year, one where new customers receive the popular NFL SUNDAY TICKET™ package at no extra charge for the 2011 season.

“We’re pleased the judge recognized Comcast’s veiled attempt to limit our ability to compete in the marketplace and denied the TRO,”

said Jon Gieselman, senior vice president of Marketing and Direct Sales for DIRECTV. “We’re happy to go head-to-head with Comcast any day on whose service is superior, so we look forward to competing in the marketplace rather than the courtroom.”

DISH Network Corporation (NASDAQ: DISH) today reported its second quarter 2011 financial results.

Revenue totaled $3.59 billion for the quarter ended June 30, 2011, a 13.3 percent increase compared with $3.17 billion for the corresponding period in 2010. Net income attributable to common shareholders totaled $335 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2011, a 30.3 percent increase compared with $257 million during the same period last year.  Diluted earnings per share were $0.75 for the second quarter, compared with $0.57 during the same period in 2010. DISH Network’s net subscribers decreased by approximately 135,000 during the second quarter, and the company ended June 30, 2011, with approximately 14.056 million subscribers.

“DISH Network delivered another quarter of strong growth in revenue and net income,” said Joe Clayton, president and CEO of DISH Network. “The second quarter was also marked by several other achievements including our purchase of most of the Blockbuster assets, settlement of the Tivo litigation, and renewal of a multi-year partnership with Frontier Communications, offering DISH Network’s digital TV entertainment to Frontier’s nearly 4 million customers in 27 states. Our decrease in net subscribers was primarily due to increased competitive pressures, including higher levels of discounting.”

Clayton added, “As we look forward to the second half of the year, we will focus on commercializing our technology, re-energizing our distribution channels and strengthening our brand image. We continue to offer the best value to consumers with the lowest everyday prices, in part by freezing prices through January 2013.”

DIRECTV, an upstart satellite TV venture that few thought would survive in a world dominated by cable companies when it launched in 1994, has surpassed 30 million customers today.

DIRECTV reached the milestone after two years of record-breaking growth in the Americas, including solid gains in the first half of this year, maintaining its status as the world’s largest pay TV service. Since the beginning of Q3 2009,

DIRECTV added more than 1.1 million customers in the U.S. —

more than any other satellite or cable provider — ending the second quarter of this year with more than 19.4 million customers. Since it acquired one million customers in its first year of service in 1995, DIRECTV U.S. has reported customer gains for 60 consecutive quarters.

DIRECTV Latin America, sparked by a rapidly growing consumer class throughout the continent, added more than 2.4 million customers to the SKY Brasil and DIRECTV platforms over the past two years. SKY Mexico has nearly doubled in size by adding an additional 1.8 million customers over the same time frame, bringing the total, including Mexico, to more than 10.6 million customers in the region.

“Everyone at DIRECTV can take great pride in this momentous achievement,” said Mike White, DIRECTV’s Chairman and CEO. “DIRECTV in the Americas has set new standards for excellence in video technology, programming and customer service, and established our brand as synonymous with the best video experience available anywhere.”

“With our business continuing to explode in Latin America, we expect to sustain that momentum by taking advantage of our scale, appealing to the young and rapidly growing middle market of consumers and leveraging the advanced technology we’ve developed in the U.S.,”

White added. “Demand for DIRECTV service among consumers in the U.S. is growing stronger as we near the fall selling season, and we are continuing to surprise and delight our existing customers with new products and services while actively engaging those price-sensitive consumers who are looking for both a great value and a superior video product.

“Finally, I want to congratulate all of our employees, business partners and loyal customers who contributed to this incredible success story.”

Frontier Communications (NYSE: FTR), the largest provider of communications services focused on rural America, and DISH Network Corporation (NASDAQ: DISH), the nation’s third largest pay-TV provider and the digital television leader, today announced a multi-year renewal of their current partnership and the expansion of their bundled service offerings to all Frontier markets. Frontier serves approximately 4 million customers in 27 states with a 100 percent U.S.-based workforce.

“We’re delighted to continue our 7-year partnership with DISH Network to bring the best video entertainment package to our customers,” said Maggie Wilderotter, Chairman and CEO of Frontier. “DISH Network is a leading service provider in Rural America – just like Frontier, while providing excellent high-definition programming choices and award-winning DVR technology. Frontier’s Digital Phone, fast High Speed Internet service and DISH satellite video give our customers unbeatable price/value packages.”

“We are very excited to strengthen our partnership with Frontier, a company that has expanded aggressively into new territories,” said Joe Clayton, CEO of DISH Network. “As a digital TV entertainment leader, DISH Network offers a true value proposition, providing the most choices for programming and technology at the best price. We are pleased to continue offering DISH Network products and services as part of Frontier’s value-driven broadband, telephone and video bundle.”

Frontier’s Custom Value residential and business packages offer customers access to DISH Network’s more than 200 HD channels, audio channels, pay-per-view and video on demand movies. Frontier provides a single point of contact for customer service, and a single bill for all telephone, video and high-speed Internet services. DISH Network also gives Frontier customers a front row seat to watch TV everywhere on any device – tablets, smartphones or laptops with its Sling®Adapter technology and its Blockbuster® movie services.

After a comprehensive agency review, DISH Network L.L.C. announced today it has selected New York firm Barton F. Graf 9000 as its creative agency of record. The relationship represents DISH Network’s first agency of record in the last six years, after working in-house and with outside agencies on a project basis.

“Our engagement of BFG9000 is one key part of our march toward more aggressive growth across our multichannel video, Blockbuster, and bundled broadband businesses,” said Ira Bahr, Chief Marketing Officer, DISH Network. “BFG is home to some of the most renowned creative talent in America and we are eager to bring the results of this partnership to market.”

Barton F. Graf 9000 was founded in 2010 by Gerry Graf, the former Chief Creative Officer of Saatchi & Saatchi NY and Executive Creative Director of TBWA/Chiat/Day NY. Ad Age’s Creativity magazine named Graf to the Creativity 50, “A multi-disciplinary account of the biggest and best thinkers and doers from 20 years of advertising and consumer culture.”  In 2007 and 2009, Graf was recognized as the most creatively awarded creative director in the world by Ad Age Magazine.

“Barton F. Graf 9000 believes in one thing; that truly breakthrough creative thinking has the power to transform businesses,” said Barton F. Graf 9000’s Chief Creative Officer Gerry Graf. “That’s what the work we presented will do. DISH Network shares that vision. We are thrilled with the opportunity to work with them.”

DISH Network’s press release about its financial results will be distributed prior to the conference call. The press release will be available on the DISH Network Investor Relations website, http://dish.client.shareholder.com/releases.cfm.

DISH Network L.L.C. and the Big Ten Network (BTN) announced today that television coverage of Nebraska Cornhusker football games and other sports will soon be available to DISH Network customers. Starting Sept. 1, DISH Network customers in Nebraska who subscribe to the America’s Top 120 Plus programming package or greater can watch Husker regular season home football games during the team’s inaugural season in the Big Ten Conference.

In addition to Husker football games, fans will also be able to watch many other Nebraska sporting events, including men’s and women’s basketball, volleyball, baseball, Olympic sports and more.

DISH Network L.L.C. today announced that its customers who subscribe to the TV network SPEED now have access to SPEED2, a distinctive new online television network.

DISH Network customers who subscribe to SPEED automatically have access to the online channel by simply using their DISH Network login information at www.speed2.com.

“DISH Network is thrilled to give racing fans access to SPEED2, a unique network that features some of the world’s most coveted motorsport events – all online,” said Dave Shull, senior vice president of Programming for DISH Network. “SPEED2 represents a continuation of our TV Everywhere strategy that includes DishOnline.com, which allows DISH Network customers to watch their favorite content anytime and anywhere.”

“SPEED2 is a groundbreaking service,” said Mike Biard, Executive Vice President of Fox Networks Affiliate Sales and Marketing. “SPEED2 is the perfect companion to SPEED, and working with DISH Network, we’re pleased to make it available to their subscribers as a complement to their traditional video packages that include SPEED.”

SPEED2 delivers original content not seen on the SPEED Network as well as a library of enthusiast titles not on the network. Currently featuring race coverage from more than 30 different international motor sports series, SPEED2 offers live or same-day coverage of AMA Supersport, the Blancpain Endurance Series, the Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge, German Touring Car (DTM), FIA GT1 World Championship, FIA GT3 European Championship and the GP3 Series.

SPEED2 provides both standard and high definition content and carries an extensive programming library from SPEED’s 15 years on the air, including the popular series American Muscle Car, Behind the Headlights, Back in the Day and Victory by Design.

Racing series currently available live or on-demand on SPEED2 (subject to change):

AMA Supersport
ANDRA
Australian V8 UTE’s
Auto GP
Bike Road Racing Series
Blancpain Endurance Series
British Motocross Championship
British Rally Championship
British Touring Car Championship
Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge
DTM
European Touring Car Championship
European Truck Racing Championship
Ferrari Challenge
FIA Formula 2 Championship
FIA GT1 World Championship
FIA GT3 European Championship
FIA World Touring Car Championship
Formula 3 Euroseries
GP2 Series
GP3 Series
Intercontinental Rally Championship
Superstars Series
Superstars GT Sprint Series
Maserati Trofeo
Mini Challenge
Monster Energy Supercross Lites
Monster Energy Supercross Special
Nissan GT Academy
Porsche Super Cup

The SPEED channel is available to DISH Network customers who subscribe to America’s Top 200 or above. For more information, visit www.dishnetwork.com.