Description
DISH Network Corporation is an American television provider based in Englewood, Colorado. It is the owner of the direct-broadcast satellite provider DISH, also still commonly known as DISH Network, and the over-the-top IPTV service Sling TV. DISH also operates DISH Wireless to offer mobile wireless service, currently offering prepaid service to 9.055 million customers with the purchase of Boost Mobile on July 1, 2020 through the Boost brand. DISH intends to offer postpaid service as well in the future. The company has approximately 16,000 employees.
History
In January 2008, EchoStar Communications Corporation, which was founded by Charlie Ergen as a satellite television equipment distributor in 1980, changed its name to DISH Network Corporation and spun off its technology arm as a new company named EchoStar Corporation. The company had begun using DISH Network as its consumer brand in 1996, after the launch of its first satellite, EchoStar I, in December 1995. That launch marked the beginning of its subscription television services.
Joseph Clayton became president and chief executive officer of the company in June 2011, while Charlie Ergen remained chairman. Clayton remained in the position until March 31, 2015 when he retired leaving Ergen to resume the post. Ergen has said diversifying and updating technology for the company will be a high priority, with an expectation that, over the coming decade, the company will provide internet, video, and telephone service for both home and mobile applications. In December 2017, DISH Network announced that Ergen would step down and be replaced by Erik Carlson.
As of November 2016, the company provided services to 13.7 million television and 580,000 broadband subscribers.
