A new satellite that was supposed to add more high definition (HD) channels to DISH Network’s lineup failed to reach orbit today. The satellite, owned by SES Americom, was launched last Friday in Kazakhstan under contract with Echostar, a sister company to DISH Network.
The AMC-14 satellite would have enabled DISH Network to compete with rival satellite television provider DirecTV, who currently offers approximately twice as many HD channels as DISH Network. DISH currently has approximately 50 HD channels while DirecTV offers approximately 90 channels.
