It’s a rare occasion now when a service provider adds HD channels to their lineup, but this week Dish has added 4 high-definition channels including ESPNU, ESPNews, Disney East and ABC Family. Dish previously carried ABC Family, Disney East, and ESPNews in HD, but a dispute several years ago between Disney and Dish led to the satellite carrier no longer offering the channels. However, a recently signed agreement between Dish and The Walt Disney Company includes carriage of the channels in both SD and HD.
The new channels were made available to most subscribers as of March 18, while customers in Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands should see the new HD options today. If you don’t see the HD options in the on-screen guide, try restarting your set-top box.
“With the first round of the National Invitation Tournament on ESPNU tonight, college basketball fans will be able to see every jump shot and buzzer beater live on DISH in HD,” said Dave Shull, DISH executive vice president and chief commercial officer.
Programming on Disney East HD is aligned to the Eastern time zone while Disney West, which is broadcast in SD, airs programming aligned to the Pacific time zone.
