The
DISH Network is a
direct broadcast satellite (DBS) service that broadcasts digital satellite
television and audio to households in the
United States. Owned by Echostar, DISH Network was launched in
1996 and is
DirecTV's primary competitor in the
United States. DISH Network typically uses smaller 18-inch satellite dishes to receive its signals. Slightly larger, 24-inch dishes (part of "DISH 500" systems) are becoming more common as DISH Network (as well as other DBS services) are attempting to squeeze more programming onto their growing systems, particularly local American television network affiliates stations.
Unlike DirecTV, DISH Network has no partnership to deliver broadband satellite Internet service as it recently severed its partnership with the American satellite broadband company Starband.