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EchoStar satellite
Bloomberg News
to boost isles’
TV channel accessCAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Satellite-TV broadcaster EchoStar Communications Corp. launched its sixth satellite on Lockheed Martin Corp.'s Atlas rocket, expanding its services in local markets.
The new satellite will give customers in Alaska and Hawaii access to more channels, boosting service from about 70 channels, EchoStar said.
The satellite also will let EchoStar add more local TV stations, offer high definition TV pictures and interactive services, said EchoStar spokeswoman Judianne Atencio.
The satellite was launched from Cape Canaveral, Fla., early today.
Littleton, Colo.-based EchoStar has been in Hawaii since 1996 and earlier this year began offering small-dish satellite service here.
EchoStar, which has more than 4 million customers and offers about 600 channels, has been expanding its service after a law passed in November let satellite companies carry local TV signals for the first time.
