ENGLEWOOD, Colo., Jan. 28, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- DISH Network(r) (Nasdaq:DISH) today launched the second phase of its DISH Decision 2008 interactive television (iTV) application. The first phase, You Decide 2008, launched earlier this month and asks DISH Network subscribers a series of questions that help match subscriber opinions with candidate positions. The second phase of the DISH Decision 2008 election portal helps subscribers narrow the 2008 presidential field by providing unbiased candidate stances on key national issues. The interactive application was jointly developed by OpenTV and DISH Network.
DISH Decision 2008 allows DISH Network customers to access specific information about the 2008 presidential candidates. DISH Network customers can simply hit their DISH Interactive button on their remote control and they are taken to DishHOME or Channel 100. By selecting "News," a prompt screen appears where they will see an option for DISH Decision 2008. After selecting DISH Decision 2008, the names of the Democratic, Independent and Republican presidential field appear. By selecting a candidate, DISH Network subscribers are taken to an information screen that outlines brief, unbiased positions on key issues including the environment, the war on terrorism, taxes, immigration and more.
DISH Decision 2008 also offers a forum for subscribers to voice their opinions through DISH Polls. Subscribers can vote on daily, weekly and monthly questions using their remote control, Internet service or SMS text service provided by Cellpoint Mobile. The combined results are tabulated and fed back to the various platforms through OpenTV Participate(tm), which allows for real time participation management across any platform.
"We are excited to launch DISH Decision 2008 and we are proud to offer interactive applications that provide DISH Network customers with information about the upcoming presidential elections ahead of the February primaries," said Michael Kelly, executive vice president at DISH Network. "This is another example of DISH Network's leadership as an iTV provider through our unique and compelling interactive applications."
DISH Network, a leader in iTV applications, has more than 13 million customers with set top-box interactive capability. DISH Network iTV applications include real time voting mechanisms, interactive advertisement capabilities, video gaming and more.
For more information about DISH Network go to www.dishnetwork.com or visit a local DISH Network retailer.
About DISH Network Corporation
DISH Network Corporation (Nasdaq:DISH), (formerly EchoStar Communications Corporation), has been a leader for more than 27 years in satellite TV equipment sales and support worldwide. The Company's DISH Network(r) provides more than 13.695 million satellite TV customers with industry-leading customer satisfaction which has surpassed major cable companies for seven years running. DISH Network customers also enjoy access to a premier line of award-winning Digital Video Recorders (DVRs), hundreds of video and audio channels, the most International channels in the U.S., industry-leading Interactive TV applications, Latino programming, and the best sports and movies in HD. DISH Network offers a variety of package and price options including the lowest all-digital price in America, the DishDVR Advantage Package, high-speed Internet service, and a free upgrade to the best HD DVR in the industry. DISH Network is included in the Nasdaq-100 Index (NDX) and is a Fortune 300 company. Visit www.dishnetwork.com/aboutus or call 1-800-333-DISH (3474) for more information.
About Cellpoint Mobile
Cellpoint Mobile delivers well-defined standard products which improve: Reach, Sales, Retention and Cost Optimization. Cellpoint Mobile is a provider of mobile solutions offering simple, reliable, and empowering wireless products. We supply global brands with turnkey mobile value added marketing services enabling them to engage in a focused dialogue with their consumers. We are positioned to supply access to mobile users in Europe and North America.
About OpenTV
OpenTV is one of the world's leading providers of solutions for the delivery of digital and interactive television. The company's software has been integrated in more than 96 million digital set-top boxes and digital televisions around the world, and enables enhanced program guides, video-on-demand, personal video recording, enhanced television, interactive shopping, interactive and addressable advertising, games and a variety of consumer care and communication applications. For more information, please visit www.opentv.com