March of 1998 brings a big change as DISH Network relocates its world headquarters to Riverfront building in Littleton, Colorado. Just two months later, EchoStar IV is launched from Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan, providing service to continental U.S., Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico.

Now three years old and growing, company launches EchoStar V from Cape Canaveral, Florida in September of 1999. Just one month later, DISH Network celebrates its 3 millionth customer. Orbiting at 110 degrees West Longitude, EchoStar V services continental U.S., Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico.

The year 2000 brings a number of changes, including a fourth servicing center in El Paso, Texas. In July, EchoStar VI is launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida, becoming part of company’s primary satellite system offering core services to continental United States. In November, DISH Network acquires its 5 millionth customer.

EchoStar VII was launched in February 2002 and takes its place at 119 degrees West Longitude with company’s other primary satellites. Servicing continental U.S., Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico, EchoStar VII was launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida and boasted a launch weight of just under 9000 pounds.

EchoStar VIII was launched later that same year, just after company celebrates its 7 millionth customer milestone. EchoStar VIII was launched from Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan and weighed in at 10,274 pounds at launch. Just a few months later, DISH Network systems become available at Wal-Mart stores nationwide.

In April of 2005, DISH Network launched its ninth satellite from a floating platform at equator. EchoStar IX will orbit at 121 degrees West Longitude position and join EchoStar’s eight other satellites in bringing digital service to over eight million customers.

About the Authors: Gary Davis is owner of Dish Network Satellite TV and has written numerous articles on the satellite television industry. Kate Ivy has written for a variety of publications and websites and is the owner of

The satellite itself uses a dish similar to your own satellite dish, to receive video and send it back down to Earth to provider’s subscribers. The satellite contains numerous transponders, components that allow satellite to pick up broadcast signal, amplify it and resend at a specific frequency. In addition to transponders, satellites typically have several other onboard components, including a power source such as solar panels or rechargeable batteries and a computer system to monitor satellite’s various functions and conditions.

When satellite sends signal back down to Earth, it is picked up by your dish, a small round antennae that receives satellite’s broadcast and send video on to your satellite TV receiver.

The receiver is that little black box that sits inside your home and allows you to choose which channel you want to watch. The receiver actually performs several crucial functions in satellite viewing process, including decryption of signal itself. If you’ll remember, satellite signal was scrambled by provider to protect it from un-paying consumers. Your receiver “de-scrambles” that signal and converts signal into a format that your television can handle, such as analog or more recently, HDTV.

Together these amazing components create a vividly clear digital picture for over 200 satellite channels. How’s that for programming genius?