NASHVILLE, TN and ENGLEWOOD, CO -- (Marketwire) -- 08/11/09 -- The Documentary Channel® (DOC), which debuted nearly four years ago as a public interest television network, re-launched as a fully commercial service in July 2009 and entered into a multi-year carriage agreement with DISH Network L.L.C., a subsidiary of DISH Network Corporation (NASDAQ: DISH). The news was announced today by James Ackerman, who was recently appointed President and CEO of The Documentary Channel. Financial terms of the carriage agreement were not disclosed.

The Documentary Channel currently reaches more than 21 million homes nationwide via DISH Network and several broadcast stations in major television markets. The Documentary Channel also provides content online via a partnership with Sling.com at www.sling.com/network/189/The-Documentary-Channel.

"We are excited to re-launch the company as a fully commercial service and to enjoy the benefits of a multi-year carriage agreement with DISH Network," said Ackerman.

"DISH Network is delighted to continue offering customers The Documentary Channel, which has been a nice complement to our programming line-up since early 2006," said Dave Shull, senior vice president of Programming for DISH Network. "We are pleased to support The Documentary Channel in their transition to commercial service, and know our customers will enjoy the best documentaries at the best value for years to come."

The Documentary Channel was founded in January 2006 by Oscar®-nominated and Emmy®-winning documentary filmmaker Tom Neff, who recently moved into the new role of Founder and Chief Creative Officer.

The Documentary Channel can be found on DISH Network Channel 197 as part of the Classic Bronze 100 package.

About DISH Network Corporation: DISH Network Corporation (NASDAQ: DISH), the nation's HD leader, provides approximately 13.610 million satellite TV customers as of June 30, 2009 with the highest quality programming and technology at the best value, including the lowest all-digital price nationwide. Customers have access to hundreds of video and audio channels, the most HD channels, the most international channels, state-of-the-art interactive TV applications, and award-winning HD and DVR technology including 1080p Video on Demand and the ViP® 722 HD DVR, a CNET and PC Magazine "Editors' Choice." DISH Network is included in the Nasdaq-100 Index (NDX) and is a Fortune 250 company. Visit www.dishnetwork.com.

About The Documentary Channel®: The Documentary Channel (DOC) is the USA's first 24-hour television network exclusively devoted to documentary films and the independent documentary filmmaker, providing viewers with round-the-clock opportunities to see fascinating, eclectic and award-winning documentary films of all lengths and genres. For more information on DOC, visit www.documentarychannel.com.

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