DISH Network’s first-quarter net income rose 65% even though new subscriber growth of its satellite television service plunged on the languishing economy and stiffer competition.
In a Securities and Exchange Commission filing, the US company also cited satellite launch delays and problems within its operations as factors that dampened growth.
The results came as DISH, the US’s second-largest satellite television provider, said it was bolstering its HDTV service with an extra 22 national HD channels.
On making the announcement, the satcaster said the additions had boosted its total HD line-up to over 95 channels.
But almost immediately it moved to axe 10 of its 15 Voom High-definition programming package, taking the actual figure to around the mid-80s.