DISH Network Launches WGN America in HD

By Anshu Shrivastava

TMCnet Contributing Editor

 

DISH Network Corporation, a provider of pay-TV and digital transition, has announced an agreement with Tribune, America’s employee-owned media company, to add WGN America in HD to its lineup of more than 80 national HD channels.

 

Under the agreement, DISH Network is expected to begin carrying high-definition programming from four Tribune stations in major markets including, KCPQ FOX, Seattle, Wash.; WPIX CW, New York, N.Y.; WGN-TV CW, Chicago, Ill.; and KTXL FOX, Sacramento, Ca.

 

In addition, the agreement allows DISH Network to launch and carry the HD signals of the rest of the Tribune group, with 23 television stations in 19 markets.

 

WGN America in HD is located on DISH Network channel 239, and is available to DISH Network customers who subscribe to AT200 Essential HD and higher. In addition, it is also available as DISH Network’s exclusive HD-only Absolute programming package for $29.99 per month.

 

Plus, officials said that DISH Network’s Latino subscribers get WGN America in HD in DISH Latino MAX HD and higher.

 

Previously known as Superstation WGN, WGN America—also the home of Chicago Bulls, whose games are carried in HD—carries baseball games in high definition, with Dolby Digital 5.1 audio.

 

“With the Cubs and White Sox leading their divisions in the Major Leagues, we are excited to reach this agreement with Tribune to launch WGN America in HD,” said Eric Sahl, senior vice president of programming at DISH Network.

 

He also said that now, DISH Network subscribers throughout the country can follow this exciting season in high definition, especially the upcoming cross-town battles between the Cubs and Sox at Wrigley Field and U.S. Cellular (News - Alert) Field later this month.

 

“Along with WGN America in HD, we are also pleased to add Tribune’s local signals in high definition to our lineup. These are some of the most popular stations in the markets Tribune serves,” added Sahl.