Dish Pulls in Voom HD Channels

Dish Network will expand its current DBS HD package by adding 10 newly available Voom HD channels. Cablevision pulled the plug on its Voom service last weekend, leaving approximately 44,000 subs HD-less for the service. That's not a huge number, all things considered, which was the main reason Voom finally went dark.

The 10 additional offerings from Dish can perhaps best be described as niche. They include: Rush HD, Gallery HD, Rave HD, Ultra HD, Equator HD, Monsters HD, Animania HD, Majestic HD, HD News and Guy TV HD. Although it's not always evident by their titles, the HD fare will include science fiction, fashion, travel, concerts and Japanese animation.

Dish subs can sign a one-year contract to receive six free months of HD programming--with HD receivers in two rooms--at no charge. Also, "for a limited time," HD subs can also receive more Dish's 180-plus SD channels for approximately $20 monthly for three months, plus a free DVR upgrade with next-day installation, according to Dish.