DISH  Network has added another  feather to  its crown and has  become  the first and only satellite TV provider who is  offering local channels to the subscribers in every market across the  United States. DISH Network, the fastest growing satellite TV provider in the country has announced its plans to launch the local broadcast channels in 29 new markets on June 3, 2010.  This will allow then to provide local channels in all 210 local markets in the nation.

The announcement  came just   after   U.S. President Obama signed the Satellite Television Extension and Localism Act of 2010 (STELA) in to a law.  This law helped DISH to become the first pay TV provider to reach this historic milestone.

Charlie Ergen, Chairman, President and CEO of DISH Network said, “We are proud to announce that every American will soon have access to their local channels from DISH Network.“  He also told the press about the motto and commitment of the satellite TV provider, “While our nearest competitor offers local channels in only 75 percent of local markets, DISH Network is committed to offering consumers in all markets – particularly those living in smaller and rural communities – a full complement of satellite TV services. All Americans, regardless of where they live, deserve access to key in-state news, sports, weather and other programming.”

On June 3, DISH Network will  launch local channels in 29 new markets which will allow the satellite TV  provider  to  offer local  channels  in  all 210 local  TV  markets  across the nation.  Many customers will get a choice for TV service for the first time due to this decision. The  new markets include: Alpena, Mich.; Biloxi, Miss.; Binghamton, N.Y.; Bluefield, W.Va.; Bowling Green, Ky.; Columbus, Ga.; Elmira, N.Y.; Eureka, Calif.; Glendive, Mont.; Greenwood, Miss.; Harrisonburg, Va.; Hattiesburg, Miss.; Jackson, Tenn.; Jonesboro, Ark.; Lafayette, Ind.; Lake Charles, La.; Mankato, Minn.; North Platte, Neb.; Ottumwa, Iowa; Parkersburg, W.Va.; Presque Isle, Maine.; Salisbury, Md.; Springfield, Mass.; St. Joseph, Mo.; Utica, N.Y.; Victoria, Texas; Watertown, N.Y.; Wheeling, W.Va.; and Zanesville, Ohio.

Why providing local channels to every market is so important? Chairman John Conyers, U.S. House Committee on the Judiciary, who is a major contributor in passing the Satellite Television Extension and Localism Act of 2010 (STELA), answers, “For far too long, consumers in many small or rural markets didn’t have access to their local news, weather and sports. One of the principal goals of the Satellite Television Extension and Localism Act was to encourage local television to be made available to all consumers via satellite.” He also added “Implementation of the legislation will help make television markets more competitive, and serve the interests of consumers nationwide.”

Chairman Rick Boucher, U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, and the Internet said, “My major goal in reforming the Satellite Home Viewer Act has been to bring to all 210 local television markets across the nation what we call local-into-local television service through which local TV signals are transmitted by satellite to homes in the market where the TV stations are located.” He also added with pride, “Today, we have taken the final step in achieving this long held goal, and as a result, satellite TV subscribers everywhere will soon be able to receive both national programming and the local TV stations that serve their area. With today’s presidential signature, on June 3, DISH Network plans to begin serving the many rural markets that lack vital local TV signals. I want to commend the leadership of DISH Network for making this commitment. Millions of homes in America’s most rural regions will be the beneficiaries.“

Congratulations DISH Network!