EchoStar is offering a ``push and pull'' video on demand service as part of its IPTV platform, ViP-TV. The launch of ViP-TV was announced earlier this week. The VOD content for ViP-TV is based on EchoStar's existing VOD service, which is currently offered to DISH Network satellite TV subscribers. Because it is both a push and pull service, ViP-TV offers more movie and programming options than the current popular titles associated with a push-only VOD service.

The VOD service also includes the associated infrastructure support for customers' content delivery networks to help them maintain high-quality video transport to their end users.

``EchoStar's ViP-TV VOD service is robust out of the gates because it has already been developed and deployed as part of DISH Network,'' said Mike Kelly, executive vice president of EchoStar FSS. ``All of the services associated with ViP-TV are supported by EchoStar's world-class infrastructure. We are committed to using state-of-the-art technologies to offer the highest-quality products and services to our customers.''

ViP-TV offers over 300 local and national channels, push and pull VOD service and associated infrastructure support to telcos, private and rural cable operators, municipalities and master-planned community video providers that have obtained the rights for distribution of such programming over their wire-line networks. The service is delivered using a high-powered Ku Band satellite with full continental U.S. coverage, so it can be deployed rapidly and maintained at a low cost.