Although EchoStar will be losing money on each box sold Charlie Ergen, the company's Chairman and chief executive, is looking at it more in public relations terms. "Maybe they'll just feel good that you helped them with their problem of TV and they feel good about you and they buy something else from you down the road," Ergen said.
Among other things, EchoStar no doubt hopes to generate customer interest in their more advanced products, which will include an upgraded digital to analog converter with a built in DVR. Although these units won't qualify for the government's voucher program the company should benefit from both the increased visibility and potential public goodwill when it comes to selling them.
If you're a U.S. resident and need to request a voucher to purchase a converter you can apply online and find more information about the voucher program at https://www.dtv2009.gov/.
Source: Associated Press
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Written by: Rich Fiscus @ 8 Jan 2008 0:37