EchoStar will give away free service to the first town that agrees to change its name to DISH

The town must legally (and permanently) rename itself DISH, in honor of the name of EchoStar's service. "As part of DISH Network's re-branding efforts and new advertising campaign trumpeting 'Better TV for All,' we invite a city or town to join us by re-branding itself DISH," EchoStar President Michael Neuman said in a statement. The company said that it will accept submissions up until November 1 and that every household within the winning municipality will receive a free DISH Network satellite TV receiver, free standard installation and programming for 10 years. EchoStar estimated that it would cost approximately $4 million to set up equipment and provide free programming for a town with 1,000 households. In 2000, the small town of Halfway, Oregon, agreed to change its name to Half.com in exchange for $60,000 and 20 computers from the online retail company, which is now a subsidiary of eBayUltimately, Sanderson doubts that any town will agree to change its name to DISH. But he thinks it's a good way for EchoStar to easily drum up some brand-name recognition. Separately Tuesday, EchoStar announced another contest as part of its new promotional campaign to celebrate its 25th anniversary. It is giving anyone who goes to the company's Web site and enters its "Reach for the Stars" contest the chance to have their name written on the next EchoStar satellite to be launched into space. The satellite, EchoStar's tenth, will be launched sometime next year.
Via Paul R.