Itsme

Texas Town Renames Itself 'DISH'
Wednesday November 16, 3:30 am ET

Each DISH Resident to Get 10 Years of Free DISH Network Programming

DISH, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 16, 2005--EchoStar Communications Corporation (NasdaqISH - News), its DISH Network(TM) satellite TV service and the town of Clark, Texas, announced today that the town of Clark has accepted DISH Network's challenge to re-brand itself as part of the DISH City Makeover.

As of today, Clark, Texas, a small tight-knit bedroom community located a half hour north of Fort Worth, Texas, has legally changed its name to DISH, Texas. In exchange, DISH Network has agreed to provide every household in the town of DISH 10 years of free basic satellite TV programming, including equipment and standard installation. DISH Network introduced the DISH City Makeover as part of recent re-branding efforts and a new advertising campaign trumpeting "Better TV for All."

"We are thrilled that the town of Clark has accepted the DISH City Makeover challenge," said Michael Neuman, president of EchoStar's DISH Network. "By officially changing the town's name, the residents of DISH will experience first hand what 'Better TV for All' truly means, while at the same time saving hundreds of thousands of dollars over the next decade."

The Clark Town Commissioners voted to rename the town DISH Tuesday evening at a packed town hall meeting. Clark, first incorporated as a town in 2000, is located 25 miles north of Ft. Worth and has a population of 125. The town of Clark is a rural agricultural and ranching community as well as a bedroom community for commuters who work in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area.

"We are all very excited about our new relationship with DISH Network," said Bill Merritt, Mayor of DISH, Texas. "We accepted this challenge because we believe this relationship will give us a unique opportunity to put our town on the map, and we hope it will help us attract new people and businesses so that our town can grow in the right direction. With free DISH Network satellite TV, we'll become a place people are proud to be a part of."

Under the terms of the agreement, DISH Network agrees to provide every household within the city limits America's Top 60 programming package for 10 years, free standard installation and a free digital video recorder satellite TV receiver. In return, the town of Clark will legally change its name to DISH. Town signs will be changed to reflect the town's new identity, including the signs at the town hall, the town entrance, and all of the city limit signs.

gear02

Interesting marketing job, but I'm not sure who it benefits the company other than press coverage that will last a day.

cadetevon

I heard about this a while back...back when they were looking for a city to participate.

I wonder how long they must keep the name. I'm sure it's stipulated in the contract, but the article doesn't mention it.

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BigJon

Wow...surprised somebody did it.

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cadetevon

I was surprised too BigJon, but if the town had really nothing to lose in the deal... couldn't hurt, eh?

It's not like it was a big resort town or a town that already established itself to the nation.

I suppose they're hoping this does it for them.

Itsme

Since the free service is for 10 years, I would assume the town must keep that name for at least that long.

cadetevon

Yah, that's my best guess too. Though I suppose I could go google it and find out. LOL, I'm so incredibly lazy.

WhiskeyPapa

10 years free Dish Network? The city of Dildo, Newfoundland didn't get squat.

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cadetevon

I'd sue.

Prisoner 24601

So you think people are going to push to have their cities renamed to Viagra or Zoloft or something to also get hook-ups???

Agent Plissken

I demand a recount!
That means at least half (or more) of the 125 citizens of 'DISH' are total sell-outs.

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Grimm

That or they all realized that the name of "Clark" for a town was totaly lame to begin with and decided they could change it to something just as or a little bit less lame and get free satelite tv out of it.

Could be worse, it could have been Cox Cable having the promotion.

Butch

OK . . . let's assume that each year of DISH network would cost $2,000 per person . . . likely vastly overstating the cost . . . For 125 people, that is a total cost of $250,000 per year.

Any guesses how much a single 30 second ad costs on Desperate Housewives? Yup . . . $250,000 . . .

Given that DISH doesn't even have to PAY the $250,000 for this stunt . . . it's just giving away that value in service . . . it's a great deal for the company.

Over 10 years, it will still be a great deal . . .

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Devhux

Well they DID get a song written about them (Arrogant Worms - A Night in Dildo). (Don't worry, the song is definately work-safe -- it basically goes after all the strange place names in Newfoundland.)

Nija

They got screwed.

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zippyjuan

Truth Or Consequences New Mexico was named after a game show.

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bachviet

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Agent Plissken

Didnt the creator of that show just die today or yesterday?