ENGLEWOOD, Colo., March 28, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — DISH Network L.L.C. today announced that RFD-TV’s high-definition channel, RFD HD, is now available at no additional cost to all DISH Network customers who subscribe to the America’s Top 200 programming package or above.  

RFD-TV, available on DISH Network Ch. 231, is dedicated to serving rural America with a 24-hour schedule of well-balanced, high-quality, original and family-oriented programs that cover the rural way of life, including agriculture, equine, music and entertainment.

“DISH Network has its roots in rural America, which is why we’re proud to not only have been the first to launch and distribute RFD-TV nationally but also to be the first to offer the channel to millions of homes in high definition,” said Dave Shull

, senior vice president of Programming for DISH Network. “What’s more, DISH Network is the only TV company that gives our customers free HD programming for life, meaning existing RFD-TV viewers won’t have to pay a penny more to get their rural news, agricultural features, horse training and informational programming in crystal-clear high definition.”

“The beauty of rural America in high-definition is stunning,” said Patrick Gottsch

, founder and president of Rural Media Group, Inc., owners of both RFD-TV and RFD HD. “From day one, DISH Network has been a great partner in our efforts to expand programming to serve the needs and interests of rural America. We, along with the over 80 independent programmers currently on RFD-TV/RFD HD, appreciate the continued strong support from everyone at DISH Network.”

Customers who currently receive RFD-TV a la carte will automatically receive the RFD HD channel. To learn more about DISH Network’s HD channel lineup, including eligibility requirements for the HD Free for Life offer, visitwww.dish.com.

About DISH Network

DISH Network Corporation (Nasdaq: DISH), through its subsidiary DISH Network L.L.C., provides more than 14.1 million satellite TV customers, as of Dec. 31, 2010, with the highest quality programming and technology at the best value, including HD Free for Life. Subscribers enjoy industry-leading customer satisfaction, the largest high definition line-up with more than 200 national HD channels, the most international channels, and award-winning HD and DVR technology. DISH Network Corporation is a Fortune 200 company. Visit www.dish.com.

About Rural Media Group, Inc.

Rural Media Group, Inc. (RMG) is a privately held Delaware-based “C” corporation, which owns and operates the world’s largest portfolio combining rural-based satellite/cable delivered media and entertainment companies.  Launched in December 2000 and now in its 10th year of broadcasting, RFD-TV is the nation’s first 24-hour television channel dedicated to servicing the needs and interests of rural America with programming focused on agriculture, equine and rural lifestyle, along with traditional country music and entertainment. Production originates in studios located in Nashville, Tennessee, for RFD-TV, RFD HD, and RURAL TV, the company’s new international channel. RFD-TV The Magazine now has more than 180,000 paid subscribers for its bi-monthly publication, and the company continues to operate “RFD-TV The Theatre” in Branson, Missouri. For more information, visit www.rfdtv.com.

SOURCE DISH Network L.L.C.

Amazon’s App Store is an alternative Android marketplace that includes an exclusive version of Angry Birds, apps and games from major developers, and a 30 minute test drive of any app in an online virtual Android screen.  Amazon is also using the algorithms and knowledge of its main store’s recommendation engine to push you other apps you might like.

Check out their App Store. Amazon gives away a different free paid app every day.

Amazon today officially launched a trio of products – Amazon Cloud Drive, Amazon Cloud Player for Web and Amazon Cloud Player for Android – which offer users 5GB of cloud storage with Amazon, as well as the tools to play their music while on the go or from any computer.

Customers automatically start with 5 GB of Cloud Drive storage to upload their digital music library, and those who purchase an Amazon MP3 album will be upgraded to 20 GB of Cloud Drive space. The company says that new MP3s purchased from Amazon and saved directly to user’s Cloud Drive are stored for free and do not count against a customer’s storage quota.

Check out www.amazon.com for more information.

Need a break from excessive taxes and fees on your wireless bill? Help could be on the way with last week’s introduction of the ‘Wireless Tax Fairness Act of 2011’ in the U.S. House of Representatives (H.R. 1002) and in the U.S. Senate (S.543). It would provide you with a five-year freeze on any additional or new and discriminatory wireless taxes and fees. Tell your legislators to support this legislation and give you a five-year break on new, discriminatory and excessive wireless taxes and fees. 

On average, American wireless consumers are already paying more than 16% of their monthly bills in taxes and fees, more than double the average sales tax rate (approximately 7%). The ‘Wireless Tax Fairness Act of 2011’ would prevent that figure from going even higher – by prohibiting local, state, and federal governments from raising your wireless taxes and fees that are currently on the books, and from imposing unfair new ones. Learn more about the legislation and what you can do to help.

Representatives Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) and Trent Franks (R-AZ) are the original co-sponsors of this strongly-supported and bipartisan proposal in the House, and Senators Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Olympia Snowe (R-ME) are the primary bill sponsors in the Senate. Their constituents should thank them for looking out for American consumers’ best interests, and we encourage all others to ask their federal lawmakers in Washington to take a stand on your behalf and support this important legislation. You can tell them do that right now!

Government needs to stop placing overspent budget burdens onto the backs of wireless consumers like you, by imposing exorbitant and unfair costs upon them. Let your Representative and your Senators know that you don’t mind paying your fair share, but wireless taxes are going up three times as fast as taxes on other goods and services, and enough is enough!

Tell your Representative and Senators you’re tired of being a target for excessive and discriminatory wireless taxes and fees. See where your state stands and take action today in support of the ‘Wireless Tax Fairness Act of 2011,’ H.R. 1002 and S. 543.

Visit www.mywireless.org for more information

AT&T is offering free service to people who want to communicate with friends and family in Japan.

The carrier announced today that postpaid subscribers won’t be charged for calls or text messages to Japan through the end of March. The free service started Friday, the day that a magnitude 9.0 earthquake rocked the northeastern part of the country and sent tsunamis out into the Pacific.

Source: CNET

We just added one more reasons to switch to AT&T.  Any number ported to AT&T from a different wireless phone carrier will receive free activation.

Plus, save up to $50 off the purchase of your new phone.  

• $50 off with any rate plan $39.99 per month or higher.
• $25 off with any rate plan under $39.99 per month.

Purchase price of phone cannot be less than any manufacture or phone carrier’s mail-in rebate, but you will still save if this happens.  We will apply any unused phone discounts to the purchase of any phone accessories.  New two-year service agreement required.  See store for details.  Offer expires 3/31/2011.