Commentary: Downturn exposes cracks in Dish

November 18, 2008 [...] for a long time, Dish Network has positioned itself as the Wal-Mart of satellite TV operators, with product appealing to the cost-conscious consumer who still wants options. Yet Dish just reported back-to-back quarters of subscriber declines, the first such drops since the launch of the U.S. satellite TV industry. "Waiting for a turnaround at Dish Network has the flavor of waiting for Godot," Sanford C. Bernstein analyst Craig Moffett says in what must be a sobering assessment for investors — even those who are Samuel Beckett fans.

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