DISH Network reached an agreement with NBC Universal to add high-def specialty channels to its HD lineup dedicated to two sports, NBC Olympic Soccer Channel and NBC Olympic Basketball Channel, at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. The 2008 Beijing Olympic Games will air on a number of NBCU channels, including NBC, USA, CNBC and Universal HD.

In addition, DISH Network said it is offering a number of video-on-demand titles produced by NBC Olympics for subscribers. With the dedicated HD channels, free VOD and NBCU's multichannel distribution, DISH Network said it will deliver more than 800 hours of NBCU's HD 2008 Beijing Olympic Games content.

Not to be outdone, it should be mentioned that DISH Network's competition in the satellite TV business, DIRECTV, said it is delivering video-on-demand programming from the Olympics via its VOD service, DIRECTV on Demand. The DIRECTV service will be available through the end of the Olympics in both standard-definition and high-def. DIRECTV also is delivering NBCU’s HD Olympic basketball and soccer channels, along with linear channels airing Olympic events. And the satellite TV company said it is offering Games coverage in Mandarin and Korean languages. (Some of the games are taking place before the Olympic games even begin.)