Sears Now Selling Dish Network's DTVPal鈩� Converter Box
NTIA Certification Approves Retailer to Accept Coupons for Digital TV Conversion
In preparation for America's transition to digital television on Feb. 17, 2009, Sears announced today that it will sell the DTVPal鈩� digital-to-analog converter box by DISH Network庐 in 511 of its full-line stores nationwide and at 194 Sears Dealer stores.
DTVPal converter boxes are eligible for the TV Converter Box Coupon Program and have a retail price of $59.99. The DTVPal is one of the few boxes that has analog pass-through, ideal for all consumers since many stations are low-power and are not required to switch to digital broadcasts by 2009. DTVPal has an easy-to-follow setup wizard, a best in class(*) electronic program guide with up to seven days of program listings, parental controls, program search, auto tune timers for program recording on a connected VCR, closed caption support and signal strength screen pop-ups that can troubleshoot lost signals. In addition, the DTVPal remote control allows consumers to use a single remote to control the TV's volume.
The DTVPal was deemed a "top choice" by a leading consumer electronic review Web site and is the only converter box that comes with a nationwide customer care and service network to facilitate installation, including knowledgeable, multilingual agents and technicians trained in the digital transition.
"The DTVPal by DISH Network is one of the highest-rated digital-to-analog converter boxes on the market, and we are thrilled to be able to offer it at Sears -- a trusted and quality-driven national retailer," said Tom Stingley, executive vice president of Sales and Distribution for DISH Network. "Now the DTVPal is even more accessible to consumers across the country -- and at $19.99 with a government coupon, the value of our feature-rich box beats other converter boxes hands down."
Sears has been approved by the U.S. Department of Commerce's National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to participate in the TV Converter Box Coupon Program in preparation for the transition to digital television on Feb. 17, 2009 and has been selling converter boxes in all of its stores since April 2008.
Analog televisions, which rely on over-the-air broadcasts, will require a converter box to receive a digital signal after Feb. 17, 2009. Most televisions connected to cable, satellite or other subscription TV services do not need a converter box. Customers should check with service providers to confirm functionality. A recent report issued by Nielsen Media Research reveals that nearly 25 million homes have at least one television set that will stop functioning after Feb. 17, 2009. Ten million of those homes, or 9.4 percent of U.S. households, have been deemed "completely unready" for the transition.
Households wishing to continue using analog TV sets after Feb. 17, 2009 can apply for two government coupons. To find out more information about the TV Converter Box Coupon Program, the digital TV conversion or to download an application, visit .
(*) Review, June 19, 2008 About Sears, Roebuck and Co.
Sears, Roebuck and Co., a wholly owned subsidiary of Sears Holdings Corporation (NASDAQ: SHLD), is a leading broadline retailer providing merchandise and related services. Sears, Roebuck offers its wide range of home merchandise, apparel and automotive products and services through more than 2,400 Sears-branded and affiliated stores in the United States and Canada, which includes approximately 926 full-line and 1,100 specialty stores in the U.S. Sears, Roebuck also offers a variety of merchandise and services through sears.com, landsend.com, and specialty catalogs. Sears, Roebuck offers consumers leading proprietary brands including Kenmore, Craftsman, DieHard and Lands' End -- among the most trusted and preferred brands in the U.S. The company is the nation's largest provider of home services, with more than 13 million service calls made annually. For more information, visit the Sears, Roebuck website at or the Sears Holdings Corporation website at .
About DISH Network Corporation
DISH Network Corporation (NASDAQ: DISH) provides more than 13.815 million satellite TV customers with industry-leading customer satisfaction which has surpassed major cable companies for seven years running. DISH Network customers also enjoy access to a premier line of award-winning Digital Video Recorders (DVRs), hundreds of video and audio channels, the most International channels in the U.S., industry-leading Interactive TV applications, Latino programming, and the best sports and movies in HD. DISH Network offers a variety of package and price options including the lowest all-digital price in America, the DishDVR Advantage Package, high-speed Internet service, and a free upgrade to the best HD DVR in the industry. DISH Network is included in the Nasdaq-100 Index (NDX) and is a Fortune 300 company. Visit or call 1-800-333-DISH (3474) for more information.
First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact: lcoste5@sears.com
SOURCE: Sears, Roebuck and Co.
CONTACT: Larry Costello of Sears PR, +1-847-286-9036; or Alison Fisker
of LANE PR, +1-503-546-7894, alison@lanepr.com, for Sears, Roebuck and Co.; or
Francie Bauer of DISH Network PR, +1-720-514-5351, press@echostar.com
Web site: