EchoStar V and VI provide direct-to-home (DTH) television broadcast services in the continental U.S., Hawaii, Alaska, and Puerto Rico. These direct-broadcast services satellites allow subscribers to receive hundreds of clear channels of television programming with very small antennas. EchoStar V was launched in 1999, and EchoStar VI in 2000. Also in that year, the company was awarded contracts to build EchoStar VIII, which launched in 2002, and EchoStar IX, which launched in 2003.