In 2005, a rural North Texas town changed its name to Dish in exchange for free satellite TV service from Dish Network. The 10-year deal expired in 2015, and the mayor wants to extend it, but some city commissioners want to return to the original name, Clark. The town is one of many in Texas with unusual names. While basic TV service is free, residents still have to pay for premium channels, and most use a different mailing address.
In an age of runaway naming rights, where corporate America puts its name on everything from arenas to major sporting events, it should come as no surprise to learn that a town in rural North Texas changed its name to Dish in 2005 in exchange for a free satellite TV service from Dish Network. And so, city residents enjoy basic service and a free DVR: nearly 200 channels, enough for each of Dish’s 200 or so residents (officially DISH, in capital letters). The 10-year deal was scheduled to expire in 2015. The city’s mayor wants to extend the deal, but there are city commissioners who would prefer to see the name return to Clark, Texas, which is named after Landis Clark, founder of the city and its first mayor. Some say the bad blood during the 2005 mayoral election, when Clark lost the election by a single vote, prompted the name change in the first place.
In the heart of Texas:
Strange names for places in Texas are quite common. There’s Cut and Shoot, Ding Dong, and Bug Tussle, to name a few.
While basic TV service is free, Dish residents still have to pay for HBO and other premium channels.
Most residents do not use Dish as their mailing address, preferring Justin, Texas instead.
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