ENGLEWOOD, Colo.--Dec. 12, 2016--(BUSINESS WIRE)--As recovery efforts continue following the devastating wildfires in Tennessee, DISH announced that all customers will have access to watch Smoky Mountains Rise: A Benefit for the My People Fund airing December 13 at 8:00 pm ET on Great American Country. The event, headlined by Sevier County native Dolly Parton, as well as country music headliners Reba McEntire, Kenny Rogers and Alison Krauss, will raise money for families whose homes are uninhabitable or were completely destroyed in the fires.

The benefit concert comes as DISH continues to deliver free dishNET satellite broadband to aid in relief efforts in Gatlinburg and other impacted areas in Sevier County. Through its DISH Cares program, the company is working with the Information Technology Disaster Resource Center (ITDRC) to deliver connectivity at the Forward Operations Base and Volunteer Reception Center, two key hubs of volunteer organization and mobilization.

“Dolly Parton, Great American Country and DISH care about Tennesseans whose lives have been impacted by the fires, and we are working to ensure they have the resources they need to rebuild,” said Warren Schlichting, DISH executive vice president and a member of the DISH Cares executive steering committee. “We are offering all DISH customers free access to the benefit concert with the hope that our subscribers will understand the magnitude of this disaster and contribute to the My People Fund. We are also proud to help power the volunteer relief efforts already underway through dishNET connectivity.”

“At the Volunteer Reception Center alone, we are seeing anywhere from 700 to 1,100 volunteers per day who are providing crucial relief efforts, and DISH makes it possible for us to register and stay connected with all of these volunteers,” said Joe Hillis, operations director for ITDRC. “We expect to be on the ground for several more weeks and we know DISH will be with us each step of the way as they have been in numerous other disaster relief efforts.”

Great American Country is currently available to DISH subscribers with the America’s Top 250 package, America’s “Everything” Package, Flex Pack or Smart Pack. On December 13, all DISH subscribers will be able to access the channel as it airs Smoky Mountains Rise: A Benefit for the My People Fund. Great American Country can be found on DISH channel 165.

About DISH

DISH Network Corp. (NASDAQ:DISH), through its subsidiaries, provides approximately 13.643 million pay-TV subscribers, as of September 30, 2016, with the highest-quality programming and technology with the most choices at the best value. DISH offers a high definition line-up with more than 200 national HD channels, the most international channels and award-winning HD and DVR technology. DISH Network Corporation is a Fortune 200 company. Visit www.dish.com.

Subscribe to DISH email alerts: http://about.dish.com/alerts 
Follow @DISHNews on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/DISHNews

About ITDRC

The Information Technology Disaster Resource Center, Inc is a 501(c)(3) non-profit comprised of volunteer IT professionals from across the United States who provide technology continuity and recovery assistance to communities affected by disaster. Services are provided at no cost as a public service of the technology community. Founded in 2008, ITDRC is headquartered in Dallas, Texas. To volunteer, sponsor, or learn more, visit http://www.itdrc.org.

Contact: