Dish Network saw a 5.5 percent increase in its revenue and a more than doubling of its net income during the first quarter of 2011.

The company said it earned revenue of $3.22 billion for the quarter ended March 31, 2011, compared with $3.06 billion for the same quarter in 2010, according to a Dish Network press release.

In addition, first quarter net income was $549 million compared with $231 million during the same quarter in 2010.

Dish Network added about 58,000 new subscribers during the first quarter, leaving the company with about 14.191 million subscribers.

In other company news, Dish Network has named Michael Kelly (News - Alert) president of Blockbuster. Dish Network completed the purchase of the financially-troubled Blockbuster last week.  

“Michael was the visionary behind our acquisition of Blockbuster,” Charlie Ergen, chairman and CEO of Dish Network, said in a company statement. “His leadership will be key to returning Blockbuster to profitability and improving the experience we offer to consumers across the U.S. and globally.”

In offering comments on his new job, Kelly said that “Blockbuster can offer more movies to consumers in more ways than any other distributor.”

He looks forward to reinvigorating “the iconic Blockbuster brand” and allowing “consumers easier access to enjoy the more than 125,000 movie and game titles available from Blockbuster's neighborhood stores, by-mail service and digital library.”

Kelly was executive vice president of Dish Network's Commercial Services division, and both the Direct Sales and Media Sales units.

His company, Kelly Broadcasting Systems, which distributed global radio and television programs in the United States, was acquired by Dish Network in 2000, the company said.  

With adjustments, Dish Network paid about $228 million for Blockbuster’s assets, according to TMCnet.

Dish Network offers over 200 national HD channels, international channels, as well as HD and DVR technology, according to a company statement.