New Dish CEO: More acquisitions on horizon

In an interview with The Associated Press, Clayton said that the recent acquisitions of video rental chain Blockbuster Inc., satellite Internet provider Hughes Communications Inc., and hybrid satellite and land-based communications company DBSD North America Inc. provided the framework for a model that will transform Dish's video delivery business.

"We put the straight pieces of the puzzle together on the edges, now we're filling in the middle," Clayton said. He made several references to buying companies to complement either Blockbuster or make use of DBSD's wireless spectrum.

"The basic building blocks are in place to add additional ones on top of it for, like I said, a landscaping change in the industry," he said.

Clayton, 61, was named CEO on Monday and is set to take the reins from the company's majority owner, Charlie Ergen, in June. Clayton said he will take over the day-to-day management of Dish while Ergen focuses on the strategic direction of the company.

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