Dish Network’s Charlie Ergen gives up CEO title to ex-Sirius chief Joe Clayton

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Charlie Ergen, the fiery leader of satellite broadcaster Dish Network Corp. and the company’s chairman, chief executive and president, is lightening his load a little bit.

Dish said on Monday that Ergen will give up two of his titles -- president and chief executive. Joe Clayton, a former head of satellite radio broadcaster Sirius, will take those positions. Ergen will remain as chairman.

“Joe brings an enormous amount of executive-level experience in the satellite and consumer electronics industries, including positions at RCA, General Electric and Thomson, and we look forward to his leadership as we continue to deliver video entertainment into the future,” Ergen said in a statement.

The move comes several weeks after Dish Network completed its purchase of struggling movie-rental chain Blockbuster and days after finally setting a nasty legal dispute with TiVo, the digital recording company.

Dish has just over 14 million subscribers, making it one of the largest distributors of pay-television services behind Comcast Corp. and DirecTV.

-- Joe Flint