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Dish Network suffers multi-day customer service and website outage
For the last few days, an “internal systems issue” has left many of the services and websites operated by satellite TV provider and Sling TV owner Dish Network inaccessible, and a ransomware attack may be to blame.
Sling TV is getting another price hike
Sling TV is raising its monthly subscription prices for the fourth time in the last five years.
ABC, ESPN and other Disney networks go dark on Dish and Sling TV
Dish claimed Disney wanted nearly $1 billion more to extend a contract that has now expired.
SpaceX accuses Dish of 'faulty' analysis in ongoing battle over 5G spectrum
Dish's plan to use 12GHz radio spectrum for its 5G network could drastically affect the Starlink satellite internet network, according to SpaceX.
HBO returns to Dish's lineup after a protracted absence
Dish Network is finally offering HBO, Cinemax and HBO Max to its subscribers after kicking HBO off its network nearly three years ago.
Dish will pay AT&T $5 billion to serve its mobile customers
AT&T is set to handle voice calls, data and messaging for Boost Mobile, Ting and Republic Wireless.
Dish subscribers lose access to local Scripps stations in channel dispute
Dish subscribers in 42 markets have lost access to local channels after the satellite giant and Scripps couldn't reach a deal.
Sprint is shutting down Virgin Mobile ahead of planned T-Mobile merger
Sprint is getting ready for its planned T-Mobile merger by axing one of its prepaid brands. The telecom is shutting down Virgin Mobile service and will transfer all customers to Boost Mobile starting the week of February 2nd. You'll keep your phone and number in "most instances," and will move to a "comparable or better" plan at no additional charge. Your mobile broadband device won't carry over, though, and you'll have to change your payment options if you rely on either PayPal or 45/90-day top-ups.
Major broadcasters sue nonprofit TV service over copyright infringement
CBS, ABC, NBC and Fox have joined forces in a fight against Locast, a nonprofit streaming service funded in part by AT&T Inc and Dish Network Corp. The service is marketed as a distribution alternative for people who can't get local TV signals through their antenna, but it's also earned a reputation as a free alternative for consumers who are tired of their cable bills. According to The Wall Street Journal, the four networks claim Locast is retransmitting their local TV signals without permission, therefore violating copyright law.
Bloomberg: Dish is close to a $6 billion deal with Sprint and T-Mobile
Over the last couple of weeks, we've heard that getting DoJ approval for T-Mobile's proposed $26 billion purchase of Sprint will require making moves to create a new national wireless carrier as a competitor. That could be achieved by selling off Boost Mobile and enough spectrum to make a service viable, however they needed to find a buyer. Now Bloomberg reports that Dish Network is in talks and could announce this week that it will be the company to do it, rather than possibles like Altice and Charter (Amazon wasn't mentioned). The price? Apparently about $6 billion. The pair promised the FCC they would sell Boost Mobile, and if talks don't fall through, then their hope is that this would help get approval and overcome a lawsuit filed by several state AGs. For its part, Dish has long harbored wireless ambitions, and acted to make them come true. It was even proposed as a buyer for divested T-Mobile assets during merger talks with AT&T back in 2011. We'll see if it happens this time or if things fall apart on the 1-yard line all over again.
Dish makes it easy to watch Netflix in every room
Netflix became available on Dish set-top boxes back in December of last year. Now, as a way to make the experience better for subscribers, the satellite provider is improving the integration between its platform and the video-streaming service. As of today, Dish customers who have a Hopper with Sling and Joey receiver in their home can start watching Netflix content across different rooms. So, say you start an episode of the award-winning House of Cards in your living room, you can pause it and continue enjoying it in your bedroom, seamlessly -- so long as there's a Joey device in there. In addition to that, Dish added Vevo, which lets people check out on-demand music videos, to the growing list of Hopper apps.
Dish brings over 200 international channels to Sling TV
As of today, Dish Network's on-demand international service has a new name: Sling International. Formerly known as DishWorld, it consists of more than 200 international channels spanning 18 languages. Packages start at $15, and not surprisingly, you'll be able to access it through the Sling TV apps, or through a new Sling International app. Given the solid launch for Sling TV, Dish's $20 digital TV service, it makes sense for the company to consolidate its on-demand offerings. It also makes Sling TV seem more and more like a traditional subscription TV offering -- which is great for people who demand plenty of choice.
Sling TV to stream ESPN, TBS, other networks on Xbox One
Dish Network has announced that the Xbox One will be the first console to receive its new Sling TV media service. Revealed yesterday at the Consumer Electronics Show, Sling TV offers viewers access to live streams of popular networks including ESPN, Cartoon Network, the Disney Channel, HGTV and the Food Network, among others. It does require a $20 per month subscription fee, but that's a far less expensive option than signing up for a cable subscription package for those who don't care about the all those other channels and just want to watch Sportscenter or whatever delightful cooking program Alton Brown is hosting this season. Notably absent from the Xbox Wire announcement is any word on when Sling TV - which is currently in closed beta testing on PC - will reach the Xbox One. Instead, we are told it will arrive in "the coming weeks." [Image: Microsoft/Dish Network]
Dish goes after cord-cutters with Sling TV, a $20-per-month service
According to a Bloomberg report earlier this year, Dish was said to be preparing to launch an online television service last summer. But, as we now know, nothing ever came from that -- at least not until today. The satellite company has taken to CES 2015 to reveal Sling TV, its long-rumored internet TV service, and it wants all current and would-be cord-cutters to know that this is designed specifically for them. Dish says that Sling TV has been years in the making, pointing out that it was born out of learning from Dish Anywhere and DishWorld, a US-only, internet-based TV package that offers access to about 200 international channels.
Dish finally lets you restart live content on your Hopper
Yes, Dish went through a tough time recently with certain TV networks, but this didn't stop it from working to make the experience better for subscribers in the meantime. Today, the satellite provider announced a few new features that'll likely be welcomed with open arms by its customers. The main highlight is that the Hopper receiver now gives viewers the option to start watching live shows and movies from the beginning, so long as the content is part of Dish's video on-demand catalog -- this is similar to Time Warner Cable's "Start Over" feature, which is only available on some programming.
Dish loses Cartoon Network, CNN and other Turner channels
Starting today, Dish customers will no longer have access to a number of networks from Turner Broadcasting, after both parties couldn't come to terms on a contract extension for these. Among the channels now removed from Dish's programming are: Boomerang, Cartoon Network, CNN, CNN en Español, HLN, truTV and Turner Classic Movies. As you'll notice, others like TBS and TNT aren't included here, and that's because they're part of a different agreement. Dish is unsure of when, or if, the missing Turner channels will be brought back, but the company says it is "committed to reaching an agreement that promptly returns this content to Dish's programming lineup." If they do, we'll let you know as soon as that happens.
Peel doesn't need any extra hardware to make your iPhone a Dish and DirecTV remote
The ability to turn iPhones into remote controls is something Peel has done before, but this time out it's doing things slightly different. With its new iOS app, Peel now lets you use your iPhone, iPod touch and/or iPad as a smart remote for Dish Network and DirecTV boxes, without the need for additional hardware -- which was the case with the Fruit, a $99 peripheral the startup introduced about three years ago. Peel's iOS application isn't just a remote, however; it also comes with discovery features that bring you personalized recommendations on stuff you should watch. In addition to that, Peel acts as a TV guide too, allowing you to easily find shows or movies even if you're not a Dish or DirecTV subscriber. Peel Smart Remote and TV Guide is compatible with the Dish Hopper and Hopper with Sling (excluding some models), as well as any WiFi-equipped DirecTV box.
Dish will soon let you pay your bill with bitcoins
While some companies are steering clear of Bitcoin, others, like Dish, are now getting ready to welcome the digital currency into the fold. Today, the satellite provider revealed that it plans to start accepting Bitcoin later this year, allowing customers to easily pay their bill online using virtual money. Dish is teaming up with Coinbase to handle the processing of these payments, which are expected to begin taking place during the third quarter of 2014. "We always want to deliver choice and convenience for our customers and that includes the method they use to pay their bills," Bernie Han, Dish executive VP and COO, stated in a company release. "Bitcoin is becoming a preferred way for some people to transact and we want to accommodate those individuals."
Virtual Joey app arrives with satellite TV for your PS3
Dish Network earned one of our Best of CES trophies a few months ago for its Virtual Joey app, and now PS3 owners (with the satellite TV service and Hopper DVR) can try it out. Instead of plugging in yet another set-top box, just open up the app and watch live TV, video on-demand or recorded programs, all through your console. You can even control the experience with your regular Dish Network remote -- all without changing inputs away from your gaming / Netflix / Blu-ray machine. A PS4 version is still waiting in the wings, which is fine if you prefer extending the life of older consoles. It should be available under the My Channels section on your PS3 right now, download it and see if you liked it as much as we did.
Dish teams up with Disney and ABC to offer app access to content
Starting today, Dish subscribers can tune into their favorite ABC, ABC Family, Disney Channel and ESPN shows on their computers, phones and tablets. Thanks to its recently renewed deal with the Walt Disney Company, customers can now access shows through each channel's respective app or website by signing in using their DISH account information. Some apps are also available on the Apple TV and Roku, and ESPN content can be accessed on the Xbox 360 and Xbox One. Dish rolled back some of its DVR tech (Hopper's ad skipping on Disney-owned ABC is disabled for three days) to wrangle an agreement that raises the possibility of ESPN on an internet-only streaming service -- here's hoping that was worth it. Image credit: Flickr/ Dave L
