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Dish completes Blockbuster purchase, receives more time to decide on store closings
Dish Network successfully completed its acquisition of Blockbuster today at a price of $320.6 million, and also was granted an extra 90 days to decide which stores it will continue to operate. According to MarketWatch, it successfully shot down objections including those of LionsGate and suggested it could both crossmarket its satellite service i the remaining stores, while offering Blockbuster's VOD and digital products to its satellite TV customers. We may have to wait until July 21 to know for sure which stores will stay open, but for now Dish says it's assumed about 400 leases and will have "near or below 1,000" stores when it's all said and done.
Dish adds HBO Go, Max Go to DishOnline package, tweaks Netflix in the process
Just after adding Epix to its assortment of wares, Dish is expanding DishOnline with HBO Go and Max Go streaming. This follows last week's announcement by DirecTV regarding the services, but instead of highlighting the upcoming mobile apps, Dish's press release chose to point out that the HBO shows and movies subscribers can access won't be available on Netflix. An interesting choice, but we suspect it won't matter much while you're busy watching some Boardwalk Empire on your laptop.
Dish Network takes over 500 Blockbuster locations for some reason
Earlier this month, when Dish Network announced that it would be taking over Blockbuster's remaining assets, we openly wondered about what the deal would mean for the thousands of (mostly) empty rental stores still scattered across the country. Shuttering all of them seemed like a very real possibility, but it now looks like Dish has plans for at least a few of Blockbuster's old stomping grounds. On Saturday, the company agreed to assume the leases for about 500 of the 1,700 Blockbuster locations still in operation, according to papers filed with a New York Bankruptcy Court. Of course, it's still unclear what Dish plans to actually do with these stores -- or, for that matter, with the Blockbuster brand, as a whole. But it certainly looks like its long-term vision may incorporate at least some of Blockbuster's brick-and-mortar roots.
Poll: How important is placeshifting?
We know, the dream of the future is to watch all the content we want, wherever we want, but unfortunately the present is a little more complicated. While Dish seem to have the best thing going for "TV Anywhere" with its Sling integration and AT&T has made some strides with U-Verse Mobile, others like Cablevision and Time Warner have only extended the live TV string as far as the bathroom, kitchen or other rooms within your home. TV Everywhere efforts have so far mostly allowed viewing of video on-demand wherever you are like Comcast's Xfinity and HBO Go so we're wondering if true placeshifting is actually a key feature for you right now, or something you can live without. %Poll-62881%
Poll: Are you watching TV with/on a tablet?
Adding a tablet component to your TV service is all the rage among providers and set-top box manufacturers these days (Comcast, DirecTV, Dish, TiVo, Motorola, FiOS, Cablevision, Time Warner, Boxee just to name a few) but our question today is how many of our EHD readers are putting any of them to use. Check out the poll options below and find the one that fits you best, then tell us why in the comments below. Are all these iPad apps just a fad or is the tablet here to stay? %Poll-62573%
Dish Network wins Blockbuster auction for $228 million in cash
The question of what's next for Blockbuster has been partially answered, now that Dish Network has announced its $320 million bid was enough to win a bankruptcy court auction for the rental giant's remaining assets. After "certain adjustments" are made and the deal closes, it's expected to cost just $228 million in cash but what exactly Dish plans to do with the 1,700 stores and innumerable copies of Little Fockers is unclear. Executive VP Tom Cullen stated in the press release (after the break) Dish looks forward to reestablishing "Blockbuster's brand as a leader in video entertainment," but in a world where Netflix, Redbox and iTunes exist that could be easier said than done.
DishOnline.com adds streaming movies from Epix
Nearly a year after Dish added Epix's premium movie channel to its catalog the satellite company is announcing it has integrated the online portion with DishOnline.com. Subscribers to the Epix HD can log in and check out HD flicks like Star Trek, Shutter Island and Iron Man 2, right next to content from their SlingLoaded set-top box if they wish. there's a press release after the break if you need more details, but we're pretty sure you're capable of heading to the site and figuring out how to press "play" all on your own.
Dish Network will be the first to broadcast OWN HD nationally tomorrow
While we originally heard Oprah Winfrey's OWN network would get an HD simulcast, most haven't been able to watch it that way since it launched but that will change tomorrow when Dish Network adds OWN HD to its channel lineup. Check for it on channel 189 -- assuming you're on the America's Top 200 channel pack or higher.
Dish Network offers $1 billion to buy a bankrupt satellite/antenna company for reasons only it knows
Dish Network has agreed to buy DBSD, a company currently in Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection that's reportedly working on a system to tie together satellite and ground-based antenna communication for wireless phone and internet service, pending approval by the FCC. Dish pegs the purchase price at approximately $1,000,000,000 (subject to certain adjustments) including the interest on DBSD's debts. Exactly what its plans for the company are remain a mystery, as The Hollywood Reporter quotes mystified analysts like Craig Moffett suggesting theories including wireless internet service, mobile TV, or an integrated satellite/phone/TV bundle to compete with cable operators. SpaceNews.com has the most extensive breakdown, from Dish's initial $45 million investment back in 2009, to the recent FCC decision on a similar hybrid service from LightSquared that may have caused DBSD's spectrum & technology to suddenly become much more valuable. Whatever it is, they considered it worth writing an awful large check for, although we can't help but wonder if they couldn't have broken some of that money off to deal with this whole TiVo issue.
Dish Network's Sling Extender approved by FCC, is that much closer to release
Dish Network didn't see fit to saddle the Sling Extender with a release date or price when it showed it off at CES earlier this month, but being approved by the FCC means it should be available sooner rather than later. We didn't spot any surprises in the user manual (plug in power, TV, proceed to catch video over WiFi from your 922) but you can feel free to paw through the FCC results for plenty of internal and external photos.
Dish Network's Sling Receiver lives
Originally shown at CES last year, the Sling Receiver promises to bring HD content from your Sling enabled Dish Network box to another TV in your home, as well as the rest of the DVR's UI. What we hope is the big difference this year is that the device actually ships to Dish Network customers and brings the dream of multi-room viewing -- like the other satellite TV provider has. No word on exactly when it will be available or how much it'll cost, but for all those that are delaying upgrading to the ViP 922 because of the lack of TV2, you will finally be able to stop waiting.
Dish Network remote access app extends its long arm to Android tablets
Dish Network is still on a mission to make sure that you get your TV Everywhere, and as of today, that means your Android tablet. We reported in November that the provider was bringing its Dish remote access app to Android, opening up the world of paid-for TV to even more smartphones. As with the smartphone app, Android tablet users will have to have a Sling-enabled device, like a Sling Adapter, to access their hard earned programming, and as with the smartphone, the tablet app is free. The Dish Network app's got all the same functionality as its predecessor: browse and search options, DVR scheduling/management, and a remote control function. So it's basically the same beast, but we're definitely still impressed.
2011 retransmission dispute roundup: which channels may go dark at midnight
It's a yearly thing, with contracts between TV stations and pay-TV providers due to expire just as the ball drops for the New Year it's increasingly hard to tell which channels will still be around when 2011 dawns. Check out our list below to see which ones are on the chopping block and which ones have already reached a new agreement this time around. If you spot any we've missed let us know in the comments or if there are any last minute reprieves, updates or extensions. Update: Moved Suddenlink/Viacom, Time Warner/Sinclair to resolved Expiring at midnight: Dish Network vs. E!, Style -- Dish Network and Comcast are negotiating over the networks, with a contract expiring at midnight. Dish and Comcast are also fighting over Comcast SportsNet California, which has been off the air since November 24 Resolved: Hearst vs. DirecTV - Covering 29 stations across the country including CBS, ABC and CW affiliates Insight vs. Raycom - Three stations in Louisville, Evansville and Cincinnati Suddenlink vs. Viacom - Not only will Suddenlink keep Viacom stations like MTV, VH1 and Spike, but it will also be adding EPIX "in the next few months," without raising its subscribers rates Time Warner Cable vs. Sinclair Broadcast Group -- Sinclair owns ABC, CBS, Fox, CW, MyNetworkTV and NBC affiliates in 35 markets which it will pull at midnight including San Antonio, Pittsburgh and Tampa. Time Warner claims it will still be able to provide programming from the "Big 4" networks in those areas without Sinclair, although viewers may miss their local news stations -- This isn't fully resolved, but negotiations have been extended until January 14th. Details here.
Dish Network launches Remote Access app, brings live TV and scheduling to iPad
See, that wasn't so bad, now was it? If you're befuddled, we're simply referring to the week that iPad owners have had to listen to their Android-lovin' brethren gloat about having Dish Network's Remote Access app. As of today, that same piece of software is available in the App Store, enabling iPad owners to watch live and recorded programs so long as they've a broadband-connected, Sling-enabled device like the Sling Adapter. It'll also allow iPad owners to browse and search up to nine days of programming, schedule DVR recordings, manage conflicts, delete shows on multiple receivers, and use their tablet as a fully functional remote, but much to our dismay, it doesn't have the power to make Heroes a show worth watching again.
DISH Network updates Remote Access TV app to work with iPad
There's a new version of Dish Network's Remote Access app, and for iPad users running iOS 4 or higher it's got a killer feature. Subscribers will now not only have the ability to manage their DVR and schedule recordings away from home, but to also watch live TV on their iPad. While the Remote Access app itself is free and available from the App Store, streaming live video and DVR content (branded as "TV Everywhere" by Dish) requires a ViP 922 Slingloaded DVR or the purchase of a Sling Adapter for US $99.99 to worth with a ViP 722 or ViP 722k HD DuoDVR. Using a single USB connection to your internet-connected DVR, the Sling Adapter allows users to watch live satellite TV via a web browser, the Sling client or the Remote Access app. You can also watch via your Mac (on watch.slingbox.com or dishonline.com), although the processor requirements (2.8GHz Core 2 Duo or better) are pretty steep, and the browser plugin requires Snow Leopard users to run Safari in 32-bit mode. While Electronista says that the app should also work on a fast 3G link, I highly doubt you will be receiving any hi-def video via that connection. Dish offers a connection tester tool that will let you prequalify your speed and your computer for streaming video. We have talked about the SlingPlayer for iPad app before, but for those Dish Network customers out there this should definitely free up your ability to watch satellite TV from somewhere other than your couch.
Dish Network remote access app comes to Android, your Harmony groans
Dish Network took another step towards its ambitious TV Everywhere plans -- not to be confused with Comcast's and Time Warner's TV Everywhere partnership -- by releasing the Android version of its Dish remote access app late last week. This nicely completes the provider's suite of mobile offerings, which have already been available on the iPhone, iPad and certain BlackBerry phones. The catch is that to take advantage of the app, Android users must own a Sling-enabled Dish device like the ViP 722 / 722k HD DVRs or the recently released Sling adapter. With the necessary hardware though, the app turns smartphones into a control freak's best friend, working as a remote control, a DVR manager, and a Sling-powered media streamer to view recorded or live programming over Wi-Fi or 3G. That's a pretty nifty feature set considering it costs a lovely low price of free, and it's certainly more robust than mobile offerings from Comcast, Time Warner, or DirecTV. In other words, when it comes to getting the most from your paid TV service while on the go, it appears the underdog satellite company can certainly dish it out.
Dish Network Sling Adapter review
It's been a long time coming since Sling announced the super slim Sling Adapter at CES, and surprise, surprise, the first cable or satellite provider to make it available to its customers is Sling's sister company Dish Network. The Sling Adapter should be available for order at $99 by the time you read this, and with a single USB plug it will add Slingbox capabilities to your Dish Network 722 DVR. Dish was nice enough to send us one a tad early, which means you should click on through to learn all the wonders and sorrows of the device. %Gallery-107688%
Dish Network officially starts pushing Google TV integration
There's no surprise on the pricing front ($179 for the normally $299 Logitech Revue, plus $4/month service fee) but today Dish Network officially started offering the integrated Google TV experience for its customers. The $4 fee applies to and will work with Sony's Google TV devices as well, but the Revue is the only unit to get a price break up front. Dish is so far the sole TV provider that will let Google TV search through and control its compatible DVRs, and it's put up a video demo to show how that works (embedded after the break.) Beyond the continuing questions about the Google TV platform itself, we'll wait and see if Dish got the price right, those interested can check the press release for details on how to sign up.
Fox, Dish Network deal means no network TV blackout, FX & sports networks back on
Just that fast, it's like it all never happened. Fox and Dish Network have cut a deal to restore programming from the giant's channels including 19 regional sports networks, FX and National Geographic Channel. No word yet on the terms of the deal, but the key is it arrived in time to avoid a possible November 1 Cablevision-style (still ongoing btw, and getting nastier than ever with allegations of cable recommended piracy and unfair dealing) blackout of Fox in many cities during the World Series. Check out the press release after the break, or just go through and queue up a few episodes of Always Sunny in Philadelphia on the ol' 922. [Thanks, Justin]
Select Time Warner Cable customers gain remote DVR services not-so-fashionably late
If ever there was a moment Time Warner Cable deserved to be honored with an inspirational slow clap, let it be now. That's because it finally announced remote DVR service support -- a feature both Verizon FiOS and Dish Network subscribers have enjoyed for over a year. Intuitively dubbed Remote DVR Manager, it only works now via the web -- TWC iOS app teasers be damned -- and provides expected services like recording one-offs or scheduling entire series. Canceling previously scheduled recordings is also available, though deleting old content to clear more space for Glee isn't. There are plenty of other dubious caveats, like some services not being available to CableCARD users or on all TWC equipment, and remote DVR services not working on all mobile phones through its mobile optimized site. Furthermore, the service has only officially launched in five markets including: the Carolinas region, northeast region, New York city region, San Antonio, Texas, and San Diego / Desert Cities. Come October 29th, the service will expand to include five more regions, with national coverage dragging until who knows when. For full Time Warner pat ourselves-on-the-back details and a PDF user guide, hit the source link below.
