Dish Network
Latest
TiVo's $200m damages award against DISH is headed back to the appeals court, future
Remember that $200 million contempt of court judgment TiVo won in September, and had affirmed in March against DISH Network & Echostar? We wouldn't blame you if you didn't, as the various steps in this never ending legal saga have become increasingly difficult to separate, but as we predicted, it's been appealed and now the appeals court will rehear the case with all active judges participating. Given the sharp drop in TiVo shares after the decision was announced, this is obviously a big deal for investors but those of us holding the remotes won't notice any difference at all. TiVo's response (Update: and Dish / Echostar's) is after the break.
DirecTV raises its HD channels claim to 160, disses Dish for juking the numbers
We hadn't even finished counting Dish's 200 channels claim when DirecTV pops up with plans to add a whole slew of new HD networks as well. By its reckoning, tossing ESPNU HD, WGN HD, MSNBC HD, some additional DirecTV Cinema Channels and more puts it over 160 "around the clock HD channels", and executive VP Derek Chang couldn't resist tossing in a link to count them for yourself. He's laid the gauntlet down for Dish to put its channel lineup up for similar scrutiny, we'll see if the end result of this duel is more clarity in the channel/choices count wars. Check the full press release after the break.
Dish adds EPIX HD and eight more to crack 200 HD channels, depending on how you count to 200
Dish hasn't let the TiVo case hanging over its head stop the ball from rolling, first launching the Sling-powered ViP922 DVR and now announcing it will add eight new HD channels including EPIX HD (coming in May), G4 HD, Headline News HD, History International HD, Nat Geo Wild HD, ShortsHD, Style HD and Turner Classic Movies HD. However the libations may be flowing a bit too heavily around the Englewood, Colorado headquarters since the company claims this puts it over the 200 HD channel mark -- an odd statement since just a few weeks ago it was only at 160 or so, even including PPV feeds. The trend towards HD VOD has certainly changed the channel (or "choices" as the latest trend has become) counting game, but we'll have our eyes pinned to the guide to figure out how this latest bit of funny math went down once these channels are actually on the air. Update: Looks like the new channels are live according to a post on SatelliteGuys: 375 Shorts 380 Epix 115 Style 202 HLN 191 G4 132 TCM 121 History International 190 Wild Update 2: According to Multichannel News, that "200" claim includes 57 ViP922-only VOD "channels". That counts, right? No?
Niveus shows how it can help cable and satellite providers get HD on your PC
It's just a tech preview, but our favorite high end Media Center maker, Niveus, is showing off Project Snowbird at NAB this week. Niveus hopes its PC client will help cable and satellite providers bring more premium HD content to the PC. This version was copying and streaming content from a Dish Network DVR and works with Sling's protocol, DLNA and DTCP-IP -- you remember it right, the CableLabs certified DRM for IP transport? Also baked in is Microsoft's PlayReady so envisioning playing the content on a Zune HD or in Media Center aren't too unfounded either. Dish Network was involved to show its commitment to working towards this type of solution in the home, but Niveus hopes to get all the providers on board and is anxious to fill in the PC client no matter what protocol the provider wants to use. We're told that these goals are inline with those of the IP Gateway we've been talking about, so it'll be interesting to see how this all shakes out. But at this point there aren't any product announcements and so this might just be yet another tech preview that never makes it to our homes. More shots of what it might look like after the break.
Dish Network's SlingLoaded ViP922 DVR to hit store shelves tomorrow (finally!)
We saw it at CES 2009 -- and then we waited. And waited. And finally last month Dish's SlingLoaded DVR made it to the FCC. And now? We've just received word that the ViP922 should be hitting Dish Network retailers April 7 (like, tomorrow). The long-awaited device carries an MSRP of $649, although existing customers who want to work it into their lease can expect to pay closer to the $200 - $400 range. Unless, of course, you live in Hawaii, Alaska, Puerto Rico, or the US Virgin Islands -- in which case you'll have to do without altogether. That what the Dish Network calls "tough love." We'll let you know if the company changes its mind. PR after the break.
Dish Network countersues DirecTV over signal reliability claims
Oh, don't act surprised. As is the norm with these things, Dish Network has filed a countersuit against DirecTV. Last month, the latter company filed suit, claiming Dish's "Why Pay More" ads were false and misleading. The countersuit, unsurprisingly, is also false and misleading advertising -- in this instance, the claim "nothing comes close to the reliability and quality of DirecTV." Dish asserts its signal reliability is exactly the same, 99.9 percent. Better strap yourself in, it's gonna be a long and bumpy ride through the court system.
Dish Network successfully launches Echostar XIV while we remember a fallen soldier
Sure compressing existing channels is one way to add more HD, but sending another bird in the air to increase capacity, like Dish Network's new Echostar XIV (what happened to XV? Should we be expecting another launch this year?) is certainly a preferred option. It's probably not a coincidence that we didn't see a press release until after a successful launch was confirmed, but it's currently in "geosynchronous transfer orbit." SatelliteGuys indicates we can probably expect service around the end of May, so while we toast the new satellite (video of the launch is embedded after the break) and all the HDTV it will bring, don't forget to pour out a little liquor for AMC-14.
Google and Dish Network testing TV search on Android-based set-top boxes
We've definitely heard of a few different Android-based satellite and cable boxes in the past year, but it looks like Google's exploring a real move into living room: the Wall Street Journal reports that El Goog and Dish Network are testing a TV search service on a new box that runs on "elements" of Android. (We're taking that to mean it's a stripped-down version of the OS tailored for a set-top, not some totally crazy remix.) The box features a QWERTY remote, and users can search both Dish content and other services like YouTube, which sounds like the same riff TiVo's trying to pull off with the Premiere. Unfortunately, none of this seems destined to hit consumers anytime soon -- the WSJ also says the trial "is limited to a very small number of Google employees and their families and could be discontinued at any time." Okay, but can we at least get some hands-on pictures first? [Thanks, Jordan]
TiVo's $200m damages award in EchoStar case affirmed, EchoStar to appeal (again)
Yes, there's a certain other patent brouhaha in the news right now, but we're not lying when we say these lawsuits take years to fully resolve. Take TiVo's endless time warp patent lawsuit against EchoStar, which started in 2006 and involves just a single patent: the court of appeals just today affirmed the $200 million contempt judgment against EchoStar from September. Of course, EchoStar is going to appeal to the full appeals court -- it always appeals -- and if that doesn't work we'd wager that this case will eventually be appealed to the Supreme Court for a second time. Don't worry, everyone keep can keep recording Idol -- this shouldn't affect TiVo or DISH Network customers at all. Statements from both TiVo and EchoStar after the break.
Hands-on with the interactive Olympics and web videos
Events like the Olympics usual bring new technology home -- which is a good thing -- but unfortunately these apps really show us how far we are from the interactive TV future we've been promised. There really isn't any realistic way to try out every version of interactive Olympic coverage since so many providers are only offered in certain areas of the country and some providers -- like Time Warner Cable, Bright House Networks, Charter and most Cox areas -- aren't offering any at all. In addition to interactive TV the Winter games have actually taken a step back in regards to online video. While anyone could watch all the live videos and replays online before, the Winter Olympic coverage requires that you to prove you pay for TV before giving you full access. In the case of Verizon's FiOS TV, it allows viewers to access the EBIF interactive information from NBC Universal's channels, which is the first time we've every experienced the use of CableLabs' new interactive platform, as for how we like it or Comcast's mosaic channel, click on through to find out. %Gallery-85579%
DirecTV suing Dish Network over Why Pay More ads, says there's plenty of reasons
While we settle our disputes the old fashioned way (Judge Judy appearances) DirecTV's taking its beef with recent Dish Network ads to a slightly different courtroom. The "Why Pay More" ad campaign has been running for the last year but it appears the latest "Man on the Street" spot (embedded after the break) is what has really upset DirecTV, claiming that its package costs around $20 a month more than Dish. The lawsuit filed Thursday claims the DirecTV services offer more, and higher quality, channels than the one it's being compared to and according to Multichannel News, the company mentions many of the channels this ad is airing on aren't even a part of the Dish lineup being advertised. Of course, as long as it's adding customers we don't see Dish backing off the comparisons on its own anytime soon and if you wonder how long it's willing totake the heat in court, just ask TiVo.
DISH Network sports 9 new HD channels, but can you watch them?
We always welcome new HD channels with open arms, but in the case of these new HD channels from DISH Network there's a catch. These new channels are being delivered on a newer birds located at 72.7 and 129 -- we don't pretend to know what these numbers mean -- so most existing DISH Network customers can't see them. Some of you are lucky enough to have a DISH 1000 which can tune in the new channels, assuming you don't live on the east coast. If you do live on the old coast of the US you need an even newer DISH 1000.4 (pictured above). Bottom line is that all of those stuck in the snowy wonder land can't pass the long snow days with these new channels because even if the UPS truck could make it to your house, you'd have to be pretty hard core to go out on the roof in weather like that. TRU-TV HD Fox Soccer Channel HD Retroplex HD Indieplex HD BBC America HD E! Entertainment Television HD Hallmark HD Showtime West HD Sportsman Channel HD [Thanks, Scott]
Dish takes Sling's new boxes for its own TV Everywhere in 2010
At least one TV provider is taking advantage of Sling's veritable bounty of new hardware, and rather predictably it is Dish Network. The rebranding (instead of being SlingLoaded, the ViP 922 DVR is now "with TV Everywhere", the Sling Monitor 150 is dubbed the Dish Network WiFi Monitor and the Slingbox 700U has become the TV Everywhere Adapter) is enough to make your head spin, but at least we don't have to miss our stories, thanks to the recently released Dish Remote Access Mobile App for iPhone and iPod Touch with remote scheduling and remote control capabilities for most Dish receivers. All of the hardware is scheduled to arrive in the second quarter, we'll need at least that long to get our Everywhere and Anywhere TV straightened out.
Slingbox 700U coming from a TV provider near you
Yeah, we don't believe the headline either, but it's exactly what the Sling Media press release states. Maybe we're just cynics when it comes to cable and satellite providers, but with TV Everywhere and Fancast Xfinity out there, it's hard for us to imagine our provider doing something as cool as connecting this sleek 700u to a standard issue HD DVR. We only wish we could grab this from the store, plug only a USB cable into our set-top box and start streaming video around the internet -- apparently the box configures itself. No, that would just be too easy, but thanks for getting our hopes up Sling.
DISH gets back on the plus side, now has over 14 million subscribers
Take that AT&T. The only thing better than a success story is a comeback, and after being stuck in a tailspin shedding over 100k customers in Q4 of 2008, Dish Network has announced it added more customers than anyone else in the third quarter. Over 150,000 shining new faces... and paying customers helped it tick over the 14 million mark for the first time. Now, on to resolving the TiVo issue and getting that new SlingLoaded DVR out the door.
Google and TiVo partner to analyze viewer data, sell ads, get filthy rich
We're actually sort of surprised that this hasn't happened earlier, but TiVo and Google announced a data-sharing partnership today that'll give the Google TV team access to TiVo's second-by-second viewing data -- anonymized, of course. That means advertisers who buy their TV ads through Google will only have to pay for the ads that customers actually watch -- a system the networks obviously aren't so keen on, but which makes total sense given Google's pay-per-impression online advertising model. Google's already processing a billion remote clicks a day as part of a similar deal it's had with Dish Network since April, so the new TiVo data should just help Mountain View inch its claws even deeper into our everyday lives. Happy future.
It's game day, who's got the NFL RedZone Channel?
The wait is finally over and today's the first big Sunday of the NFL Season which means that you're probably making your last minute preparations. As far as programing goes, the NFL has done a great job of getting carriage for its new NFL RedZone channel, but of course not everyone is going to carry it -- sorry Time Warner Cable and Bright House Network customers. So here's a run down of the Winners. Comcast, Dish Network and AT&T U-Verse customers made out the best because all they have to is subscribe to a $5 (aprox) sports package. Verizon FiOS and RCN customers didn't make out as well though as they will have to pay $49 for the season without any other channels included -- but hey at least they got it. For the rest of you, not much you can do, just keep calling your provider and voicing your desires and in the meantime maybe someone of Twitter will hook you up with access to their SlingBox HD.
Video: Dish Network Media Center tuner in action
We told you we were able to get a video of the Dish Network tuner for Windows Media Center in action and here it is. You can see that for the most part, the Dish content plays back just like any other HD source. We did seem to think that the channel changes were slower than we were used to, but not bad enough to be a deal breaker. The short clip is after the jump.
Dish Network Media Center tuner hands-on
We have good and bad news after visiting the Dish Network booth first thing in the morning. We're happy to say that Dish was proudly displaying a Dish Tuner for Media Center 7 at its booth. The bad news however is that it was just a "proof of concept." Which means no matter how hard we tried, no one would tell us anything about price or availability. The other thing up in the air was if the actual implementation would be based on VIP211K HD STBs like the demo, or if instead there would be a dedicated tuner. The last unknown was around VOD or PPV, which we know was recently being tested, but still no word if it'll make the final version. The other bad, but not unexpected news, is the fact that like the first generation CableCARD tuner for Media Center, all the content is copy protected. As for how it works, looks good, but the channel changing was slower than our CableCARD tuner enabled Media Center. We did grab a video, but you'll have to wait until we can get it uploaded. %Gallery-72434%
TiVo awarded $200m in damages in EchoStar case, consumers not awarded end to the Echostar case
Okay, so it's not the cool billion dollars in damages we'd heard TiVo was asking for, but $200 million ain't chump change if you're broke, you know? That's the amount in contempt damages TiVo will get if EchoStar loses its upcoming appeal in the endless time warp patent case, bringing the total amount of money on the table to nearly $400 million. As usual, that means virtually nothing for the average Dish or TiVo customer, but at least the lawyers involved can all buy new Audis for the winter now.
