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Netflix comes to Dish's TV set-top boxes
Not all conventional TV providers are at odds with Netflix. Dish just announced that its second-generation Hopper DVRs (and eventually Joeys) are getting an integrated Netflix app starting today. Yes, you can now jump from satellite broadcasts to internet streaming without switching devices. The interface will be familiar if you've used Netflix elsewhere, but Dish hopes to one day integrate Netflix's library into search results -- you could find House of Cards sitting next to recordings and Dish's own internet services. The app may not make the biggest difference when you probably have at least one living room device that already does subscription internet video. Nonetheless, it's good to see at least one TV giant treating Netflix as a complement to its own services, rather than a mortal enemy.
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.
CBS and Dish reach TV deal that includes Showtime streaming
That was fast. Just half a day after CBS yanked its programming from Dish Network in some large cities, the two companies have reached a deal that puts those channels back in action. They're not revealing the financial side of things, but it's apparent that Dish made some concessions to both get CBS back and bolster its internet streaming plans. The satellite TV provider now has numerous Showtime rights that include Anytime access, TV Everywhere and eventual "over-the-top" (read: internet-only) service, but it also has to turn off AutoHop ad skipping on CBS shows for the first week after they air. That's not so hot if you diligently record The Good Wife on your DVR, but it's good news if you prefer to watch Showtime on your own terms. [Image credit: AP Photo/Julie Jacobson]
CBS goes dark on Dish Network in NYC and LA
After a number of extensions, negotiations on a new contract between Dish Network and CBS have fallen apart, and the broadcaster's signals are no longer available on the service in several major markets. That accounts for markets where CBS owns the stations, including New York City, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Sacramento, Dallas, Denver, Boston, Chicago, Pittsburgh and "several others." In a statement, CBS pointed the finger at Dish blaming the satellite broadcaster for dragging its feet, but we're wondering if CBS' plan for a streaming "All Access" service or the quirks of Dish's Hopper DVR and its own internet TV plans are really responsible for the hold up.
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.
Political TV ads will soon know who you are
Like it or not, another US election is almost upon us -- and this time around, the incessant political advertising may cut a little too close to home. Both Democrats and Republicans are using a new TV ad targeting system from DirecTV and Dish that takes advantage of voter records to put personalized campaign ads on your DVR. If you tend to swing between both parties, you may get different commercials than lifelong supporters. You may also get reminders to vote early if you frequently cast absentee ballots. And unlike conventional targeting methods, which run ads on shows they believe certain demographics will watch, these promos will automatically appear on any show you record as long as there's a free slot.
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 Anywhere app now looks much better on tablets
Since the very beginning, Dish has been doing a really good job with its Anywhere mobile app. Aside from letting Hopper with Sling owners use it to view their DVR recordings, the application also offers access to a robust library of on-demand content. To that end, Dish Anywhere has now been further improved on iPad, Android and Kindle Fire tablets, with a redesigned UI and fresh discovery features that let users easily find new stuff to watch. But there's more beyond the pretty, image-heavy pages like the one pictured above. Dish made the app better in other ways, thanks to new features including a Watchlist, the ability to turn your device into a Dish remote, and more. If you haven't grabbed the update, you can do so via the App Store, Google Play or Amazon Appstore, depending on what tablet you're rocking these days.
Dish nabs A+E shows for its streaming television service
If you're a Dish customer in need of a prolonged Wahlburgers fix, well, you're in luck. The satellite TV provider has renewed its deal with A+E Networks to keep all that kooky, faux-informational content flowing into your living rooms. That by itself isn't much to get worked up over, but here's the kicker: The renewal also means Dish now has the rights to stream live and on-demand shows through a "future multi-stream subscription service"... also known as the internet television service it's been trying to get off the ground.
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 Network's mistake is a blast from the Mac past
It's not often that the onscreen programming guide for your cable or satellite TV service can trigger an unexpected wave of Mac nostalgia, but that's exactly what happened to me this weekend. As a Dish Network subscriber, I'm reasonably familiar with the available channel lineup, but most of the time I leave the EPG set to only show high-definition channels. On Saturday night, I wanted to catch a few minutes of the White House Correspondents' Dinner on C-SPAN (yes, it's a wild and crazy party all the time up in here), but I couldn't find the channel right away -- because it was only available in standard-def. Simple enough to fix; I switched the EPG view to show all channels and began scrolling through the listings. As I passed through the mid-200s channels, mostly populated with religious and inspirational programming, one unfamiliar network caught my eye, as seen in the photo above. It seemed impossible... but sure enough, the logo for the Daystar network actually appeared to be the same as the branding for DayStar Digital, the defunct Mac accelerator and clone maker. "That's awfully unlikely," I thought. A quick check of the real Daystar network's website and Wikipedia listing showed that indeed, the logo for the network is entirely dissimilar from the CMYK-comet logo for the hardware maker. What's going on? If I had to hazard a guess, chances are that whoever at Dish is responsible for getting those network logos into the guide may not have looked too closely at the source for this particular channel's branding, even though the channel listing on the Dish website uses the right image. Looking for "Daystar Logo" on Wikipedia does come up with a first result of the DayStar Digital logo -- but the next one down is for the TV network. We'll follow up with Dish and see if they acknowledge or fix the error. In the meantime, enjoy this tiny taste of Mac history right there on your TV screen.
Dish reportedly launching internet TV service this summer
How do you fight cord-cutters? Offer an internet streaming service with all of cable TV's best content. It sounds like a bit of a stretch, but it could be happening: the distribution deal that settled Disney and Dish's ad-skipping dispute also gave the TV-provider the rights to stream Disney-owned channels over the internet. Sources close to Bloomberg are now saying that Dish is hoping to launch the service before the end of the summer.
Dish's Super Joey DVR extender arrives, lets you record eight shows at once
Dish subscribers who fret over choosing shows to record can relax a little today. The satellite provider has just released its promised Super Joey, which both extends the Hopper DVR to other rooms and adds two tuners to the Hopper's already plentiful six. As the math suggests, the device combo lets you record a full eight shows at the same time -- four of your own choosing, plus four from the biggest US networks (ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC). Dish hasn't said how much it will cost to bring a Super Joey into your home as of this writing, although we'd expect it to carry a premium over a run-of-the-mill Joey.
Dish's TV streaming app is now available for newer Kindle Fire tablets
Dish subscribers are no longer stuck if they want to catch up on TV shows from one of Amazon's tablets -- the satellite provider has released a version of Dish Anywhere for Kindle Fire HDX devices. As with the regular Android app, HDX owners using Sling-equipped Dish DVRs (such as the Hopper with Sling) can watch live, on-demand and recorded TV from any reasonably fast internet connection. There's no word yet on support for the lower-cost Kindle Fire HD, but those who own Amazon's latest and greatest hardware can grab Dish Anywhere today.
Dish wins all the wireless spectrum in the FCC's latest auction
Dish has a seemingly insatiable appetite for wireless spectrum, and it's willing to spend a lot of cash to get its fill. Need proof? The FCC has just confirmed (PDF) that Dish bought all of the 1,900MHz licenses in a frequency auction that wrapped up last week, using a shell company to hide its name. The satellite provider paid just short of $1.6 billion for the airwaves -- chump change next to the spending on 700MHz blocks, but a large amount for spectrum where there wasn't much competition. While Dish isn't saying just what it will do with all that extra bandwidth, it's reasonable to believe that the company will use the newly acquired frequencies to boost its wireless broadband efforts.
Dish and Disney's new deal cuts into ad skipping, allows for internet-only video service
TV networks have long been embroiled in a legal battle with Dish over ad skipping built into the Hopper DVR, but the two sides are finally starting to lay down their arms -- and there may be a few perks for viewers as a result. Disney and Dish have reached a TV distribution deal that gives Dish the rights to stream Disney-owned channels online, both through services like WatchESPN as well as an internet-based TV service from Dish itself. In other words, you may not need a satellite dish to start watching. There is a catch, of course. Both companies have agreed to drop their lawsuits, but Dish will have to prevent Hopper owners from skipping ads on Disney-produced shows until three days after they air. The move should appease Disney advertisers that depend on three-day audience ratings. The agreement should still give Dish subscribers more ways to watch TV, but it could lead to other broadcasters demanding ad skipping limits -- and one of the Hopper's main features could be much less useful.
Blockbuster to make a re-licensed return to the UK
2013 saw Blockbuster UK fail to find a buyer after it went bankrupt, so the once prominent DVD and video game rental chain closed its doors in December. However, 2014 is set to see Blockbuster make an unlikely return to the UK, albeit in humbler circumstances. Dish currently owns the Blockbuster brand, and the company quietly licensed it out to Crash Entertainment Group UK at the end of January 2014. Crash is better known for Internet radio stations like Jack FM, but by late 2014 it plans to open 10 stores in the UK, and rebrand the five stores it operates in the Isle of Man. It'll also bring Blockbuster On Demand to Tivo in the country, and start a mail DVD distribution service. So, where do games feature in all this? There's no mention in Crash's initial plans, but back in December the company said should it acquire the Blockbuster license, "games, music, movies, electronics and of [course] rental will be a big part of the business." [Image: Dish]
Dish Explorer for iPad can now recommend shows and turn on your TV
If you own one of Dish's Hopper DVRs and have ever been stumped as to what to watch next, you'll want to grab the latest version of Dish Explorer for the iPad. The new app now recommends shows based on your viewing habits; watch a lot of crime dramas and Dish may suggest the others you've missed. The update also introduces direct control over the TV's power and volume, so you won't have to go hunting for that lost remote. Head to the App Store for an upgrade if either new Explorer feature sounds appealing.
Dish withdraws $2.2 billion bid for Lightsquare's wireless spectrum
You might want to hold off on thinking of a portmanteau for Dish and Lightsquared. The satellite TV company has officially withdrawn its $2.2 billion bid for the ailing firm's wireless spectrum, despite actively pursuing the acquisition last year. In fact, Lightsquared even filed a case against Dish chairman Charles Ergen for allegedly purchasing $1 billion of its debts (illegally, that is) in an effort to take over. While this is the latest in Dish's string of failed acquisition attempts -- remember Sprint and Clearwire last year? -- it's likely not the end of the company's wireless dreams. Lightsquared's lawyers believe the move might just be a ploy to force the company to sell for a lower offer, so the saga might continue. Dish is also testing a fledgling LTE broadband service in Virginia and Texas, with hopes of making it available to the rest of rural America in the future. Besides, 2014 has just begun -- Dish has a whole year ahead of it to set its sights on yet another company to buy.
