Dishs AutoHop feature, which allows consumers to skip over commercials, also ced legal threat by several of the networks, including CBS, which is the parent company of CNET. But in this case, Dish scored a victory when a federal judge denied Foxs attempt to get an injunction to ban the feature, claiming copyright infringement and breach of contract.
For the second year in a row, the satellite TV provider has an impressive product to show off. But can it execute on such lofty ideas?
Dish CEO Joe Clayton at the CES 2013 press conference with his Blues Brothers shades.
Dish was also embroiled in a dispute with AMC that kept the popular cable network off the air for its customers for roughly three months -- a real problem because AMCs The Walking Dead was a ratings blockbuster that Dish subscribers were unable to tune into. Dish and AMC struck a deal to get the channel back on in the beginning of November.
Dish customers do have reason to be excited. By integrating Hopper with the beloved Sling technology, consumers can access their programs on their digital video recorder from multiple devices. Its Hopper Transfer feature is a godsend for anyone who goes on flights or endures long underground subway commutes -- it allows users to move shows on their DVR to an iPad for later offline viewing. Its Dish Anywhere app for Apple and Android devices turns smartphones, tablets, or computers into a portable TV.
Dish also isnt a stranger to execution issues. The company has had a rocky history with growth, and in the third quarter, lost a net 19,000 subscribers. That was, however, better than the net 111,000 subscribers that left the service a year ago. In comparison, rival DirecTV added 67,000 subscribers, although that was only a fifth of the customers it added a year ago.
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The TV Everywhere experience is either broken or very confusing, Vivek Khemka, head of product management, said about rival pay-TV offerings. They either require additional hardware, have limited access, or require different apps, Khemka added.
The satellite company has been aggressive in rolling out features and services for its customers because its under pressure to do so. It has long played second fiddle to larger rival DirecTV, and it competes against deep-pocketed cable and telecom competitors. But where Dish once simply catered to low-end customers with its more attractively priced packages, its recent push to offer more features illustrates its desire to nab the more technically savvy and the gadget enthusiast crowd.
LAS VEGAS--You have to hand it Dish Network -- the company knows how to impress.
A new app shares 6-second video clips, Apple ils to impress Wall Street,Online Education. and U-verses outage lasts for days.
Clayton framed the dispute as necessary to protect consumers interest at a time when programming costs have risen.
Roger ChengRoger Cheng is an executive editor for CNET News. Prior to this, he was on the telecommunications beat and wrote for Dow Jones Newswires and The Wall Street Journal for nearly a decade. Hes a devoted Trojan alum and Los Angeles Lakers n.
CEO Joe Clayton didnt just walk onto stage -- he hustled up and danced in the style of Blues Brothers alongside kangaroo mascot Hopper, and then rapped about his digital video recorder. Few executives at the Consumer Electronics Show would ever attempt such an entrancScrappy Dish wows again at CES with TV anywhere push? satellite tv providerse.
For two years, Dish has gotten the attention of CES and show attendees. The company is hoping that excitement may eventually trickle down to consumers looking for a solid video experience. CEO Clayton has demonstrated that he and the company are game for anything.
The announcements further cement Dishs position as one of the leaders when it comes to the principle of TV Everywhere, or the idea that your vorite shows and movies can be accessed from any device at any location. Dishs take is called TV Anywhere, which it believes is superior to the competition.
And for the second year in a row, the satellite TV provider is at CES in a big way. Last years Hopper whole-home HD DVR made a splash with a pretty nifty box that included commercial-skipping technology that irked those in the entertainment business. This year, Dish is stepping up the capabilities of the Hopper by allowing its customers to move programs onto the iPad and access Dish programming remotely though the Web or mobile devices.
Features like AutoHop and Hopper with Sling are the practical and useful advantages that Dish needs if its going to compete against DirecTV, telecom companies, and cable providers.
Despite showing off promising features, Dish has had some hiccups with deployment. After its debut and some positive early reaction, the Hopper and its accompanying Joey boxes for different rooms required multiple software updates -- its because of those ongoing issues that CNET hasnt yet posted a review.
Dish, however, wants to simplify things by giving its subscribers access to DVR programs or live TV remotely to iOS and Android devices.