Dish Network may have failed in its recent attempts to buy a wireless carrier, but the satellite TV provider appears poised to continue disrupting both wireless and media. Dish is a likely bidder for the H Block spectrum that the FCC will auction early next year. One of the two blocks to be auctioned is the 1995-2000 block, which is adjacent to Dish’s 2000-2020 spectrum. Dish needs spectrum to build out its LTE in-home broadband service, which has already launched in parts of Virginia.
Meanwhile Dish is working to bring its controversial Hopper technology to more users and more devices. The Hopper allows TV viewers to hop past commercials when watching recorded programs, and has been the target of unsuccessful lawsuits brought by broadcasters. Now Dish is sharing its Hopper APIs with mobile developers who want to create Hopper apps for smartphones and tablets.
The company envisions customers controlling their DVRs remotely, and watching recorded programming on tablets and smartphones. The first developer to incorporate DISH’s APIs into its app is Thuuz Sports, which has an app that lets DISH customers control their Hopper receivers directly from Android or iOS smartphones, and receive alerts about sporting events involving their favorite teams.
“DISH wants to evolve the Hopper experience for customers and foster innovation among the developer community,” said Vivek Khemka, senior vice president of product management for DISH. “DISH already has its own suite of mobile apps designed to work with the Hopper, but we want to see what other experiences trusted partners might create if given the opportunity.”
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