CES Adds DISH’s Hopper with Sling as “Best of Show” Joining the Razer Edge as Co-Winners of Top Prize of 2013 “Best of CES” Awards
CES Will Launch RFP to Secure New Partner for “Best of CES” Awards Program
Today the International CES® announced that DISH’s Hopper™ with Sling® Whole-Home HD DVR is joining the Razer Edge gaming tablet as co-winners of “Best of Show” under the “Best of CES” awards program for the 2013 International CES. The Best of CES awards program is produced by CNET under contract with the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA)®, the producer of the International CES. CNET editors originally selected the Hopper with Sling as Best of Show before CNET’s corporate parent, CBS Corp. forced them to remove the Hopper from consideration due to ongoing litigation between CBS Corp. and DISH over specific features of the Hopper. After the Hopper was removed from consideration and a revote by the editors, CNET awarded the Razer Edge as Best of Show.
“The CNET editorial team identified the Hopper Sling as the most innovative product of the show, and we couldn’t agree more,” said Karen Chupka, senior vice president, events and conferences for CEA. “The Hopper with Sling and the Razer Edge both represent the best of the exciting, innovative technology introduced at the 2013 CES. We are pleased to recognize both products as Best of Show.”
CBS Corp., along with other broadcasters, is in litigation with DISH over the Hopper’s capability to allow the recording and playback of programming 24-hours later without commercials. CBS’ decision to force CNET to remove the product from consideration for Best of Show and change its product review policy created a media firestorm. CNET will no longer review products manufactured by companies with which CBS Corp. is in active litigation with respect to the legality of the specific product. Last week, CEA joined several leading tech groups in filing an amicus brief in support of DISH Networks in the suit over the Hopper.
“We are shocked that the ‘Tiffany’ network which is known for its high journalistic standards would bar all its reporters from favorably describing classes of technology the network does not like,” said CEA President and CEO Gary Shapiro. “We believe that the DISH Hopper DVR is fully covered by the Supreme Court’s ruling in Sony Corp. of America v. Universal City Studios Inc. The simple fact is making television easier to watch is not against the law. It is simply pro-innovation and pro-consumer.”
CEA also announced that it will soon issue a request for proposal (RFP) to identify a new partner to run the Best of CES awards program.
“CES has enjoyed a long and productive partnership with CNET and the Best of CES awards,” stated Chupka. “However, we are concerned the new review policy will have a negative impact on our brand should we continue the awards relationship as currently constructed. We look forward to receiving new ideas to recognize the ‘best of the best’ products introduced at the International CES.”
Note to Editors: The official name of the global technology event is “International CES.” Subsequent references to the show can be shortened to “2013 CES” or “CES.” Please do not use “Consumer Electronics Show” to refer to the International CES.
CES Will Launch RFP to Secure New Partner for “Best of CES” Awards Program
Today the International CES® announced that DISH’s Hopper™ with Sling® Whole-Home HD DVR is joining the Razer Edge gaming tablet as co-winners of “Best of Show” under the “Best of CES” awards program for the 2013 International CES. The Best of CES awards program is produced by CNET under contract with the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA)®, the producer of the International CES. CNET editors originally selected the Hopper with Sling as Best of Show before CNET’s corporate parent, CBS Corp. forced them to remove the Hopper from consideration due to ongoing litigation between CBS Corp. and DISH over specific features of the Hopper. After the Hopper was removed from consideration and a revote by the editors, CNET awarded the Razer Edge as Best of Show.
“The CNET editorial team identified the Hopper Sling as the most innovative product of the show, and we couldn’t agree more,” said Karen Chupka, senior vice president, events and conferences for CEA. “The Hopper with Sling and the Razer Edge both represent the best of the exciting, innovative technology introduced at the 2013 CES. We are pleased to recognize both products as Best of Show.”
CBS Corp., along with other broadcasters, is in litigation with DISH over the Hopper’s capability to allow the recording and playback of programming 24-hours later without commercials. CBS’ decision to force CNET to remove the product from consideration for Best of Show and change its product review policy created a media firestorm. CNET will no longer review products manufactured by companies with which CBS Corp. is in active litigation with respect to the legality of the specific product. Last week, CEA joined several leading tech groups in filing an amicus brief in support of DISH Networks in the suit over the Hopper.
“We are shocked that the ‘Tiffany’ network which is known for its high journalistic standards would bar all its reporters from favorably describing classes of technology the network does not like,” said CEA President and CEO Gary Shapiro. “We believe that the DISH Hopper DVR is fully covered by the Supreme Court’s ruling in Sony Corp. of America v. Universal City Studios Inc. The simple fact is making television easier to watch is not against the law. It is simply pro-innovation and pro-consumer.”
CEA also announced that it will soon issue a request for proposal (RFP) to identify a new partner to run the Best of CES awards program.
“CES has enjoyed a long and productive partnership with CNET and the Best of CES awards,” stated Chupka. “However, we are concerned the new review policy will have a negative impact on our brand should we continue the awards relationship as currently constructed. We look forward to receiving new ideas to recognize the ‘best of the best’ products introduced at the International CES.”
Note to Editors: The official name of the global technology event is “International CES.” Subsequent references to the show can be shortened to “2013 CES” or “CES.” Please do not use “Consumer Electronics Show” to refer to the International CES.
I thought some of the guys were going to cry. 
