DISH Opens Hopper DVR Platform to Select Mobile App Developers

[Scott Greczkowski]

[h=1]DISH Opens Hopper DVR Platform to Select Mobile App Developers[/h]Dateline City:ENGLEWOOD, Colo.

• Industry-leading move gives developers access to program information, channel-changing functionality from mobile devices
• Thuuz Sports is first third-party mobile app to integrate with DISH’s Hopper receivers
• Consumers benefit from more choice and greater personalization of TV experience

ENGLEWOOD, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--In a move designed to deliver new customer experiences and to spur innovation among smartphone and tablet app developers, DISH opened its third-party application programming interface (API) to developers. Starting today, trusted partners can access many of the same second-screen APIs that DISH uses for its own DISH Explorer mobile app on its Hopper® Whole-Home HD DVR, a program designed to replace a traditional remote control with a tablet-based device.


“I think it's a great announcement and DISH has taken a step in the right direction,” said media strategist Robert Tercek earlier this month at the Second Screen Summit in New York. “In the world of the multichannel video providers, DISH is probably the most innovative company. This is evidence that DISH is focused on reinventing the TV experience for an audience that's already accustomed to manipulating their content, tuning in when they want to, and building their own playlists. Consumers want to exert more control."


With the DISH APIs, developers can offer new ways for customers to discover shows that are available on the program guide, recorded to the DVR and accessible on demand. Their apps will also be able to control the Hopper by changing channels, setting recordings and playing back DVR and on-demand shows.


“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. By tapping into a deeper well of creativity, I’m confident we will discover ideas we’ve never dreamed of to improve upon an already unique customer experience.”


Third-party Integration Underway


Thuuz Sports [3] is the first developer to incorporate DISH’s APIs into their app, enabling DISH customers to control their Hopper receiver directly from Android or iOS smartphones. Thuuz Sports uses real-time analytics and social signaling to alert viewers to exciting sporting events. Fans can customize the app based on their favorite teams and sports leagues, including NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL, NCAAF and NCAABB.

By pairing the Thuuz app on mobile devices with Hopper, DISH subscribers can automatically jump to the most exciting games on their TV. The Thuuz Sports app also enables one-click recording of live or upcoming matches on the Hopper if a customer is away from their TV.


“Our goal is to make sure sports enthusiasts never miss an exciting game,” said Warren Packard, CEO & co-founder of Thuuz. “Our apps already alert users to the best matches in their favorite sports. Integrating with DISH’s Hopper receivers lets us take viewers immediately into the live action. For those times when they can’t watch the game live, we make sure they can record it to enjoy later.”


API Availability


Developers interested in working with DISH will be vetted to ensure that customer privacy and other considerations are met. Requests for the Hopper APIs are being accepted by email to devprogram@dish.com [4].


Note to editors: Video interviews of Vivek Khemka from DISH and Robert Tercek from the recent Second Screen Summit are available online at www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sc8xioONrOo

 

[Rey]

i like. so it's similar to the dish explorer app on ios but for android. very good.......

 

[Scott Greczkowski]

I just wish they would open up the Hopper itself for App Development.

I still want a "TuneIn Radio" app so I can listen to Radio Stations from around the world on my Hopper. And how about a SatelliteGuys app when you can browse the site and answer PM's all from your Hopper?

 

[Rey]

I just wish they would open up the Hopper itself for App Development.

I still want a "TuneIn Radio" app so I can listen to Radio Stations from around the world on my Hopper. And how about a SatelliteGuys app when you can browse the site and answer PM's all from your Hopper?

awesome ideas. i would also welcome a youtube app but in HD.

 

[Benyth]

As I've said before, give me Netflix, Hulu and Amazon Prime on the Hopper and I'd be a happy camper.

 

[Scott Greczkowski]

I am kind of surprised Netflix is not already on the Hopper. It would make the Hopper a much easier to sell box, knowing that you can watch your favorites all on one box.

 

[ashutto20]

I am kind of surprised Netflix is not already on the Hopper. It would make the Hopper a much easier to sell box, knowing that you can watch your favorites all on one box.

Doesnt dish look at netflix as competition? ?? Wont they lose bb@home subscribers if netflix was on the hopper???

 

[Hall]

A Netflix app would compete with the Blockbuster app though. Oh wait....

 

[satjay]

I am kind of surprised Netflix is not already on the Hopper. It would make the Hopper a much easier to sell box, knowing that you can watch your favorites all on one box.

I would agree that would be a great add, but would netflix allow?

 

[satjay]

Doesnt dish look at netflix as competition? ?? Wont they lose bb@home subscribers if netflix was on the hopper???

I don't think they would lose subs to that package, netflix and BB are a bit different, now if BB changed a bit...

 

[cosmo_kramer]

Doesnt dish look at netflix as competition? ?? Wont they lose bb@home subscribers if netflix was on the hopper???

Possibly, but it would probably keep more subs who would be paying Dish their monthly receiver fees and their programming costs. The Hopper could almost become a household's whole media entertainment center....

 

[Scott Greczkowski]

A Netflix app would compete with the Blockbuster app though. Oh wait....

When is the last time anything was added to the Blockbuster Streaming?

I don't consider Netflix to be competition to the Blockbuster offerings of DISH.

 

[Poke]

Yeah would like to see them add Win8 support where you can off load your recordings to your Laptop and Win8 Tablets since there going to be a lot more Win8 Tablets coming out. Plus get the Dish Anywhere App out for Windows 8 and Windows 8 phones as well that way they cover all 3 major platforms as well.

 

[Scott Greczkowski]

Doesnt dish look at netflix as competition? ?? Wont they lose bb@home subscribers if netflix was on the hopper???

I think they did... but not now. In fact almost every person I know from DISH has Netflix too.

Remember when the iPhone first came out and you could only use iTunes for Music? Well times have sure changed and now its time for DISH to change as well, after all look at the success Apple has had by opening up the gates.

 

[Poke]

When is the last time anything was added to the Blockbuster Streaming?

I don't consider Netflix to be competition to the Blockbuster offerings of DISH.

I wish Dish would Can Blockbuster I hate it that they tie all those other HD channels to it that's the only reason I keep it is due to I would loose all those other channels. Would be nice for them to Not tie the other channels to it and just get rid of it then maybe add Netflix plus some other Apps so forth.

 

[Scott Greczkowski]

Poke you are like me... the only reason I have the Blockbuster package is for the other channels, not the Blockbuster portion of it.

 

[navychop]

Local weather app, anyone?

Full Internet browsing?

Wireless keyboard & pointing device?

An Ancestry.com app would make my wife happy- all that screen real estate to see the charts.

Kid level painting/drawing app, Suduku and other games.

And yep, need that SatGuy app!

 

[Rey]

Poke you are like me... the only reason I have the Blockbuster package is for the other channels, not the Blockbuster portion of it.

that's the only reason why i plan to keep it as well.

 

[satjay]

Poke you are like me... the only reason I have the Blockbuster package is for the other channels, not the Blockbuster portion of it.

Same here....though it has some value for me as I still have a BB still open

 

[Hall]

When is the last time anything was added to the Blockbuster Streaming?

No idea.... I've mentioned it before, Dish's collection of various video-on-demand and movie-rental options is a cluster***k. I vaguely recall that there's a "BB" icon under Settings, but is there one (the same one) under Apps ? We just search system-wide for movies. That way, we hit all options.