The pay-TV operator is opening up the programming for apps that work with its ad-skipping DVR to third-party developers July 16, 2013 7:01 AM PDT The third-party Thuuz Sports app integrates Hopper's API, so subscribers can change the channel app. (Credit: Dish) Pay-TV companies typically keep their technology close to the vest, but Dish is opening up its Hopper Whole-Home DVR to outside developers--though it's limited to a select number of programmers and for second-screen apps. Related stories 'Big Bang' star Cuoco caught in the Dish-CBS crossfire Dish sponsors Daytona race car, zips past TV ad ban on Hopper Fox asks court to block sales of Dish Hopper with Sling Dish declares the death of commercials -- in a commercial Second-screen apps allow a separate device to work in tandem with your television and the programming you're watching. It's different than, for example, a recent social app that Dish itself launched for Hopper. That app, creatively called "Social," let viewers follow relevant posts, tweets or comment about as show at the bottom on their TV screen. Dish has other homegrown mobile apps that it designed to work with the Hopper, but "tapping a deeper well of creativity" with outsiders will uncover ideas the company itself would have never dreamed up, said Vivek Khemka, senior vice president of Dish product management, in a statement. Third-party apps for pay-TV services are rare. The first developer to incorporate Dish APIs into their app is Thuuz Sports, which lets uses live sports analysis and social signaling to ping fans when a sporting event is getting exciting. The Thuuz app for Android and iOS also can let Dish subscribers automatically jump to games on their TV and record live or upcoming events while away from the television with a single click. The Hopper has been a contentious device. It includes technology called AutoHop," which allows customers to skip commercials at the touch of a button. The demand for such a feature is clear, but it has rankled networks who rely on advertising for revenue. Fox, CBS (the parent company of CNET), Comcast's NBC and Disney's ABC have filed suits against Dish over its AutoHop feature Apple is said to be tacking a different approach to meet the same need while keeping in the good graces of those companies. The company is said to be meeting with cable companies about a possible premium service that would let TV watchers jump over commercials but would recompense networks when that happened.
The pay-TV operator is opening up the programming for apps that work with its ad-skipping DVR to third-party developers
The third-party Thuuz Sports app integrates Hopper's API, so subscribers can change the channel app.
(Credit: Dish)
Pay-TV companies typically keep their technology close to the vest, but Dish is opening up its Hopper Whole-Home DVR to outside developers--though it's limited to a select number of programmers and for second-screen apps.
Related stories
- 'Big Bang' star Cuoco caught in the Dish-CBS crossfire
- Dish sponsors Daytona race car, zips past TV ad ban on Hopper
- Fox asks court to block sales of Dish Hopper with Sling
- Dish declares the death of commercials -- in a commercial
Second-screen apps allow a separate device to work in tandem with your television and the programming you're watching. It's different than, for example, a recent social app that Dish itself launched for Hopper. That app, creatively called "Social," let viewers follow relevant posts, tweets or comment about as show at the bottom on their TV screen.
Dish has other homegrown mobile apps that it designed to work with the Hopper, but "tapping a deeper well of creativity" with outsiders will uncover ideas the company itself would have never dreamed up, said Vivek Khemka, senior vice president of Dish product management, in a statement.
Third-party apps for pay-TV services are rare.
The first developer to incorporate Dish APIs into their app is Thuuz Sports, which lets uses live sports analysis and social signaling to ping fans when a sporting event is getting exciting. The Thuuz app for Android and iOS also can let Dish subscribers automatically jump to games on their TV and record live or upcoming events while away from the television with a single click.
The Hopper has been a contentious device. It includes technology called AutoHop," which allows customers to skip commercials at the touch of a button. The demand for such a feature is clear, but it has rankled networks who rely on advertising for revenue.
Fox, CBS (the parent company of CNET), Comcast's NBC and Disney's ABC have filed suits against Dish over its AutoHop feature
Apple is said to be tacking a different approach to meet the same need while keeping in the good graces of those companies. The company is said to be meeting with cable companies about a possible premium service that would let TV watchers jump over commercials but would recompense networks when that happened.
