Dish to bring streaming of TV on mobile devices

Dish Network has said it will soon let subscribers watch its satellite TV programs on their mobile devices for free. The functionality will arrive for the iPad, iPhone, iPod touch and BlackBerry smartphones in September and on Android-powered phones in October. Unless the mobile users have a Dish-compatible, dual-tuner DVR at home, however, they will have to watch whatever channel is set at home.

The capability also requires special hardware, with the SlingBox being one of them, and Dish's own DVR with SlingBox features being the other, more costly option. They will also have to pay a $10 monthly fee for multiple DVR service, but will also get recording capabilities.

This live streaming is the latest step in Dish's efforts to retain customers who are relying on Internet-based TV or video on demand services from their phone companies. Dish already lets Apple device users program their DVRs, browse TV shows and use them as remote controls thanks to a free app.

by MacNN Staff