Skip to main content

Networks may withhold content from DISH if AutoHop litigation fails

auto-hop
Image used with permission by copyright holder

In the last few months, DISH Network’s Hopper with Sling has provided near-constant fodder for news organizations like us. Apparently, if you provide people with the ability to automatically skip a few ads (AutoHop), a subsequent shower of fire and brimstone is pretty much inevitable. 

In reality, the only person who should really be peeved is the inventor of the fast-forward button, since the new feature pretty much obviates that particular function. Still, plenty of others are hopping mad, if you will, and the networks’ threats are getting graver as their legislative efforts have, thus far, come up empty.

One of the most prominent executives to speak out against Dish’s much maligned feature is CBS CEO Leslie Moonves, who has said that if Dish doesn’t put the kibosh on its Hopper DVR, the company he helms will cut ties with the service provider. He did offer one other proviso, however: If Dish agrees to pay CBS $5/mo per subscriber, it can keep its CBS content.

Dish says that, initially, other networks pushed for an AutoHop tax of sorts, but it managed to negotiate agreements without the added fees. If such costs become conditional of future agreements, or worse, if networks quit dealing with the company, it could sound the death knell for AutoHop.

Right now, however, it’s difficult to tell if threats by execs like Moonves will prove to be idle bluster, or serious ultimatums. Still, one thing’s for sure: Dish has everybody all riled up.

Stay tuned for further coverage. You won’t have to wait long

Adam Poltrack
Adam is an A/V News Writer for Digital Trends, and is responsible for bringing you the latest advances in A/V…
We’ve tried them all — these are the best Sonos speakers in 2024
Sonos Move 2 in white.

One of the best speaker brands is Sonos so it’s a smart move to kit your home out with some great Sonos speakers. The range is busy enough that it can be tricky to know where to start. To an extent, any Sonos speaker is sure to delight you with some of the best wireless speakers around coming from Sonos. There’s also the benefit of Sonos’s multi-room system so you can easily get all your speakers to work together across the house. However, certain speakers are better for certain scenarios so a little research is always wise.

Below, we’ve picked out all the best Bluetooth speakers from Sonos. That includes some more affordable options, speakers that can be taken out and about with you, and ones that give you sound that will fill the room with joy. Whatever you pick here, you’re going to love it. A great speaker really does make the ambience at home so much better and you’ll soon notice some details you wouldn’t hear through inferior speakers. Keen to learn more? Let’s get straight into the best Sonos speakers.
The best Sonos speakers in 2024

Read more
JBL sale: Bluetooth speakers, wireless earbuds, and more, from $30
JBL Authentics 300.

JBL is one of the most popular brands in the audio industry, so you shouldn't pass up any chance to enjoy savings when buying one of its devices. If you're on the hunt for Bluetooth speaker deals, wireless earbuds deals, or discounts for any other type of audio device, you should check out what's available in Best Buy's JBL sale. You can get something for as low as $30, but there are bargains for some of JBL's premium products as well. Take a look at our recommendations below or go through everything that's on sale -- either way, you need to hurry because there's no telling how long stocks will last.

What to buy in Best Buy's JBL sale
The JBL Flip 6 portable speaker. JBL / JBL

Read more
Samsung’s new Music Frame smart speaker is essentially $100 off
The front panel of the Samsung Music Frame snaps off so you can swap it out with other artwork.

For a wireless speaker that doubles as an art piece in your bedroom or living room, you should check out the Samsung Music Frame smart speaker. It's available from Best Buy for $400, and every purchase comes with a $100 gift card that you can use on a future Best Buy purchase. That essentially drops the price of the unique device to a more affordable $300, but you better act fast because we're not sure how long this offer will remain available. If you can buy the wireless speaker now, you should probably do so.

Why you should buy the Samsung Music Frame smart speaker
The Samsung Music Frame is a wireless speaker that doubles as an old-fashioned picture frame, so you'll be able to listen to your favorite music while gazing at your photograph or artwork of choice. You have the option of swapping the bezels and the picture whenever you want. Behind the picture are two each of woofers, tweeters, and midrange drivers, which use Samsung's SpaceFit calibration technology to tune themselves according to the acoustics of the room where the Samsung Music Frame is placed. With its compatibility for Dolby Atmos, you'll enjoy rich surround sound.

Read more