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…
Sennheiser’s fantastic Ambeo all-in-one soundbar is $800 off today
The Sennheiser Ambeo Max 5.1.4-channel soundbar in the living room.

There are soundbar deals for basic and budget-friendly models, but if you want the best possible audio for your home theater setup, you're going to have to make a significant investment. If you're willing to spend some serious cash, check out Best Buy's offer for the Sennheiser Ambeo Soundbar Max. An $800 discount brings its price down from $2,500 to $1,700, which still isn't cheap, but it's actually a steal for the cinematic experience that this soundbar will enable. You need to hurry with your purchase if you're interested though, as its price may return to normal as soon as tomorrow.

Why you should buy the Sennheiser Ambeo Soundbar Max
The Sennheiser Ambeo Soundbar Max is the more powerful model of the Sennheiser Ambeo Soundbar Plus that's featured in our roundup of the best soundbars. It's a 5.1.4-channel soundbar, which means it offers five channels -- the standard left and right channel, a center channel for improved dialogue clarity, and a pair of surround sound speakers -- a subwoofer, and four dedicated drivers that fire upwards to enable Dolby Atmos surround sound, as explained by our guide on how to buy a soundbar. The all-in-one soundbar will also allow you to customize your listening experience with its built-in equalizer.

Read more
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