Dish Network 2014 Annual Report Download - page 13

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Our subscribers also have the ability to use dishanywhere.com and our mobile applications for smartphones and
tablets to view authorized content, search program listings and remotely control certain features of their DVRs.
Dishanywhere.com and our mobile applications provide access to more than 80,000 movies, television shows, clips
and trailers.
Technology. Our subscribers receive programming via equipment that includes a small satellite dish, digital set-top
receivers, and remote controls. To differentiate ourselves from our competitors, we introduced the Hopper whole-
home DVR during 2012 and have continued to add functionality and simplicity for a more intuitive user experience.
Our current generation Hopper and Joey® whole-home DVR promotes a suite of integrated features and
functionality designed to maximize the convenience and ease of watching TV anytime and anywhere. It also has
several innovative features that a consumer can use, at his or her option, to watch and record television
programming, including recording up to eight shows at a time, through Internet-connected tablets, smartphones and
computers. During January 2015, we announced certain upcoming technological advancements including 4K Ultra
HD capable receivers, a new remote control and user interface with advanced voice command capability, and more
mobile applications.
We rely on EchoStar Corporation (“EchoStar”) to design and manufacture substantially all of our new receivers and
certain related components. See “Item 1A – Risk Factors.”
Broadband. In addition to our wide selection of pay-TV programming and award-winning technology, we market a
satellite broadband service under the dishNET brand. This service leverages advanced technology and high-
powered satellites launched by Hughes and ViaSat to provide broadband coverage nationwide. This service
primarily targets rural residents that are underserved, or unserved, by wireline broadband, and provides download
speeds of up to 15 megabits of data per second (“Mbps”). We lease the customer premise equipment to subscribers
and generally pay Hughes and ViaSat a wholesale rate per subscriber on a monthly basis. Currently, we generally
utilize our existing DISH distribution channels, including our DISH direct sales channels, under similar incentive
arrangements as our DISH branded pay-TV business to acquire new broadband subscribers.
In addition to the dishNET branded satellite broadband service, we also offer wireline voice and broadband services
under the dishNET brand as a competitive local exchange carrier to consumers living in a 14-state region (Arizona,
Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah,
Washington and Wyoming). Our dishNET branded wireline broadband service provides download speeds of up to
20 Mbps.
We primarily bundle our dishNET branded services with our DISH branded pay-TV service, to offer customers a
single bill, payment and customer service option, which includes a discount for bundled services. In addition, we
market and sell our dishNET branded services on a stand-alone basis.
New Business Opportunities
From time to time we evaluate opportunities for strategic investments or acquisitions that may complement our
current services and products, enhance our technical capabilities, improve or sustain our competitive position, or
otherwise offer growth opportunities.
Over-the-top television. On February 9, 2015, we launched Sling TV, a live, linear streaming OTT service. At
launch, the core package consisted of over 14 channels offered for a $20 monthly subscription. In addition to the
core programming package, Sling TV offers additional tiers of programming, including news and children’s
programming, each for an additional monthly fee, as well as a video on-demand programming library. We expect to
expand the programming content offered by Sling TV during 2015. Sling TV requires an Internet connection and is
available through certain streaming-capable devices.
Prior to the launch of Sling TV, we offered, and continue to offer, an international video programming OTT service
to a small number of Pay-TV subscribers under the DishWorld brand. As of December 31, 2014, our DishWorld
subscribers are included in our Pay-TV subscriber count and represent a small percentage of our customers. We
market our OTT services primarily to consumers who do not subscribe to traditional satellite and cable pay-TV
services.