Not to be confused with Dish’s forthcoming standalone Web service, or OTT, network, Dish Anywhere is the satellite provider’s version of TV Everywhere, a service many cable and satellite providers have adopted to allow authenticated users (those with a subscription) access to their favorite TV content from PCs and mobile devices while on the move.
Dish Anywhere allows Dish subscribers to instantly watch thousands of TV shows, movies, and clips from connected devices. Dish customers can also log in to unlock even more content from the networks they subscribe to at home, including HBO, Starz, TNT, and more. Hopper with Sling customers can use the Dish Anywhere app to view live, recorded, and video-on-demand (VOD) content at home or on the go from their mobile devices, as well.
According to the release, the new Dish Anywhere “shifts to an image-centric format featuring large programming thumbnails on a flat, dark background, making it easier for users to navigate to their favorite TV shows.”
The functional additions to the updated UI for the Dish Anywhere app include:
- Program recommendations — This feature enables customers to discover new shows based on what they are currently watching and what they have previously viewed.
- Watchlist — Customers can add shows and movies to a “Watchlist,” consolidating desired TV programs into an easily accessible queue for future viewing.
- Recents — This drop-down menu gives customers the ability to quickly resume recently viewed recordings and VOD titles.
- Media page — This feature aggregates information from the Guide, DVR recordings and VOD into one place so users can easily see all of the available ways to watch a specific program, including whether a show is currently on TV, when upcoming episodes are airing, and whether episodes are recorded on their Hopper or accessible within VOD.
- What’s Hot — Previously available only on Hopper and Dish Explorer, the What’s Hot feature makes it easy to find a TV show, movie, or sports event to watch by highlighting the most popular programs based on real-time data from viewers.
- Remote — Customers can control their TV from their tablet using a built-in Dish remote. This includes the ability to turn a TV on or off, change channels, adjust volume, access the Hopper menu, and set and playback recorded content.
This new version of Dish Anywhere for iPad, Android, and Kindle tablets is available now at no additional cost, and Dish says it expects to roll out the UI update to iPhone and Android smartphones later this year.
