FreeCast and Dish Network have partnered up to optimize AirTV with FreeCast’s aggregated streaming software. The partnership will serve FreeCast’s commercial customers with a network-attached broadcast tuner for blending streaming and over-the-air channels on AirTV 2 and AirTV Anywhere devices.
FreeCast CEO William Mobley discussed the benefits of both companies working collaboratively. “We had a challenge supplying enough hardware, while DISH had a compatible device but not the FreeCast-like software solution to create that single-source TV experience that customers are seeking. By partnering, we’re better at serving FreeCast customers.”
Since its launch in 2011, Freecast has innovated ways to make streaming media easier. In 2020, the company’s Select TV introduced a kit to bring together subscription services and streaming hardware into a manageable TV experience.
This new partnership with Dish Network allows AirTV 2 and AirTV Anywhere models to have the same streaming capabilities as FreeCast Home models. With this technology, viewers can enjoy live local broadcast channels and integrate them alongside streaming FAST channels, making both channel types available on all devices connected to the home’s network, the company announced.
The new partnership could help Dish Network after the company lost 104,000 pay-TV subscribers during the second quarter of 2024. Sling TV, Dish Network’s streaming service, was able to gain subscribers during the second quarter of the year.
“The EchoStar team continued to perform as planned in the second quarter of 2024. We directed efforts on aligning key business synergies and objectives, focusing on profitable customer acquisition and retention efforts, and making improvements in our go-to-market approach for Retail Wireless,” said Hamid Akhavan, president and CEO, EchoStar Corporation. “In addition, we are in constructive discussions to address necessary financing, working to strengthen our consumer offerings and value propositions, enhancing our state-of-the-art Open RAN network, and driving profitability across the enterprise.”
As more and more traditional companies and legacy media are partnering with tech companies to navigate the world of streaming, customers are likely to see more partnerships like Dish and FreeCast.