Dish Network is working hard to get integrators to be more proactive with their clients to be a content provider versus passively letting customers continue to subscribe to cable TV. At CEDIA Expo Virtual, the company has several show-exclusive initiatives on tap to help dealers come on board as partners.
“The focus this year for Dish isn’t going to be rows of demos of our exciting hopper and Sling TV products, rather, we’re going to focus on new product announcements,” says Frank DeFilippis, general manager, custom integration for Dish Network. “We are going to offering live two-way communication with a couple of key stakeholders in our booth, and some epic show specials.
Those show specials are epic indeed… first, the company is unveiling its special “Test Drive Dish” promotion. The program gives curious integrators a chance to work with the Dish Concierge Program before deciding to become a dealer. They merely have to submit a project for Dish to install and in return, they will receive a Nest Hello doorbell at no cost. The offer is open to current dealers also. Attendees are being asked to book a short meeting with Dish to enroll a project.
“Not a lot of people have time to review lengthy dealer agreements or fill out yet another vendor application. So we’re going to offer all the others a chance to test drive Dish. Bring us a project that you’re working on right now, and we will give you the full White Glove treatment that we give all of our dealers and help you design and install a fully integrated 4K Dish system in the project of your choice. It could be a new customer, or it could be an old customer… it doesn’t matter. And for doing that, we are going to send you a free Nest Hello doorbell valued at $230,” says DeFilippis.
Second, the company is announcing its “Partner with Dish, Get $300” program at CEDIA Virtual Expo. Dish has come a long way since the early days of satellite TV. It now has streaming video, a smart-home installation business, concierge-grade satellite for the LUX market and an emerging wireless business. Any integrator willing to fill out a partner application during CEDIA Expo Virtual will receive a $300 credit with Dish, and commit to finishing the application by the end of September. Interested delaers can start the application by booking a meeting.
“We’re going to have our dealer application crew online start an application spend literally 10 minutes with us. And if you do finish the application after the show, we will open your dish account with $300 in it. You can spend on any products we have, such as a 4K satellite receiver for your home or office, Sling TV products, or some free products from our smart home distribution catalog,” adds DeFilippis.
On the product side, Dish has also been busy. At the show, the company is unveiling its new Gallery by DISH scapes wellness/nature channel, and the Gallery by SLING scapes. The channel turns a dark flat-panel displays and a distributed audio system in a clients’ home into a calming canvas of high-resolution nature imagery and soothing sounds. Homeowners can explore a variety of nature scenes, fine art pieces and original DISH scapes scenes via the Gallery by DISH scapes app on the Hopper platform. The channel is free for the first month, then will be just $5 per month.
DeFilippis says Dish scapes is a collection of over 100 high-resolution nature videos and original artwork with a backdrop of high-resolution audio that can be queued up on any or all displays or projectors in a home.
The company is also showcasing AirTV Anywhere, the next generation of its AirTV ecosystem. Features include a built-in quad tuner and 1TB hard drive for more than 150 hours of DVR storage, allowing customers to access OTA channels and recordings anywhere in the U.S. with no monthly fees. The unit seamlessly integrates with SLING TV content for a traditional pay-TV experience.
The company will also have a full day of leader-led training during the show.
