Netflix customers have scrambled to find a convenient way to stream videos to their big TV at home. Really, though, it hasn’t been difficult. There is no shortage of streaming video devices, from Roku and Google’s Chromecast to Internet TVs, game consoles and DVRs like Tivo.
But until now, major pay-TV providers didn’t allow Netflix onto their proprietary equipment. Douglas County’s Dish Network said Wednesday that its customers are the first.
The Netflix app is rolling out to customers with the second-generation Hopper.
The announcement is interestingly timed. Just two weeks ago, CBS stopped broadcasting to Dish customers because of a contract dispute. The blackout lasted less than a day, but it magnified Dish founder Charlie Ergen’s question about why Dish should pay for TV contracts when consumers can get TV shows, news and cartoons online or on Netflix. Dish is working on its own Internet TV service.
