DISH adds hands-free DVR control via Amazon Alexa

DISH Debuts Hands-Free TV on Hopper DVR with Amazon Alexa

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — DISH is changing the way that people watch TV with Amazon Alexa. Available today, DISH customers with a Hopper or Wally and an Amazon Echo, Echo Dot or Amazon Tap can watch hands-free TV with Alexa. DISH is the first TV provider to offer direct compatibility with Amazon Alexa.

“Hopper and Alexa introduce next-level convenience that redefines the way TV fits into our lives,” said Niraj Desai, DISH vice president of product management. “Instantly, it’s easier to read player stats on your phone while flipping between basketball games; to chop ingredients in the kitchen while rewinding a TV scene you just missed; to snack on popcorn while searching for your favorite film – the list goes on.”

“Customers love the convenience of interacting with their smart homes via Alexa, and now that includes live TV on DISH,” said Rob Pulciani, Director Amazon Alexa. “With DISH’s skill for Alexa, changing the channel, pausing, rewinding and searching for content will be as simple as asking Alexa via an Echo family device. We think this is a big step forward for the television experience, and that customers will love this new voice functionality on DISH.”

Just ask Alexa for hands-free TV on DISH

Users with an internet-connected Hopper (any generation) or Wally can ask Alexa to navigate, play, pause, fast-forward, rewind and search content based on channel, title, actor or genre. Universal search functionality works across DISH’s live, recorded and on-demand titles as well as Netflix’s selection of TV shows and movies. Below are examples of spoken commands.