Dish’s AirTV is finally getting around to updating its software to allow for the full over-the-air channel integration experience as promised when the product was unveiled at CES.
According to Cord Cutter News, multiple AirTV owners have said the update not only provides deeper OTA channel integration but also faster load times and less latency in the channel guide.
AirTV did not respond to FierceBroadcasting’s request for confirmation.
RELATED: AirTV explains why it shipped its box without OTA integration
Back in January when the AirTV first shipped, Sling TV CEO Roger Lynch had to fend off some “bait and switch” accusations due to the product not featuring the full OTA integration showed off during CES.
“The version shown at CES had beta software where the locals are integrated. That feature will be rolled out soon,” Lynch said on Twitter, adding that AirTV was still testing the software and that the integration would be available in early February.
AirTV explained that it felt it worth getting the streaming boxes out right away, even knowing that the full integration software update would go out by early February.
“In a move that advanced the market, we launched AirTV Player as a platform that integrates OTA, OTT and Netflix, and allows access to YouTube and apps from the Google Play Store,” an AirTV spokesperson told FierceBroadcasting. “With the AirTV Adapter, customers today can launch OTA channels from within the Sling TV app. Knowing that our initial OTA user interface path would be quickly followed by a more elegant experience, we felt it worth shipping devices with the first gen interface. Our priority was delivering access to a diversity of content on a single platform.”
“We are confident that we will push the updated user interface to customers in February. We’re excited about this, and the experience will continue to improve in a number of ways over the coming months,” the company added.
Though the February timeline came and went, with the reported new software update going out, AirTV will be closer to the product as it was announced.
RELATED: Dish’s AirTV launches with premium price for OTA channel integration
The AirTV starts at $100, but costs $130 for a package that includes the optional AirTV OTA adapter. The adapter can also be purchased later for $40. Customers who buy Dish’s new streaming device will receive $50 in Sling TV credits, which are available to both new and existing Sling TV customers.
Dish is also offering AirTV Pro antenna installation products and services alongside the AirTV launch. Starting at $100 for indoor and $150 for outdoor, the service will provide an antenna and a professional to install the device in the optimal location for receiving OTA signals. AirTV Pro Install service is using Winegard FlatWave Amped indoor antennas and Televes DigiNova BOSS outdoor antennas.
AirTV also offers integrated access to SVOD services like Netflix.