[SatNews] DISH (NASDAQ: DISH) is now providing free TV entertainment for passengers aboard Southwest Airlines® (NYSE: LUV). Southwest Customers using iPhone®, iPad® and iPod touch®, or most other Internet-ready personal devices, will be able to access DISH’ free access to live TV and as many as 75 on-demand shows on the airline’s more than 400 WiFi-enabled aircraft.
The news was unveiled by DISH’s “Boston Guys” who surprised each of the passengers aboard a Southwest flight from Boston to Baltimore with a free iPad2 on behalf of the two companies. Southwest Customers and Crew greeted the news with spirited applause, as for the first time, customers flying on Southwest Airlines can stream directly to their personal devices live TV on demand titles at no charge, a savings of $5 per day. Over the past year, the “Boston Guys,” have popularized DISH’s Hopper® Whole-Home HD DVR with their Boston accents featured humorously in DISH’s “Hoppa” commercials.
In-air access to live TV, on-demand programming and WiFi connectivity is delivered by Southwest’s satellite-based inflight entertainment and connectivity partner, Row 44, a subsidiary of Global Eagle Entertainment, Inc. (NASDAQ: ENT).
As part of the agreement, DISH also announced a promotion for new DISH customers signing up for the Hopper Whole Home DVR and a qualified programming package, offering 12,500 points in Southwest’s Rapid Rewards frequent flyer program and the choice to receive an iPad 2. DISH is teaming up with Southwest Airlines for the nationwide marketing campaign to make its offer available to the airline’s Customers.
