Dish Network Parent Buys Slingbox

EchoStar Communications, owner of the Dish Network, has agreed to acquire the maker of the Slingbox for $380 million. The satellite TV provider should close on the deal to buy Sling Media by year’s end, the AP reports. The Slingbox allows any Internet-connected computer to receive standard TV signals.

The device could be integrated immediately into Dish Network boxes, CNNMoney adds, and could be treated as a premium service, like digital video recorders. EchoStar’s chief executive trumpeted its longstanding dedication to the company it will soon own. For his part, Sling Media’s CEO was “psyched to make this announcement,” and hoped the partnership would help his business grow. (More EchoStar stories.)