If you’ve been waiting to see what the merger of EchoStar and Sling Media would make, you’d better get your cable operator on the phone.

The company that used to be synonymous with the satellite TV service Dish Network, is now joining forces with cable companies for the SlingModem.

Like the rest of the Sling family, this new device will combine the company’s place-shifting technology with a DOCSIS 2.0-certified cable modem. Hook it directly to a coax cable or your set-top box, and you can tap into live or recorded TV on any web-enabled device.

The unit installs easily via one coaxial cable. 

“We are firmly committed to becoming the vendor of choice in the cable industry, leveraging decades of systems and manufacturing excellence,” said Mark Jackson, president of EchoStar Technologies. “We are excited to announce our first cable-ready product at the annual Cable Show, where we can meet face-to-face with industry veterans looking for innovative solutions that will reduce churn and increase average revenue per user.”

The SlingModem is EchoStar’s first product, as well as its first product for cable operators. No pricing or cable partners have been announced. However, the product will get its official unveiling next week; expect other EchoStar product announcements to come later this year.

Rachel Cericola - Contributing Writer

Over the past 15 years, Rachel Cericola has covered entertainment, web and technology trends. Check her out at www.rachelcericola.com.