SlingMedia

Company name: SlingMedia
Where it's based: N/A
When it was founded: 2004
What year it was a Fierce 15: 2006
Website: N/A

Why it was a Fierce 15: SlingMedia, the maker of the nifty Slingbox device that can redirect home TV signals to any PC anywhere, expanded into wireless with its SlingPlayer Mobile for Slingbox owners. The software solution for Windows Mobile devices enabled users to watch TV via UMTS, EV-DO or WiFi networks without paying for a video subscription from their mobile operator. In doing so, it stirred up the debate around place-shifting trends in the mobile industry much earlier than expected. Click here for more.

What has happened since it was awarded the Fierce 15: EchoStar purchased Sling Media for $380 million in 2007, though the operation continues to make strides on the place-shifting front. Indeed, Sling Media's application for the iPhone generated intense interest during its release, as it only works over a WiFi connection rather than a cellular connection.