This week cable television provider Dish Networks announced the launch of its online Internet television service, Sling TV. For $20.00, you can stream live television programming, including ESPN, ESPN2, TNT, TBS, Food Network, HGTV, Travel Channel, Adult Swim, Cartoon Network, Disney Channel, Disney Junior, Disney XD, Boomerang, Baby TV, Duck TV, ABC Family and CNN, to any Internet-connected device.
“Watch anytime, anywhere on your TV, tablet, phone, or computer,” says Dish of Sling TV.
Priced at just $20.00 month, and requiring, says Dish, “no commitment, contract, credit check or hardware installation,” the service should see widespread adoption by disaffected cable users.
Said Dish CEO, Joseph Clayton, at Sling TV’s unveiling at CES, “It is the launch of a whole new industry here. We are innovators. We are disrupters. We don’t always make people happy because we challenge the status quo.”
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But millions of people should be made happy with this offering, as more and more consumers cut the cable.
In a statement released earlier this week, Dish Networks explained that
At launch, Sling TV is offering a core programming package with live and Video-On-Demand shows, sports, movies and online video, as well as two optional add-on packs.
Priced at $20 per month, “The Best of Live TV” core package includes 12 Nielsen-rated sports, lifestyle, family and news networks: ESPN, ESPN2, TNT, TBS, Food Network, HGTV, Travel Channel, Adult Swim, Cartoon Network, Disney Channel, ABC Family and CNN. This package additionally features an array of Video-On-Demand entertainment and the best of online video with unique content from Maker Studios, the global leader in online short-form video.
Consumers can tailor their experience with add-on packs for access to additional programming, at $5 per month. Sling TV will offer a “Kids Extra” add-on with Disney Junior, Disney XD, Boomerang, Baby TV and Duck TV, and a “News & Info Extra” add-on with HLN, Cooking Channel, DIY and Bloomberg TV. A “Sports Extra” package is coming soon.
Sling TV expects to expand its core package, Video-On-Demand content, online video and add-on packs throughout 2015.
As far as supported devices, Dish/Sling say that “At launch, subscribers can watch live TV by downloading the app to supported versions of iOS and Android, or by visiting the upcoming Sling website from Macs and PCs. Alternatively, the Sling TV app is expected to be available on Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire TV Stick, Google’s Nexus Player, select LG Smart TVs, Roku players, Roku TV models, select Samsung Smart TVs and Xbox One, with other streaming devices and smart TVs to follow in the coming months. Sling TV’s user interface provides a consistent experience across all platforms.
Finally, in terms of user controls and options, Sling says that you will “be able to pause, rewind and fast-forward most live channels and Video-On-Demand content. For certain channels, the service includes a 3-Day Replay feature that gives customers the ability to watch some shows that have aired in the past three days; no DVR is needed.
Sling TV is currently in private beta, by invitation only. You can sign up for a Sling TV invitation here.
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Am holding my breath to hear that extra packages will include PBS…and at least one Indie channel. Otherwise, no go, and great disappointment. Have greatly missed my Dish since moving to an apartment where the antenna cannot be placed properly for reception. We well-educated old dears are right in there with the millennials desiring fewer-but-selective quality channels.
Where are the channels for ladies to watch??? Like lifetime,OWN ,Bravo,AMC . you got to give us something!!!
I cant wait. The hills in Montana are boring without tv