AfterDawn: News

Sling TV is no longer invite-only so it's time to sign up

Dish's new online TV streaming service is no longer invite-only, meaning any would-be consumer can sign up today.

Sling TV gives live access to over 10 channels that can be watched online, at a price cheaper than any standard cable or satellite package.



The new service will cost $20 per month and includes the following channels: TNT, TBS, CNN, Food Network, HGTV, Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, the Disney Channel, Galavision, El Rey Network, a Maker Studios channel and ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPN 3. AMC will be added soon. For $5 extra, there are add-on packages for additional sports channels, or additional news channels, or a family package aimed at kids.

While in theory, the practically ala carte service is great for cord cutters, especially given the access to ESPN and big-time sports programming, but under the hood there are quite a few caveats, as well. Only one person can watch Sling TV at any given time. You will need a streaming device and the Sling TV app to get the TV on your big screen. Roku will support it out of the box, Apple TV will not. Local broadcasting is missing such as NBC, CBS, FOX, and ABC. DVR features like fast forward and rewind are available on a channel-to-channel basis.

There is one positive, however, as Sling TV does not have annual contracts and can be cancelled at any time.



Written by: Andre Yoskowitz @ 9 Feb 2015 15:35

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• 8 comments

• DarthMopar

  Not perfect, but it's a start
  

  9.2.2015 19:30 #1

• vigeuth

  Add regional sports channels, and I'm in.

  10.2.2015 17:33 #2

• harrynutz

  Nothing to be impressed with. My local provided has been trying, unsuccessfully, to get my business with similar "package" for years.
  As soon as I will be able to pick my own channels, the ones I will actually want to watch, and not the ones I have zero use for, then and only then I will consider parting with my hard earned moolah.
  

  11.2.2015 01:49 #3

• Mr-Movies

  Nothing there of interest to me and then when you start to add on to get what you actually want and you're once again paying what we are paying now but for less. Great deal Ah!
  

  11.2.2015 06:19 #4

• Tarsellis

  Correct my math here: 10 million is slightly more than 15 ("TNT, TBS, CNN, Food Network, HGTV, Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, the Disney Channel, Galavision, El Rey Network, a Maker Studios channel and ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPN 3. AMC will be added soon")
  
  Then these are only live broadcasts. Then you still need a decoder. Then you still need broadband. Where, pray tell, is the value proposition here?

  11.2.2015 09:53 #5

• SProdigy

  Originally posted by Tarsellis: Correct my math here: 10 million is slightly more than 15 ("TNT, TBS, CNN, Food Network, HGTV, Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, the Disney Channel, Galavision, El Rey Network, a Maker Studios channel and ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPN 3. AMC will be added soon")
  
  Then these are only live broadcasts. Then you still need a decoder. Then you still need broadband. Where, pray tell, is the value proposition here? For those with a single TV or streaming device in an apartment, possibly on a fixed income, it beats shelling out $150 if you want to watch content from a few of these networks.

  11.2.2015 14:20 #6

• megadunderhead

  it also beats out 249.00 for comcast only rigged zones.
  
  My friend who lives in the u.s is in a neighborhood where if they go to com cast's competitors comcast will send out a work truck and disable there internet and slap them with a dmca notice for nothing.
  

  12.2.2015 03:33 #7

• urbstfren

  Originally posted by harrynutz: Nothing to be impressed with. My local provided has been trying, unsuccessfully, to get my business with similar "package" for years.
  As soon as I will be able to pick my own channels, the ones I will actually want to watch, and not the ones I have zero use for, then and only then I will consider parting with my hard earned moolah. I understand your position, but I see this as the camels nose getting under the cable/satelite tent. If this is successful I expect to see more, perhaps MANY more companies enter the field. We/they have the tech to support hundreds of channels and and broadcast to hundreds of thousands all at the same time, no matter when you tune in.
  
  So celebrate this first dawn of what we all it will be.
  

  David Clark

  12.2.2015 16:10 #8