In addition to live shows from cable networks, Sling TV also has on-demand movie rentals.
At long last, cable-cutting just got a lot more sports-friendly. Sling TV, a streaming service that includes live and on-demand content from several major cable networks, launched today. The service was announced at CES 2015 and received quite a few best-of-show picks from various tech sites.
As advertised at CES, Sling TV’s programming roster will include live shows from ESPN, ESPN 2, WatchESPN, Travel Channel, CNN, Cartoon Network, Galavision, Disney Channel, Food Network, TBS, TNT, ABC Family, and HGTV for $20 per month. But there’s a new addition to that base package, and it’s a good one: AMC Networks, which includes programming from IFC, Sundance TV, BBC America, and BBC World News.
Sling TV also announced a premium sports package for an additional $5 per month, and it should be a popular pick for college-sports and international soccer fans. The “Sports Extra” pack will include the SEC Network, ESPNU, Univision Deportes, and BeIN Sports. There are similar $5 add-on packages for kids’ shows (Disney Junior, Disney XD, Boomerang, Baby TV, and Duck TV) and news programming (Bloomberg, HLN, Cooking Channel, and DIY Network).
While Sling TV’s base package is roughly the same cost per month as basic cable—according to a mid-2014 FCC report, the average cost for basic service is around $23—it does offer significant savings compared with your average expanded basic package. According to the same FCC report, the price for expanded basic jumps up to around $65, and those step-up packages are often the only way to get ESPN and other channels now in the Sling TV lineup. And of course, you don’t have to worry about installation and activation fees if you already have a supported device.
Those supported devices include Roku boxes and sticks, iOS and Android devices, Windows or Mac machines, and Roku TVs. Sling also says that support from XBox One, Amazon Fire TV and Fire TV Stick, and Google Nexus Players are all on the way soon. The company has teased more content in the works, including Maker Studios’ Polaris+ channel, which will be added to the base $20 package.
You can sign up for a seven-day free trial of the service—although you have to enter your billing info to get it up and running. There are step-by-step instructions on how to get the services on supported devices on the Sling TV FAQ page. Judging from the fact that the Sling TV site has been up and down most of the morning, there are plenty of interested customers.
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