Tired of cable television bills which continue to increase in cost yet offer little increase in value?
Tired of paying for the basic tier of cable and find you only watch a few of the 100 plus channels offered?
Ready to be free of a monthly cable bill?
Then Sling TV may fit into your entertainment plans and allow you to cut the cable without sacrificing access to real time sports and news.
What Is Sling TV?
Sling TV is a stand alone service which streams cable TV channels to your television, computer or can be accessed through mobile devices. The stations are streamed over the internet instead of through your cable provider.
The service launched with 14 channels including ESPN, ESPN 2 and CNN. The lack of real time access to sports and news has been a hindrance to consumers wishing to disconnect their cable.
Sling TV is a subsidiary of the DISH satellite provider, but a DISH subscription is not needed to subscribe.
What Channels Does Sling TV offer?
Sling TV offers 14 channels in its Basic package:
- ESPN and ESPN2
- TNT, TBS, Food Network
- HGTV, Travel Channel, Cartoon Network/Adult Swim
- Disney Channel, ABC Family, CNN,
- El Rey Network, Maker, Galavision
- AMC is advertised as coming soon.
Monthly Cost
The basic package is priced at $20.00 per month. Consumers do not have to commit to any contracts.
Three additional add on packages exist, each prices at $5.00 per package:
Sports Extra includes as one would suspect, additional sports stations:
SEC Network, ESPNEWS, ESPNU, Universal Sports, Univision Deportes, beIN Sports, ESPN Buzzer Beater, ESPN Bases Loaded, ESPN Goal Line
The Kids Extra package adds Disney Jr. and XD, Boomerang, Duck and Baby TV
The News & Info Extra Package adds the Cooking Channel, DIY, Bloomberg TV and HLn.
What Devices Are Compatible With Sling TV?
Sling TV is offered on Roku tv, Roku boxes and streaming stick, Amazon Fire TV and Amazon Fire TV stick. Android and Apple iOS phones, iPad, iPod Touch, PC and MAC computers.
Advertised as will be available in the immediate future are: Nexxus, Xbox One, Samsung TV’s, LG Smart TV’s.
Seven Day Free Trial Offer
I easily found Sling TV already programmed into my Roku.
A seven day free trial is offered.
Constraints Of The Sling
One disadvantage of Sling TV is the one stream per account. The service does not allow multiple devices to stream the service simultaneously. Fast forwarding is prohibited on a few of the stations including ESPN and CNN.
Sport watchers can also access the Watch ESPN app with the Sling log in credentials just as one accessing the app with cable service.
Is Sling TV For You?
Location and access to over air broadcast signals will help determine if Sling TV would assist in cutting cable television service. Many newer televisions can already pick up 30-40 HD broadcast channels if you are located within the broadcast area. An inexpensive digital antenna can assist with reception. Consumers can check their location in relation to signal strength at the FCC website, DTV Reception Maps.
If you are within range of solid over the air broadcast television signals which are free, Sling TV may be considered for those who desire a robust selection of channels.
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