Earlier this year, DISH Network was teasing cord cutters with the announcement of Sling TV. After a short time in beta, the service is now available nationwide -- and it's coming with AMC in tow.
Sling TV is a new pay TV service. However, unlike all of the streaming services out there, this one promises live sports, lifestyle, family, news and information channels, as well as Video-On-Demand entertainment and much more. Oh, and it can deliver all of those things at home and on the go. (It does that pretty well, too, according to our own Vincent Lam's recent Sling TV review.)
And unlike pay TV services, which can set you back up to $100/month or more, Sling TV only costs $20 a month. It also doesn't have any type of commitment, contract, credit check or hardware installation. You can even cancel at any time, without any type of penalties.
That $20 fee will get you the core "Best of Live TV" package, which includes ESPN, ESPN2, TNT, TBS, Food Network, HGTV, Travel Channel, Adult Swim, Cartoon Network, ABC Family, Disney Channel, CNN, El Rey and Galavision. Sling TV also just announced a deal with AMC Networks, which will add AMC to the core package in the near future. That means that cord cutters won't have to miss the final season of Mad Men, the latest episode of The Walking Dead, or the beginnings of Better Call Saul. Sling may also offer select channels in the AMC portfolio either in the core package or in add-on packs. Other AMC channels include BBC America, BBC World News, IFC, SundanceTV and WE tv.
Users can even access WatchESPN and other VOD entertainment with the core package. However, if you're needing a little extra programming, there are optional "Sports Extra," "Kids Extra," and "News & Info Extra" add-on packs available, priced at $5 per package per month. That newly announced Sports Extra package includes access to SEC Network, ESPNEWS, ESPNU, Universal Sports, Univision Deportes, and beIN Sports, as well as college sports live cut-in and highlights networks ESPN Buzzer Beater, ESPN Bases Loaded and ESPN Goal Line.
Sling TV was designed for use on Smart TVs, streaming media boxes, tablets, computers and smartphones. Currently, it's available on Roku players, Roku TV models, iOS and Android devices, Macs and PCs. Support for the Amazon Fire TV and Fire TV Stick is expected in the next few days. Sling TV also plans to add access to Google's Nexus Player, LG's webOS-based Smart TVs. select Samsung Smart TVs, the Xbox One and more, all in the coming months.
"There has been a remarkable expression of consumer interest since we first announced Sling TV one month ago," said Roger Lynch, CEO of Sling TV. "We believe Sling TV is a game-changing service that enhances the existing television landscape. Now underserved audiences have access to the best of live TV at an affordable price."
Sling TV is currently offering a free 7-day trial. After that, expect to pay $20 per month for the Best of Live TV package.
For More Information:
More on Sling TV: