Update (3/4 9:00am): Sling TV has announced that it has added AMC and IFC to its “Best of Live TV” core package. Beginning today, subscribers will be able to enjoy popular shows such as Mad Men, Better Call Saul, The Walking Dead and Portlandia. Sling TV also has a new “Hollywood Extra” pack, this $5 add-on includes content from all EPIX movie channels as well as Sundance TV. Interested in Sling TV? Learn how to grab a free or discounted streaming device when you subscribe.
Sling TV, the hit of CES 2015, is available today to all customers nationwide, offering contract free, $20 a month television to a variety of devices. This service made a big splash in January with its promise of some of the most popular cable television services such as ESPN/2, TNT, TBS, however its only been available in beta since then. Today users can sign up at its website for a free 7-day trial before the $20 a month rate kicks in.
We’ve also got full details on additional channel packages and upcoming availability on other devices such as the Xbox One. Head below for more information and full PR.
As if consumers were not already excited about the opportunity to have ESPN, Adult Swim, Food Network and other services available in a true streaming package, Sling TV has added additional hit channels since its introduction. Most notable, AMC will be coming to Sling in the near future with a promise of availability by the time the final season of Mad Men begins. Roger Lynch, CEO of Sling provides details:
“We flipped the switch this morning opening up Sling TV to all consumers, and we’re giving them something they’ve been asking for: AMC. Soon Sling TV will deliver hits like The Walking Dead and Mad Men with AMC included in our core package. We found a great partner in AMC Networks with a wide range of popular channels to help us quickly make that a reality.”
AMC will be available in the core $20 “best of live TV package” and will include the entire AMC network portfolio of BBC AMERICA, BBC World News, IFC, SundanceTV and WE tv. This is in addition to ESPN, ESPN2, TNT, TBS, Food Network, HGTV, Travel Channel, Adult Swim, Cartoon Network, ABC Family, Disney Channel, CNN, El Rey and Galavision.
Sling TV has also provided some details on which devices are setup for streaming today, these include current-generation Roku players, Roku TV models, iOS, Android, Mac and PC. Additional support for Xbox One, Samsung and LG Web OS TVs and Fire TV will arrive in the “coming months”. Sling promised an exclusive one month free trial to Xbox One users when the service was announced during CES.
Details on the sports package were also announced this morning, for an additional $5 a month Sling users will have access to SEC Network, ESPNEWS, ESPNU, Universal Sports, Univision Deportes, as well as the WatchESPN app (iOS/Android).
We’ll have a full review on the Sling TV service in the coming weeks as they continue to push the boundaries for cord-cutters. If you are interested in adding local channels with your free preview, check out this deal on the highly-rated Mohu Leaf antenna.
[9to5-press-release]
Sling TV launches live, over-the-top service nationwide
- Sling TV delivers the best of live TV, including ESPN, ESPN2, TNT, TBS, Food Network, HGTV, Cartoon Network, ABC Family and Disney Channel
- Core package priced at $20 per month; no long-term commitment, annual cable contract, credit check or hardware installation required
- Supported devices at launch include current-generation Roku players, Roku TV models, Android, iOS, Mac and PC
- Support for Amazon Fire TV and Fire TV Stick in the coming days
- New sports channels introduced as part of $5 per month ‘Sports Extra’ pack
- WatchESPN access available at no additional cost to all Sling TV customers
- Maker Studios’ Polaris+ channel coming soon
ENGLEWOOD, Colo., Feb. 09, 2015 – Sling TV, announced at CES in January, today debuted its live, over-the-top television service to customers nationwide. The award-winning Sling TV delivers live sports, lifestyle, family, news and information channels, and Video-On-Demand entertainment to broadband-connected devices at home and on-the-go. Consumers can visit www.sling.com to sign up starting today.
“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.”
Live TV for $20 per month
After a free 7-day trial, Sling TV is priced at $20 per month. The service requires no long-term commitment, annual cable contract, credit check or hardware installation, and customers can cancel online anytime.
Sling TV’s “Best of Live TV” core package delivers ESPN, ESPN2, TNT, TBS, Food Network, HGTV, Travel Channel, Adult Swim, Cartoon Network, ABC Family, Disney Channel, CNN, El Rey and Galavision. This package additionally features access to WatchESPN and an array of Video-On-Demand entertainment. Customers can choose to tailor their entertainment experience with optional “Sports Extra,” “Kids Extra” and “News & Info Extra” add-on packs, each priced at $5 per month.
Supported Sling TV devices
Customers can now watch live TV on the devices they already use to watch video – TVs, tablets, computers and smartphones. The Sling TV app is available on current-generation Roku players, Roku TV models, iOS, Android, Mac and PC, with support for Amazon Fire TV and Fire TV Stick in the coming days.
In the coming months, Sling TV is expected to launch on Google’s Nexus Player, webOS Smart TVs from LG Electronics, select Samsung Smart TVs and Xbox One, with other streaming devices and smart TVs to follow.
“Sports Extra” pack introduces new channels
Sling TV is launching new sports channels in the “Sports Extra” add-on pack to complete the total ESPN experience. For an additional $5 per month, customers can choose to supplement the “Best of Live TV” core package with the following “Sports Extra” channels: SEC Network, ESPNEWS, ESPNU, Universal Sports, Univision Deportes, beIN Sports, and college sports live cut-in and highlights networks ESPN Buzzer Beater, ESPN Bases Loaded and ESPN Goal Line. With this collection of programming, customers can watch live basketball, baseball and football, plus La Liga soccer with Real Madrid and FC Barcelona.
WatchESPN app access
Customers can use their Sling TV credentials to watch ESPN and ESPN2 on the WatchESPN app from Internet-connected devices. This is available at no additional cost to all customers who subscribe to the “Best of Live TV” core package. Coming soon, Sling TV customers will also have access to ESPN3 – ESPN’s live multi-screen sports network – via the WatchESPN app.
Those who subscribe to the “Sports Extra” pack can also use WatchESPN to watch SEC Network, ESPNEWS, ESPNU and college sports live cut-in and highlights networks ESPN Buzzer Beater, ESPN Bases Loaded and ESPN Goal Line.
Maker Studios offering
In addition to live channels and VOD entertainment, Sling TV customers have access to content from Maker Studios, one of the largest online content networks. With a network of 55,000 independent creators attracting more than 10 billion views per month, Maker is home to many of the world’s leading online talent and award-winning original programs.
Available now is a Maker playlist featuring short-form videos from Maker’s vast library of content. Videos will be refreshed consistently to maintain new content.
Coming soon will be Maker’s Polaris+ channel featuring long-form original programming available in exclusive first-run on Sling TV. Polaris+ is an extension of Maker’s existing Polaris brand, the no. 1 online gaming network attracting more than three billion views every month. Polaris+ will be included in Sling TV’s “Best of Live TV” core package at no additional cost.
About Sling TV
Sling TV L.L.C., a subsidiary of DISH Network Corporation (NASDAQ: DISH), provides over-the-top television services including domestic and international live and Video-On-Demand programming. It is available on televisions, tablets, computers and smartphones. The Sling TV programming portfolio includes Disney/ESPN, AMC, Turner, Scripps, Univision and Maker Studios. Sling TV’s international OTT service (DishWorld) currently provides close to 200 channels in 16 languages across multiple devices to U.S. households. Sling TV is a next generation service that meets the entertainment needs of today’s contemporary viewers. Visit www.sling.com.
Follow @Sling on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/Sling #TakeBackTV
[/9to5-press-release]
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