Apple TV Picks Up Sling TV

APPLE PICKS UP SLING TV

In March 2015, Dish Network launched Sling TV, a semi-independent internet videos streaming platform.  Sling TV quickly acquired support from almost every streaming device on the market: Chromecast, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, ZTE, Channel Master, Xbox One, Mac and PC computers, iOS and Android tablets and phones. The most prominent remaining holdout was Apple TV.

This changed on June 13. At its World Wide Developer’s Conference (WWDC) Keynote Address, Apple announced that it will now support Sling TV.

On the same day, Sling TV announced that it will carry a dozen Viacom channels on two service tiers, including Comedy Central, Spike, MTV, BET, and Nick Jr.

Sling TV also demonstrated ‘My TV’, a long-needed upgrade of its user interface. ‘My TV’, which will be available only on Apple TV at first, will be simpler and more intuitive than the previous interface. It will enable single-click access for favorite channels, shows, and movies, and resumption of viewing where the viewer left off. Sling TV will also support the Apple Siri remote voice control function.

Sling TV said that the upgraded interface will soon be supported on other devices, but did not specify a timetable for this.

Sling TV, if you’re unfamiliar with it, is a separate internet video streaming service. It does not require the traditional Dish Network subscription. You can get it without having to sign a long-term contract or schedule an installation, and you won’t need a satellite dish or a proprietary receiver. For access to Sling TV, you need only to enter a four-digit code into your streaming device. This will take you to the Sling TV app. From there, you can easily find the channels and the shows you want to watch.

Sling TV may be right for you if you don’t need the conventional massive channel bundle that comes with cable or satellite TV. Sling TV’s core package is just twenty-four channels, and the monthly rate for it is just $20.00. You can add any of several ‘Extra’ packages for just $5.00 per month. You can get a broad mix of channels, including premium movie and sports networks, for about half of what you’d expect to pay for a standard cable subscription. For everything Sling TV carries, you’d pay less than $75.00 per month.

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