Dish's Sling TV tops internet TV providers with 2.21M subscribers
Sling TV reached 2.21 million subscribers during the fourth quarter, Dish announced on Wednesday, marking the first time the company has broken Sling figures out from broader numbers.
That puts it ahead of AT&T's DirecTV Now, which has some 1.2 million customers, and Sony's PlayStation Vue, which is estimated to have 670,000 people, according to TechCrunch. Hulu has about 450,000 live TV customers, while Google's YouTube TV has somewhere north of 300,000.
Sling has enjoyed several advantages. It was one of the first major internet TV services to launch, and also one of the first to offer ESPN to sports addicts. It remains one of the cheaper options on the market -- plans start at $20 per month, and can be customized with add-on packages for channels like HBO.
Apple device owners can watch Sling TV on the Web, or on a dedicated app for iPhones, iPads, and the Apple TV. Some other supported platforms include Android, Roku, Chromecast, Xbox One, and smart TVs.
Apple was at one point rumored to have wanted to become a TV provider itself, but encountered too much negotiation resistance to its idea of a low-cost "skinny" channel bundle. It's now moving ahead with its own show slate, premiering in 2019.
That puts it ahead of AT&T's DirecTV Now, which has some 1.2 million customers, and Sony's PlayStation Vue, which is estimated to have 670,000 people, according to TechCrunch. Hulu has about 450,000 live TV customers, while Google's YouTube TV has somewhere north of 300,000.
Sling has enjoyed several advantages. It was one of the first major internet TV services to launch, and also one of the first to offer ESPN to sports addicts. It remains one of the cheaper options on the market -- plans start at $20 per month, and can be customized with add-on packages for channels like HBO.
Apple device owners can watch Sling TV on the Web, or on a dedicated app for iPhones, iPads, and the Apple TV. Some other supported platforms include Android, Roku, Chromecast, Xbox One, and smart TVs.
Apple was at one point rumored to have wanted to become a TV provider itself, but encountered too much negotiation resistance to its idea of a low-cost "skinny" channel bundle. It's now moving ahead with its own show slate, premiering in 2019.
Comments
Some of the services have some or all of your locals. I'm currently using Directv now, I signed up for the 3 month deal to get the free 4k Apple Tv. Services isn't bad, but the lack of DVR is tough to deal with. I was using a PS4 to stream Playstation Vue, but after switch to the Apple Tv the picture quality is massively improved(used the Vue app until my remaining month ran out). Both Vue and Directv look good through the Apple tv, though I get occasional stuttering on the Direct.
Ive tried all of the services(though I tried youtube tv before they had dedicated apps on devices) and Vue is my favorite. Directv is probably a better deal, especially if your adding HBO or Showtime for 5 bucks a month. I'm going to give youtube tv another shot after my 3 months on Directv run out. I found sling to be limited, worse streaming quality, and the price can jump quickly, but if you want a really skinny bundle its not bad.
In my opinion, it’s the one advantage that the cable companies still has vs OTT, assuming you can’t do a blended OTT service with an HD Homerun/antenna for locals (my current configuration).
All of that said – my local cable company has figured out that they finally better change their ways. They now offer a $22 a month package with all locals and I get to pick any 10 standard cable channels that I want. Progress ?
http://www.loopinsight.com/2018/02/20/how-to-watch-live-broadcast-tv-on-your-apple-tv-without-cable/
They also have a deal where you can pre-pay for 3 months ($35/mo.) and get a free Apple TV 4k.
Considering it as I can use another Apple TV and that is a good deal.
Service is ok. Nothing special but has most channels I watch which is not a great many.
Cancelled regular DirecTV sat. Service not long ago.
Suppose to be adding some sort of DVR capability very shortly or so I have heard. It is in some kind of beta testing.
I have cycled through DTVN, Hulu, YouTube TV and Sling over the last year +.
They all have bundles just like cable and all are strapped to subsidies fir Pro sports. On Sling, one package is tied to ESPN and the other to Fox Sports. I want a la carte and not a dime going to Disney (owner of ESPN) or Rupert Murdoch (Faux Newz and Sports).
I want real a la carte- put up a list of channels and let us pick x number of channels for x Dollars. Make sports pay per view so I can watch the 4-5 College FB games I want to see instead of subsidizing ESPN’s 24/7/365 Sports Gossip. Disney money and greed has ruined College Football (the Alabama Invitational Tournament) and that has a lot to do with the decline in ratings- few outside Alabama appreciate their unending worship of ‘Bama football. When ESPN starts showing GPAs of Football Players alongside their game stats give me a call. I am sure all those kids majoring in “Sports Management” have bright careers ahead of them at Wal-Mart stocking the shelves.
For now I have DTVN as it gives me free HBO for life and does not meter Streaming data on AT&T’s network. Streaming any other service on a mobile device would eat your data plan quickly.
When someone lets me pick the handful of channels I actually watch, they will get my business.
We sub to VUE and Sling, breadth of coverage works for 2-family extended household. We only added Sling for access to Bloomberg TV. Not only does VUE own the dvr, PQ is as good as anyone's best.
Guess I should mention we left DirecTV after 20+years. Billing w/2 services still half of D* cost.
We sub to VUE and Sling, breadth of coverage works for 2-family extended household. We only added Sling for access to Bloomberg TV. Not only does VUE own the dvr, PQ is as good as anyone's best.
Guess I should mention we left DirecTV after 20+years. Billing w/2 services still half of D* cost.