The mythical sports package add-on for Dish Network’s Internet TV service, Sling TV, has been teased since the satellite provider debuted the new offering at CES in early January. This week, just ahead of Sling TV’s anticipated full-fledged launch, we got a look at the full stable of sports networks that will be available to add to the service’s primary “Best of Live TV” package for an additional $5 per month.
Sling TV’s $5 “Sports Extra” pack proffers a collection of 9 ancillary sports channels, including SEC Network, ESPNU, ESPNEWS, ESPN Buzzer Beater, ESPN Goal Line, ESPN Bases Loaded, Univision Deportes, Universal Sports, and beIN Sports. The new pack is the third $5 add-on bundle to be announced by Dish, adding to the “Kids Extra,” and “News and Info Extra” packs.
The new channels join the current selection of Sling TV’s core channels, which include two sports channels, ESPN and ESPN2, as well as a variety of other networks like TBS, CNN, TNT, HGTV, and Cartoon Network. Users will get 11 live channels in all for the base package at a price of $20 per month, along with access to a respectable selection of VOD content.
The latest add-on bundle keeps in line with Dish’s promise of an a la carte channel lineup, allowing its target audience of cord-cutters to add or subtract bundles at any time, with no contracts or activation fees tied to any of its offerings. While Sling TV is available only by invitation at present, the service is expected to go public shortly, having offered the initial roll-out in late January as a sort of beta launch.
The service will have to keep on its toes as new competition from Sony’s Playstation Vue Internet TV service is expected to launch soon, along with rumors that Apple may finally build-out its own Web-based TV offering in the near future.
Sling TV provides an ever-present option for cord-cutters looking for live TV without the agonizing bonds of cable. Sling — owned by satellite television provider Dish Network — dared to deliver live entertainment over your internet line and launched with the ability to sign up for individual channels on an à la carte basis for very reasonable prices, unheard of for the time. You can find out more about Dish’s pioneering service at Sling TV’s FAQ page, or simply check out our in-depth hands-on review.
