I tried Sling TV at CES 2015, and now I'm cancelling cable

[GaryPen]

Why can't they do multiple streams like Netflix does? IIRC, you get two simultaneous connections with the regular subscription, and can add more for a few dollars more each month.

Dish could easily do the same. $5 for each add'l connection, like the $7 add'l receiver fee they have now.

 

[Robertoo]

I agree, maybe they'll implement that later down the line. The article speculates that the single-stream limit may have been necessary to get Sling TV "off-the-ground", like a cable station demand?

 

[Lue]

There will be multiple streams coming into the majority of homes, many people will have cheap/free mini bundles from the other providers soon to enter the market. Here is just 1 of the many possible setups. 20 bucks for Sling TV package, 15 bucks? for android TV package, 7 bucks hulu/netflix . 42 bucks for mucho channels not to mention the 15-60 OTA streams and the multiple Roku streams (many houses already have multi. roku units with 2000 channels already). Ad in the fact that the vast majority of viewing will be time shifted with the exception of sports (we all assemble in one room for that already). Big Cable is scared. The FCC/Congress are now Forced to Enforce net neutrality. Consumer wins. Take Back TV.

http://www.latimes.com/business/tec...s-net-neutrality-title-ii-20150107-story.html
http://money.cnn.com/2015/01/08/technology/broadband-speed-fcc/
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2015-...sidering-fine-over-throttling-disclosure.html

http://www.fool.com/investing/gener...er-already-has-cable-reeling-but-this-co.aspx

 

[ChadT41]

There will be multiple streams coming into the majority of homes, many people will have cheap/free mini bundles from the other providers soon to enter the market. Here is just 1 of the many possible setups. 20 bucks for Sling TV package, 15 bucks? for android TV package, 7 bucks hulu/netflix . 42 bucks for mucho channels not to mention the 15-60 OTA streams and the multiple Roku streams (many houses already have multi. roku units with 2000 channels already). Big Cable is scared. The FCC/Congress are now Forced to Enforce net neutrality. Consumer wins. Take Back TV.

 

[Mochuf]

Unless "net neutralty" regulations are strengthened to prevent that. But, the government-regulations-are-bad crowd seem to be winning this battle, to the detriment of the average ISP subscriber.

I don't hate government regulations, but I do have 2 problems with them.
1) It gives more power to unelected lobbyists who pay big money to corrupt politicians so they can get their clients special considerations under those regulations.
2) The law of unintended consequences always takes effect. Regulating phone companies got everyone decent phone service. But kept the service relatively expensive and also retarded technological advancements.

There has to be a balance, but it rarely lasts, even if it does happen. Creating regulations just to make regulations never tend to work out.

They will instead go to metered connections

See #2 also.

 

[klang]

Why can't they do multiple streams like Netflix does? IIRC, you get two simultaneous connections with the regular subscription, and can add more for a few dollars more each month.

Dish could easily do the same. $5 for each add'l connection, like the $7 add'l receiver fee they have now.

Dish doesn't want to lure away their current customer base. They are trying to attract new customers.

 

[GaryPen]

Dish doesn't want to lure away their current customer base. They are trying to attract new customers.

With only one connection at a time per account, they aren't gonna draw as many.

 

[MikeD-C05]

With only one connection at a time per account, they aren't gonna draw as many.

That is why I keep saying that this SLING Tv service is geared toward the millennial generation or under 25 that doesn't subscribe to pay tv. IF a family of 4 wanted to each have their own steam of SLING Tv , they would each have to subscribe to the basic channel pack of $20.00 each. So you're looking at $80.00 before they even add the $5.00 mini pack of their choice. DISH and cable are more geared for families and with DISH and Tv Everywhere,each family member can stream the channel of their choice to any computer or mobile device of their choice. Besides DISH doesn't want any sharing of the streams with SLING Tv. That is why they don't allow a second steam at a reduced price on SLING Tv. This service is geared to attract the 25 million or so young adults who don't subscribe to pay tv and who are the future of pay tv. Without the younger generation joining the Pay tv demographic , current satellite and cable models will literally die out.

 

[king3pj]

That is why I keep saying that this SLING Tv service is geared toward the millennial generation or under 25 that doesn't subscribe to pay tv. IF a family of 4 wanted to each have their own steam of SLING Tv , they would each have to subscribe to the basic channel pack of $20.00 each. So you're looking at $80.00 before they even add the $5.00 mini pack of their choice. DISH and cable are more geared for families and with DISH and Tv Everywhere,each family member can stream the channel of their choice to any computer or mobile device of their choice. Besides DISH doesn't want any sharing of the streams with SLING Tv. That is why they don't allow a second steam at a reduced price on SLING Tv. This service is geared to attract the 25 million or so young adults who don't subscribe to pay tv and who are the future of pay tv. Without the younger generation joining the Pay tv demographic , current satellite and cable models will literally die out.

That's only if you are saying that the family of 4 will frequently be watching something live in 4 different rooms at the same time. I really don't think most families watch enough of their content live for that to be the norm. Not only that but some families still spend a little time in the same room watching something together.

In my opinion there aren't even enough channels in this package to find 4 things worth watching live at the same time. I still look at this as something for people who already cut the cord. It's just a live programming supplement to go with the Netflix, Amazon, or Hulu subscriptions these people will continue to get most of their content from.

 

[Character Zero]

Unless "net neutralty" regulations are strengthened to prevent that. But, the government-regulations-are-bad crowd seem to be winning this battle, to the detriment of the average ISP subscriber.

Recent comments from the head of the FCC as CES seem to fall in line with regulations and a pro-consumer consumer stance.

That's only if you are saying that the family of 4 will frequently be watching something live in 4 different rooms at the same time. I really don't think most families watch enough of their content live for that to be the norm. Not only that but some families still spend a little time in the same room watching something together.

In my opinion there aren't even enough channels in this package to find 4 things worth watching live at the same time. I still look at this as something for people who already cut the cord. It's just a live programming supplement to go with the Netflix, Amazon, or Hulu subscriptions these people will continue to get most of their content from.

Added with those other services you have some pretty good coverage of content. Not to mention that each one of those services is a stream in itself. So if you have a family of four and SlingTv, HuluPlus, Netflix, and Amazon, you have 4 separate streams right there provided you don't have stream conflicts. Not only those that have cut the cord already but also I think there are people that were waiting for this the happen to cut the cord. And I think cutting the cord is less about making a stance on how the cable industry is handling its content but more for a cost saving measure. And when you are looking to cut costs, you usually have to make sacrifices. So you learn to live with the limitations because of the savings.

 

[lgb0250]

That is why I keep saying that this SLING Tv service is geared toward the millennial generation or under 25 that doesn't subscribe to pay tv. IF a family of 4 wanted to each have their own steam of SLING Tv , they would each have to subscribe to the basic channel pack of $20.00 each. So you're looking at $80.00 before they even add the $5.00 mini pack of their choice. DISH and cable are more geared for families and with DISH and Tv Everywhere,each family member can stream the channel of their choice to any computer or mobile device of their choice. Besides DISH doesn't want any sharing of the streams with SLING Tv. That is why they don't allow a second steam at a reduced price on SLING Tv. This service is geared to attract the 25 million or so young adults who don't subscribe to pay tv and who are the future of pay tv. Without the younger generation joining the Pay tv demographic , current satellite and cable models will literally die out.

I have read where it is geared to the 18-35 group but what I think many are missing is that this could work perfectly for empty nesters and retirees! I realize most advertisers don't want to target those groups but I think it's a perfect fit for us, retired and looking to lower expenses while not giving up what we like to watch! Will really depend on what the add on packages look like when they are announced.

 

[Lue]

I have read where it is geared to the 18-35 group but what I think many are missing is that this could work perfectly for empty nesters and retirees! I realize most advertisers don't want to target those groups but I think it's a perfect fit for us, retired and looking to lower expenses while not giving up what we like to watch! Will really depend on what the add on packages look like when they are announced.

Look at how much Viagra alone has raked in and you will change your mind as to what a mark retirees are for advertising. Empty nesters have HUGE disposable income that ad men are dying to be able to pitch some products to in a highly targeted marketing campaign.

 

[primetimeguy]

That's only if you are saying that the family of 4 will frequently be watching something live in 4 different rooms at the same time. I really don't think most families watch enough of their content live for that to be the norm. Not only that but some families still spend a little time in the same room watching something together.

In my opinion there aren't even enough channels in this package to find 4 things worth watching live at the same time. I still look at this as something for people who already cut the cord. It's just a live programming supplement to go with the Netflix, Amazon, or Hulu subscriptions these people will continue to get most of their content from.

Live doesn't really matter, it is a stream regardless. And note there is no dvr function here, no pause of live TV, at least on most channels. It is either live or on demand and the on demand content will vary by channel.

 

[Character Zero]

So here we have Dish realizing there are people not signing up for cable. They want a lower cost solution. Why not take this same package and offer it to Dish customers for $20? It would still be a companion product to go with Hulu and Netflix. I guess this might even highlight the importance of ads even more becasue as a Dish customer you have access to a DVR. But there is jsut something funny about a company putting out a low cost new (and competing in a sense) product but doing nothing to lower the cost of their existing product.

 

[Character Zero]

Live doesn't really matter, it is a stream regardless. And note there is no dvr function here, no pause of live TV, at least on most channels. It is either live or on demand and the on demand content will vary by channel.

I believe ESPN is the only channel that disabled pausing.

 

[Voyager6]

I don't hate government regulations, but I do have 2 problems with them.
1) It gives more power to unelected lobbyists who pay big money to corrupt politicians so they can get their clients special considerations under those regulations.
2) The law of unintended consequences always takes effect. Regulating phone companies got everyone decent phone service. But kept the service relatively expensive and also retarded technological advancements.

There has to be a balance, but it rarely lasts, even if it does happen. Creating regulations just to make regulations never tend to work out.


See #2 also.

And along with the regulatory headaches will come the fees and taxes. Just look at your phone, cell and utility bills.

 

[MikeD-C05]

That's only if you are saying that the family of 4 will frequently be watching something live in 4 different rooms at the same time. I really don't think most families watch enough of their content live for that to be the norm. Not only that but some families still spend a little time in the same room watching something together.

In my opinion there aren't even enough channels in this package to find 4 things worth watching live at the same time. I still look at this as something for people who already cut the cord. It's just a live programming supplement to go with the Netflix, Amazon, or Hulu subscriptions these people will continue to get most of their content from.

As I stated in other posts , my family had trouble using just the hopper with 3 tuners between three of us. We ended up using the super joey to give us two more tuners. My wife likes to watch her super joey in the bedroom, my son in his room and me in the computer room. We occasionally watch movies together in the living room on the big hdtv. I can only imagine how it would be if your wife is home and you and her want to watch two different shows like HGTV and ESPN at the same time. Now if your wife and children are never home at the same time , I guess it would work just fine. Since the SLING Tv channels are almost all live ,except for the ones that can go back 3 days , I see this being a problem.

 

[king3pj]

Live doesn't really matter, it is a stream regardless. And note there is no dvr function here, no pause of live TV, at least on most channels. It is either live or on demand and the on demand content will vary by channel.

When I was talking about non-live content I wasn't talking about the on demand stuff from Sling TV. I suspect that will be pretty limited and with it only going back 3 days it wouldn't be that useful to me anyways. I was talking about stuff recorded from OTA, Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu Plus, etc...

I doubt this will be the only source of content for the majority of people who use it.

 

[MikeD-C05]

I have read where it is geared to the 18-35 group but what I think many are missing is that this could work perfectly for empty nesters and retirees! I realize most advertisers don't want to target those groups but I think it's a perfect fit for us, retired and looking to lower expenses while not giving up what we like to watch! Will really depend on what the add on packages look like when they are announced.

Most people in the empty nesters and retiree age group are not that tech savvy and rely on older technology like sat and cable tv. That could change if their is more wider tech acceptance by the consumers at large. But the target age group that DISH is trying to reach is the under served millennial age group 18-35 that has never subbed to pay tv and doesn't plan to ever.

 

[Scherrman]

I don't know about you guys but I'm not ready to completely depend on my internet connection for my TV viewing. Right now having some streaming along with my regular Dish equipment is the way to go. I don't think internet is reliable in enough areas of the US yet. But like I've said before, this is a great step for Dish in a positive direction.