Sling TV Targets Antenna Users With $20 ESPN Skinny Bundle
Sling TV launched a new $20 per month package called "Essentials," which includes ESPN, ESPN2, and Disney channels, targeting over-the-air antenna users seeking a low-cost supplement to free broadcast TV. The new tier is positioned as a cheaper alternative to ESPN's standalone service and larger vMVPD bundles. The article also criticizes Sling's companion AirTV hardware for integrating antenna channels, describing the 2020-era devices as outdated, unreliable, and difficult to purchase.
Key Takeaways
- The new $20/month Essentials tier includes ESPN, ESPN2, and Disney Channel, undercutting ESPN's own $30/month standalone service.
- Bundling with a 'Select' package adds Fox sports and news channels, but the price can rise from $35 to $45/month in markets where Sling includes local channels.
- The service's companion AirTV hardware, designed to integrate antenna channels into the Sling app, is criticized as outdated, with no new models released since 2020.
- Accessing additional sports channels like ESPNU, SEC Network, and MLB Network requires an $11/month 'Sports Extra' add-on.
Why It Matters
Sling's Essentials package creates a new low-cost entry point for live sports, specifically for antenna users who want ESPN without paying for locals in a large vMVPD bundle. The strategy directly challenges both ESPN's standalone pricing and the all-in-one model of larger competitors like YouTube TV, reviving Sling's original 'skinny bundle' value proposition. The key variable is whether parent company Dish Network will invest in updating its 2020-era AirTV hardware; the current unreliable devices could undermine the user experience for this core target audience.
Read full article at pcworld.com
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