Dish's too-skinny OTT service has put some serious meat on its bones.
Sling TV, the new over-the-top service currently being rolled out by Dish Network (NASDAQ: DISH), announced Monday the addition of AMC Networks channels to its core offering, as well as the introduction of a new $5-a-month add-on programming bundle focused on sports.
The additions come as the OTT service ends its "invitation only" phase and now becomes available to broadband consumers across the U.S.
The addition of AMC is major upgrade to Sling's basic service, which has also added a flurry of Latino-focused programming networks in recent days--Univision, the El Rey Network and Galavision. The service is not only offering the flagship AMC channel, home to Mad Men, The Walking Dead and Better Call Saul, but also BBC America, BBC World News, IFC, SundanceTV and WE tv. These channels also come with on-demand viewing capability.
"Sports Extra" pack will include SEC Network, ESPNU, ESPNEWS, ESPN Buzzer Beater, ESPN Goal Line, ESPN Bases Loaded, Univision Deportes, Universal Sports and beIN Sports. Access to TV Everywhere product WatchESPN has also been added to the base package at no extra cost.
Sling's base package of channels already includes ESPN and ESPN 2. Kids Extra and News & Info Extra add-on packages are already available for the base $20-a-month OTT service.
Sling TV also announced that support for Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN) Fire TV and the Fire TV Stick will be arriving "in the coming days." The Dish division did not add any clarity on when an Xbox One app will arrive.
"There has been a remarkable expression of consumer interest since we first announced Sling TV one month ago," said Roger Lynch, CEO of Sling TV. "We believe Sling TV is a game-changing service that enhances the existing television landscape. Now underserved audiences have access to the best of live TV at an affordable price."
For more:
- read this Sling press release
- read this other Sling press release
- read this GigaOm story
Related links:
Cut-rate bundles are not a valid competitive response to Sling TV
Sling TV's latest updates: expanded Roku models, more on-demand
Sling TV to add Univision to program guide