Neil Hughes
The Sling TV subscription service is now available on Xbox One, and will add A&E, History, and Lifetime later this month, expanding its offerings as new rumors suggest Apple plans to compete with its own subscription service starting this fall.
The $20-per-month Sling TV service announced on Tuesday that it will add the trio of cable networks to its live core package before the end of March. In all, the basic package will include 20 networks after the new additions.
Sling TV has also debuted on Microsoft's Xbox One game console, allowing users another way to stream the live content to their HDTV. Sling TV is also available on iOS, but it does not have a native Apple TV channel.
Other channels included in the base package include ESPN, TNT, TBS, CNN, AMC Galavision, HGTV, Food Network, Travel Channel and more.
The enhancement of Sling TV comes on the heels of a new rumor claiming that Apple plans to launch an online TV service this fall with support from major networks like ABC, CBS, and Fox. Absent from the list of networks said to be supporting Apple's efforts is NBC Universal, owned by cable provider Comcast.
Unlike Sling TV, which offers live streams of major cable networks, Apple's talks are said to also include broadcast network channels, which are also available in the U.S. for free over the air. Apple's plans for the service are also said to include a "skinny" bundle of flagship cable channels, debuting at a price between $30 and $40 per month.
It's unknown whether a new Apple service would launch alongside an updated Apple TV. The device hasn't been upgraded to new hardware in years, but did get a price cut last week to $69.
Apple has also been aggressive in courting HBO for its forthcoming HBO Now service, which will debut exclusively on the company's hardware, including the Apple TV, when it debuts in April for $14.99 per month. HBO Now is seen as a major defining moment for the future of cable and content, as previously users were required to have a cable subscription to view HBO, but the new streaming service will be available freely like Netflix or Hulu.
Andrew Orr
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Amber Neely
23 Comments
The problem is: Xbox is a joke, at least the 360 is. You have to fcking sign in MS Gold to access the apps. Guess what: MS server's down, no Netflix or Hulu+ or Sling TV for you. It's a pure crapped implementation of apps.
Now a days millennium people care more about freedom of contents and play where ever they are and Apple provides it. Now Apple needs to come out with the next generation of Apple TV that provides not only ala carta TV channels offer but needs to build Apple-TV with true powerful Home entertaining HUB with Homekit support, decent gaming with 4K output for current 4K TVs. Sony and Microsoft making their game console adding similar functionalities. In a world of interconnected devices, living room hub with consolidated functions is becoming a must where you can control gadgets(security camera, check doors, alarm feed back, on/off devices, temp up/down,etc) from your phone remotely through such HUB..
$30 to $40 a month for over the air TV makes no sense.
Now a days millennium people care more about freedom of contents and play where ever they are and Apple provides it. Now Apple needs to come out with the next generation of Apple TV that provides not only ala carta TV channels offer but needs to build Apple-TV with true powerful Home entertaining HUB with Homekit support, decent gaming with 4K output for current 4K TVs. Sony and Microsoft making their game console adding similar functionalities. In a world of interconnected devices, living room hub with consolidated functions is becoming a must where you can control gadgets(security camera, check doors, alarm feed back, on/off devices, temp up/down,etc) from your phone remotely through such HUB..
Be patient, my friend. Apple will do it soon and disrupt the TV service industry: Reinvent the way we watch TV.
HBO is $15 per month, I assume quality non-commercial packed networks will follow like Showtime. If you opt for 2 of these your TV bill is now $30. What will basic networks ABC, CBS and FOX cost, maybe $10 each, maybe less. I still watch some primetime TV on each of those networks so now I'm at $70. If I care about watching sports those networks would add to this amount. I still have to have internet service so my bill will look pretty much the same as it does now. I don't see me cutting of cable just yet if this pricing is what we have to look forward to.