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This is Dish's Sling TV: an internet TV service that lets you stream ESPN for $20
The Verge ^ | January 5, 2015 11:57 am | Chris Welch

Posted on 01/15/2015 9:58:53 AM PST by Utilizer

Dish's grand experiment is called Sling TV, and before going on, we need to point out that it has very little to do with the Sling brand you may already be familiar with. There's no direct partnership with Slingbox or Sling Media, though both it and Dish are beneath a single parent company, EchoStar. So right off the bat, it's a somewhat confusing name that Dish maybe could've done better with. Another thing: though this is a service designed by and coming from Dish, you wouldn't know it without being told. The satellite provider's own logo is nowhere to be seen on branding and marketing materials — a decision meant to underline that Sling TV isn't meant to compete with or cannibalize Dish's primary satellite business. It's a new product meant for consumers that Dish has never been able to sign on. "It is a complementary service, not a supplementary service," said Clayton at a recent media gathering.

(Excerpt) Read more at theverge.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Computers/Internet; Music/Entertainment
KEYWORDS: dishtv; internettv; onlinetv; sling
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I have already pretty much given up on watching regular OTABTV or cable tv. Now I just look for reviews of new series to examine and view online. Same for the regular older series that I enjoy. For the ones that are still in production, NCIS for example, the latest episodes are viewable with only a two- or three- day delay, so no big deal. About the only thing I need to watch realtime is things like breaking news, but some of the "news" stations quite overdo it at times, such as the all-flight-370 all-the-time for an entire week.

Then again, the better stations stream really important breaking news online and post a link to view, so again I am well-satisfied with no cable tv anymore and online viewing. Quite certain I am not the only one.

1 posted on 01/15/2015 9:58:53 AM PST by Utilizer
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To: Utilizer

One thing I ca’t stand about Dish T.V. is being stuck with ESPN.I find it to be as irritating as CNN,MSNBC and the rest of the alphabet networks.

I spent two hours at an Auto service shop and they had that crap running.It was pure torture.

I’m a guy who at one time like football,baseball and hockey.The prima donnas of today have killed any enjoyment of the game for me and the know it all talking heads who spew their crap for hours don’t help.


2 posted on 01/15/2015 10:10:08 AM PST by puppypusher ( The World is going to the dogs.)
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To: Utilizer

ESPN gets more left-wing by the week. Do not support them.


3 posted on 01/15/2015 10:15:37 AM PST by stinkerpot65 (Global warming is a Marxist lie.)
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To: puppypusher

It’s not just that. It’s also the constant commercials. Then there’s the repeating commercials -sometimes the identical ones three times in a row. Repeated throughout the hour. With more commercial time than actual programming content.

Then there’s the inappropriate commercials, or the gay-themed ones that I am NOT interested in either viewing or attempting to figure out some way to deflect questions from younger family members about it.

That’s the really good thing about online viewing: you can eliminate or at the very least fast-forward past the commercials, and just enjoy the programme. The few times I have had to endure televisions being on in some waiting room or other -I have to agree with you: it was driving us bonkers!


4 posted on 01/15/2015 10:20:02 AM PST by Utilizer (Bacon A'kbar! - In world today are only peaceful people, and the muzlims trying to kill them-)
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To: Utilizer

Sling TV? Why do I think of Billy Bob Thorton’s retarted character?


5 posted on 01/15/2015 10:21:38 AM PST by PhiloBedo (You gotta roll with the punches and get with what's real.)
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To: stinkerpot65

I don’t, but when you have friends that view it or CNN or pMSNBC at their places, sometimes you just have to grit your teeth and endure it while you must. :(


6 posted on 01/15/2015 10:21:50 AM PST by Utilizer (Bacon A'kbar! - In world today are only peaceful people, and the muzlims trying to kill them-)
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To: Utilizer

I have had loaded cable TV deals....got bored w it, So now I have highs peed Comcast plus some local channels. I rarely watch TV but I will cave and watch some PBS shows.

The only thing I miss is Fox News. If could get Fox News two nights a week I would be set


7 posted on 01/15/2015 10:25:47 AM PST by dennisw (The first principle is to find out who you are then you can achieve anything -- Buddhist monk)
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To: puppypusher
Agreed. I stopped watching ESPN a few years ago. ESPN hiring Ray Lewis as a football analyst made me realize that my decision was a good one.
8 posted on 01/15/2015 10:30:33 AM PST by Major Matt Mason ("Journalism is dead. All news is suspect." - Noamie)
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To: dennisw

There are several sites that offer live streaming tv, including Fox News. I think Fox News 13 and Fox News 24 are the most readily available, and with a bit of searching you can find links to FoxNewsChannel as well.

Try typing Fox News Online in your preferred search engine, with variations on the search terms. FoxTV, Fox Online, Fox News TV, etcetera.


9 posted on 01/15/2015 10:42:49 AM PST by Utilizer (Bacon A'kbar! - In world today are only peaceful people, and the muzlims trying to kill them-)
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To: Utilizer

I bet Obama gets it for FREE


10 posted on 01/15/2015 10:46:30 AM PST by molson209 (Blank)
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To: PhiloBedo

Some people call it Sling TV. I call it Kaiser Tube.


11 posted on 01/15/2015 10:51:11 AM PST by TigersEye (ISIS is the tip of the spear. The spear is Islam.)
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To: dennisw

Also, try: http://nowwatchtvlive.com/2011/07/foxnews-live-streaming-breaking-news-latest-news-current-news/ -later on.

I can’t seem to get to it today, but as of a few days ago they were streaming several sites live, not just Fox News. Used to watch quite often, and more and more new sites are appearing all the time. The ratio will improve as soon as Dish and FoxNews settle their current disagreement, I am certain.


12 posted on 01/15/2015 10:52:39 AM PST by Utilizer (Bacon A'kbar! - In world today are only peaceful people, and the muzlims trying to kill them-)
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To: Utilizer

I hope, in the future, it all moves towards ala carte programming.

Without the popular channels subsidizing them, suckage like the gay channel, and the Oprah channel just wouldn’t exist. I’m sure a channel or two that I like would go under as well, but that’s a price I am willing to pay.


13 posted on 01/15/2015 11:19:03 AM PST by Boogieman
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To: Utilizer

Here’s something that some of you might also find interesting, although it’s different. Get a cheap Lantern receiver, or put together your own receiving equipment (also potentially cheap). No fees at all afterwards.

“Outernet”
“Humanity’s Public Library”
https://www.outernet.is/en/


14 posted on 01/15/2015 11:46:57 AM PST by familyop (We Baby Boomers are croaking in an avalanche of corruption smelled around the planet.)
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To: puppypusher

I feel your pain. I remember college, when the dorm lounge TVs would be set to ESPN, 24-7, with some half-passed out douchebags watching the same thing over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over. (Yes, I used CTRL-V)


15 posted on 01/15/2015 12:25:43 PM PST by dangus
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To: Utilizer

Oh, I so want to cut the cord...

Sling TV looks pretty good. But in checking it out, it led me to google “Playstation Vue” which is a similar service coming out soon, but has (I think) a *much* better channel lineup.

Sony hasn’t announced the subscription price for Playstation Vue yet and I have my fingers crossed...

Dump landline.
Dump cable.
Keep internet.
Drop my monthly bill by up to $120! (depending on cost of Sling or Vue)

I suspect if either take off — and I think they should — this could spell trouble for cable companies. At the very least, their local monopolies will be hit hard and they will be forced to compete. Heh!


16 posted on 01/15/2015 2:22:17 PM PST by jaydee770
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To: familyop

Interesting, if somewhat limited. I see some difficulties, however, first because it is basically a streaming satellite-based server and not a stable configuration as it depends upon “votes” to decide what content to carry, and second, although it is a satellite receiver and dish antenna setup, it is not a standard receiver. It is, or appears to be from the description (I could not find any schematics) instead what is called an SDR (Software Defined Receiver) so you can not simply cobble one together from standard parts.

Also, although the principal(s) downplay it as being necessary for the startup, it relies upon closed-source software to run which is rather problematical for some. They say they hope to change that to open-source in the future, but then again try hoping in one hand and catching raindrops in the other and see which one fills up sooner.

Just a few thoughts.


17 posted on 01/16/2015 9:53:01 AM PST by Utilizer (Bacon A'kbar! - In world today are only peaceful people, and the muzlims trying to kill them-)
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To: jaydee770

I’ve already cut the cord for over 98% of what I want to view (see previous postings), but I must admit I am not a Sports Nut and not at all worried about watching sports in realtime.

Even a lot of the sports channels are available on streaming servers if you search hard enough, just not many of the ones most seem to want to watch as they happen. I am not an expert in this area but I always seem to be able to find EU sports channels streaming whenever I search for online channels. Perhaps you could look up your local channels and see if they have a live feed up. You might be surprised at how many do, and you can then access more local fare or perhaps a game or two on weekends depending upon the channel.


18 posted on 01/16/2015 10:01:06 AM PST by Utilizer (Bacon A'kbar! - In world today are only peaceful people, and the muzlims trying to kill them-)
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To: familyop

Related, sort of...

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/3247601/posts


19 posted on 01/16/2015 11:37:23 AM PST by Utilizer (Bacon A'kbar! - In world today are only peaceful people, and the muzlims trying to kill them-)
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To: Utilizer
And yet, I constantly hear from self-appointed know-it-alls that getting ESPN alone ala carte would cost at least $20 in and of itself.

While I'm still not fond of predetermined packages, this is at least a step in the right direction - a streaming service as an alternative to a satellite or cable service.

Now, give me a true ala carte option with the channels I'm interested in, and I'd be a happy camper.

20 posted on 01/16/2015 11:43:46 AM PST by kevkrom (I'm not an unreasonable man... well, actually, I am. But hear me out anyway.)
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