Sling TV, the virtual MVPD, just dropped a bomb on the streaming world with the launch of Sling Freestream, a completely free ad-supported streaming TV service that’s different from their pay-TV offering. And, get this, you don’t even need to sign up!
Sling Freestream comes loaded with over 210 channels and 41,000 on-demand titles, with plans to beef up their content library in the coming months. You’ll find channels like ABC News Live, CBS News, Fail Army, FilmRise, and the Pet Collective, just to name a few. Plus, you’ll get free episodes of shows like “Forensic Files,” “Heartland,” and “Hell’s Kitchen,” along with international programming in seven languages.
And here’s the kicker, Sling Freestream doesn’t require a Sling TV subscription or account to access. But, if you do sign up, you’ll be able to create user profiles, favorite frequently watched channels, and tap into other personalized features.
Sling Freestream is live on Roku devices and rolling out across Comcast, LG, Samsung, Vizio, and Xbox devices. In the near future, the service will be available on all Sling-supported devices, including Apple TV, Chromecast, Fire TV, and TiVo Stream.
According to Sling TV Group President Gary Schanman, the goal behind Freestream is to meet consumers’ evolving needs, as research shows a continued increase in FAST consumption as a cheaper alternative to SVOD services.
“We know some people want free content, some may want a year-round paid subscription, while others may want to subscribe for certain events or shows,” Schanmann said. “We have combined world-class content with the option to easily flex in and out of premium pay TV, creating a one-of-a-kind entertainment experience.”
And here’s the cherry on top, Freestream users can upgrade to Sling’s Orange or Blue paid tiers or add a subscription from over 50 standalone streaming services, including AMC+, Discovery+, Showtime, and more. Talk about a more aggregated streaming experience!
Schanmann also boasted about the value of Freestream’s “premium advertising experience,” saying, “Built on the same advertising tech that powers Sling, Freestream is yet another opportunity for us to lead, innovate, and deliver a greater impact for our advertisers.”
As Sling Freestream grows, the company plans to enhance the user experience by integrating universal search functionality, autoplay capabilities, updated guide filters, and more.
So, there you have it, folks! Sling TV just raised the bar with their launch of Sling Freestream, a free ad-supported streaming TV service. And, it’s just a few months after their first price hike in nearly two years. Looks like the streaming wars just got a little more interesting.
