Sling TV subscribers, make a choice: single stream or multi-stream, ESPN or FOX
People who have cable are willing to pay more partly so that they can avoid making choices about which channels they will receive. Cord cutters, on the other hand, know that this elimination process is part of the game.
Now, subscribers of Sling TV, one of the leading over the top cord cutting services have even more choices to make: ESPN or Fox, and, single stream or multi-stream. The new beta service will allow subscribers to stream Sling TV on up three devices simultaneously, whereas the original service was only single stream. However, whereas the new multi-stream service includes local FOX channels in select markets, along with FOX Sports, FX, and National Geographic, ESPN and its family of channels will not be included.
Even after the Disney family of networks, from ABC to ESPN, finally jumped onboard the PlayStation Vue ship, their hesitancy to join Sling TV’s multi-stream service is telling: they are willing to admit that cord cutting is becoming a reality for many households, but are also holding out hope that pay TV will win out.
Still, ESPN has confirmed to multiple sources that they are in negotiations with Sling TV about joining the multi-stream service, and Sling TV having to split into two different offerings is likely only temporary. If the split is what it took to get FOX to join, it was a move worth making. Sling TV, which at last count boasted more than 600,000 subscribers, will live or die by the content it offers.
Note: subscribers who want both ESPN and FOX could technically subscribe to both services for a combined $40-per-month, but that is very unlikely to happen.