Sling TV said Thursday that it is allowing ex-customers to buy certain channels on an a la carte basis without a base subscription, in concert with a new pricing structure aimed at giving customers more flexibility.
While its 30-channel Sling Orange package, which includes Disney Channel and ESPN, will rise 25% ($5) to $25 per month, the OTT service will allow ex-customers to buy certain channels on an individual basis without a monthly subscription through their Roku devices. Sling said it expects to expand the offering to additional Sling-supported devices in the future. While it is far from full a la carte – only a handful of channels are available on a standalone basis – it is a start.
According to Sling TV, former customers who reopen their Sling TV app can purchase premium channel Showtime for $10 per month, newly launched Stingray Karaoke ($7), Dove Channel ($5), Outside TV Features ($5), Curiosity Stream ($6), Pantaya ($6), Up Faith & Family ($5) and NBA League Pass ($28.99).
About 100 hours of free on-demand content from TBS, HGTV, History and other networks are also available. Available shows include Wrecked, The Detour, Good Behavior and Flip or Flop.
Users also can access individual pay-per-view events and movies without a monthly subscription to the service. The company said it plans to add new features and more content in the near future.
In a blog post Thursday, Sling TV announced it would raise the price of its Sling Orange 30-channel package by $5 to $25 per month. Pricing for the combined Sling Orange and Sling Blue packages remains unchanged at $40 per month.
"When we first launched Sling in 2015, we set out to create an entertainment experience that put our customers first, offering unprecedented flexibility and control – no annual contracts, no hidden fees and the ability to customize programming," Sling TV president Warren Schlichting said in a statement. "The new Sling evolves the experience even further by providing access to great content without anchoring customers to a base subscription."
