Today, Sling TV announced the launch of its free ad-supported TV streaming service, honda freestreamoffering access to more than 210 channels and more than 41,000 on-demand movies and TV shows in a variety of different genres, including news, sports, crime, home improvement, cooking and more.
At launch, Sling Freestream is available through the Sling TV app on all Roku devices. It is also rolling out to LG, Samsung, and Vizio devices. In the coming months, the FAST service will launch on all Sling TV channels. supported deviceslike Fire TV devices, Apple TV, Xbox and more.
With Freestream, users can stream a number of free channels like ABC News Live, Architectural Digest, CBS News, ESPN On Demand, VH1 I Love Reality, as well as programming like “Family Feud,” “Forensic Files,” “Hell’s Kitchen” . “A Cook’s Tour” and “The Walking Dead Universe” by Anthony Bourdain, among other titles.
Over the next several months, Sling Freestream will continue to expand its library of free content, the company said in its announcement. It will also roll out new features in the future, Sling TV claims, including the universal search feature, improved channel navigation, updated guide filters, and autoplay capabilities.
“Sling Freestream is a great new service that helps meet the changing needs of consumers. We know that some people want free content, some may want a paid subscription throughout the year, while others may want to subscribe for certain events or programs. We have combined world-class content with the option to easily jump in and out of premium pay TV, creating a one-of-a-kind entertainment experience,” said Gary Schanman, executive vice president of Sling TV and president of Sling TV, in a statement.
Schanman is confident that Sling Freestream will catch the eye of advertisers looking to expand “reach across a broader range of streaming customers,” he said. “Sling Freestream provides a premium ad experience that benefits both viewers and advertisers,” added Schanman.
Launching a free ad-supported TV streaming service is a wise move for the company as the streaming wars continue to heat up. Even streaming giant Netflix has turned to advertising to grow its business. Netflix and Warner Bros. Discovery have mentioned plans to launch their own FAST options in the future. The FAST industry is positioned to generate $4.1 billion in ad revenue and reach 216 million monthly active users by 2023. by nScreenMedia.
Last month, Schanman told TechCrunch in an interview on the Consumer Electronics Show that free content is a valuable part of the company’s streaming strategy. “Free is part of our thoughts on how we think about that commitment to the customer. We want a lifetime relationship with the subscriber where they see value in what we provide, and [free content is] a piece of that,” he told us.
This isn’t the first time Sling TV has offered free content. Sling TV already offers a free tier called Sling Free, which provides more than 150 free live channels and more than 40,000 on-demand titles.
The announcement of a new FAST service comes on the heels of Sling TV revealing a loss of 77,000 subscribers in Q4 2022. Although parent company Dish has yet to disclose fourth-quarter financials, we’re guessing Sling TV isn’t doing the desirable. amount of income. Sling TV recently increased the price of its live TV streaming service, which is now $40 per month.
