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Is Sling TV Really A Cable Alternative?

Is Sling TV Really A Cable Alternative?

The one topic the cord cutting community cannot stop talking about is Sling TV.  An over-the-top service produced by Dish Network that offers 14 live television channels for $20 a month; with the option of adding on additional channel packages for $5 each. Launched February 9th 2015.

To many, this is the service that cord cutters have been waiting for; a cable TV alternative that makes companies like Comcast obsolete.

But is it really?

Don’t get me wrong, I think Sling TV is amazing, and it will definitely help change the way we view television; but I don’t think Sling represent the cable TV alternative we’ve all been waiting for. Allow me to explain.

What is a Cable TV Alternative?

So in order for a service to be called a cable TV alternative, it has to have the following features:

• The ability to stream television online
• It has to be contract-free
• It has to be inexpensive
• You have to be able to use it on multiple devices at once
• It has to support over-the-air television (i.e. broadcast networks like ABC,NBC, or CBS)

So how does Dish’s new product match up against this definition? Let’s take a look.

SlingTV Channels

Sling TV offers 12 live television channels in a package called “The Best of Live TV” for $20 a month. There are no contracts and you pay it month to month. The channels included are as followed: ESPN, ESPN2, TNT, TBS, Food Network, HGTV, Travel Channel, Adult Swim, Cartoon Network, Disney Channel, ABC Family, CNN, El Rey, and Galavision.

For an extra $5, you can have one of the following add-on packages:

• Kids Extra: Disney Junior, Disney XD, Boomerang, Baby TV, and Duck TV.
• News & Info Extra: HLN, Cooking Channel, DIY and Bloomberg TV.
• Sports Extra: SEC Network, ESPNU, ESPNEWS, ESPN Buzzer Beater, ESPN Goal Line, ESPN Bases Loaded, Univision Deportes, Universal Sports, and beIN Sports

In terms of low-cost commitment free television entertainment, it is hard to beat. They have a great selection; and for the person who doesn’t want to shell out a fortune for a couple channels, it’s a life saver. As far as meeting the definition of a cable TV alternative, things are looking pretty good for Sling TV.

However, this is also where we start running into some problems.

Sling TV on Multiple Devices

At $20 a month, Sling is not the cheapest over-the-top service, but it’s still pretty good for the amount of content it offers. The problem is that you can only use it on one device at a time, per account.

That means if you don’t want to watch Anderson Cooper 360 but your spouse does; well tough nuts for you because you can’t go into another room and watch something else. This is the complete opposite of the Netflix model, where they actively encourage you to share your account with loved ones; and to be honest, at this point account sharing is a feature most cord cutters have come to expect.

But it doesn’t stop there. Go back and look at the channels that Sling TV offers. Do you notice anything missing?                                                  www.freehdtvaz.com

Amplifiers May Be Necessary

Digital signals degrade as they travel through coaxial cable & splitters.  If your signal is weak, an amplifier may help. www.freehdtvaz.com

Free HDTV AZ

Check out www.freehdtvaz.com updates.

When Close to a Mountain Range

When close to a mountain it's imperative you get the antenna up as high as possible.

HDTV antenna installation in North Phoenix near I-17 & Happy Valley Rd. www.freehdtvaz.com

Ultra High Frequency (UHF) and Very High Frequency (VHF) signals

Generally speaking, you should own an antenna that receives both Ultra High Frequency (UHF) and Very High Frequency (VHF) signals. While it is true that most digital signals are broadcast on UHF bands, a few are sent out as VHF. If you live within 60 to 70 miles (96 to 112 kilometers) of a transmission tower, you should be able to receive a signal.  wwwfreehdtvaz.com 

Channel Master DVR + Free Shipping Promotion

The only subscription-free over-the-air DVR that integrates online streaming services and lets you choose your recording capacity. 

DVR+ lets you pause live TV, record, rewind, fast forward, and comes equiped with dual tuners so you can watch one program while recording another or record two programs at the same time.  www.freehdtvaz.com

Connecting Your Antenna

Most experts recommend using 75-ohm coaxial cable to attach the antenna for the best reception; this cable is shielded and will help eliminate leakage and other possible reception problems. This type of cable is commonly marked as RG-6; furthermore, cables with a solid copper core work much better than cables whose core is merely copper clad. Also, never loop or coil the coaxial cable, as this will degrade signal strength.  www.freehdtvaz.com

Directional & Omni-Directional Antennas

If towers are in a single location, both directional and omni-directional antennas will provide reception. For the best signal reception from a distance of more than 50 miles, a directional antenna is recommended.  www.freehdtvaz.com

STEALTHTENNA - The Worlds Smallest Outdoor Antenna

STEALTHTENNA - The Worlds Smallest Outdoor Antenna.  A compact, durable UHF/VHF outdoor directional television antenna that receives signals from up to 50 miles.  www.freehdtvaz.com

Distribution Amplifier

Use a distribution amplifier to boost the TV signal from the HDTV antenna, increasing the overall signal strength for distribution throughout the home.  www.freehdtvaz.com

HDTV Antenna Installation, Mesa, AZ

A Professional HDTV Antenna Installation in Mesa, Arizona.  www.freehdtvaz.com

Cox Internet Needs to be Isolated

If you install an antenna and have Cox Internet service it needs to be isolated.  Cox Internet and TV can't run down the same coax line.  www.freehdtvaz.com

TV Antenna Mounts

There are several different types of TV antenna mounts available.  The one you choose depends on your home, the D mark and the direction you need to point the antenna.  www.freehdtvaz.com

Hook Up the HDTV Antenna to the D Mark Box

Hook up the HDTV antenna with a coax cable to the D mark box on the side of the home.   www.freehdtvaz.com

HDTV Signal in Phoenix

The HDTV antenna signal in Phoenix comes from South Mountain.  Point your antenna in that direction.  For a more accurate positioning, to maximize the amount of channels you get, contact Free HDTV AZ.  www.freehdtvaz.com 

Indoor TV antennas DO NOT work well in the Phoenix Metro area.

Indoor TV antennas DO NOT work well in the Phoenix Metro area.  Save your money and get a professionally installed outdoor HDTV antenna by Free HDTV AZ.  Family Owed & Operated.  $199 Winter Special for a Limited Time!  Visit www.freehdtvaz.com

No Monthly Fees! Save $100's of dollars!

No Monthly Fees!  Save $100's of dollars!  Get an HDTV Antenna professionally installed.  Free HDTV AZ.  www.freehdtvaz.com