Cut the Cord Cut the Cord Forever With These 15 Streaming TV Channels Cut The Cord Forever With These 15 Streaming Cable TV Channels Cable TV is on the decline as the Internet offers cheap, on-demand entertainment. Here are 15 of the best streaming TV services to help you cut the cord. Read More In 2015, Dish introduced Sling TV and Sony launched PlayStation Vue. In 2016, AT&T launched DirecTV Now.
In this article, you'll learn about the important differences between the three services, including the packages each offers and the price you can expect to pay.
Sling TV, which is owned by Dish Network, was first introduced at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in January 2015. The service is available on multiple platforms including iOS, Android, Apple TV, Mac/PC, Amazon Fire TV, Xbox. One and more.
Sling TV allows you to stream live programming and on-demand entertainment, including TV shows and movies. Many, but not all, channels give you the ability to pause live programming.
While Sling TV doesn't currently offer DVR capabilities like those found on PlayStation Vue, they are coming. In late 2016, the company began testing the beta feature on Roku devices. 10 Smart Tricks For Your Roku 10 Smart Tricks For Your Roku Roku boxes are incredibly easy to set up and use, but there are plenty of tips and tricks out there that will greatly enhance your experience. Here are 10 of the best... Read More The ability to save content to an online cloud should launch device-wide in 2017.
Unlike PlayStation Vue and DirecTV Now, Sling TV offers two basic packages that can be easily upgraded with additional $5 packages. This includes:
For $45 a month, you can bundle Sling Orange and Sling Blue, which give you around 50 channels. With a Sling Blue account, you can stream content on up to three devices at the same time. With Sling Orange, you can only stream content on one device at a time.
To date, there are eight add-on packs available, including Sports Extras, Kids Extras, News Extras, and more.
New users can usually try Sling TV free for seven days. Dish also offers promotional deals, like an Apple TV for $89 when you sign up for three months, or a free Roku Express when you pay up front for a month of service. You can find the latest deals by visiting the Sling TV website.
The newest OTT Internet TV service launched in November 2016. Unlike DirecTV, DirecTV Now is available without a long-term satellite subscription. At launch, the service is available on iOS, Android, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and Chromecast. You can also watch DirecTV Now through a web browser on your PC or Mac.
DirecTV Now lacks many of the features found on other services. First, it doesn't offer a DVR service, at least not yet. Additionally, some of the key channels are so far missing from the service, including CBS, NFL RedZone, Showtime, and many others. Additionally, DirecTV Now streaming is limited to two devices at a time.
Mobile is the area where DirecTV Now already jumps the competition, courtesy of parent company AT&T. If you are a current AT&T Wireless customer, you can stream DirecTV Now through a mobile device regardless of your data limit. This is a great benefit, especially for frequent travelers.
At launch, DirecTV offers four uniquely named packages, including:
In addition to the packages mentioned, customers can add HBO and Cinemax. The 15 Best HBO Shows That Make HBO Worth Watching. The 15 Best HBO Shows That Make HBO Worth Watching. With HBO NOW, you can watch HBO even without cable TV. Here are the best HBO shows that make HBO NOW worth the price of admission. Read More
You can try DirecTV Now for free for seven days. Like Sling TV, DirecTV Now also offers the occasional promotion, like a free Apple TV with a three-month prepaid subscription.
First introduced in March 2015, PlayStation Vue features a mix of live TV and video on demand. Would you pay $50 to watch a movie at home? Would you pay $50 to watch a movie at home? The Screening Room plans to stream new movies to your home the day they are released in theaters. The capture? Each fill will set you back $50. Are you in? Read More Although it was initially only offered on PlayStation consoles, The Latest Story of the PlayStation Brand The Latest Story of the PlayStation Brand Do you want to know more about the origin of the PlayStation? We have everything you need to know, right here! Read More
PlayStation Vue is the only Internet TV service that currently offers cloud-based DVR. With this feature, you can capture hundreds of hours of programming to watch later. Simply tag your favorite shows, which are then automatically saved to the cloud.
Finding something to watch through PlayStation Vue starts with the built-in guide, sorted by channel name. From there, you can search by show name or browse by category, genres, and more. You can also tag your favorite channels, which puts them in front of others on the main screen.
With PlayStation Vue, you can stream different content on up to five devices at the same time.
PlayStation Vue offers four subscription packages, starting at $30 per month:
Additional packages are also available, depending on the base package you select. For example, you can add a Spanish package starting at $4 per month.
You can try PlayStation Vue free for seven days. Special promotions are sometimes available.
Location matters when it comes to accessing local broadcast networks in OTT internet services.
On Sling TV, FOX, NBC, ABC, Univision and Unimas only available in select markets. DirecTV Now only offers live streaming in select markets for ABC and FOX. Local NBC channels are not currently available via streaming devices or smart TVs.
PlayStation Vue offers similar restrictions. None of the three services currently offer CBS streaming.
Are you ready to cut the canceled cable wire? 8 TV Streaming Apps To Fill The Canceled Cable? 8 Streaming TV Apps to Fill the Gap If you've canceled cable, you may be wondering what to watch next. These TV streaming apps may be the answer as they offer a traditional viewing experience. Read more ? Sling TV's entry-level package is the least expensive option on this list. However, when selecting additional packages, the monthly price can add up quickly. PlayStation Vue has the advantage of being the only service to offer DVR capabilities, while DirecTV Now is an ideal solution for existing AT&T Wireless customers looking to stream on mobile devices.
The bottom line: OTT Internet TV Services Will Continue to Maturity 7 Cord Cutting Mistakes to Consider First 7 Cord Cutting Mistakes to Consider First Before you cut the cord to save money, there are a few things to keep in mind. Read More Each service comes with a standard trial offer and no long-term commitment. Some also come with great promotional offers, like a free or discounted Apple TV.
Which leads us to suggest that it's best to try each of these services to see which one you like best. At least we hope that this article has been useful in detailing the basic information about the three services. But the rest is up to you..
Do you subscribe to one of these OTT TV services? If so, which one? What made you choose that one over the others available? Would you recommend your current service to others? If not, why not? Please let us know in the comments below!
