Sling TV App Briefly Appears in Apple TV App Store, Hinting at Upcoming Launch [Update: Hoax]

[Michael Scrip]

I love it, one more step toward dismantling the cable company's grip on content. I am really looking forward to the day that I can purchase individual live channels on via Apple TV. I dumped my cable subscription years ago and currently watch the few shows I am interested in seeing (i.e. The Walking Dead) on iTunes the day after they are run live on cable.

Channels suck. They are an old-fashioned idea stuck in the days of linear scheduled television.

Even if you could purchase certain channels... they still broadcast one show at a time... literally AT a certain time.

We're in an on-demand world now. Wouldn't it be better to subscribe to a service that let you watch the "shows" you wanted to watch? Whenever you want?

I understand the concept of purchasing individual channels... but those channels will still broadcast stuff you won't want... and they broadcast while you're at work, or asleep, etc.

It doesn't seem like you would be gaining much.

 

[bdkennedy1]

Apple will probably announce it at the upcoming iPhone event in 3 weeks.

 

[rdlink]

Thankfully you can watch Amazon content via the app & Airplay. Still waiting for that rumored (from late November) Amazon app on the ATV4 though. I doubt it will ever happen.

I'm about 10 seconds from canceling my $135/month Dish. Any moves in the direction of this OP are great by me.

I shut down my $120 DISH subscription in September. Haven't missed it one bit. I bought a TIVO Roamio with a lifetime subscription for $300 from Amazon. But to be honest since the new Apple TV came out I've used the TIVO less and less. In fact, I haven't even "turned it on" for about 2 1/2 months.

But Amazon is quickly running out of time for getting the ATV app launched, or I'm going to cancel my Prime membership, too. And they'll lose most of the ~90-100 orders I make from them every year.

 

[oneMadRssn]

Channels suck. They are an old-fashioned idea stuck in the days of linear scheduled television.

Even if you could purchase certain channels... they still broadcast one show at a time... literally AT a certain time.

We're in an on-demand world now. Wouldn't it be better to subscribe to a service that let you watch the "shows" you wanted to watch? Whenever you want?

I understand the concept of purchasing individual channels... but those channels will still broadcast stuff you won't want... and they broadcast while you're at work, or asleep, etc.

It doesn't seem like you would be gaining much.

Yes! I have been arguing this for a while! So many people don't seem to understand that the idea of a "channel" is archaic.

 

[rdlink]

Yes! I have been arguing this for a while! So many people don't seem to understand that the idea of a "channel" is archaic.

It doesn't help that Roku still calls them channels instead of streaming apps...

 

[east85]

Yes! I have been arguing this for a while! So many people don't seem to understand that the idea of a "channel" is archaic.

I agree with this sentiment completely. Hulu+ (Ad free) & Netflix is fine enough for me. Sling TV does offer some On Demand content but for most channels it's kind of bare bones. Also like mentioned earlier their service is just unfortunately buggy and unreliable.

 

[DMVillain]

The second that happens my Amazon Fire Stick is going in a drawer.

 

[roland.g]

Can you use this app for a Slingbox?

Some of us would love the opportunity to take an Apple TV and use it to play our DVR and live content when not at home on a TV when we travel.

 

[ButteryScrollin]

Can you use this app for a Slingbox?

No, different product.

 

[ThankYouRob]

Now where is Vudu?

I'm glad others are asking this same question! I've actually contacted VUDU regarding this because I was under the impression that you could at least Airplay content from the iOS Vudu app to ATV...which is not the case. Either way, this was my response from VUDU:

Thank you for contacting VUDU customer care.

I apologize but the reason would be due to licensing that Apple does not provide.

If you have any other questions or concerns don't hesitate to call VUDU customer care.

On the other hand, I opened a discussion on Apples forums regarding Vudu/Ultraviolet and one member said this in response to what Vudu told me:
That is incorrect, the licensing would be Vudu's responsibility. If AirPlay is blocked it's because they don't have the rights to provide that function.

So in all, I'm just not counting on ever being able to watch my Ultraviolet collection on my ATV...if it happens, awesome...if not, not surprised.

 

[roland.g]

No, different product.

Then useless. To me at least.

 

[ThankYouRob]

On a separate rant: Amazon Prime Video on Apple TV-will we every see the day when it that icon is on our Apple TV menu?

The ongoing argument you'll hear is that they are "competitors" in the digital media sense. But who knows the real reasoning? I'd like to think that it will eventually happen. "One box to rule them all" kinda deal would be nice...and to have Apple on the forefront of that would be amazing. Unfortunately Apple is known as the "we control everything in our OS" folks.

My apologies for the over use of "quotations"...got a little crazy with them.

 

[2010mini]

They support everything, obviously they would not just no support the Apple TV if they had the choice

Apple still pushing iTunes Movies, yuck

Then explain how Ultraflix has their app with a full store on the Apple TV if Apple was "still pushing iTunes..." ????

 

[lkrupp]

So where’s the Amazon app that was “coming real soon now”? That was months ago.

 

[Dmunjal]

How about a Sony Playstation VUE app for ATV4? It's available on Amazon Fire TV and has much more content and even local channels for $50 a month. Much better value than Sling. Pretty slick interface, too.

 

[MuGeN PoWeR]

dont like the sling. it doesnt have live channels and its expensive.

 

[ButteryScrollin]

dont like the sling. it doesnt have live channels and its expensive.

isn't the whole point of it that it does have live channels.

 

[pilotpat]

dont like the sling. it doesnt have live channels and its expensive.

Umm, I don't think you know what you are talking about. Sling is a streaming live television service, much like cable tv. And it's only 20 bucks a month.

 

[InfoTime]

I shut down my $120 DISH subscription in September. Haven't missed it one bit. I bought a TIVO Roamio with a lifetime subscription for $300 from Amazon. But to be honest since the new Apple TV came out I've used the TIVO less and less. In fact, I haven't even "turned it on" for about 2 1/2 months.

But Amazon is quickly running out of time for getting the ATV app launched, or I'm going to cancel my Prime membership, too. And they'll lose most of the ~90-100 orders I make from them every year.

Good for you. Seriously. I really like Amazon and order a lot of stuff through there using Prime. Don't really want, or need or care about any of their other Prime services beyond shipping. Plus, I hate that they're being so childish in their competition for that stuff... ever tried searching Amazon.com for "apple TV". grrrr.

 

[pilotpat]

How about a Sony Playstation VUE app for ATV4? It's available on Amazon Fire TV and has much more content and even local channels for $50 a month. Much better value than Sling. Pretty slick interface, too.

Maybe, but only if you live in the 7 cities where it's available. Until then, if you want streaming live television then sling, USTVNow and soon att/direcTV are the only viable options.

 

[zachcsnyder]

The day it releases for real is the day that I sign up for Sling.

 

[brewmonkey]

Making progress. The death of cable TV cannot come soon enough.

 

[Dmunjal]

Maybe, but only if you live in the 7 cities where it's available. Until then, if you want streaming live television, sling, USTVNow and soon att/direcTV are the only viable options.

You're right but that's the only way get all local TV stations. One market at a time. I would rather have these 7 and grow it over time than zero. Which is what Apple and Sling are offering.

 

[pilotpat]

You're right but that's the only way get all local TV stations. One market at a time. I would rather have these 7 and grow it over time than zero. Which is what Apple and Sling are offering.

Sling started offering ABC as an add on a few weeks ago in those same 7 cities and has said that they will add others as they become available to rebroadcast. As well as expand the offering to other cities later as deals are reached with local affiliates.

 

[tiffb1221]

What channels does Sling offer?

ESPN, ESPN2, TBS, TNT, HGTV, Lifetime, A&E, FREEFORM, Cartoon Network, History and History 2, AMC and a few others I don't know much about. They also offer add on packages for HBO and Sports packages. I really like it. I now will go buy the new Apple TV and anxiously await the app.