Dish Network Launches Over The Top "Sling TV" Services

Dish TV has launched their new OTT (internet) TV service called Sling TV.
Sling TV is a new live TV service that allows subscribers to watch several cable TV channels on their TVs, computers or mobile devices. These are live TV channels, just like cable, except they're delivered over the Internet. Sling TV is a subsidiary of Dish Network, the satellite provider, it's operated as an entirely separate service. You don't need a Dish subscription to get Sling TV.

Sling offers a selection of  channels from AMC Networks, Disney, Scripps, Time Warner, and Univision, most notably ESPN and ESPN2. Three add-on packs are available for $5 each: "Kids Extra" adds Baby TV, Boomerang, Disney XD, and Ducktv, "News & Info Extra" adds Bloomberg Television, Cooking Channel, DIY Network, and HLN, and "Sports Extra" adds BeIN Sports, ESPNews, ESPNU, ESPN Goal Line, SEC Network, Universal Sports, and Univision Deportes Network. Sling TV also features video on demand content, including catch-up programming from its channels, and original content from Maker Studios.

Note that Sling TV does not provide your local network channels (ABC, NBC, CBS, PBS, FOX, CW, ION, etc) but it appears to be an ideal option for those that currently use an antenna for watching their local cable channels, or if you use Hulu to access content.

I have just signed up for the free trial and added the channel to my Roku players. I will report back with my review after my trial period is over.

AEREO TV Is Now Available In Utah! A first look at AEREO in Utah.

 UPDATE: AEREO IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE, FILES FOR BANKRUPTCY AFTER SUPREME COURT RULING.

Aereo has now opened the doors to its "over the top" video service to all Utah residents. It is offering a free month of service to new customers through this link: http://aereo.com/i/bq211F

For those that don't know about AEREO, it is a service that uses individual antennas and tuners assigned to each subscriber to deliver local OTA broadcast TV channels over the internet. It also provides a program guide (1 week into the future) as well as a cloud-based DVR service that allows you to store 20 or 60 hours of content, depending on your plan. The cost is $8 a month for the 20 hour plan, and $12 for the 60 hour plan that allows watching or recording 2 programs at once.

From Wikipedia:

Aereo is a technology company based in New York City that allows subscribers to view live as well as time-shifted streams of over-the-air television on Internet-connected devices. Immediately following Aereo's launch in New York City the company was sued by a consortium of major broadcasters, including CBS, Comcast's NBC, Disney's ABC and Newscorp's Fox for copyright infringement. On April 1, 2013, a federal appeals court upheld a lower court's ruling, finding that Aereo’s streams to subscribers were not "public performances", and thus did not constitute copyright infringement.

Aereo's technology allows subscribers to view live broadcast content and to record it for later viewing. As of October 2012, Aereo can be used on Windows, Mac, and Linux PCs  with a compatible browser or iOS devices including the iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch or Apple TV (2nd & 3rd Gen) via AirPlay. A Roku video player can be used also. Monthly plans start at $8 for 20 hours of DVR storage. Aereo provides this service by leasing to each user an individual remote antenna. This distinguishes Aereo from purely internet-based streaming services

I've had AEREO for just 3 days now, and while I'm not an expert on AEREO by any means, here's my first impression.

AEREO Internet TV Comes To Utah August 19

UPDATE: AEREO SERVICE IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE!

Aereo, a service that allows subscribers to view live as well as time-shifted streams of local over-the-air television on Internet-connected devices, has announced that it is coming to Utah.

“We’re excited to be launching our technology in Utah, or what is fast becoming known as the Silicon Slopes,” said Aereo CEO and founder Chet Kanojia. “Utahans are connected, tech-savvy and interested in innovations that can add value to their lives. When it comes to how you watch television, Aereo’s technology will bring more choice and flexibility to Utahans across the state, whether you live in Salt Lake City, St. George or Ogden. We believe consumers want and deserve a better television experience and our work is focused on delivering the best customer experience with the highest quality technology.”

In Utah, which is served by Comcast in some areas, consumers will be able to record and watch networks such as KSTU-HD (FOX), KSL-DT (NBC), KUTV-HD (CBS), KTVX-HD (ABC) and KUED-HD (PBS), as well as other over-the-air special interest and foreign language channels, including BYU-TV, AntennaTV, ION, Qubo, Estrella TV and others. In addition, consumers will also be able to add Bloomberg Television.

Aereo said that anyone who is interested in trying the service can pre-register on its website, which will give them priority over those that don’t. Aereo’s service will be available to consumers across all 29 counties in Utah on Aug. 19.

Full Story here: http://www.cedmagazine.com/news/2013/07/aereo-heads-to-beehive-state?et_cid=3382143&et_rid=43973232&location=top

Aereo heads to Beehive State

Aereo heads to Beehive State

Aereo heads to Beehive StateWhat's interesting about this is that Utah has an extensive translator network that delivers a majority of Salt Lake City's channels to most of the state. Therefore, Aereo will available to pretty much the entire state, rather than just a limited metro area as in other markets like New York city. https://aereo.com/coverage/slc Aereo’s service will be available to consumers across all 29 counties in Utah on Aug. 19

 I hope this really puts the screws to Comcast. Profit is one thing, greed is another.

Not only are they encrypting "Limited Basic" cable (the lowest price cable, consisting mostly of some of your local channels), they're killing QAM, and the "Digital Transport Adapter" they provide is NOT HD, and you need a box for every TV. Aren't they also charging rental for those boxes now, too? I think they call it a "Digital outlet charge" or some sort of doublespeak. Yea, the box is "free", but they still found a way to charge you every month for it.

What DOES Comcast charge for "Limited Basic" cable in Utah now, anyway? Does anyone know? They are really good at hiding the price, I can't find it online anywhere. EDIT: I FOUND IT! It's about $30 a month, plus fees and taxes - lets call it $40.

AEREO is $8 a month, it's HD, and you don't "rent" a box. You can BUY a Roku to watch it on, and watch on 5 devices - at no extra cost. It comes with 20 hours of DVR. For an additional $4, you can record 2 shows at once, and get 60 hours DVR.

Say what you will about Aereo, but competition is GOOD for the consumer. If we had 3 different cable companies to choose from, you bet your a$$ Comcast wouldn't be charging as much as it does. I'm signed up for the preview, and I'm looking forward to giving you all a review. I'll give them a test drive, but I'm sure I'll stick to watching TV with my antenna - as God intended!

The End Is Near For Traditional Pay TV

"Some day TV will be invented, and it will be FREE!
 And then it will cost money..." ~ Homer Simpson

Pay TV: Change or die.

It doesn't matter what the traditional multi-channel providers (aka "pay TV") do to protect their turf. Eventually the pay TV "package concept" where you have to pay for 150 channels that you don't want, just to get the 5 channels you do want, will fail.

Gradually, viewers are moving away from traditionally distributed pay TV to other sources. As the customer base erodes and income from traditional sources drops, content creators will seek out whatever method of distribution provides them income. The longer Pay TV providers continue bury their heads in the sand, the worse their odds of survival become.

For years pay TV customers have wished for, begged for, pleaded with their pay TV providers for one thing: Ala Carte. The choice to pay for just those networks that they want, and nothing more. And pay TV providers respond by doing as they always have. By turning a deaf ear.

Where To Watch The London 2012 Olympics

There's been a lot of searching on the internet by people looking for ways to watch the 2012 London Olympics. I've done a little research and find there's more then one way to see Olympic games. This is by no means a complete listing of sources, and it will be updated if I become aware of other sources. If you have found coverage that isn't listed here, please feel free to update this information by adding a comment.


So, lets look at the sources I've found for 2012 Olympics Coverage!

Stop The Data Caps!

While I'm a big fan of OTA TV, I also use the internet to provide not only Netflix but other content that is unavailable OTA. I have no problems with reasonable caps on wireless access, which is indeed finite, but landline internet providers are now jumping on the "bandwidth cap" bandwagon at an alarming rate.

There's really only two reasons for these caps: The first, of course, is profit. If providers don't have to build out their distribution systems to handle the services they themselves promote, they can save money, at the same time charging for overage fees. The second is more troublesome: Since almost every internet provider also offers some sort of competing video service, these caps serve to "protect" those legacy video services. With most areas of the country being held hostage by monopolies or duopolies, we can't even "vote" with our wallets and leave for another provider.

What Can You Do With a Roku?

Several people have asked me recently about streaming media set top boxes. Having a HTPC media computer connected to my LCD TV, I never used one of them. After asking several people their opinions, I decided I would try a ROKU box. In fact, I tried 2 of them: The top of the line Roku 2 XS, and the bargain priced Roku LT. Roku first introduced the streaming set top box to the market, and continues to be the industry leader. Of course, there are plenty of other ways to connect your TV to the internet nowadays, ranging from Apple TV,  Boxee, and Roku, Internet connected TV sets and Blu-ray players. I chose the Roku because of its reputation, access to lots of content, and price. If you're wondering what product you should choose, check out this review of network streaming devices.

If you've decided that a Roku player is for you, you'll need to choose the model that works for your needs and budget.