The recent deal between Dish Network’s Sling TV and Pac 12 Network has allowed Sling TV to boost their sports offering to the subscribers. Sling TV acquired the rights for all six Pac 12 network channels through this recent deal. Pac 12 networks bring the exclusive coverage of popular sports events including regional college sports events.
Dish Network has suffered enormous loss of subscribers over the last few months. More and more subscribers are “cutting the cord” and opting for other streaming services to watch their favorite TV shows and sports events. Reports indicate that the new marketing strategy from Dish is to attract internet users to use their streaming service to compensate for their huge subscriber loss.
Sports programs and live events has always been a key attraction for viewers and reports suggest that the subscribership of Sling TV might increase with the launch of these exceptional sports networks. However, satellite providers such as Dish Network and DirecTV might face more loss of subscribers, as many major companies are planning to launch their own online streaming platform.
The TV channel market is going to be intensely competitive as Hulu is planning to launch an online streaming platform similar to Dish Network by next year. Reports claim that Sling will face great competition, because Hulu is planning to target the youth by providing popular contents and program that today’s youth demand. However, Dish Network also seems ready for the competition and Sling TV is now offering live coverage of college football games and other sporting events at a very less price.
Online streaming has gained wide acceptance among the youth and other viewers and many sports fans prefer to watch games through online streaming rather than subscribing to satellite providers. Sling TV is currently engaged in a tough battle with Sony’s Play Station VUE over online streaming services.
Furthermore, Hulu and Play Station VUE will not be the only competitor Sling TV will have to face next year. YouTube has already announced the launch of their TV channel streaming service, which is titled as “Unplugged”, and this platform will be available to the viewers by next year. Besides that, AT&T is also stepping in to the arena with its DirecTV Now streaming service.
Dish Network hopes to retain their customers and compensate with their losses through Sling TV. The investment made by Dish Network in sports offerings is likely to succeed, even though they will have to face great completion from other major companies in the year 2017.