Matthew DeCarlo
Sling TV subscribers no longer have to worry about missing out on their favorite sports game when they aren’t able to watch it live. Sling has just announced that you can now record ESPN channels using the streaming company’s Cloud DVR service.
We weren’t aware this was a problem, but apparently Sling’s Cloud DVR feature—a $5 extra that can be added to one of the company’s TV subscription plans—was incapable of recording content from ESPN. So if you weren’t around to watch a game as it aired over TV (and Sling), then you simply missed out on that content.
The Cloud DVR feature isn’t new, it’s just that Sling has enabled support for recording sports. If that’s the whole reason why you subscribe to the company’s TV streaming services for $25+ a month, we imagine it was more than a little frustrating to have that restriction in place, especially after paying an extra $5 a month for Cloud DVR.
Now Sling TV subscribers can record shows from ESPN, ESPN2, ACC Network, SEC Network, ESPN Bases Loaded, ESPN Deportes, ESPN Goal Line, ESPNEWS, and ESPNU. What’s more, you’ll have full DVR controls on that recorded content. So if you need to pause for a break, rewind for a replay, fast forward through commercials, or whatever, that’s now possible too.
Previously, when folks would go to record content on ESPN, they would be redirected to on-demand content instead—assuming any was even available. Now you can record your own on-demand content. Sling says you can store up to 50 hours of programming and keep that programming for as long as you’re subscribed to Sling TV. The company will even save the recordings for a month after your subscription ends just in case.
In separate but related news, it’s reported that Sling TV has just added the Longhorn Network to its Live TV streaming services. This hasn’t been officially announced, but it’s available through the Sling TV Orange plan, which is the package that is largely meant for sports fans.
Sling TV Orange bundles access to stream content from 30+ channels including ESPN, Disney, A&E, AMC, HGTV, TNT, and more for $25 per month ($15 the first month). A different package called Sling TV Blue has the NFL network but less sports overall and instead adds 15+ channels such as National Geographic to the mix for the same $25 a month. You can get both the Orange and Blue packages for $40 per month.
Those main content bundles can be beefed up with optional add-on channels, bundles, and features. Pricing ranges from $3 to $10 depending on the add-on item, with choices including Comedy Extra, Kids Extra, News Extra, Sports Extra ($10), Hollywood Extra, and others. You can also add specific channels and international content in an a la carte fashion, so you can add Showtime to your package for instance.
