US OTT service Sling TV has revamped its pricing, raising the cost of its standard channels package by USD 5 a month. The company also introduced new options to buy pay-per-view content, movies and a la carte channels without having to buy a base subscription, in order to expand its revenue base.
The basic package of over 30 channels, Sling Orange, increases to USD 30 per month, immediately for new customers and from August for existing customers. Customers also taking the Spanish-language Sling Blue package will still pay USD 40 per month, and all other add-on options are unchanged in price.
Sling explained the increase by the continued rise in programming prices. When it first started the service in 2015, the basic package had less than 15 channels, and it has since added a much wider range of optional channels, on-demand programming and distribution platforms as well.
Sling is also expanding the options to acquire content on its Roku app. Customers can purchase pay-per-view content such as UFC fights, over 5,000 on-demand films and select channels without taking a Sling TV base subscription. Channels available a la carte at launch include Showtime (USD 10 per month), CuriosityStream (USD 6), Stingray Karaoke (USD 7), Dove Channel (USD 5), Outside TV Features (USD 5), UP Faith & Family (USD 5), Pantaya (USD 6) and NBA League Pass (USD 28.99).
The new a la carte options will expand to other distribution platforms later, Sling said. It's marketing the new options as a way to win back previous customers, and will also run a banner at the top of its Roku app allowing returning customers to click through and restart their subscription or the new channels.
