Sling adds Fox Sports North

[Otto von Ballpark]

Sling is including regional Fox Sports networks, including Fox Sports North, in their new "beta multi-stream" service for $20 per month -- probably the cheapest way to get in-market Twins broadcasts now: 

http://blog.sling.com/announcements/sling-tvs-beta-multi-stream-service-brings-fox-broadcast-hit-shows-and-local-sports-with-three-streams-1/

 

Sony's Vue service also allegedly has Fox Sports North, but only in their "Core Slim" package for $35 per month:

https://www.playstation.com/en-us/network/vue/

 

I haven't tried either, but I thought I'd share.

[Wookiee of the Year]

Thanks for linking to this from the other thread, spycake. I missed it when you first posted.

 

As I said in the other thread, I subscribed to Playstation Vue just a week or two ago and for the first time in my life am watching Twins games at home. (I'm one of those cord-cutters who's never had cable or dish.) The interface is extremely clunky, but since 90% of the reason I got it was for Twins games, I'm not doing that much channel surfing and it's working fine.

 

At $35/month for the basic+sports package, I'm not certain I'll stick with it, but it's certainly affordable enough and requires little enough commitment that I'm happy to try it out. Seeing now that Sling is offering FSN for $20/month, I'll probably look into switching.

 

My only question: Anyone have any idea which of these devices would be the cheapest to obtain? I supposed I could do it through my laptop, but when sitting and watching a game, it would be nice to have the game up on my TV and have my laptop free to tool around on. Just curious what others know.

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

My only question: Anyone have any idea which of these devices would be the cheapest to obtain? I supposed I could do it through my laptop, but when sitting and watching a game, it would be nice to have the game up on my TV and have my laptop free to tool around on. Just curious what others know.

Actually, cheapest would be this promo offer: "FREE ROKU 2 when you prepay three months of Sling TV!"

 

https://www.sling.com/rokudevice

[James]

 

Thanks for linking to this from the other thread, spycake. I missed it when you first posted.

 

As I said in the other thread, I subscribed to Playstation Vue just a week or two ago and for the first time in my life am watching Twins games at home. (I'm one of those cord-cutters who's never had cable or dish.) The interface is extremely clunky, but since 90% of the reason I got it was for Twins games, I'm not doing that much channel surfing and it's working fine.

 

At $35/month for the basic+sports package, I'm not certain I'll stick with it, but it's certainly affordable enough and requires little enough commitment that I'm happy to try it out. Seeing now that Sling is offering FSN for $20/month, I'll probably look into switching.

 

My only question: Anyone have any idea which of these devices would be the cheapest to obtain? I supposed I could do it through my laptop, but when sitting and watching a game, it would be nice to have the game up on my TV and have my laptop free to tool around on. Just curious what others know.

Spycake definitely has the cheapest answer.  

 

I'm a big chromecast fan though.  You could technically use it to watch other things through other apps.  It's only $35.00.  You just set it up through the chromecast app and it connects to your wifi.  When you want to watch something, you just look for whatever you want through that app (youtube, sling tv, netflix, hulu), and click the cast button and it sends it to your tv.  It's pretty slick.  No extra remotes or anything.

 

http://www.google.com/intl/en/chromecast/tv/#?discover

[Otto von Ballpark]

Chromecast is good, although mainly if you are a big phone/tablet person. Casting from laptops/PCs has always seemed somewhat limited to me.  And some people prefer devices with dedicated interfaces/remotes.

 

Although I also noticed that Best Buy has a $50 off promo if you prepay for 3 months of Sling too, which means you could get a Chromecast for free, or a Fire TV box for $50, etc. if you would rather one of them instead of the free Roku:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/clp/sling-tv-promotion/pcmcat748300349642.c?id=pcmcat748300349642

[Target Field of Dreams]

Have you actually been able to watch a game through Sling yet? I tried last night...since the Wild were on FSN, the Twins game was moved to a FSN alternate, but I got a message that the game was blacked out on the alternate. Hoping that was because it was the Milwaukee alternate station and I live in MN, but not sure. It would be really stupid, but not surprising to me if MLB blacked out games that are on FSN but watched via Sling. Going to try again tonight. Hopefully I can watch .

 

I have a Roku 3 and love it...to add onto the device discussion.

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

Have you actually been able to watch a game through Sling yet? I tried last night...since the Wild were on FSN, the Twins game was moved to a FSN alternate, but I got a message that the game was blacked out on the alternate. Hoping that was because it was the Milwaukee alternate station and I live in MN, but not sure. It would be really stupid, but not surprising to me if MLB blacked out games that are on FSN but watched via Sling. Going to try again tonight. Hopefully I can watch .

I don't know why there would have been a blackout.  Hopefully it was just a mix-up on the alternate channel (although good to hear that they do theoretically provide the alternate channel too).  Do contact Sling and let them know.

[RedBull34]

 

Have you actually been able to watch a game through Sling yet? I tried last night...since the Wild were on FSN, the Twins game was moved to a FSN alternate, but I got a message that the game was blacked out on the alternate. Hoping that was because it was the Milwaukee alternate station and I live in MN, but not sure. It would be really stupid, but not surprising to me if MLB blacked out games that are on FSN but watched via Sling. Going to try again tonight. Hopefully I can watch .

 

I have a Roku 3 and love it...to add onto the device discussion.

I also had this (on FSN Alternate 1), but the game was available on YET another FSN Alternate channel (on FSN Alternate 2).  So it is available, although a little confusing. 

 

 

[Loosey]

On sling can you have both of their packages?  The $20 Beta and the $20 traditional package.  It seems if you choose the beta package you limit your options outside of viewing some of the regional sports packages.

 

I currently have DirectTv and the family and I watch about 8-10 channels (FSN being my most important).  Most are Sling if I combine the two services.

[James]

 

Chromecast is good, although mainly if you are a big phone/tablet person. Casting from laptops/PCs has always seemed somewhat limited to me.  And some people prefer devices with dedicated interfaces/remotes.

 

Although I also noticed that Best Buy has a $50 off promo if you prepay for 3 months of Sling too, which means you could get a Chromecast for free, or a Fire TV box for $50, etc. if you would rather one of them instead of the free Roku:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/clp/sling-tv-promotion/pcmcat748300349642.c?id=pcmcat748300349642

You're correct about Chromecast being for the phone/tablet crowd.  I don't really cast from laptops/PCs very often, but I haven't had any problems with it.  

 

I'm personally not a big fan of devices with dedicated interfaces.  They always seem clunky to me.  My dad has a FireTV stick, and it feels like there is quite the lag when switching between services/browsing around.  To me, it seems like device makers end up splitting their time trying to create the next model, so the applications interfaces tend to fall behind.  In contrast, the content providers are very good about keeping the interfaces on mobile up to date and working smoothly.  

 

It's all personal preference, I guess.  No right or wrong answer on this.

 

I'm glad that there are starting to be a lot of options and ways to get around these blackouts.  I have to do some serious cost benefit analysis to see if it is worth ducking out of my Century Link deal that I just signed up for before the trial period is up. 

[Loosey]

 

Sling is including regional Fox Sports networks, including Fox Sports North, in their new "beta multi-stream" service for $20 per month -- probably the cheapest way to get in-market Twins broadcasts now: 

http://blog.sling.com/announcements/sling-tvs-beta-multi-stream-service-brings-fox-broadcast-hit-shows-and-local-sports-with-three-streams-1/

 

Sony's Vue service also allegedly has Fox Sports North, but only in their "Core Slim" package for $35 per month:

https://www.playstation.com/en-us/network/vue/

 

I haven't tried either, but I thought I'd share.

Will the local Fox carry NFL games on Sundays through Sling?

[jwestbrock]

 

I also had this (on FSN Alternate 1), but the game was available on YET another FSN Alternate channel (on FSN Alternate 2).  So it is available, although a little confusing. 

I believe that Alternate 1 was the Brewers feed, because when I flipped back over after the Wild game finished it said Brewers Live, which explains the blackout.

 

On sling can you have both of their packages?  The $20 Beta and the $20 traditional package.  It seems if you choose the beta package you limit your options outside of viewing some of the regional sports packages.

 

I currently have DirectTv and the family and I watch about 8-10 channels (FSN being my most important).  Most are Sling if I combine the two services.

I have both packages, it makes for a really long list of channels to scroll because they list all the Beta channels, then the traditional, which means there is some doubling up, but my family has loved it so far.

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

Will the local Fox carry NFL games on Sundays through Sling?

Yes, according to Sling: "In-market multi-stream subscribers can also watch NFL games on their local FOX station."

 

http://blog.sling.com/announcements/sling-tvs-beta-multi-stream-service-brings-fox-broadcast-hit-shows-and-local-sports-with-three-streams-1/

[Loosey]

 

Yes, according to Sling: "In-market multi-stream subscribers can also watch NFL games on their local FOX station."

 

http://blog.sling.com/announcements/sling-tvs-beta-multi-stream-service-brings-fox-broadcast-hit-shows-and-local-sports-with-three-streams-1/

Cutting the cord next month then when my 2 year deal with DirecTv is done.  Back of the napkin math saves me $110 a month. 

 

I believe that Alternate 1 was the Brewers feed, because when I flipped back over after the Wild game finished it said Brewers Live, which explains the blackout.

 

I have both packages, it makes for a really long list of channels to scroll because they list all the Beta channels, then the traditional, which means there is some doubling up, but my family has loved it so far.

Are both packages needed?  I did some research and it only seems like ESPN and Disney (and a few obscure channels) are the only thing on the single feed that comes off of beta multi-stream. 

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

Are both packages needed?  I did some research and it only seems like ESPN and Disney (and a few obscure channels) are the only thing on the single feed that comes off of beta multi-stream. 

Correct.  Sling posted a channel comparison here:

 

http://news.sling.com/sites/sling.newshq.businesswire.com/files/doc_library/file/MSS_Channel_Comp_FINAL_0.pdf

 

I don't use Disney, and ESPN would be nice but it is hardly worth the extra $20 per month (or $15 per month if you went with Vue's $35 package), so the choice would be easy for me.

[Brock Beauchamp]

Sling really needs to jump on board the Apple TV with a native app. If they did that, I might give the service a whirl.

[Loosey]

 

Sling really needs to jump on board the Apple TV with a native app. If they did that, I might give the service a whirl.

I think they give you a free Roku now as part of a deal they have going on.  Not that helps the Apple TV issue.  But if you don't mind having two streaming devices.  I'm about to give them a try since they have free trial before I completely cut.

[Brock Beauchamp]

 

I think they give you a free Roku now as part of a deal they have going on.  Not that helps the Apple TV issue.  But if you don't mind having two streaming devices.  I'm about to give them a try since they have free trial before I completely cut.

Yeah, I just don't have the time or patience to deal with another streaming system. I primarily use Apple TV but also own a Smart TV that I occasionally use for Amazon Prime video.

 

There's really no excuse for Sling not to offer their platform on the Apple or Google platforms.

 

Or Amazon Prime, for that matter... But I get that video service free with Prime shipping (my primary reason to buy it) so it doesn't bother me as much.

[Loosey]

 

Yeah, I just don't have the time or patience to deal with another streaming system. I primarily use Apple TV but also own a Smart TV that I occasionally use for Amazon Prime video.

 

There's really no excuse for Sling not to offer their platform on the Apple or Google platforms.

 

Or Amazon Prime, for that matter... But I get that video service free with Prime shipping (my primary reason to buy it) so it doesn't bother me as much.

I assume it has something to do with cost.  Otherwise they would be on every streaming service imaginable.

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

Sling really needs to jump on board the Apple TV with a native app. If they did that, I might give the service a whirl.

Unlike Vue, Sling has basically every other device covered with native apps, including other Apple products, so I imagine it will happen (unlike the Google-Amazon stalemate).  The delay might have been due to Apple planning its own TV service, but now that's apparently on ice:

http://www.engadget.com/2015/12/09/apple-tv-service-on-hold/

 

And for those who have an Apple TV and are unaware, you can use your iPhone/iPad/iPod Touch to Airplay video (including Sling's) to your Apple TV:

http://www.groovypost.com/howto/watch-sling-tv-apple-tv/

[RedBull34]

Cutting the cord next month then when my 2 year deal with DirecTv is done. Back of the napkin math saves me $110 a month.

 

Are both packages needed? I did some research and it only seems like ESPN and Disney (and a few obscure channels) are the only thing on the single feed that comes off of beta multi-stream.

No. I'm going only for the beta. I only watch ESPN for MNF, so I will just go to a bar or friends for the one game I will watch a year. I just wanted FSN.

[Target Field of Dreams]

Sling didn't give me a clear answer. I tried to watch the game today and got a blackout on regular FSN as well. For any of you that have had success what streaming system were you using?

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

Sling didn't give me a clear answer. I tried to watch the game today and got a blackout on regular FSN as well. For any of you that have had success what streaming system were you using?

Did you try all of the alternate channels too?  I think because of the way they deliver Fox Sports across different regions, it might be buried a bit, but the games should be there somewhere.  (Sorry I haven't actually tried it yet, despite being a big proponent here )

 

I found this at a Royals blog about Sling: "Although it does not technically carry a Fox Sports Kansas City channel, it will carry Royals games on the "Fox Sports" alternate channels, with no blackout restrictions."  Maybe something similar is going on for you?

 

If you want to contact Sling about it, but you don't want to sit on the phone, try opening a case at getservice.com -- they can call on your behalf.

[Loosey]

 

No. I'm going only for the beta. I only watch ESPN for MNF, so I will just go to a bar or friends for the one game I will watch a year. I just wanted FSN.

That's the only time I watch ESPN as well.  I will probably just ask my parent's for their comcast account number to use WatchESPN and then I am good to go I think.  I'm interested to see how this goes in my trial run before I officially cut it.

[Jham]

 

Did you try all of the alternate channels too?  I think because of the way they deliver Fox Sports across different regions, it might be buried a bit, but the games should be there somewhere.  (Sorry I haven't actually tried it yet, despite being a big proponent here )

 

I found this at a Royals blog about Sling: "Although it does not technically carry a Fox Sports Kansas City channel, it will carry Royals games on the "Fox Sports" alternate channels, with no blackout restrictions."  Maybe something similar is going on for you?

 

If you want to contact Sling about it, but you don't want to sit on the phone, try opening a case at getservice.com -- they can call on your behalf.

I refuse to watch Twins broadcasts without Dickbert!!  

I'm a reverse cord cutter.  I am a cable subscriber who then attaches to a Slingbox to get my Twins games on my phone or tablet.  I start less fights at the bar that way since I don't have to ask the bartender to change the channel from grown men on ice skates to a real sport.  I can just pull it up in HD on my phone!  And it's pretty fast.  After the Twins started 0-9, I took it upon myself to change their luck and went to the Friday night game against the Angels which started a 4 game winning streak.  (Your welcome).  At one point, there was a close play, and per MLB stadium unwritten contract, they refused to show the replay.  I pulled it up on my phone for the TV broadcast to see the replay.  Umps got it right.  But when they returned to live action, I was astounded.  The Slingbox feed was ahead of the live action!  I won some beers from surrounding fans betting them on what would happen next in the game.  Then I shut it off because people were complaining that I was cheering over the broadcast before the play happened in real life.  Well it's not quite that fast, but it's impressive.

I have two TCL Roku enabled TV's.  They're great, cheap, and well reviewed.  I'd recommend for cord users and cutters.  I'm loving the Bob Ross Joy of Painting channel.  All 22 seasons of hippies painting trees and mountains.

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2469204,00.asp



 

[RedBull34]

 

Sling didn't give me a clear answer. I tried to watch the game today and got a blackout on regular FSN as well. For any of you that have had success what streaming system were you using?

I watched it yesterday on Sling on the regular FSN channel just fine.  The only problem I had was when I accidently reverted the game to the start, but I figured that out.

 

And I live in New Ulm so it's not like my blackout zone is any different...

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

I'm a reverse cord cutter.  I am a cable subscriber who then attaches to a Slingbox to get my Twins games on my phone or tablet.

Have you checked if your cable provider supports Fox Sports Go streaming?  You may be able to skip the Slingbox step that way.

 

DISH and Comcast are the big holdouts for FSN on Fox Sports Go, but I heard DISH will be adding it in the coming months, and I suspect Comcast will too once MLB gets them on board for in-market streaming otherwise (Comcast owns some regional sports networks too).

[Otto von Ballpark]

Also, I just noticed that T-Mobile customers might be able to save 30% on their first year when they sign up for Sling (so, $14/month for 12 months):

 

https://www.sling.com/tmobile

 

The promo shows the non-Fox package at Sling, but I suspect that is because the promo has been around longer than the new "multi-stream beta" Fox package.  Worth a shot if you sign up -- I understand it is relatively easy to switch between the two Sling packages too.

 

And, if you enable T-Mobile's "Binge On" feature, your can watch Sling streaming video (and MLB.TV and others) on your phone without it counting against your phone plan's data usage.  (Although T-Mobile scales the video resolution down, it probably wouldn't matter much on a small screen.)

[Jham]

 

Have you checked if your cable provider supports Fox Sports Go streaming?  You may be able to skip the Slingbox step that way.

 

DISH and Comcast are the big holdouts for FSN on Fox Sports Go, but I heard DISH will be adding it in the coming months, and I suspect Comcast will too once MLB gets them on board for in-market streaming otherwise (Comcast owns some regional sports networks too).

I get Fox Sports Go, but not the regionals.  Lame.

[Target Field of Dreams]

For some reason the Brewers games were just blacked out for me, but I was able to watch the Nationals games this weekend. $20/month, to be able to watch majority (maybe all) of the Twins games at home and on my phone for the rest of the season...steal of a deal! Finally a real option outside of cable!

 

Sling customer service on Twitter is actually really, really good too, in case any of you ever need a quick answer from them.