The DIRECTV-Dish Deal: Will DIRECTV Stream Replace Sling TV?

By Phillip Swann
The TV Answer Man –Follow me on X.
Former editor of Satellite DIRECT magazine. Reported on DIRECTV for 30 years.

TV Answer Man, what will happen to Sling TV in the DIRECTV and Dish sale? Will it be replaced by DIRECTV Stream? — Tom, Cincinnati.

Tom, DIRECTV announced this morning that it has agreed to buy EchoStar’s video assets including Dish’s satellite TV service and its live streaming service, Sling TV. The deal is likely to take a year or more before federal regulators approve it. But if it is approved, what will happen to the two streaming services, DIRECTV Stream and Sling TV. Will they become one?

The answer is likely yes with Sling TV being replaced by DIRECTV Stream. You might say that Sling’s customers will bolt because DIRECTV Stream is more expensive than Sling, but I’m sure that DIRECTV Stream would offer a package or two that would be comparable to Sling’s $40 base plan. (DIRECTV Stream’s base plan now costs $80 a month.)

Sling has been treading water in the last few years with a small decline in overall subs. So it’s unlikely that DIRECTV would see a significant benefit in keeping the brand name alive.

The TV Answer Man will answer more question about the DIRECTV-Dish deal today. If you have a question, send it to The TV Answer Man at swann@tvanswerman.com Please include your first name and hometown in your message.

The TV Answer Man is veteran journalist Phillip Swann who has covered the TV technology scene for more than three decades. He will report on the latest news and answer your questions regarding new devices and services that are changing the way you watch television. See the bio for Phillip Swann here.

Have a question about new TV technologies? Send it to The TV Answer Man at swann@tvanswerman.com Please include your first name and hometown in your message.