Sling TV, a popular budget-friendly live streaming service, is raising prices for subscribers who access local ABC, Fox, and NBC channels. The changes, taking effect on or after February 20th, reflect the escalating costs of local broadcast programming.
Price Increases Breakdown
The most significant increase impacts those with all three local channels (ABC, Fox, and NBC). The monthly fee for these channels is rising from $5 to $9. Subscribers with one or two local channels will see a smaller increase, from $4 to $5 per month.
Sling offers two primary plans: Blue and Orange. The price hike applies specifically to Sling Blue subscribers with local channel access, which varies by location. The base Sling Blue plan already costs $46 per month, and these additional local fees stack on top.
The Sling Select package, another option, is not affected by this increase. Select currently costs $20 without locals, $25 with one or two, and $30 with all three.
Why the Price Jump?
According to Sling, the primary driver behind the price increases is the rising cost of local broadcast networks. The company states that these costs have increased above the rate of inflation, making it more expensive to deliver local programming through the service.
“The cost we pay to local broadcast networks in order to provide you with the programming you count on continues to rise significantly — well above the price of inflation.”
This situation isn’t unique to Sling. Other streaming services are also grappling with similar pressures as media companies push for higher carriage fees for their broadcast signals.
What Subscribers Should Do
Existing Sling customers will see the new prices reflected on their bills starting February 20th. New subscribers will already see the updated pricing during sign-up.
If you’re unsure whether you have local channels through Sling, you can check your account here. Weighing the cost of local access against alternatives (like over-the-air antennas) may be a smart move for some subscribers.
The latest price adjustments underscore the growing financial challenges faced by streaming services as they navigate the complex landscape of broadcast rights and rising network fees.
