Sling TV vs Xumo

Sling Discontinues Short-Term Passes

Sling TV has discontinued its short-term 'Sling Passes,' which allowed users to subscribe for one to seven days. Introduced in August 2025, the passes included Day, Weekend, and Week options, priced at $4.99, $9.99, and $14.99 respectively. The launch aimed to attract cord cutters during football season, but faced legal challenges from Disney and Warner Bros. Discovery, who sued Sling's parent company DISH for breach of contract over the unapproved packages. The lawsuits likely influenced the decision to retire the passes, though no official reason was given. Sling now returns to its standard lineup: Orange, Blue, combined Orange & Blue, and the newer Basic plans ($19.99/month).

• Sling TV discontinued its short-term Sling Passes as of October 5, 2026.
• The passes, launched in August 2025, included Day Pass ($4.99), Weekend Pass ($9.99), and Week Pass ($14.99).
• Disney and Warner Bros. Discovery filed lawsuits against DISH over the passes for breach of contract.

Sling TV's Future Uncertain After DISH Bankruptcy Filing

Sling TV — one of the first over‑the‑top live multichannel services, launched February 9, 2015 — faces an uncertain future after its parent’s prepackaged Chapter 11 filing. DISH DBS Corporation (an EchoStar subsidiary) filed for Chapter 11 on June 30, 2026 after a delay in closing a large spectrum sale to AT&T left the company short of cash to repay $2 billion in notes. Sling peaked near 2.6 million subscribers around 2020 but reported 1.707 million subscribers as of the end of June 2026. The restructuring aims to clean the balance sheet and wind down DISH’s wireless build; industry observers expect EchoStar may consider selling or spinning off DISH satellite and Sling assets once the process concludes.

• Sling TV launched on February 9, 2015 as an over‑the‑top live multichannel television service in the U.S.
• Sling reported 1.707 million subscribers as of the end of June 2026, down from a peak near 2.6 million around 2020.
• On June 30, 2026, DISH DBS Corporation (an EchoStar subsidiary) filed a prepackaged Chapter 11 case in Houston.

Sling TV Signs 9 College Football Players for NIL Campaign

Sling TV has launched its largest name, image, and likeness (NIL) campaign, partnering with nine college football players ahead of the 2026 season. The nationwide campaign, built around the tagline “Watch Football on YOUR Terms,” will feature the athletes sharing content across their social channels and Sling’s digital channels and includes an on-camera activation called the “Sling the Rock Challenge.” Sling worked with The College Sports Company to secure athlete partnerships and produce campaign content. The announcement also reiterates Sling’s flexible access options for college football — including 1-, 3-, and 7-day passes, seasonal plans, and bundles that provide access to networks like ESPN, FS1, TNT, SEC Network and others.

• Sling TV partnered with nine college football players on a nationwide NIL campaign centered on the message “Watch Football on YOUR Terms.”
• The campaign is Sling’s largest NIL program to date and will roll out during the opening weeks of the 2026 college football season.
• Sling worked with The College Sports Company on athlete partnerships and production of the campaign content.

Roku Adds 8 New Free Live Channels

The Roku Channel expanded its free ad-supported live TV lineup in early October 2026 by adding eight new channels, available immediately on Roku devices. New offerings include live sports talk show 'Pregame with Matthew Berry', 24/7 bowling channel 'Bowling TV', linear channels for 'Murdoch Mysteries', 'Scrubs', 'Black-ish', and 'Fresh Off the Boat', a curated movie channel 'Xumo Her Movies', and paranormal creator channel 'Helgi Davies Paranormal Investigator'. These additions bring the platform's free linear channel count to over 500, reinforcing Roku's position as a major free ad-supported streaming destination.

• The Roku Channel added 8 new free live channels in October 2026.
• New channels include 'Pregame with Matthew Berry', 'Bowling TV', 'Murdoch Mysteries', 'Scrubs', 'Black-ish', 'Fresh Off the Boat', 'Xumo Her Movies', and 'Helgi Davies Paranormal Investigator'.
• The platform now offers over 500 free linear channels.

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What to Watch in August 2026: New Shows, Football, Free Picks

New premieres, NFL preseason, MLB at Field of Dreams, and Emmy catch-up picks. Here is what to watch in August 2026 and where to stream it on Xumo.