Sling TV has expanded its cloud DVR to include a selection of ESPN channels. While Sling TV did previously offer cloud DVR, it has not always been supported by all the channels available with a Sling TV plan. Today’s announcement helps to limit the number of non-supported channels even further.
Sling TV does not offer cloud DVR as standard with its live TV packages. In fact, it is one of the only companies to not include cloud DVR in the price. Instead, Slingers are expected to pay an additional $5 per month on top of the cost of the subscription to access cloud DVR.
What’s more, Sling’s cloud DVR is not unlimited as it is capped at 50 hours and comes with no option to upgrade. However, Sling TV does permit subscribers to keep recordings for as long as they like, and even offers the option to protect certain content from being recorded over when the storage limit is reached.
In expanding the cloud DVR support today, Sling TV has confirmed shows on select ESPN channels can now be queued up to record. This includes the main ESPN and ESPN 2 channels. Here’s the full list of ESPN channels you can now DVR through Sling TV:
- ESPN
- ESPN2
- ACC Network
- SEC Network
- ESPN Bases Loaded
- ESPN Deportes
- ESPN Goal Line
- ESPNEWS
- ESPNU
Improved cloud DVR in general
In addition to the ESPN support, Sling is also improving the cloud DVR features in general. For example, while recorded shows could be manually paused, rewound, or fast-forwarded, that was not always the case. With select channels users would be redirected to an on-demand version instead of the recorded version. Essentially, adding commercials to the viewing experience. This is what has now changed with Sling confirming users can now “pause, rewind or fast-forward through any recorded programs.” That’s also in addition to skipping the ads when wanted.
The improvements announced today do add extra value to Sling TV’s cloud DVR feature. This is especially important considering it is an add-on and not something that’s bundled into the price.
For those new to Sling TV, the service offers access to live TV starting from $25 per month. Those specifically looking to take advantage of the ESPN cloud DVR support will need to opt for the right Sling TV plan. At present, both the Sling Orange and the Sling Orange + Blue plans offers access to ESPN while the Sling Blue plan does not.
Source: Sling
