Is DISH Network Heading for Bankruptcy? What Live TV Streaming Alternatives Are There for Sling TV Customers?
A new SEC filing from DISH’s parent company Echostar raises serious concerns about its prospects for long-term survival.
Things were bad enough for Sling TV last week when its parent company DISH announced that it had shed 60,000 subscribers in the fourth quarter of 2023. But things only got worse over the weekend, as a paper filed by DISH’s parent company EchoStar raised serious doubts about the future of DISH and Sling TV.
- The SEC filing indicates that EchoStar has ‘substantial doubts’ about DISH’s ability to remain as a going concern.
- MoffettNathanson analyst Craig Moffett thinks bankruptcy is all but guaranteed for DISH.
- DIRECTV STREAM is the best replacement available for Sling, but viewers have plenty of alternatives to choose from.
EchoStar filed a 10-K form regarding its 2023 operations with the SEC on Thursday, Feb. 29. In the form, the company outlined the struggles it had undergone during the year, many of which were caused by ongoing cord-cutting. During the fourth quarter alone, DISH lost 250,000 satellite subscribers in addition to the 60,000 Sling customers who left the service during that time period.
The filing points to a large amount of maturing debt in 2024, which will cause DISH to have to run through a “substantial amount of cash” this year. That, in turn, “raises substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern,” according to the paper.
The company outlines plans to potentially solve these issues, but analyst Craig Moffett of the highly respected Wall Street firm MoffettNathanson is not impressed. As reported by Light Reading, Moffett believes that “DISH’s business is spiraling towards bankruptcy. Gradually, then all at once, the declines are gathering speed.”
If DISH were to head to bankruptcy, DIRECTV would be the last major satellite TV provider standing in the U.S. market. There remains a possibility that DIRECTV and DISH could merge, but Moffett believes that even that step wouldn’t be enough to save DISH, given its subscriber losses at every level of the company.
What Alternatives to Sling TV Are Available?
If DISH does enter bankruptcy, there’s at least a chance it will shut down its live TV service Sling TV in order to cut costs and emerge as a refocused company. Even if Sling TV isn’t shuttered, it may undergo serious transformations to make it a viable part of Echostar’s business.
Current Sling customers who decide to cancel their service because of the uncertainty have several options available for watching live TV. We’ll compare them to Sling in terms of price and channel availability below, so viewers can make an informed choice about their next live TV service:
Best Alternative to Sling: DIRECTV STREAM
Price-wise, there’s no denying that DIRECTV STREAM is a good deal more expensive than Sling’s base Orange and Blue plans. DIRECTV STREAM’s Entertainment plan costs $79.99 per month, double the price of Sling Orange or Blue. However, that price will bring you a much wider range of channels, including local affiliates of ABC, CBS, Fox, and NBC in nearly all markets. Sling only offers ABC, Fox, and NBC in a handful of cities, and it doesn’t carry CBS anywhere. DIRECTV STREAM also offers three other plans for viewers who want more from their service, including regional sports channels and much more.
DIRECTV STREAM
DIRECTV STREAM is a live TV streaming service, which is essentially the streaming version of the DIRECTV service. All packages include local channels and at least 31 of the top 35 cable channels. New subscribers can get a free Gemini streaming device from the company, in which case the service is called “DIRECTV via Internet.”
Best Bargain Choice: Philo
For those who opted for Sling because of its lower monthly price, there’s only one alternative available that costs less than a Sling subscription. That would be Philo, which offers some of cable’s top entertainment channels like A&E, AMC, Hallmark Channel, and Lifetime for just $25 per month. Philo doesn’t carry local affiliates or top sports channels, but for those looking to get their favorite cable entertainment networks at an unbeatable price, Philo is a great alternative to Sling TV.
Top Choice for Sports Lovers: Fubo
Fubo is undoubtedly the most expensive alternative to Sling TV currently on the market, with prices starting at $90.98 (including regional sports network fees that most customers will have to pay). But for fans who love watching live sports, there’s no better choice; Fubo carries a huge range of RSNs, including those from Bally Sports, which is perfect for watching the end of the NBA and NHL seasons as well as the start of the MLB season.
Best Pick for Entertainment Fans: Hulu + Live TV
Hulu + Live TV offers around 90 channels, including local channels that Sling doesn’t carry in most markets. When customers sign up for $76.99 and up, Hulu + Live TV includes free access to all streamers in the Disney Bundle, as well as its live cable channel selection. That means that viewers will get more live TV than you will with a Sling account, as well as all the shows on Disney+ and Hulu, plus all sports on ESPN+ with a Hulu + Live TV subscription.
Last Choice: YouTube TV
YouTube TV’s plans start at $72.99 per month, and like DIRECTV STREAM, Fubo, and Hulu + Live TV it carries local affiliates in the vast majority of markets. YouTube TV does not carry a big selection of RSNs, however, nor does it come with free streaming services bundled into its price. It’s a fine replacement for Sling TV for those who like a little bit of everything with their live TV services, but The Streamable thinks there are better options available.