Sling Freestream Becomes First Free Streaming Platform to Offer No-Cost DVR Storage
Viewers who create a Sling Freestream account will get 10 hours of free DVR to store their favorite titles for on-demand viewing.
It’s happening, Sling Freestream customers! Just days after The Streamable confirmed that Sling was testing a DVR feature for a select group of Freestream viewers, the company has announced that free DVR storage is coming for all Sling Freestream account holders in the next few months.
- Sling Freestream will provide audiences with 10 free hours of DVR going forward.
- Viewers must have a Sling Freestream account to get the free DVR storage.
- The service offers more than 500 live-streaming channels, as well as on-demand titles.
When Will Free DVR Be Available on Sling Freestream?
Sling, which is owned by DISH Network, says that Freestream users will notice the free DVR feature rolled out widely in the next several months. Sling Freestream doesn’t require a user to create an account to start watching shows, but you’ll have to do so if you want the free DVR storage. Creating an account with Sling Freestream is, of course, free, and all you need is a valid email address and password to sign up, no credit card info is required.
Once you do that, you’ll be eligible to receive 10 free hours of DVR storage to record titles from Sling Freestream’s free ad-supported TV (FAST) channels. In the beta test, viewers were able to record all episodes of a given title or had the option to save only new releases. Sling is the first among free streaming platforms like Tubi, Pluto TV, and The Roku Channel to introduce free DVR storage to its subscribers.
“We are giving our customers exactly what they are asking for. The new DVR feature for Sling Freestream is going to give subscribers even more choice and access. They can watch their favorite programming on their terms, when it works for them,” DISH EVP Gary Schanman said. “Our goal is to continue to lead the industry with innovative ways to provide more in the FAST space, making sure our customers have access to a premium experience as well as an unparalleled amount of free live sports, news and entertainment.”
Why is Sling Freestream Adding DVR a Big Deal?
The ability to record shows and movies for later viewing has become indispensable to streaming users, who are accustomed to being able to watch content on-demand. It’s especially useful for a platform like Sling Freestream, which offers some on-demand content but which primarily distributes video through live FAST channels. Oftentimes that means a title is only available when it’s airing live, and if the viewer misses it they have to wait for it to play again. Now, if a particular episode of “South Park” or “The Walking Dead” is scheduled to air on Sling Freestream, fans can make sure they have a chance to watch it on their own schedule.
The addition of free DVR storage to Sling Freestream now puts pressure on other free streaming services. Free DVR is an important differentiator for Sling Freestream, and now Pluto, Tubi, and the like are faced with the choice of either adopting a free DVR option of their own or risk losing eyeballs to Sling going forward. Most of these platforms offer hundreds of the same free streaming channels, so in the eyes of audiences free DVR could be a game-changing distinguishing feature.
Ten free hours of DVR storage isn’t the only change Sling Freestream customers should expect to see in 2024, either. The company promises that more updates are coming, including more domestic and international sports, more news, and additional on-demand titles.
“We are going to continue to look at ways to make the Sling Freestream user experience even better throughout 2024,” Schanman said. “Just because a streaming service is free doesn’t mean users shouldn’t have access to the features a paid service provides.”
