A couple of weeks back Sling TV announced that A&E channels and Lifetime will soon be available on its $20 per month internet TV streaming service. Earlier this week we heard from Sling TV when the channels went live on its service. Many Sling TV subscribers, including me, have noticed that certain content from these channels is blocked on Sling TV. Shows that are blocked carry a “content unavailable” tag while content that’s available streams without even breaking a sweat.
Some episodes of Criminal Minds are being blocked on A&E while others can be streamed. Sling subscribers can’t watch some Intervention episodes on Lifetime and one of its latest made-for-TV movies.
These channels allow subscribers to stream content on demand from up to three days prior. Content that’s blocked can’t be accessed even if you go back a couple of days. When content is blocked subscribers see the “Due to rights restrictions, this content cannot be streamed on Sling TV” message.
So far Sling TV has not issued a clarification as to why this restriction is being imposed on subscribers. Already subscribers can’t pause live TV on AMC or ESPN, and some channels don’t let them views shows from up to three days back.
With competition steadily growing in the over-the-top internet TV streaming arena Sling TV would certainly want to put its best foot forward. These restrictions are likely to irk subscribers paying $20 per month to cut the cord.
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