Sling TV has been around for over a year and it has been successful with those who have ditched traditional cable TV in favor of online streaming options. One big issue that services like PlayStation Vue and Sling TV face is the licensing of local broadcast networks. Sling TV is looking to fix that issue with a box that will allow its customers to stream local TV channels for free.
This issue is why Sling TV only offers ABC in a special package, same applies to Fox in its new multi-stream plan, and PlayStation Vue only provides broadcast channels in select cities.
It’s not particularly hard to take care of the licensing issues as free over-the-air broadcasts of local channels exist which anyone can tune into as long as they have an antenna.
According to a new report, Sling TV has created the AirTV box that tunes into local OTA TV streams and allows users to view the content through its Sling TV apps.
Aereo might have been shut down for reselling OTA TV but AirTV won’t be causing any headaches for Sling TV as users will be using their own antenna to capture the OTA broadcast. The box is there to stream a signal which anybody can legally access with an antenna.
Sling TV hasn’t formally announced this product yet so there are no official details about availability or pricing for now.
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