In an update today put out by Sling TV, it gave us some details as for what its next move will be in updates to come to its iOS and iPadOS apps.
Version 6.5.0 that was released Tuesday, July 20, says the following:
“Hi Slingers! Thank You for using SlingTV! We update this App a couple times a month with new features and bug fixes to make things better for you. Check back often to get the most recent version.
Coming Soon!! In coming weeks Sling will be adding the ability to see FREE Local channels & their schedules, brought to you by Locast, in your Sling guide. The Locast channels will appear in your guide but to access the channels you will need to create a Locast account. No additional cost to you but Locast will need to support channels in your local area.”
Locast, for those who do not know, is a free nonprofit live TV streaming service that enables its users to stream their local ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, The CW and PBS TV stations at no extra charge to them.
At this time, Locast is only available in select TV markets. Here are the following TV markets Locast is in:
- Atlanta
- Baltimore
- Boston
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Denver
- Detroit
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Los Angeles
- Madison
- Miami
- Minneapolis
- New York
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Portland
- Puerto Rico
- Raleigh
- Rapid City
- Sacramento
- San Francisco
- Scranton
- Seattle
- Sioux City
- Sioux Falls
- Tampa Bay
- Tri-Cities
- Washington DC
- West Palm Beach
However, users are able to watch the channel for 15 minutes until an ad from Locast appears, encouraging the viewer to donate to its streaming service, which would then get rid of the ad that appears on it every 15 minutes.
When the ad from Locast appears, after it airs, it does kick the viewer out of the channel they were watching. The viewer can simply go back into the channel they were watching at no additional cost, but that the ad will appear again 15 minutes after the user goes back into another live local channel.
Viewers can make donations of as little as $5 a month do it on a one-time-to-monthly basis.
As for Sling TV getting Locast integration, it has already been available through devices like Android TV, AirTV and select Android mobile devices. What Sling TV would be doing would be to finally get it on Apple devices.
Those who would want to access their local TV stations on Sling TV will have to create a Locast account and sign into it through Sling TV. Creating an account with Locast is free.
There are some restrictions for having these Locast channels available on their Sling TV account. One of them is that users will be unable to use the DVR feature of the service to record local programming. Since Locast itself does not offer a DVR feature, it is not available when it is integrated with Sling TV.
Sling TV currently costs $34.99 a month and is available to stream on the iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Apple TV and Mac.
What are your thoughts on Sling TV and Locast integration coming to the iPhone and iPad? Let us know on Twitter at @appleosophy.
