No (Cable) Strings Attached: Dish Network Announces Latest Innovation Taking Cable TV By Storm

If cable companies aren’t in crisis mode yet, they should start preparing. On the heels of major original programming success for streaming entertainment companies like Netflix and Amazon comes the latest cable shakeup: Sling TV, announced at this year's Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. Except this time, the announcement came from a cable company. *GASP*

Dish Network

Sling TV, a new offering from satellite TV company Dish Network announced at this year's CES, is vying for market share by providing its users access to select cable channels on a variety of devices for a mere $20 per month with no commitment or contracts. It would appear Dish Network is hoping to tap the enormous millennial demographic who, according to Verizon Digital Media, command more than 1.3 trillion in consumer spending. This coveted audience is predicted to change the TV industry by consuming content online and demanding access to TV on their own terms, which could explain the latest Dish Network product.

Sling TV is truly revolutionizing the cable industry. Gone will be the days when you have to shell out your hard earned money because the cable company requires you to order a slew of channels you have no interest in so you can catch the latest episode of Chopped.

Sling TV currently offers ESPN, ESPN2, CNN, Cartoon Network, TNT, TBS, Food Network, HGTV, Travel Channel, Disney Channel and ABC Family. For $5 extra a month, they offer additional options neatly packaged into interests, such as “Kids Extra” or “News & Info Extra.”

Still in its infancy, Sling TV has its downsides. Early adopters have found a few issues with capabilities on select devices and have rightfully pointed out that this option still does not include local offerings or subscriptions to content providers such as HBO.

Nonetheless, this new idea in the TV industry has excited many, even taking home Engadget's Best Home Theater Product at CES 2015. Along with our predictions on Big Data and uberstreaming, Sling TV suggests that 2015 may be the year we will be in complete control of the entertainment we pay for and how we will consume it across various devices.

Do you think Sling TV is the Netflix of cable TV like we do?