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Will DISH Network's Sling TV Appeal More with Showtime?
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DISH Network Corp. , the second-largest satellite TV operator in the U.S. seems to be broadening its programming selection amid new competition in the virtual MVPD (multichannel video programming distributor) market. To this end, DISH Network announced the addition of another premium network – Showtime – and its seven related channels to its Internet TV service – Sling TV. The cable company also plans to include some more channels aimed at families and Spanish-language viewers.
Dish Network’s customers can now avail Showtime in their channel package for an extra $10 per month. With the launch of Showtime, Sling TV claims that it will be the first over-the-top (OTT) Internet TV streaming service to (optionally) offer all four “premium” networks: HBO, Showtime, Cinemax and Starz.
Another prominent player in the OTT space, Sony Corporation’s Playstation Vue, offers HBO and Showtime, but not Cinemax or Starz. AT&T Inc.’s (T - Free Report) DirecTV Now has HBO, Cinemax, and Starz but not Showtime.
Notably, the add-on of Showtime in Dish Network’s Internet TV service has come ahead of the launch of YouTube TV and Hulu’s live TV service. Also, YouTube TV offers Showtime as an add-on, but it misses out on HBO, Cinemax and Starz among others.
However, in trying to pull offf a deal with CBS Corporation for Showtime, Sling TV still lacks a deal for the CBS Broadcast Network.
Recent Events
Last month, U.S. national wireless carrier Sprint Corp. (S - Free Report) went ahead to promote its unlimited data plans by offering its customers DISH Networks’ Sling TV service free of cost, if the customer adds four or more lines on its Unlimited Freedom plan. The offer is currently available to new and existing Sprint customers in Atlanta and Chicago.
Bottom Line
We are impressed with DISH Network’s efforts to diversify its business model from being a pure-play satellite-TV operator to an Internet TV operator. The company is poised to benefit from Sling TV which offers services at a reasonable rate. This should help the company counter competitive threats from low-cost video streaming operators. Meanwhile, the online streaming service is gaining momentum.
However, DISH Network’s top-line growth remains under pressure because of its failure to strike any deal with wireless operators to deploy a nationwide wireless network and renew long-term programming contracts. Persistent loss of subscribers, mounting programming and content expenses as well as retransmission fees may also hurt the company’s margins.
We assume that these downturns affected the company’s price performance over the past three months. DISH Network’s shares rallied around 1.9% compared with roughly 10.7% gain for Zacks-categorized Cable Television industry in the same time frame.
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Will DISH Network's Sling TV Appeal More with Showtime?
DISH Network Corp. , the second-largest satellite TV operator in the U.S. seems to be broadening its programming selection amid new competition in the virtual MVPD (multichannel video programming distributor) market. To this end, DISH Network announced the addition of another premium network – Showtime – and its seven related channels to its Internet TV service – Sling TV. The cable company also plans to include some more channels aimed at families and Spanish-language viewers.
Dish Network’s customers can now avail Showtime in their channel package for an extra $10 per month. With the launch of Showtime, Sling TV claims that it will be the first over-the-top (OTT) Internet TV streaming service to (optionally) offer all four “premium” networks: HBO, Showtime, Cinemax and Starz.
Another prominent player in the OTT space, Sony Corporation’s Playstation Vue, offers HBO and Showtime, but not Cinemax or Starz. AT&T Inc.’s (T - Free Report) DirecTV Now has HBO, Cinemax, and Starz but not Showtime.
Notably, the add-on of Showtime in Dish Network’s Internet TV service has come ahead of the launch of YouTube TV and Hulu’s live TV service. Also, YouTube TV offers Showtime as an add-on, but it misses out on HBO, Cinemax and Starz among others.
However, in trying to pull offf a deal with CBS Corporation for Showtime, Sling TV still lacks a deal for the CBS Broadcast Network.
Recent Events
Last month, U.S. national wireless carrier Sprint Corp. (S - Free Report) went ahead to promote its unlimited data plans by offering its customers DISH Networks’ Sling TV service free of cost, if the customer adds four or more lines on its Unlimited Freedom plan. The offer is currently available to new and existing Sprint customers in Atlanta and Chicago.
Bottom Line
We are impressed with DISH Network’s efforts to diversify its business model from being a pure-play satellite-TV operator to an Internet TV operator. The company is poised to benefit from Sling TV which offers services at a reasonable rate. This should help the company counter competitive threats from low-cost video streaming operators. Meanwhile, the online streaming service is gaining momentum.
However, DISH Network’s top-line growth remains under pressure because of its failure to strike any deal with wireless operators to deploy a nationwide wireless network and renew long-term programming contracts. Persistent loss of subscribers, mounting programming and content expenses as well as retransmission fees may also hurt the company’s margins.
We assume that these downturns affected the company’s price performance over the past three months. DISH Network’s shares rallied around 1.9% compared with roughly 10.7% gain for Zacks-categorized Cable Television industry in the same time frame.
DISH Network currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
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In addition to the recommendations that are available to the public on our website, how would you like to follow all Zacks' private buys and sells in real time?
Our experts cover all kinds of trades… from value to momentum . . . from stocks under $10 to ETF and option moves . . . from stocks that corporate insiders are buying up to companies that are about to report positive earnings surprises. You can even look inside exclusive portfolios that are normally closed to new investors. Starting today, for the next month, you can have unrestricted access. Click here for Zacks' private trades >>