Sling TV today announced an upcoming free experience for Roku users that will allow them to try out the streaming TV service without starting a free trial or entering payment information.
The Sling TV app on Roku for new users now features a “browse as guest” option allowing them to watch free shows, rent pay-per-view events and subscribe to standalone channels on Sling. But there are some limitations. Roku users will not be able to access the entire Sling TV experience, but they can access free on-demand movies and shows available on Sling, as well as subscribe to the offered standalone channels without starting an account or free trial.
The launch is initially beginning with only select Roku users and will continue to be rolled out to all Roku users. The company is also planning on offering the feature on other devices in the future.
Sling TV is also updating the search function within its Roku, Amazon and Android TV apps. The search screen will now automatically display “Popular Searches,” allowing users to browse through the most searched-for content each day. Search results now show up organized into categories like “Top Results,” “Movies,” “Shows” and “Channels.”
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Sling TV is also adding a feature that prompts users to watch the next episode in an on-demand or recorded series (or just play it automatically) if it’s available on Sling. That feature is now available for Roku, but the company said it will come to other devices in the future.
The changes to the Sling TV app for Roku arrive shortly after the company made updates to its Apple TV app. The company is adding more images and information to the channel grid along with a description and a photo preview of content after it is selected. The service is also making its channel listings larger to make the guide easier to read. That means subscribers will now see five channels at a time in 1.5-hour increments.