Sling TV and Roku are getting an early jump on Black Friday with deals and upcoming offers that arrive amid a forecast from the Consumer Technology Association that consumers will be buying tech-related toys and gizmos in record numbers starting next week.
Taking advantage of the fact that its service does not require an installation appointment, Sling TV said it’s offering gift cards at Walmart, Best Buy and GameStop stores around the country. Walmart stores will carry $25 Sling TV gift cards, while Best Buy and GameStop will offer them in increments up to $100. The cards, also offered at Sling.com and through eGifter, can be redeemed online.
On the device side, Sling TV is offering Apple TV boxes for $89 (versus a retail price of $149) to customers who prepay for three months of service, and 50% off a Roku Premiere+ (usually $100) under the same prepay option. It’s also offering a free Roku Streaming Stick when subs pony up for three months of service.
Roku has some of its own deals on the way:
-Roku Streaming Stick at Best Buy and other major retailers starting Nov. 20 for $35.99 (down from $49.99).
-Price cut on the Roku Express+ exclusively at Walmart for $25 (down from $39.99) starting Nov. 24.
-The Roku 2 for $44.99 exclusively at Kohl’s starting Nov. 21.
-The Roku 3 for $49.99 exclusively at Best Buy starting Nov. 24.
The CTA said it expects a record 116 million Americans – or about 47% of the adult population, will purchase tech or tech accessories during Black Friday Week.
Its 2016 Pre-Black Friday Survey anticipated a 10% jump in the number of U.S. adults planning to buy tech products from the Monday before Thanksgiving through Cyber Monday (November 21-28, 2016).
“By all accounts, the 2016 Black Friday week looks like it will be a record breaker for tech,” said Shawn DuBravac, Ph.D., chief economist, CTA, in a statement. “Even with delayed promotions from retailers and manufacturers, and signs of pre-election uncertainty, we expect consumer enthusiasm for technology purchases during the holidays to be higher than ever.”
CTA said the top 10 tech products shoppers plan to buy are:
- Televisions
- Laptop computers
- Smartphones
- Videogame consoles
- Tablet computers
- Headphones
- Tech accessories
- DVD or Blu-ray Disc players
- Digital cameras
- Wearables
Among other more specific categories, CTA expects 1.2 million drones to be sold in the U.S. during the Q4 holiday season, as well as 700,000 VR headsets, and 4.5 million 4K/Ultra HD TVs.
