Stagnation TV? Sling TV Ends 2021 with 2.5 Million Subscribers, Less Than It Had Two Years Ago

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Dish Network's virtual pay TV platform continues to spin its wheels, with $5 price increase once again muting growth

Sling TV Magnite programmatic
(Image credit: Sling TV)

Dish Network said its seminal virtual MVPD service Sling TV ended 2021 with 2.49 million subscribers, marking a decrease of 107,000 users in Q4 and putting the platform's customer base below where it stood two years ago. 

Sling TV raised its prices by $5 across tiers in the fourth quarter. 

Overall, Dish reported the loss of 273,000 pay TV customers in the fourth quarter, factoring in satellite TV losses, too. 

Dish, which is pivoting to wireless, reported a full-year 15% revenue uptick to $17.88 billion. 

"Sling is a profitable business that will grow. It's going to require a little patience, but with the platform overhaul last year, we're now positioned to be able to innovate and enhance the customer experience with new features and differentiated offerings," Dish CEO Erik Carlson said during Thursday's Dish Network Q4 earnings call. 

Daniel Frankel
Daniel Frankel

Daniel Frankel is the managing editor of Next TV, an internet publishing vertical focused on the business of video streaming. A Los Angeles-based writer and editor who has covered the media and technology industries for more than two decades, Daniel has worked on staff for publications including E! Online, Electronic Media, Mediaweek, Variety, paidContent and GigaOm. You can start living a healthier life with greater wealth and prosperity by following Daniel on Twitter today!