The Sling booth was my first stop at CES, yet I managed to walk right by the one real surprise. Sling’s 15″ WiFi monitor displays (only) streamed video from a “SlingLoaded” DISH ViP 922 DVR within the home. Sort of a SlingCatcher, without additional media adapter functionality. Unfortunately, this product will not be available in retail and will not function with standalone Slingboxes. It’s solely meant to extend the DISH 922 experience. No pricing or timing info, although it’s expected to be available in conjunction with the DISH DVR this spring.
Somewhat related to Echo/Sling’s new strategy of serving only DISH customers, PaidContent was first to report on a mass Sling Media exodus yesterday – including the loss of founder Blake Krikorian. Of course, five senior level folks on two coasts don’t coincidentally leave on the same day without some encouragement, or perhaps frustration, from above. It’s the end of an era.