When it comes to TV channel providers, Skinny bundles are an affordable, streamlined alternative to the expensive and often unnecessary ordinary packages. The first skinny bundles were launched in 2015 by Sling TV, which provides streaming as well as multichannel services to customers, with options to customize their packages with additional channels. Here we will see about What Is A Skinny Bundle?
A Skinny Bundle refers to cheaper packages offered by cable, streaming, or satellite TV companies with lesser channels than the traditional packages. It can also mean a slimmed-down bundle of the Internet combined with a basic or simple TV package. Recent studies have shown that Netflix racks up to more than 35% of the total online traffic in the US and also the average American viewer watches only 17 channels per month, which means most viewers do not need 100 to 200 channels. Skinny bundles offer packages at much fewer costs with a preset number of channels, generally sorted by them such as lifestyle, sports, etc. and since they are streaming services, customers can view their favorite channels across all platforms on a variety of devices.
Best Skinny Bundle In The Market
Skinny bundles vary depending on the company providing them, and most models allow for a base package with add-ons. The most popular providers currently in the market are:
- Sling TV – allow customers to pick a base package which is customizable with add-ons for single or bundles of channels.
- Philo – was created to be the cheapest skinny bundle, which is achieved by cutting sports and local channels from their bundle options. They provide very competitive prices for all the other packages and are ideal for customers who do not require sports or local channels.
- Hulu – started by Discovery primarily as an SVOD service, Hulu has a skinny bundle available too. It is provided by Hulu+ Live Tv, which has skinny bundles available for all types of viewers and at great prices.
- FuboTV – provides skinny bundles of sports channels exclusively and is the ideal streaming service for sports aficionados.
- DIRECTV – launched by AT&T in 2016, they offer great channels in their skinny bundles and can be streamed across multiple platforms and devices, as well as live streaming services and video on demand.
- YouTube TV – this skinny bundle is offered by Google, and is a newly created streaming platform that provides a lot of great channels both from tv networks and online streaming platforms.
- Peacock – this is an OTA service provider launched in 2020 by NBC
The Need For Skinny Bundles
Ever since the launch of the first skinny bundles in 2015, they have gained more than 5 million viewers across different service providers, leading to an increase in the channels that are being marketed for content creators.
- Skinny bundles were created to reduce the viewers’ cost of traditional packages and to diversify the viewing audience by providing broadcasts across multiple platforms and devices.
- They also were supposed to increase the number of adolescent viewers and was particularly targeted towards the millennial who were gradually moving away from traditional TV viewing.
- Many skinny bundles providers released them to compete with the rising popularity of streaming platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime, and to provide an affordable alternative to their regular customers while bringing in new business.
Effects Of Skinny Bundles In The Broadcasting Business
- Tech Giants like YouTube TV, Facebook and Amazon, and Apple are becoming more prominent in OTA and OTT services with more original content being created and streamed to a targeted audience at attractive prices.
- Broadcast networks like NBC, PBS, Fox, and CBS are the ones with the most popular TV shows and also broadcast sports, news, and original content. They are now streamlining their services and offering multiservice options to customers to maintain their positions at the top.
- The sports leagues in the USA have experienced a decline in ratings as the viewership is slowly migrating towards other genres of shows, but many social media websites and streaming services are looking to pick them up in their skinny bundles.
Conclusion:
Within a few years of being implemented, skinny bundles have opened up a brand new vista of opportunities, both for broadcasting companies and for viewers. Skinny bundles let you watch whatever you want and only pay for what you watch. Companies like Sling TV, Peacock, and Philo offer prime channels to viewers while charging much less for their viewing needs than traditional bundles. They also offer streaming across multiple platforms, so you can watch your favorite shows on the go!
Frequently Asked Questions
- What are the benefits of the skinny bundle?
They are most attractive to the younger population who have never subscribed to traditional cable packages.
- How much do skinny bundles cost?
Skinny bundles range from $20-$40 depending on the type of bundle you’re looking for.
- Can I get a skinny bundle from my cable operator?
Many cable providers are starting to provide skinny bundles to customers to retain customers, so you can ask your local cable provider for available packages.
