Sling TV discontinues day-pass cable option following legal battles

Dish-owned Sling TV has eliminated its Sling Pass program, which had offered flexible, short-term access to major cable networks without requiring a monthly subscription commitment.

What Sling Pass offered#

The feature, introduced last year, gave users three options for temporary viewing access: single-day passes, weekend packages, and week-long subscriptions. Subscribers could watch premium channels like ESPN and CNN on a pay-as-you-go basis rather than committing to full monthly plans.

Legal obstacles pile up#

Sling TV faced significant legal challenges almost immediately after launching the service. Major media conglomerates Disney and Warner Bros. Discovery both sued the platform, arguing the short-term pass model violated their licensing agreements. However, a federal court sided with Sling TV, denying Disney's request for a preliminary injunction that would have blocked the feature from operating.

Despite the legal victory, Sling TV has chosen to discontinue the program anyway.

Company statement#

In a statement posted on its website, Sling TV framed the decision as part of its broader mission: "Sling was built to give our customers the ultimate control over their entertainment, and Sling Passes delivered on that promise for millions," the company said. The service indicated it would continue exploring new ways to serve its customer base, though specifics on future offerings were not disclosed.

The decision marks the end of one of streaming's more novel attempts to challenge traditional cable bundling practices.