Update: The person who submitted the screenshots and information to MacRumors has admitted that it was a hoax.

Sling TV customers who have been hoping for a tvOS app may soon be able to watch the service on their fourth-generation Apple TVs, as it appears a launch could be coming in the near future. This morning, a MacRumors reader came across a Sling TV app in the tvOS App Store, which he says "works great" after he downloaded it.

The app disappeared from the tvOS App Store shortly after he installed it, but screenshots show the app interface, complete with Sling channels to select from, and they depict the Sling TV app on the Home screen.

slingtvappicon
For those unfamiliar with Sling TV, it is an Internet-based streaming television service that's designed for cord cutters. Sling TV offers a $20 bundle of channels that can be watched live on a range of devices, from iPhones and iPads to Macs, consoles, and set-top boxes like the Amazon Fire TV and the Roku.

slingtvapp2
The third-generation Apple TV did not support Sling TV because Apple exercised strict control over the available content options, but with the fourth-generation Apple TV, Apple has loosened up its guidelines to make a much wider range of content available. With an inability to secure its own deals for a streaming television service, Apple has turned to making the tvOS App Store a way for content providers to offer a varied and rich selection of media options.

slingtvinterface
There was some speculation suggesting Apple had banned Sling from creating an Apple TV app, but a Sling representative later clarified that was not true, saying "We'd like to be on as many platforms as possible."

As recently as this morning, Sling said it had no information to divulge when questioned about the release of an Apple TV app, but the screenshots obtained this morning seem to suggest that an app is in the works and that it could be released in the near future.

Top Rated Comments

2010mini Avatar
120 months ago
Netflix yes. Amazon never.
Fixed it for you
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
SqB Avatar
120 months ago
This is great. No more suffering with my Fire Stick on Sling. Also nice that you can mount the ATV 4 out of line of sight since the remote is bluetooth.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
rweavere Avatar
120 months ago
I tried SlingTV. From my experience, watching Live TV was HORRIBLE, it was super laggy. However, if ESPN is all you care about, you can log into the WatchESPN app with your SlingTV account to get high quality video.

I used the Chromecast 3-month free trial. My 3 months ended, and I canceled. It wasn't a good enough experience to justify the $20/month.

I hope the native app runs much better than using it with AirPlay.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
rolsskk Avatar
120 months ago
Can I watch my Amazon and Netflix content on Apple TV ?
Netflix has had a native app on the ATV for some time now.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
\-V-/ Avatar
120 months ago
Can I watch my Amazon and Netflix content on Apple TV ?
Netflix yes. Amazon no.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
DoctorTech Avatar
120 months ago
I love it, one more step toward dismantling the cable company's grip on content. I am really looking forward to the day that I can purchase individual live channels on via Apple TV. I dumped my cable subscription years ago and currently watch the few shows I am interested in seeing (i.e. The Walking Dead) on iTunes the day after they are run live on cable.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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