The traditional pay TV landscape is undergoing a major shift as cord-cutting accelerates. Consumers are increasingly dropping their expensive cable and satellite packages in favor of cheaper streaming alternatives.
One emerging option that offers a middle ground for viewers is the “skinny bundle.” Skinny bundles provide a subset of the most popular cable channels at a lower monthly price.
They give consumers the ability to stream top networks live while reducing bloat and cost.
In this article, we’ll explore what exactly skinny bundles are, their key features, major providers, how they compare to other streaming services and the outlook for this segment of the market.
With the average cable bill now over $100 per month, skinny bundles present an opportunity to get the desired live TV at a fraction of the cost.
Their lower pricing and flexibility make them an attractive alternative as consumer viewing habits evolve.
What Are Skinny Bundles?
Skinny bundles, sometimes called “slim bundles,” offer a sampling of popular cable TV channels delivered over the Internet.
They represent a new type of stripped-down live TV streaming service. The “skinny” part refers to how they provide a slimmed-down bundle of channels compared to a traditional cable package with hundreds of offerings.
Some key characteristics of skinny bundle services:
- Live streams of popular channels like ESPN, TNT, FX, Discovery, etc.
- Smaller channel bundles – Typically under 60 channels
- No contracts – Subscribe month-to-month
- Lower monthly price – Starting around $40 per month
- Available on many streaming devices – Smartphones, tablets, computers, etc.
The exact channels, features, and pricing differ among providers. But the main appeal of skinny bundles is the ability to stream live TV with your favorite channels at a lower cost.
They offer a balanced selection without the many lesser-watched channels in cable packages.
Major Skinny Bundle Providers
Some top services in the skinny bundle category include:
- YouTube TV – Offers over 85+ channels for $64.99 a month. Includes unlimited DVR storage.
- Hulu Live – 75+ live channels plus Hulu on-demand for $69.99 monthly.
- Sling TV – Starting at $35/month for 30+ channels. Add-on packs are available.
- Philo – 59+ channels focused on entertainment starting at $25/month.
- FuboTV – Sports-centric bundle with 100+ channels for $69.99/month.
- AT&T TV Now – 45+ channels for $69.99/month. Unlimited DVR upgrade available.
These providers let you build a package with your preferred channels at a more affordable rate than cable or satellite.
Most include major broadcast networks, sports channels like ESPN, and popular cable stations.
Features and Benefits
Skinny bundles provide a slimmed-down alternative to bulky cable packages. Here are some of the main features and benefits skinny bundle services offer:
- Affordability – The main appeal is lower pricing. Packages start around $40 per month rather than $100+ for cable. Savings add up over time.
- No Contracts – No long-term commitments. Subscribe month-to-month and cancel at any time. Much more flexibility.
- Live TV – Get live streams of top cable channels. Follow sports, news, and shows as they air.
- Cloud DVR – Many services include cloud DVR capacity to record and replay shows. Storage varies by provider.
- Customization – Pick the channels and features you want most. Avoid paying for channels you never watch.
- Simplicity – Easy streaming setup without cable boxes or installation required. Just sign up online and start watching.
- Device Support – Access across smartphones, tablets, computers, smart TVs, and other streaming gadgets.
For budget-conscious consumers, skinny bundles strike an appealing balance of desired live TV channels in a cost-effective streaming package.
Skinny Bundles vs. Other Streaming Options
How do skinny bundles compare to some other major streaming TV alternatives out there? Here’s a quick rundown:
vs. Cable/Satellite
Skinny bundles provide cheaper pricing and more flexibility. But cable/satellite offers more channels, often better picture quality, and access to regional sports.
vs. vMVPD
Skinny bundles have fewer channels overall. vMVPD aims to closely replicate the full cable TV experience over streaming.
vs. On-Demand
Skinny bundles focus on live TV while on-demand services like Netflix offer a vast library of prerecorded movies and shows.
vs. Free Streaming
Ad-supported free streaming channels don’t offer the same selection of live sports, news, and other premium channels.
vs. Premium Channels
Standalone options like HBO Max have great originals but no live news or sports.
Among streaming choices, skinny bundles stand out for their emphasis on popular live channels at budget pricing. They offer a smart middle ground.
Outlook for Skinny Bundle Growth
According to research firm eMarketer, the number of skinny bundle subscribers is expected to climb from around 5 million in 2018 to nearly 24 million by 2022. Increased adoption will be driven by factors like:
- The ongoing rise of cord-cutting – Consumers continue fleeing high cable bills.
- Greater awareness – Skinny bundles remain lesser known versus leading streaming services.
- Content improvements – Providers are expanding channel options and enhancing streaming quality.
- Promotions – Bundling with wireless plans and other incentives will help attract users.
- Improved viewing experience – Faster/smoother streaming as technology improves.
However, skinny bundles also face challenges in gaining subscribers including:
- Consumer confusion – Many viewers don’t understand how they differ from other streaming options.
- Sports rights limitations – Rising sports programming costs make it tough to profitably offer all channels.
- Channel gaps – Some consumers perceive skinny bundle lineups as missing key channels.
- Increased competition – Major media giants launching standalone streaming services.
But overall, skinny bundles should see solid growth in the years ahead based on the strong value proposition of affordable live TV streaming.
Conclusion
For many cord-cutters seeking a middle ground between cable and purely on-demand services, skinny bundles offer an appealing option.
They provide live access to top-tier entertainment, news, and sports channels in an affordable and flexible streaming package.
While not quite as robust as virtual MVPDs, skinny bundles give budget-focused viewers a way to shed bulky cable bills but still enjoy plenty of live TV. Look for them to carve out a solid niche in the streaming landscape.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1. What are the typical skinny bundle channel lineups?
Ans. Lineups vary but often include 20-60 of the most popular cable channels like ESPN, TNT, USA, FX, Discovery, Fox News, Bravo, and AMC. Local broadcast networks are available based on your location.
Q2. How is the streaming quality with skinny bundles?
Ans. Most stream channels are in 720p or 1080p HD quality if your internet speeds are fast enough. Some providers also offer a small selection of channels in 4K. Streaming reliability depends on your broadband connection.
Q3. Can I customize my channel lineup?
Ans. To some degree, yes. Some skinny bundles allow you to pick and choose genre packs or add on certain channels for more customization. But you can’t hand-pick every single channel.
Q4. What limitations do skinny bundles have?
Ans. Fewer channels than cable. No long-term DVR storage. Occasional streaming hiccups. Limited options for regional sports. Rights restrictions on carrying certain networks.
Q5. Do skinny bundles require contracts?
Ans. No long contracts. You can subscribe month-to-month and cancel anytime. Much more flexibility than traditional cable or satellite TV providers.
