Sling Founders Out of Company

**Scott Greczkowski** · 01-12-2009 04:44 PM

BREAKING - Sling Founders Leave Sling Media

SatelliteGuys.US has learned from various sources that SlingMedia founders Blake and Jason Krikorian, Cheif Creative Officer Ben White and Sling Media Entertainment President Jason Hirschhorn have left the company.

Sling was purchased a little over a year ago by Echostar and made major news last week with the announcement of Echostar's / Dish Network's new Slingloaded 922 HD DVR.

The days I was at the SlingMedia Booth at CES I did not see either Krikorian brother, nor did I see them at the big press conference which announced the exciting new Sling product.

We wish Blake, Jason and all the other Sling Team who is leaving all the best, and thank them for making one of the most kick ass products in the last 10 years... the Slingbox!

**MikeD-C05** · 01-12-2009 05:06 PM

Looks like the two sling founders didn't want to stay with Echostar in charge. Another conflict ? I hope this doesn't mean that sling media will go down hill.

**riffjim4069** · 01-12-2009 05:23 PM

I just came across this information while looking through the Yahoo Financials. I was surprised, but certainly not stunned. The article did not say if the Sling Team was being forced out or if they left voluntarily. I wonder....

Full Story

"The top executives at Sling Media, the people who brought you the Slingbox “place-shifting” TV gadget and Hulu competitor Sling.com, are leaving Echostar (SATS), more than a year after they sold their startup to the satellite TV company for $380 million cash.

Brothers Blake and Jason Krikorian, CEO and SVP-business development are out effective immediately. Jason Hirschhorn, who ran the company’s Sling Media Entertainment unit, plans on staying through the end of February; Ben White, chief creative officer at the entertainment group, will stay on through February 1st."

**dfergie** · 01-12-2009 05:52 PM

I believe I saw Blake on the Dish Network Side of the booth wearing the Dish network clothing...Saturday Morning...

**MikeD-C05** · 01-12-2009 05:56 PM

Thats what did it!

Have you seen the DISHNETWORK clothing? I would of quit too if I had to wear it.

**guapoharry** · 01-12-2009 07:52 PM

chief

**GaryPen** · 01-12-2009 07:58 PM

Ruh roh.

**dfergie** · 01-12-2009 08:05 PM

That was Saturday Morning at the Dish Booth before the show opened...(Sling Booth was on opposite side of the Dish Booth)

**jdmacor** · 01-12-2009 08:13 PM

I wouldn't be surprised if their was some sort of earnout involved; namely, shares of Dish in return for a minimum one year of service. It is pretty standard procedure with acquisitions. Then again, this is all speculation...