Sling Media loses most of its top brass

Sling Media announced today that they've lost their top executives, including co-founders (and brothers) Blake and Jason Krikorian, CEO and SVP of business development respectively. Also on the way out is Jason Hirschhorn and Ben White, President and Chief Creative Officer of Sling Media Entertainment Group, and Greg Wilkes the VP of sales. paidContent spoke with the effervescent Blake Krikorian, who said, "I'm out of there now. I want to just cut it ... it's best just to get it done because it's not easy." So much for being stoked about that EchoStar acquisition, huh?

[Like_A_Glove @ Jan 13th 2009 4:26AM]

Well, that's sad.
Wait and see if Sling still kicks without its old brass.
Wish their business is not messed up in anyway.

[northpole @ Jan 13th 2009 4:29AM]

O gosh, now where do I go to get my tv streamed to my nokia phone!

[Dave @ Jan 14th 2009 12:10AM]

Why would your current SlingBox stop working? It's not like they're going to shut down the nameservers. If they do you could still manually setup your own third party solution.

But if you are still looking for a similar but different solution and you have a computer you leave on at home you might wander over to Orb.com for a pretty awesome experience.

[roflercopterer @ Jan 13th 2009 4:31AM]

eff a bunch of scroogey echostar mofos

[Mr. S. @ Jan 13th 2009 4:33AM]

Uhm, well... I do like my french fry potatos. uh hua!

[mark1107 @ Jan 13th 2009 4:34AM]

I know I'm slow here, but what has been going on that has lead up to this?

[Shinigami @ Jan 13th 2009 4:50AM]

...life?
I guess I'm slow too...

[superhobo @ Jan 13th 2009 6:18AM]

I don't know if I should care or not.

[Mike Patterson @ Jan 13th 2009 6:36AM]

I just want an iphone app dammit. I don't care about the human resources issues!

[bounderboy @ Jan 13th 2009 8:05AM]

Blake Krikorian and bro were the life and soul of the company.. can't beleive they are gone.. will become another faceless company.. Blake even mailed me to congratulate me on my 2nd Daughters birth... that was soo cool

[Tankyu @ Jan 13th 2009 8:52AM]

"According to the report, Sling Media's senior executives agreed to stay a year following the company's acquisition by EchoStar for about $380 million. The year is up and it appears that the Sling's entrepreneurial leadership is walking away."

From http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-10141096-93.html?tag=mncol ; the read link would not come up for me.

[vpr @ Jan 13th 2009 8:57AM]

Having worked for Charlie Ergen, granted not high in his company, and meeting him... I'd say that he's one of those people that's hard to do business with. It's his way, or no way at all.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlie_Ergen

[kjb434 @ Jan 13th 2009 9:17AM]

The brothers made their money. Get out while the getting is good!

[Krmnnghia @ Jan 13th 2009 10:07AM]

LOL ^^^^

OMG the world is coming to an end! Run Run for your life! Sorry but people are still spending money and ridiculous amounts of it they are just doing so much smarter than before. I bought yet another large flat panel tv for the house but not until I found the perfect interest free financing and the best possible price.

[Frankenstein Black @ Jan 13th 2009 10:20AM]

"You cant invite the starving Vampires in and expect them not to drain your blood". Just sayin...

[Mile @ Jan 13th 2009 10:48AM]

Don't let our country hit you on the way out.

By the way, nice typing skillz you got there, bud.

[David @ Jan 13th 2009 11:10AM]

Hopefully the entrepreneurial life will lead them to create new products that are buried deep in their heads.
Congrats to a group whom actually created a working device and sold many.

[Dave @ Jan 14th 2009 12:16AM]

I second the thought that the evolution of the SlingBox has been pretty awesome to watch and be a part of from a user perspective. Another device I've enjoyed over the years that has lead a similar life has been my AudioTron by TurtleBeach. I can't say enough good stuff about these two devices.

[dirk1965 @ Jan 13th 2009 11:16AM]

Looks like they just walked. I wonder what 'really' happened for all of them go at once. There is something here someone isnt talking about yet.

[Chad @ Jan 13th 2009 12:36PM]

Maybe they will start a new company called Aidem Gnils and create a media device called Orp Aidem Gnils.

[James @ Jan 13th 2009 12:49PM]

Bumped up for being the most random comment I've ever seen on Engadget

[caffeinater @ Jan 13th 2009 1:46PM]

It's not random if you read it carefully

[Loki @ Jan 15th 2009 2:12AM]

... ohhh, I see what you did there.

[Guildenstern @ Jan 13th 2009 1:14PM]

Dude, quit commenting. You're embarrassing all the other Canadians.

[inteller @ Jan 13th 2009 1:34PM]

I thought all of these old school a-holes died off? Did they not get the message that slash and burn M&A techniques don't work anymore?

[Colin @ Jan 13th 2009 3:13PM]

Something tells me that Sling Media products will soon transform into devices focussed on getting you mostly Echostar content. It will be a shame if the hardware just turns into a fancy cable box.

[Lee @ Jan 13th 2009 7:13PM]

I worked for Charlie and all I can say is I don't blame these guys at all. Don't let the Charlie Chat fool you, he is one of the most difficult people to work for. It is either his way or no way at all. More talented people leave E* than any other company I have worked for. He is egotisical, difficult, and downright unfriendly.

[Godfail @ Jan 13th 2009 8:39PM]

How did this turn into another senseless America bash? FYI, we still have money and we still spend it on technology. However, if you ask me, Slingbox was both ahead of its time and behind itself - for something so forward thinking, the Pro model should have been loaded up with HDMI connections. That's primarily what prevented me from a purchase.

Otherwise, I don't know what country you're from but the global economy will eventually feel the same stranglehold as the American one. And I'm not sure exactly what you think our country produces but Agricultural products -- corn, soybeans, tobacco, cotton, pork, beef, chicken, etc -- are our primary export. Think of that the next time you eat our shite.

[Dave @ Jan 14th 2009 12:04AM]

Wouldn't that Aidem Gnils company you're suggesting they start actually be producing the Rop XobGnils? They could create a less expensive Rehctac Gnils while they're at it.