Dish Network has confirmed over 100,000 people subscribed to Sling TV -- the new standalone internet TV service -- in the first month of operation.

The early adoption is encouraging considering this is one of the first internet TV services offering live cable TV alongside on-demand catch up.

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Sling TV offers 16 channels on its basic service for $20 per month with sports, news and movies as extra bundles for $5 per month each. It is part of Dish's growing commitment to cord cutters, getting in early before Comcast and other cable companies turn cloak.

ESPN, CNN and AMC are part of Sling TV and Dish has shown it will not add bottom-feeder channels to the service. This adds a lot of value to customers that want to view one certain show, offering them a sort-of a-la-carte system where they don't need to buy into TV, broadband and landline.

Dish may have got a surge in subscribers through Fire and Roku TV deals, allowing customers on these platforms to get the internet TV service for a cheaper price.

The momentum could push Dish to acquire licenses for more cable channels. If it can keep the entry level $20 per month and push towards more modulation of content, it could lead to even more customizations on Sling TV.

The launch of HBO Now could cause some problems for Dish in the long-term however. If HBO can sell its content at a premium of $15 per month, it makes ESPN, AMC and other channels seem cheap in comparison.

Even if HBO is one of the more expensive pay-TV channels available, ESPN is one of the most viewed and customers may be inclined to pay a premium to watch all of the sports in the U.S., a much higher premium than the one being paid currently.

TagsDish Network, Sling TV, Internet TV