While it may not be as widely recognized as giants like Netflix or Hulu, Sling TV has carved out a significant niche in the streaming market. Launched in 2015, it pioneered live TV streaming, offering a cost-effective alternative to traditional cable subscriptions. Subscribers enjoy a variety of popular channels, a DVR service, and the flexibility to watch on up to three devices, whether at home or on the go. Dive into our comprehensive guide below to discover more about Sling TV, including its channel offerings, sports coverage such as MLB games, and monthly pricing.
What Is Sling TV?
Sling TV
250% off your first month!
$45.99 save 50%
$23.00 at Sling TV
Sling TV is a subscription-based live TV streaming service that offers a range of popular channels, live sports, news, and more without any long-term commitment. It's a favored option for those cutting the cord, being more budget-friendly than competitors like YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV. Sling TV differentiates itself with tailored plans that cater to specific interests, rather than a generic content lineup. All plans come with 50 hours of DVR storage, enabling you to record and watch your favorite shows and movies at your convenience.
A key distinction—and a reason for its lower cost—is the absence of local channels such as ABC, CBS, and NBC. To access these, Sling recommends pairing your subscription with an HD antenna (sold separately).
Sling TV is compatible with a wide array of devices, including Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire TV devices, PS5, PS4, Xbox consoles, select Samsung, LG, and Vizio smart TVs, Google TV, Xfinity devices, TiVo, and more.
Does Sling TV Have a Free Trial?
Sling TV Freestream
16
See it at Sling TV
Unlike other live TV streaming services like Fubo, Sling TV does not offer a free trial for new subscribers. However, it does provide a related free streaming service called Sling Freestream, which offers numerous free channels and ad-supported content at no cost.
What Channels Does Sling TV Include?
Sling TV offers two primary plans: Orange and Blue. Both are priced at $45.99 per month but feature different channel lineups tailored to different interests. For those wanting the full experience, combining the Orange and Blue plans provides access to the entire 46-channel lineup, including all 22 exclusive channels, for $60.99 per month.
The Orange plan is ideal for sports fans and families, featuring channels like ESPN, Disney Channel, Cartoon Network, HGTV, Food Network, Lifetime, Nick Jr., Comedy Central, TBS, and more. It includes 35 channels, with eight exclusive to this plan, and allows streaming on one device at a time, with the option to add more.
The Blue plan targets pro football enthusiasts and news aficionados, offering 43 channels, 16 of which are exclusive news and entertainment channels. Highlights include CNN, Bloomberg TV, Fox (in select markets), FS1, Fox News, MSNBC, NFL Network, and more. This plan supports streaming on up to three devices simultaneously.
Can You Watch Live Sports on Sling TV?
Yes, Sling TV offers live sports viewing, though most local games require an additional HD antenna (sold separately). With channels split between the Orange and Blue plans, you'll need to choose based on your preferred sports networks.
The Orange plan includes ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPN3, while the Blue plan features NFL Network and FS1. These channels cover a range of live sports, including NFL, NBA, MLB, and more. For avid sports fans, adding the sports bundle enhances access to additional channels like NCAA-specific networks, NFL Redzone, MLB Network, NBA TV, NBC Golf, and the Tennis Channel. This service also allows you to watch March Madness games.
How Much Does Sling TV Cost?
Sling TV's Orange and Blue plans are priced at $45.99 per month each, or you can combine them for $60.99 per month to access all channels. Currently, there's a limited-time offer of 50% off your first month. For further savings, you can prepay for three months starting at $99.
Additional upgrades are available to enhance your Sling TV experience. For frequent recorders, the Unlimited Cloud DVR upgrade costs an extra $5 per month and includes an Auto Record feature that saves live sports events for up to three days. Sports enthusiasts can add a sports bundle for $11-15 per month (depending on the base plan) to access more live sports. For comprehensive NFL coverage, explore how to watch NFL games online.
For more insights into streaming platforms, check out guides on 2024 Hulu Subscriptions, Netflix Plans, ESPN+ Plans, and Disney+ Plans.
