Sling TV may not be as widely recognized as Netflix or Hulu, but it has carved out a significant niche in the streaming market since its launch in 2015. As the pioneer of live TV streaming services, Sling TV offers a cost-effective alternative to traditional cable subscriptions. It provides subscribers with a variety of popular channels, a DVR service, and the flexibility to watch on up to three devices at home or on the go. Below is a comprehensive overview of what Sling TV has to offer, including its channel lineup, 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 provides a range of popular channels, live sports, news, and more, without the need for a long-term commitment. It's an attractive option for those looking to cut the cord, offering more affordable pricing than competitors like YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV. Sling TV's unique approach allows subscribers to choose from different plans tailored to specific interests rather than a one-size-fits-all package. 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 of Sling TV, and part of why it's more budget-friendly, is that it does not include local channels like ABC, CBS, and NBC. Instead, Sling recommends pairing your subscription with an HD antenna (sold separately) to access local programming.
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 such as Fubo, Sling TV does not offer a free trial for new subscribers. However, it does provide a free streaming service called Sling Freestream, which offers a variety of 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 priced at $45.99 per month but featuring different channel lineups to cater to varied interests. For those who want access to the full range of channels, combining the Orange and Blue plans costs $60.99 per month and provides a total of 46 channels, including all 22 exclusive channels.
The Orange plan is ideal for sports fans and families, including channels such as ESPN, Disney Channel, Cartoon Network, HGTV, Food Network, Lifetime, Nick Jr., Comedy Central, TBS, and more. It offers 35 channels, with eight being exclusive to this plan, and allows streaming on one device at a time, with the option to add more.
The Blue plan, tailored for pro football enthusiasts and news aficionados, features 43 channels, with 16 exclusive news and entertainment channels. Notable channels include CNN, Bloomberg TV, Fox (in select markets), FS1, Fox News, MSNBC, and NFL Network. This plan supports streaming on up to three devices simultaneously.
Can You Watch Live Sports on Sling TV?
Yes, Sling TV offers live sports coverage, although local games may require an additional HD antenna (sold separately). The availability of sports channels depends on which plan you choose. The Orange plan includes ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPN3, while the Blue plan features NFL Network and FS1. You can watch a variety of live sports, including NFL, NBA, MLB, and more, across these channels. For avid sports fans, adding the sports bundle enhances access to 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, with the option to combine them for $60.99 per month to access all channels. Currently, Sling offers a limited-time deal providing 50% off the first month of your chosen subscription. For further savings, you can prepay for three months for as low as $99.
Additional upgrades are available to enhance your Sling TV experience. For an extra $5 per month, you can upgrade to Unlimited Cloud DVR, which includes an Auto Record feature to save live sporting events for up to three days. Sports enthusiasts can add a sports bundle for $11-15 per month (depending on the base plan), gaining access to even more live sports channels. For those interested in NFL games, here's how to watch NFL games online.
For more information on other streaming services, explore guides on 2024 Hulu Subscriptions, Netflix Plans, ESPN+ Plans, and Disney+ Plans.
