While it may not be as well-known as Netflix or Hulu, Sling TV has carved out a significant niche in the streaming wars since its launch in 2015 as the first service to offer live TV. It has since established itself as a cost-effective alternative to traditional cable, providing subscribers with access to numerous popular channels, a DVR service, and the flexibility to watch on up to three devices simultaneously, whether at home or on the go. Dive into the details below to discover everything you need to know about Sling TV, including its channel offerings, sports coverage, and pricing.
What Is Sling TV?
### Sling TV
250% off your first month!$45.99 save 50%$23.00 at Sling TVSling TV stands as a subscription-based live TV service that delivers a wide range of popular channels, live sports, news, and more without any long-term commitments. It's a go-to choice for those looking to cut the cord, offering a more budget-friendly option compared to services like YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV. Sling TV differentiates itself with tailored plans designed to cater to specific viewing preferences rather than a generic content lineup. Each plan comes with 50 hours of DVR storage, allowing you to record your favorite live TV, shows, and movies for later viewing.
A key distinction, and part of what makes Sling TV a more affordable choice, is the absence of local channels such as ABC, CBS, and NBC. To compensate, Sling TV suggests pairing your subscription with an HD antenna (sold separately) to access these local broadcasts.
Sling TV is compatible with a vast 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
16See it at Sling TVUnlike other live TV streaming services, such as Fubo, Sling TV does not provide a free trial for new subscribers. However, they do offer a related service called Sling Freestream, which provides an array 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 plans are priced at $45.99 per month but feature different channel lineups tailored to different interests. For those who want the complete package, combining the Orange and Blue plans gives access to a comprehensive 46-channel lineup, including all 22 exclusive channels, for $60.99 per month.
The Orange plan is ideal for sports enthusiasts and families, boasting channels like ESPN, Disney Channel, Cartoon Network, HGTV, Food Network, Lifetime, Nick Jr., Comedy Central, TBS, and more. It includes a total of 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 targets pro football fans and news aficionados, offering 43 channels, 16 of which are exclusive to news and entertainment. Notable channels include CNN, Bloomberg TV, Fox (in select markets), FS1, Fox News, MSNBC, and NFL Network. This plan allows streaming on up to three devices simultaneously.
Can You Watch Live Sports on Sling TV?
Absolutely, Sling TV offers live sports viewing, though local games may require an additional HD antenna (sold separately). With channels split between the Orange and Blue plans, you'll need to decide which sports networks align with your interests.
The Orange plan includes ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPN3, while the Blue plan features NFL Network and FS1. These channels cover a range of sports including NFL, NBA, MLB, and more. For avid sports fans, adding the sports bundle to your subscription can enhance your access to additional channels such as NCAA-specific networks, NFL Redzone, MLB Network, NBA TV, NBC Golf, and the Tennis Channel. This also means you can catch March Madness games on the service.
How Much Does Sling TV Cost?
As mentioned, Sling TV's Orange and Blue plans are priced at $45.99 per month each, with the option to combine them for $60.99 per month. There's currently a promotional offer of 50% off the first month for new subscribers. For further savings, you can prepay for three months at a reduced rate of $99.
You can enhance your Sling TV subscription with additional features. For avid DVR users, upgrading to the Unlimited Cloud DVR for an extra $5 per month allows you to record and save live sports events for up to three days using the Auto Record feature.
Sports fans can also opt for a sports bundle, priced between $11 and $15 per month, depending on your base plan, to gain access to even more live sports. For comprehensive NFL coverage, check out our guide on how to watch NFL games online.
For more information on other streaming platforms, explore guides on 2024 Hulu Subscriptions, Netflix Plans, ESPN+ Plans, and Disney+ Plans.