Although it may not be as well-known as Netflix or Hulu, Sling TV has carved out a significant niche in the streaming wars. Launched in 2015, it was the pioneering service to offer live TV streaming, providing a cost-effective alternative to traditional cable subscriptions. With a variety of popular channels, DVR capabilities, and the flexibility to watch on up to three devices at home or on the go, Sling TV has become a go-to choice for many. Below, you'll find a comprehensive overview of what Sling TV offers, including channel lineups, sports coverage like MLB games, and monthly costs.
What Is Sling TV?
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Sling TV is a subscription-based live TV streaming service that offers a diverse selection of popular channels, live sports, and news without the need for a long-term commitment. It stands out as a top pick for cord cutters due to its affordability compared to services like YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV. Sling TV provides different plans tailored to specific interests, rather than a generic content package. Each plan comes with 50 hours of DVR storage, allowing you to record and watch your favorite shows and movies at your convenience.
A key difference, and part of what makes Sling TV more budget-friendly, is that it does not include local channels like ABC, CBS, and NBC. However, Sling suggests pairing your subscription with an HD antenna (sold separately) to access these local channels.
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?
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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 related free streaming service called Sling Freestream, which offers a multitude of free channels and ad-supported content at no cost.
What Channels Does Sling TV Include?
Sling TV offers two main plans: Orange and Blue, each priced at $45.99 per month but with different channel lineups to cater to various preferences. For those who want everything, you can combine the Orange and Blue plans for a comprehensive 46-channel lineup, including all 22 exclusive channels, at a combined rate of $60.99 per month.
The Orange plan is designed for sports enthusiasts and families, featuring channels such as ESPN, Disney Channel, Cartoon Network, HGTV, Food Network, Lifetime, Nick Jr., Comedy Central, TBS, and more. This plan includes 35 channels, with eight exclusive to this package, and supports streaming on one device at a time, though additional devices can be added.
The Blue plan, on the other hand, is geared towards pro football fans and news aficionados, including a total of 43 channels with 16 exclusive news and entertainment options. Highlights include CNN, Bloomberg TV, Fox (in select markets), FS1, Fox News, MSNBC, and NFL Network. The Blue plan allows 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). The channel split between the Orange and Blue plans means you'll need to choose which sports networks are most important to you. The Orange plan includes ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPN3, while the Blue plan features NFL Network and FS1. You can watch a variety of live sporting events, including NFL, NBA, MLB, and more. For avid sports fans, adding Sling's sports bundle at $11-15 per month (depending on your base plan) provides access to additional channels like NCAA-specific networks, NFL Redzone, MLB Network, NBA TV, NBC Golf, and the Tennis Channel. This also means you can enjoy March Madness games on the service.
How Much Does Sling TV Cost?
As mentioned earlier, Sling TV's Orange and Blue plans are each priced at $45.99 per month, with the option to combine them for $60.99 per month to access all channels. Currently, Sling is offering a limited-time promotion of 50% off your first month. For further savings, you can prepay for three months of service for as low as $99.
Additional upgrades are available to enhance your Sling TV experience. For avid DVR users, the Unlimited Cloud DVR upgrade costs an extra $5 per month and allows you to save live sporting events for up to three days with its Auto Record feature. Sports enthusiasts can add a sports bundle for $11-15 per month, depending on the base plan, to gain access to more live sports coverage. For those interested in NFL games, here's how to watch NFL games online.
For more information on other streaming platforms, check out guides on 2024 Hulu Subscriptions, Netflix Plans, ESPN+ Plans, and Disney+ Plans.
