Although it may not be as widely recognized as Netflix or Hulu, Sling TV has carved out a significant niche in the streaming wars. Launched in 2015, it was the first service to offer live TV streaming, positioning itself as a cost-effective alternative to traditional cable subscriptions. Sling TV provides subscribers with a variety of popular channels, a DVR service, and the flexibility to watch content at home or on the go on up to three devices. Below is a comprehensive guide to Sling TV, including details on available channels, sports offerings like MLB games, and monthly costs.
What Is Sling TV?
### Sling TV
250% off your first month!$45.99 save 50%$23.00 at Sling TVSling TV is a subscription-based live TV service that offers an array of popular channels, live sports, news, and more, without requiring a long-term commitment. It's a top choice for cord cutters due to its affordability compared to other live TV streaming giants like YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV. Sling TV features tailored plans that cater to specific interests, rather than a one-size-fits-all approach. All plans come with 50 hours of DVR, enabling you to record live TV and your favorite shows and movies for later viewing.
A key differentiator—and part of what makes Sling TV more budget-friendly—is the absence of local channels like ABC, CBS, and NBC. Sling recommends pairing your subscription with an HD antenna (sold separately) to access these local channels.
Sling TV is compatible with a wide range 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 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 main plans: Orange and Blue, each costing $45.99 per month but featuring different channel lineups tailored to different interests. For those who want the full experience, combining the Orange and Blue plans provides access to all 46 channels, including 22 exclusive channels, for a combined rate of $60.99 per month.
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. This plan includes 35 channels (with eight exclusive to this plan) and allows viewing on one device at a time, with options to add more devices if needed.
The Blue plan caters to pro football fans and news enthusiasts, offering 43 channels (with 16 exclusive news and entertainment channels). Notable channels include CNN, Bloomberg TV, Fox (in select markets), FS1, Fox News, MSNBC, NFL Network, and more. This plan allows streaming on up to three devices simultaneously.
Can You Watch Live Sports on Sling TV?
Yes, you can enjoy live sports on Sling TV, although local games may require an additional HD antenna (sold separately). Since the sports channels are divided 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 broadcast a variety of live sporting events, including NFL, NBA, MLB, and more. For avid sports fans, adding Sling's sports bundle for $11-15/month (depending on your base plan) unlocks even more channels, such as 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?
As mentioned earlier, Sling TV offers its Orange or Blue plans for $45.99 per month, with the option to combine them for all channels at $60.99 per month. There's also a limited-time offer providing 50% off your first month, regardless of the plan you choose. For additional savings, you can prepay for three months of Sling TV for as low as $99.
You can enhance your Sling TV subscription with additional upgrades. For frequent DVR users, the Unlimited Cloud DVR upgrade costs an extra $5/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/mo (depending on your base plan), which provides access to more live sports. If you're looking for the best way to catch NFL games, here's how to watch NFL games online.
For more insights into streaming platforms, explore guides on 2024 Hulu Subscriptions, Netflix Plans, ESPN+ Plans, and Disney+ Plans.
