Sling TV might not be a household name like Netflix or Hulu, but it has carved out a significant niche in the streaming wars. Launched in 2015 as the first service to offer live TV streaming, it has since established itself as a cost-effective alternative to traditional cable subscriptions. Sling TV provides subscribers with a selection 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 the details below to discover more about Sling TV, including its channel offerings, sports coverage such as MLB games, and the monthly subscription 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 streaming service that offers a variety of popular channels, live sports, news, and more, without any long-term commitment. It's an attractive option for cord cutters looking for a more budget-friendly alternative to services like YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV. Sling TV differentiates itself by offering specialized plans tailored to specific viewer interests, rather than a generic content lineup. All plans come with 50 hours of DVR, allowing you to record and watch your favorite shows and movies at your convenience.
One key distinction (and a major factor in its affordability) is that Sling TV does not include local channels like ABC, CBS, and NBC. Instead, it suggests 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, there is a related free streaming service available. Sling Freestream provides numerous free channels and ad-supported content at no cost to you.
What Channels Does Sling TV Include?
Sling TV offers two main plans: Orange and Blue. Each plan costs $45.99 per month but features different channel lineups tailored to different interests. For a comprehensive experience, you can combine the Orange and Blue plans for $60.99 per month, gaining access to a total of 46 channels, including 22 exclusive channels.
The Orange plan is designed for sports enthusiasts 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 fans and news aficionados, offering 43 channels, including 16 exclusive news and entertainment channels. Highlights 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). With channels split between the Orange and Blue plans, 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. These channels offer a variety of live sporting events, including NFL, NBA, MLB, and more. Sports enthusiasts might want to consider adding Sling's sports bundle, which provides 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?
As mentioned, Sling TV's Orange or Blue plans are priced at $45.99 per month, or you can opt for the combined plan at $60.99 per month. Currently, there's a promotional offer where you can get 50% off your first month, regardless of the plan you choose. For even greater savings, you can prepay for three months for as low as $99.
Additional upgrades are available to enhance your Sling TV experience. If you often record live TV, you can upgrade to Sling's Unlimited Cloud DVR for an additional $5 per month, which includes an Auto Record feature that saves live sports events for up to three days.
Sports fans can add a sports bundle for $11-15 per month (depending on your base plan), which provides access to even more live sports. For comprehensive coverage of NFL games, learn 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.
