While it might 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 first service to offer live TV streaming, positioning itself as an affordable alternative to traditional cable subscriptions. Subscribers enjoy access to numerous popular channels, a DVR service, and the flexibility to watch on up to three devices, whether at home or on the go. Below, we provide a comprehensive overview of Sling TV, covering its channel offerings, sports availability including MLB games, and monthly costs.
### 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 a wide array of popular channels, live sports, and news without any long-term commitment. It's a top pick for cord cutters, offering more affordable options than competitors like YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV. Sling TV tailors its plans to cater to specific viewer interests, rather than adopting a one-size-fits-all approach. All plans come with 50 hours of DVR, allowing you to record live TV and your favorite shows and movies for later viewing.
A key difference—and a major reason for its lower cost—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 local programming.
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.
### 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.
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 specific interests. For those wanting a comprehensive package, you can combine the Orange and Blue plans for $60.99 per month, accessing all 46 channels, including 22 exclusive ones.
The Orange plan, ideal for sports fans and families, includes channels like ESPN, Disney Channel, Cartoon Network, HGTV, Food Network, Lifetime, Nick Jr., Comedy Central, TBS, and more. It offers 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, designed for pro football fans and news enthusiasts, includes 43 channels (16 of which are exclusive news and entertainment channels). Highlights include CNN, Bloomberg TV, Fox (in select markets), FS1, Fox News, MSNBC, NFL Network, and more. This plan supports streaming on up to three devices simultaneously.
Yes, Sling TV offers live sports viewing, though most local games require an additional HD antenna (sold separately). Given the split between the Orange and Blue plans, you'll need to choose which sports networks are essential for you.
The Orange plan includes ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPN3, while the Blue plan features NFL Network and FS1. These channels cover a variety of live sports including NFL, NBA, MLB, and more. Sports enthusiasts might consider adding Sling's sports bundle for $11-15/month (depending on the base plan) to access additional channels such as NCAA-specific networks, NFL Redzone, MLB Network, NBA TV, NBC Golf, and the Tennis Channel. This service also enables you to watch March Madness games.
Sling TV's Orange and Blue plans are available for $45.99 per month, with the option to combine them for $60.99 per month, accessing all channels. Currently, there's a limited-time offer of 50% off your first month. For further savings, you can prepay for three months at a discounted rate as low as $99.
Additional upgrades are available to enhance your Sling TV experience. For those who record live TV frequently, you can upgrade to the Unlimited Cloud DVR for an extra $5/month, which includes an Auto Record feature that saves live sporting events for up to three days.
Sports fans can add a sports bundle for $11-15/mo, depending on their base plan, to enjoy even more live sports. For detailed coverage on how to watch NFL games online, check out our guide.
For more information on other streaming platforms, explore our guides on 2024 Hulu Subscriptions, Netflix Plans, ESPN+ Plans, and Disney+ Plans.