Although it may not be as well-known as Netflix or Hulu, Sling TV has carved out a significant niche in the streaming landscape. Launched in 2015, it was the first service to offer live TV streaming, positioning itself as a cost-effective alternative to traditional cable subscriptions. With a variety of popular channels, DVR service, and the flexibility to watch on up to three devices simultaneously, Sling TV caters to viewers looking to cut the cord without missing out on their favorite shows and sports. Dive into the details below to understand what Sling TV offers, including channel lineups, sports coverage such as MLB games, and the monthly cost.
What Is Sling TV?
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Sling TV is a subscription-based live TV streaming service that provides access to numerous popular channels, live sports, news, and more, without any long-term commitment. It's an attractive option for cord-cutters due to its affordability compared to other live TV streaming services like YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV. Sling TV offers various plans tailored to different viewer preferences, rather than a one-size-fits-all approach. Each plan comes with 50 hours of DVR storage, allowing you to record live TV and watch your favorite shows and movies at your convenience.
One key distinction—and a major factor in its lower pricing—is that Sling TV does not include local channels like ABC, CBS, and NBC. To access these, Sling recommends pairing your subscription with an HD antenna, which is sold separately.
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?
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Unlike many other live TV streaming services, such as Fubo, Sling TV does not offer a free trial for new subscribers. However, it does provide a 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 primary plans: Orange and Blue. Both plans are priced at $45.99 per month but cater to different viewing preferences. For those who want access to all available channels, you can combine the Orange and Blue plans for a comprehensive lineup of 46 channels, including 22 exclusive channels, at a combined rate of $60.99 per month.
The Orange plan is ideal for sports enthusiasts and families, featuring channels like 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 Orange, and supports streaming on one device at a time, with the option to add more devices.
The Blue plan, on the other hand, is designed for football fans and news junkies, offering 43 channels, 16 of which are exclusive news and entertainment channels. Notable channels 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 coverage, although most local games are not available without an additional HD antenna. Given that the sports channels are split 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, whereas the Blue plan features NFL Network and FS1. These channels cover a wide range of sports, including NFL, NBA, MLB, and more. For avid sports fans, adding the sports bundle to your subscription can unlock additional channels such as NCAA-specific networks, NFL Redzone, MLB Network, NBA TV, NBC Golf, and the Tennis Channel. This also means you can watch March Madness games through this service.
How Much Does Sling TV Cost?
As mentioned earlier, the Orange and Blue plans are priced at $45.99 per month each, or you can combine them for $60.99 per month to access all channels. Currently, Sling TV is offering a promotional deal of 50% off the first month for new subscribers. For further savings, you can prepay for three months of service starting at $99.
Additional features and channel packages can enhance your Sling TV experience. For example, you can upgrade to Unlimited Cloud DVR for an extra $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 their base plan, to gain access to more live sports channels. If you're keen on watching NFL games, here's 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.