Although it might not be as well-known as Netflix or Hulu, Sling TV has carved out a significant niche in the streaming wars by being the pioneering service to offer live TV when it launched in 2015. Since then, it has established itself as a cost-effective alternative to traditional cable subscriptions, providing its users with access to numerous popular channels, a DVR service, and the flexibility to watch content at home or on the go across up to three devices. Dive into the details below to discover more about Sling TV, including its channel offerings, sports coverage like 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 service that offers a variety of popular channels, live sports, news, and more, without requiring a long-term commitment. It's a top pick for those cutting the cord, as it's more affordable than some of the bigger names in live TV streaming like YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV. Sling TV provides different plans tailored to specific interests rather than 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 distinction (and a major reason for its lower cost) is that Sling TV does not include local channels such as 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 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?
### 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 to you.
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 preferences with their channel lineups. If you're looking for a comprehensive package, you can combine the Orange and Blue plans for a total of 46 channels, including all 22 exclusive channels, at a combined rate of $60.99 per month.
The Orange plan is ideal for sports fans 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 this subscription, and allows streaming on one device at a time, with options to add more.
The Blue plan is designed for football enthusiasts and news aficionados, offering 43 channels, with 16 exclusive news and entertainment options. Notable channels include CNN, Bloomberg TV, Fox (in select markets), FS1, Fox News, MSNBC, NFL Network, and more. This plan allows for streaming on up to three devices simultaneously.
Can You Watch Live Sports on Sling TV?
Yes, you can enjoy live sports on Sling TV, though most local games require an HD antenna, which is sold separately. Since Sling's channels are divided between the Orange and Blue plans, you'll need to choose based on the sports networks that matter most to you.
The Orange plan includes ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPN3, whereas the Blue plan focuses on NFL Network and FS1. You can watch various live sporting events, including NFL, NBA, MLB, and more, on these channels. For avid sports fans, adding Sling's sports bundle is recommended, which grants access to additional channels like NCAA-specific networks, NFL Redzone, MLB Network, NBA TV, NBC Golf, and the Tennis Channel, among others.
This also means you can catch March Madness games with this service.
How Much Does Sling TV Cost?
As mentioned, Sling TV offers its Orange or Blue plans for $45.99 per month, or you can combine them for all channels at $60.99 per month. Currently, there's a limited-time offer providing 50% off the first month of your chosen subscription. For even greater savings, you can prepay for three months of Sling TV for as low as $99.
Additional upgrades can enhance your Sling TV experience. For instance, if you often record live TV, you can upgrade to Sling's Unlimited Cloud DVR for an additional $5 per month, which allows you to save live sporting events for up to three days using its Auto Record feature.
Sports enthusiasts can add a sports bundle for $11-15 per month (depending on the base plan), which unlocks more live sports options. If you're keen on catching NFL games throughout the season, explore how to watch NFL games online.
For more insights into streaming platforms, check out guides on 2024 Hulu Subscriptions, Netflix Plans, ESPN+ Plans, and Disney+ Plans.
