Sling TV: Packages, Pricing, Channels, and more

Sling TV was one of the first app-based streaming services to give subscribers the option of streaming live tv and on-demand titles over the internet. Sling is an online TV streaming service where subscribers have the option to pick whichever channels they want. A wholly-owned subsidiary of DISH Network, Sling TV has plenty of packages, channels, pricing models, and discounts of which you can take advantage. If you’re one of the many out there thinking about cutting the cord, Sling TV is a great option where you’ll get a traditional TV experience and much more for a competitive price. And unlike some cable packages, you can cancel at any time. 

Sling TV offers two packages to choose from (or a combination of both), along with premium channel add-ons and á la carte options for adding other channels to meet your needs. It is easy to use, customizable to your liking, affordable, and versatile, making it a cord cutters dream. Keep reading to find out more about what Sling TV has to offer.

How Does Sling TV Work? 

Sling TV is a live TV streaming service that works by allowing you to stream directly through your Wi-Fi network. With Sling TV, you can watch live sports, shows, and movies, as well as on-demand shows. 

Sling TV lets you tune into live networks like Bravo, ESPN, History Channel, and HGTV. But that’s not all. Like other popular video-on-demand (VOD) streaming services such as Disney+ and Netflix, Sling TV also offers a library of on-demand videos you can watch anytime. 

Once you sign up for a Sling TV membership, just download the app and make sure you have a Wi-Fi connection to one of your devices to start watching.

How to Watch Sling TV

Sling TV is an app-based streaming service, meaning you can watch it from the Sling app on your current smart television, streaming device, phone, or tablet. With Sling TV, you’ll have much more mobility than you do with cable since you can enjoy your favorite shows and movies from your iOS and/or Android smartphone, tablet, smart TV, or gaming console. If you don’t have a smart TV, you can stream to your TV with a streaming device, like one of Roku’s devices or Google Chromecast to stream from your smartphone to your TV. 

Compatible devices include:

  • Apple TV
  • iOS
  • Roku
  • Fire TV
  • Chromecast
  • Xbox
  • AirTV
  • AirTV Mini
  • Android TV
  • Android
  • Windows
  • LG
  • Chrome
  • Samsung
  • Oculus
  • Portal
  • TiVo

How Much Does Sling TV Cost? 

For those who like to keep it simple, Sling TV has multiple great pricing models. There are three packages to choose from.

The Sling TV packages consist of Sling Orange, Sling Blue, and Sling Orange and Blue. Sling Orange is $35 per month for up to 32 channels. It is good for NCAA football and for families. Sling Blue is $35 per month for up to 43 channels. It is a good option for those who watch pro football and news. Lastly, Sling Orange and Blue is $50 per month for up to 51 channels. It is a good option for those who watch a little bit of everything. Sling Orange and Sling Blue offer the first month for only $10, while Sling Orange & Blue offers the first month for $20. After the first month, regular prices resume. 

Sling Orange and Sling Blue not only cost the same, but they include many of the same Sling TV channels. The differences in these packages come into focus when you start to review select channels and features and depending on the number devices you want to stream. (More on that below.) Sling Orange + Blue is a hybrid package that includes all channels in both Sling Orange and Sling Blue. 

Compared to other TV streaming services, Sling TV costs less than fuboTV ($64.99/mo.), Hulu + Live TV ($64.99/mo.), and YouTube TV ($64.99/mo.) You’ll also be pleased to know that Sling has several add-ons and features you can purchase to customize your plan even more. 

How do the Sling TV Packages Compare? 

 Sling OrangeSling BlueSling Orange + Blue
Monthly price$35$35$50
Annual price$420$420$600
Number of channels324351
Popular channelsESPN, Disney Channel, TBS, TNT, CNNNBC, NFL Network, TNT, USA, Fox News, CNNComedy Central, FS1, Nick Jr., ESPN, CNN

If you don’t watch a lot of TV and are only interested in NCAA Football or family shows, Sling Orange may be the best option for you. If you’re into News channels and Pro Football, Sling Blue offers the best option. However, if you want to watch sports, news, family shows, and more, Sling Orange and Blue combined may be the best option. 

If you like what you see with Sling Blue and Sling Orange, you can opt to go for both by subscribing to Sling Orange + Blue, which combines the Orange and Blue plans. Sling Orange + Blue also joins other features. For example, Sling Blue’s three simultaneous screens are added to Sling Orange’s one so you can watch on four devices with Sling’s premium plan (one for channels included only in the Sling Orange plan and three for channels included only in the Sling Blue plan).

What Channels Does Sling TV Have? 

Sling Orange has over 32 channels, whereas Sling Blue provides upwards of 43. Aside from the difference in the number of channels, the greatest distinction between the Sling TV packages are the Disney-owned networks (Disney Channel, ESPN, ESPN 2, and ESPN 3) that come with Sling Orange. Of the 32 channels on Sling Orange, you’ll get live national networks such as A&E, AMC, IFC, Cartoon Network, CNN, Investigation Discovery, Newsy, the History Channel, and more. 

Sling Blue carries a few more news options like BBC America, FOX News, MSNBC, and Vice. Even though Sling Blue doesn’t carry ESPN, you’ll still be able to tune into sports action with FOX, FS1, NBC, NFL Network, and TNT. And as far as entertainment, you’ll be able to surf between BET, FX, truTV, and Paramount Network, and more. 

Sling Orange and Blue combines all of the channels into one package so you can stream sports, news, and Disney channels. Sling Orange and Blue also offers ESPN, AMC, Cartoon Network, CNN, NFL, NBC, and more. 

What sets Sling TV channels apart? Some of the standouts include ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, NFL, and Disney. But there are also noteworthy local channels available in select markets, like FOX, UniMás, and NBC. Check out this article for more information on navigating Sling TV’s local channels.

A minor drawback of Sling TV is that even though the Orange package offers some great channels, only one stream is permitted at a time. With Sling Blue, you can watch up to three streams simultaneously but that is far less than some competitors, like AT&T TV. AT&T TV allows for up to 20 simultaneous streams while at home and up to three when outside the home. 

What Add-Ons for Premium Channels and Extras Does Sling TV Have? 

Sling TV is highly customizable, making it an attractive option for cord cutters who like variety. You can punch up your subscription with premium extras, add-ons, channel packages, extra DVR space, and more. With Sling Extras, you can have a mini channel collection by different categories for an additional $6 per month. If that’s not enough you can also get twice the Extras with Sling’s 4 Extras Deal for an additional $13 per month. For an additional $21 per month, Sling offers the Total TV Deal which includes $45 worth of Extras and DVR which can be added to Sling Orange or Sling Blue. If you want to add the Total TV Deal with Sling Orange and Blue, you can expect to pay an additional $27 per month.

Most of the channel collections start at $6 per month You can choose from several specific add-ons, including Comedy Extra, Kids Extra, News Extra, Lifestyle, Hollywood Extra, and Heartland Extra. If you are only interested in Sports, the Sports Extra package costs a little more at $11 per month. For AMC plus, you can expect to pay an additional $7 per month.

Sling Premium Channels

Showtime, STARZ, EPIX, and other premium ad-free channels are available á la carte for an additional cost per month. There are over 30 premium channels to choose from, starting at $3/mo. Showtime and Starz weigh in as the most expensive at $10/mo. and $9/mo. and EPIX costs $5/mo. But you’ll receive a discount of $6 per month. in your first month for either. Showtime features 9 channels, including Showtime 2, Showtime Beyond, and Showtime Women. Likewise, Starz offers 6 channels altogether. CineFest, EPIX, and CuriosityStream are a few other notable premium channels you can add to your subscription. 

Sling Packages

Sling TV offers several add-ons. Unfortunately, some channel packages are only available to Sling Blue or Sling Orange subscribers. And with other add-on packages, the channels you get vary based on your primary service. 

Both Sling Orange and Blue subscribers have access to the following channel add-ons: Kids Extra, News Extra, Hollywood Extra, and Heartland Extra. But Sling Blue subscribers who choose Heartland Extra and News Extra packages have access to a few more channels than those with Sling Orange plans. For instance, Sling Blue subscribers get CNBC with the News Extra add-on. Sling Orange subscribers, on the other hand, don’t get access to the channel with the same add-on. 

The same is true when it comes to sports programming. With the Sling Orange Sports Extra package, you’ll be able to watch several networks, including ESPNU, ESPNews, SEC Network, NHL Network, and NBA TV. FS2, NFL RedZone, Olympic Channel, and more are part of Sling Blue’s Sports Extra package.

Regardless of which Sling TV package you have, you’ll get 50 hours of DVR recording. If you find that you need more, you can pay $5 per month to upgrade to DVR Plus and get 200 hours of DVR recording. 

The 4 Extras Deal for $13 per month, gives you Comedy Extra, Kids Extra, News Extra, and Lifestyle Extra for one price. For an additional $21 per month. on top of your subscription cost, you’ll receive all those channel add-ons and Cloud DVR Plus — a savings of $45/mo.

Sling Local Channels 

For local coverage, you’ll need a subscription with Sling Blue or Sling Orange + Blue. Availability depends on where you live. If you can’t score local TV access through Sling TV, there are other methods you can try; for instance, CBS All Access starts at $5.99/mo. and lets you stream CBS sports along with CBS shows. If you’re looking for a solution that’s easier on your wallet, you may want to consider an HD antenna, which will let you stream in up to 4K. You can also upgrade your experience with additional hardware like Tablo DVR, which provides multiple terabytes of storage to record local content. There’s also HDHomeRun, which functions as an antenna with the appearance of a box. 

Sling International Channels

Sling TV doesn’t only offer streaming services locally. It also allows you to stream international and Latino channels. You can access channels from specific countries and program Sling TV’s service into your language of choice. Latino and International add-ons begin at an additional $5 per month and can be added to Sling Orange, Sling Blue, and Sling Orange and Blue. 

If you’re looking for Spanish TV, Sling TV offers access to beIN Sports, Axteca, and other Latino services for an additional $10 per month. For an extra $10 per month, you can add the most popular Spanish tv, Mexico service, and Caribe service which includes more than 10 channels. 

With Sling International, you can personalize your channel lineup and watch programming in over 23 different languages. Sling’s popular International plans include South Asian VOD Services, Middle Eastern, European, South American, East Asian, and International Sports.

Are There Commercials on Sling TV or is it Ad-Free? 

Yes, Sling TV does play commercials. Although you can opt-out of targeted commercials, you should expect the same commercials you’d normally see on live broadcasting. However, with the DVR feature you can always record shows and fast-forward through commercials later. 

Can I DVR My Shows or Watch On-Demand Content on Sling TV? 

You may absolutely DVR your favorite shows and movies for later. In fact, this is the best way to avoid commercials if you’re the type of person who can’t stand a barrage of ads. All of Sling TV’s plans automatically include 50 hours of DVR storage.

sling tv settings and features

If you’re looking for more DVR storage, you can add on more DVR hours with Sling’s extras. For an additional $5 per month, you can record up to 200 hours of movies and shows with DVR.

Sling TV’s library is full of on-demand movies and shows you can watch at your convenience, minus the ads. Your Sling TV subscription contains plenty of trending shows, like the first season of The Walking Dead, Hell’s Kitchen, Expedition Unknown, Rick & Morty, Forensic Files, Man vs. Bear, 3rd Rock from the Sun, Roseanne, Shameless, and tons more. Sling TV’s movie catalog also carries The Revenant, World War Z, Noah, The Martian, Interstellar, Saving Private Ryan, Atomic Blonde, and plenty more. Kids will be happy with The Angry Birds Movie, The LEGO Batman Movie, Paddington 2, Kung Fu Panda, and more. 

Should You Cut the Cord for Sling TV? 

Sling TV is a great option for anyone thinking about cutting the cord on cable tv. All you need with Sling TV is a Wi-Fi connection and a streaming device, making it easy to stream live shows or watch on-demand shows from anywhere. 

Sling also offers complete customization of the channels that you pay for. With a variety of plans and features, you can customize a package that meets your specific needs. The service offers local coverage in some areas, which is a must for serious sports fans and newshounds. If you don’t live in an area where you can get live local access through Sling TV, we recommend bundling your Sling subscription with CBS All Access and an HD antenna for the most comprehensive experience. 

Unlike cable, Sling TV also offers extras and add-ons. Extras include anything from additional channels like AMC, LIfestyle, news, Hollywood, Comedy, and more. You can also add more DVR hours with DVR Plus.

Frequently Asked Questions 

Can I watch shows on-demand with Sling TV?

Yes, Sling TV offers an on-demand library. You can also use up to 50 hours of DVR storage for free to record your favorite shows and watch later.

Do I have to sign a contract with Sling TV? 

You do not have to sign any contract with Sling TV. You can cancel or pause your current paid subscription at any time. However, the subscription will run for the duration of your billing cycle or prepaid period. 

Do I have to pay for local channels on Sling TV?

While Sling TV does not offer local channels, the streaming service suggest combining your subscription with an antenna to get your local channels for free.

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