Although it might not be as widely recognized 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 a budget-friendly 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, either at home or on the go. Dive into the comprehensive guide below to explore more about Sling TV, including its channel lineup, sports offerings (such as MLB games), and monthly pricing.
What Is Sling TV?
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Sling 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 choice for those cutting the cord, offering a more affordable option compared to services like YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV. Sling TV stands out with its flexible plans tailored to specific interests, rather than a one-size-fits-all approach. All plans come with 50 hours of DVR storage, enabling you to record live TV and your favorite shows and movies for later viewing.
A key distinction—and a major factor in 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 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?
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Unlike 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.
What Channels Does Sling TV Include?
Sling TV offers two main plans: Orange and Blue. Both plans cost $45.99 per month but feature different channel lineups tailored to different interests. For those who want everything, combining the Orange and Blue plans gives access to the full 46-channel lineup, including all 22 exclusive channels, for $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. 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, on the other hand, caters to pro football fans and news enthusiasts, 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 supports streaming on up to three devices simultaneously.
Can You Watch Live Sports on Sling TV?
Yes, Sling TV offers live sports viewing, though most local games 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 cover a range of live sporting events, including NFL, NBA, MLB, and more. For avid sports fans, adding the sports bundle for $11-15/month (depending on your base plan) unlocks 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, with the option to combine them for $60.99 per month to access all channels. Currently, there's a limited-time offer of 50% off your first month, regardless of which plan you choose. For further savings, you can prepay for three months of service for as low as $99.
Additional upgrades are available to enhance your Sling TV experience. For frequent DVR users, the Unlimited Cloud DVR upgrade costs an extra $5/month and includes an Auto Record feature that saves live sporting events for up to three days.
Sports enthusiasts can add a sports bundle for $11-15/month, depending on the base plan, to access more live sports. For those interested in NFL coverage, 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.
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