While it may not be as well-known as giants like Netflix or Hulu, Sling TV has carved out a significant niche in the streaming landscape. Launched in 2015, it was the pioneering service to offer live TV streaming, making it an attractive, low-cost alternative to traditional cable. With a range of popular channels, DVR capabilities, and the flexibility to watch on up to three devices simultaneously, Sling TV caters to a wide audience. Dive into the details below to discover 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 offers an array of popular channels, live sports, and news without any long-term contracts. It's a top pick for those cutting the cord, offering a more budget-friendly option compared to services like YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV. Sling TV provides tailored plans that cater to specific viewer interests rather than a one-size-fits-all approach. Every plan includes 50 hours of DVR storage, enabling you to record and watch your favorite shows and live TV at your convenience.
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. To access these, Sling suggests 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 live TV streaming services, such as Fubo, Sling TV does not provide a free trial for new subscribers. However, it does offer Sling Freestream, a free streaming service with numerous channels and ad-supported content at no cost.
What Channels Does Sling TV Include?
Sling TV offers two main plans: Orange and Blue, each priced at $45.99 per month. These plans feature different channel lineups tailored to different interests. For those wanting the full experience, you can combine the Orange and Blue plans for $60.99 per month, which includes the entire 46-channel lineup, with 22 channels exclusive to this combo.
The Orange plan is ideal for sports fans and families, including channels like ESPN, Disney Channel, Cartoon Network, HGTV, Food Network, Lifetime, Nick Jr., Comedy Central, TBS, and more. It offers 35 channels in total, with eight exclusive to this plan, and allows streaming on one device at a time, with the option to add more.
The Blue plan targets pro football fans and news enthusiasts, featuring channels such as CNN, Bloomberg TV, Fox (in select markets), FS1, Fox News, MSNBC, NFL Network, and more. It includes 43 channels, 16 of which are exclusive, and 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. The sports channels are split between the Orange and Blue plans, so choosing the right plan depends on your preferred sports networks.
The Orange plan includes ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPN3, while the Blue plan features NFL Network and FS1. These channels broadcast a variety of live sports including NFL, NBA, MLB, and more. For avid sports fans, adding the sports bundle for an additional $11-15 per month (depending on your base plan) grants access to additional channels like NCAA-specific networks, NFL Redzone, MLB Network, NBA TV, NBC Golf, and the Tennis Channel. This also means you can catch March Madness games through this service.
How Much Does Sling TV Cost?
As mentioned, the Orange or Blue plans are priced at $45.99 per month, with the combined plan at $60.99. There's currently a limited-time offer of 50% off the first month for any chosen subscription. For even greater savings, you can prepay for three months for as low as $99.
You can enhance your Sling TV experience with additional upgrades. For those who record live TV often, the Unlimited Cloud DVR upgrade costs an extra $5 per month and includes the Auto Record feature, which saves live sports events for up to three days.
Sports enthusiasts can add a sports bundle for $11-15 per month (depending on the base plan), offering access to more live sports. For comprehensive coverage of NFL games, explore how to watch NFL games online.
For more insights on streaming services, check out guides on 2024 Hulu Subscriptions, Netflix Plans, ESPN+ Plans, and Disney+ Plans.