While it may not be as widely recognized as giants like Netflix or Hulu, Sling TV has carved out a significant niche in the streaming market. Launched in 2015, it was the first to offer live TV streaming, positioning itself as a cost-effective alternative to traditional cable subscriptions. Sling TV provides subscribers with a variety of popular channels, a DVR service, and the flexibility to watch content at home or on the go on up to three devices. Below, you'll find a comprehensive overview of what Sling TV offers, including channel lineups, sports coverage like MLB games, and pricing details.

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 the need for a long-term commitment. It's an attractive option for cord-cutters due to its affordability compared to bigger names like YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV. Sling TV's unique approach includes different plans tailored to specific interests rather than a one-size-fits-all package. All plans come with 50 hours of DVR storage, enabling you to record and watch your favorite shows and movies at your convenience.

One 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 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 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 are priced at $45.99 per month but feature different channel selections to cater to various viewer interests. For those wanting the complete package, combining the Orange and Blue plans provides 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 being 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, offering 43 channels, 16 of which are exclusive news and entertainment channels. Highlights include CNN, Bloomberg TV, Fox (in select markets), FS1, Fox News, MSNBC, and NFL Network. This plan supports streaming on up to three devices simultaneously.

Can You Watch Live Sports on Sling TV?

Yes, you can enjoy live sports on Sling TV, although most local games require an additional HD antenna, which is sold separately. Since Sling's channels are divided between the Orange and Blue plans, your choice will depend on the sports networks you prioritize.

The Orange plan includes ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPN3, while the Blue plan features NFL Network and FS1. These channels offer live coverage of NFL, NBA, MLB, and other sports. For avid sports fans, adding the sports bundle to your subscription can unlock 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 events like March Madness.

How Much Does Sling TV Cost?

As mentioned, Sling TV's Orange or Blue plans cost $45.99 per month, or you can combine them for $60.99 per month to access all channels. Currently, there's a limited-time offer of 50% off your first month, whichever plan you choose. For further savings, you can prepay for three months for as low as $99.

You can enhance your Sling TV subscription with additional features or channels. For avid DVR users, upgrading to the Unlimited Cloud DVR for an extra $5 per month allows you to record all live sporting events and keep them for up to three days with the Auto Record feature.

Sports enthusiasts can add a sports bundle for $11-15 per month, depending on your base plan, to access even more live sports. If you're particularly interested in NFL coverage, here's how to watch NFL games online.

For more insights into other streaming platforms, explore guides on 2024 Hulu Subscriptions, Netflix Plans, ESPN+ Plans, and Disney+ Plans.