What is Sling TV?
Sling TV is a live TV streaming service that’s an alternative to cable and satellite TV. With Sling TV, users can watch a large variety of channels (including sports, news, and entertainment channels) on their televisions without a cable box or satellite dish. Customers have to subscribe to a Sling TV package of their choice, which gives them access to a selection of channels. Then, they can stream the content via their internet connection directly to TV, computer, or other devices. Sling TV is particularly advantageous for consumers because of its channel bundles. These bundle packages are designed to let customers customize their services so that they only pay for the channels they want. Sling TV is also the first app-based TV service that lets you stream both live TV and on-demand content over the internet. There are also no equipment rental fees or contracts involved in a Sling TV membership. You can get as many channels and add-ons as you want, but you can also cancel at any time. Packages also include a cloud-based DVR service so you can record content to be watched later.
How to Get Started with Sling TV
Pick your base service: Sling Orange, Blue, or Orange + Blue. Sling TV offers three different packages: Orange, Blue, and a combined Orange & Blue package. Each of these packages provides a different set of channels and services so that you can pick the one that best fits your needs and interests.
Choose your extra channels and premium add-ons. Once you select your base package, Sling TV will guide you to customize your channel selection. You can choose channels within specific genres or choose from premium channels that align with your interests—e.g., Sports, News, or Lifestyle.
Download the Sling app to your device to start watching instantly. Then, all that’s left to do is download the Sling app on your streaming device of choice. You can start watching immediately through the app! Sling TV supports a variety of devices, including iOS and Android, Amazon Fire TV, Roku, Google Chromecast, and Xbox.
Sling TV Packages
Sling Orange Sling Orange is the most basic package within the Sling TV offerings. The Orange plan includes 35 total channels and 8 exclusive channels (with a focus on Sports and Family networks, e.g., ESPN and Disney). The Orange package allows for streaming to one device at a time.
Sling Blue Sling Blue provides a slightly larger range of channels than the Orange package. The Blue plan offers 46 total channels with 19 exclusive channels that are geared at News and Entertainment fans (e.g., FOX and Bravo). The Blue package allows for streaming to 3 devices at any one time.
Sling Orange & Blue The crème de la crème of Sling TV’s offerings is the Orange & Blue package, which combines the benefits of both the Orange and Blue plans. Sling Orange & Blue gives full access to all 46 channels on the Sling network, including all 22 exclusive channels included in the Orange and Blue packages. This plan offers the most variety possible at the lowest cost when compared to most competitors.
Sling Freestream Sling Freestream is the service’s ad-supported streaming option. Sling Freestream is a completely cost-free option that lets users watch over 400 live TV channels and 40,000+ on-demand titles through the Sling TV app. Offerings include true crime programs, newscasts, classic films, and popular kids’ series. You’ll just have to watch some ads alongside your chosen programming.
Sling TV Channels & Add-Ons
Sling TV’s standard lineup includes live channels like ESPN, CNN, and Lifetime. Sling TV’s packages are largely customizable, but the specific channels available may vary based on your location. In select areas, for example, major networks like NBC, FOX, and ABC are available to users. If customers are interested in more challenges, a Sling TV service can be combined with an HD antenna for access to local news, sports, and primetime programming. Below, you’ll find a guide to the primary channels offered by Sling TV: Only on Sling Orange: ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, & ESPN 4K Freeform QVC Disney Channel MotorTrend Only on Sling Blue: ABC NBC FOX, FOX Sports 1, FOX 4K, FOX Sports 1 4K NFL Network Bravo Discovery Channel E! FX SYFY TLC USA truTV HLN MSNBC National Geographic Available on Both Plans: CNN History Channel Investigation Discovery BBC America Vice AMC Lifetime BET MGM+ Drive-In Food Network HGTV Travel Channel Cartoon Network Comedy Central TBS TNT A&E
Alongside its standard channels, Sling TV offers various premium add-ons. Sling TV’s customizable interface means that users can choose from a wide variety of premium channels and bundles to add to their base package. Here are just a few of the available add-ons under Sling TV: Max: Includes access to HBO shows, movies, and the Max app. You get $5 per month when you bundle MAX with Sling Cinemax: Includes Cinemax’s high-quality films and original series. Paramount+ with SHOWTIME: Includes a selection of award-winning series, movies, and documentaries. AMC+: Includes AMC’s exclusive thrillers, horror films, and original programs. STARZ: Includes original series and popular movies streaming on STARZ. Discovery+: Includes access to over 70,000 episodes of reality and documentary TV. Hallmark+: Includes access to Hallmark’s catalog of rom-coms, mysteries, and holiday classics.
Sling TV Cost
Sling TV costs about $46-$66 per month, depending on your area. Sling TV is one of the most affordable and competitively priced TV services around. The exact cost, however, depends on where you live and which package you select. Each package has a standard rate (seen below), but Sling TV often runs cost-saving promotions (i.e., getting 50% off your first month on any plan). Visit Sling TV’s official website for up-to-date pricing in your specific area. Sling Orange: About $45/month Sling Blue: Around $45/month Sling Orange & Blue: Around $60/month Does Sling TV have a free trial? No, Sling TV does not offer a free trial. However, the streaming service often offers 50%-off deals on customers’ first month of subscribing, meaning that new users can try out Sling TV at a significantly discounted price.
Sling TV’s Supported Devices
Sling TV is supported by devices like Android, iOS, and more. Sling TV can be used on TV-connected, mobile, computer, and Smart Home devices. When the service first launched, its usable platforms included Android devices, Apple iOS devices, Android TV, Apple TV, macOS computers, Windows computers, Roku, and Xbox One (among others). As of March 2025, Sling TV now supports use on all of the following devices: TV-Connected Devices: Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV (4th Generation and Apple TV 4K), Channel Master DVR+, Chromecast, Dish AirTV Player, LG Smart TV (on webOS 3.0 or higher), Roku, TiVo Stream 4K, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Xfinity Flex, Xfinity (varies on the box model), Xiaomi Mi Box. Mobile Devices: Android mobile devices, iOS mobile devices (10.x or higher), Chromecast (casting from phone to TV), FireOS. Computers: ChromeOS, Linux, macOS, Windows (Windows 7 or higher), Windows 10, and Windows 11 (app store). Smart Home Devices: Echo Show, Google Nest Hub.
Sling TV History & Reception
Sling TV launched in 2015 as the first live TV streaming service. As a product of Dish Network, Sling TV launched on February 9th, 2015, after an invite-only beta launch in January of the same year. Its initial goal was to attract “cord-cutters” who wanted to ditch traditional cable or satellite dish options in favor of streamlined and affordable entertainment services. Initially, Sling TV offered a pared-down bundle of channels to customers, who could then personalize their experience with add-ons like “Kids Extra” and “Lifestyle Extra.” Sling TV then launched its first premium channel with Epix, part of its “Hollywood Extra” tier.
Sling TV grew in popularity due to its budget-friendly, customizable options. After its initial launch, Sling TV quickly became lauded for its customizable channel lineup alongside a variety of on-demand content. By the end of its first year (2015), Sling TV had 169,000 subscribers. As of January 2025, about a decade after its launch, Sling TV has grown to have 2.09 million subscribers.
Sling TV vs. Traditional Cable
Sling TV can be used as an alternative or accompaniment to traditional cable. If you have traditional cable, you can still use Sling TV. You could become a “cord cutter” and depart from cable entirely, opting for Sling TV’s low-cost streaming services over expensive cable subscriptions and bulky cable boxes. Alternatively, you can keep your cable while also using Sling TV to get live TV and on-demand streaming services through your internet connection. Unlike traditional cable, Sling TV allows you to choose the channels you actually want and watch them on any internet-connected device. Also unlike traditional cable, Sling TV doesn’t require long-term contracts or equipment rentals.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sling TV
How does DVR work with Sling TV? Sling TV offers 50 hours of free DVR storage to subscribers (which they can extend by adding Unlimited DVR for $5/month). Users can record any live TV they’d like, excluding just Local Now, ESPN3, ACC Network Extra, and SEC Network+. Sling TV’s recording service works just like a traditional DVR, except you don’t need any box or equipment—it’s all done through cloud-based storage.
Can I watch local channels on Sling TV? Depending on their area, some Blue subscribers can get FOX, NBC, and ABC. All other users can get ABC, CBD, FOX, and NBC for free live with a digital antenna.
Can I watch Sling TV on multiple devices at the same time? It depends on the package you’re subscribed to. With Sling TV Blue, you can watch on up to three screens at a time, while Sling TV Orange allows you to watch on one screen at a time. If you subscribe to Orange + Blue, you can watch live TV on up to four screens at the same time.
What if I want to cancel Sling TV? Sling TV is very easy to cancel, which you can do at any time. If you cancel, your subscription will still be available to you until the end of your billing cycle. Alternatively, you can pause for up to three months and then resume your membership once you’re ready.
Is Sling TV available outside of the U.S.? No, Sling TV is currently only available to users in the United States and Puerto Rico. If you’re traveling overseas, however, you can use a VPN to bypass geo-restrictions and access Sling TV content from any country.
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