Updated November 4, 2022

Sling TV Cost and Channels

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Households all over the U.S. are cutting the cord. Should you take the plunge with Sling TV? Learn all about the costs, features, and how it compares.

What Is Sling TV?

Sling TV is an affordable alternative to cable with an emphasis on live TV streaming. Sling Orange and Sling Blue packages each cost $35 per month. They also offer a combined Orange + Blue plan for $55 per month.

But what does it actually include? Subscribers get access to live sports, news, and cable favorites like Disney Channel, ESPN, FX, and more. Since it's an online app, you can watch on more devices without the need for a cable box. Pretty convenient compared to traditional cable TV!

Learn more about Sling TV and all its options down below:

Sling TV Packages

Sling gives you 3 packages to choose from. Each package gives you access to different channels. (All of them will be broken down in the next section.)

Here's what to expect from each of the plans:

  • Sling Orange ($40/mo): 31 channels; best for sports and families
  • Sling Blue ($40/mo): 41 channels; best for news and entertainment
  • Sling Orange + Blue ($55/mo): 47 channels; includes everything from Orange and Blue packages

Some channels are exclusive to each package. But don't worry, you're not locked into one package. Since there are no long-term contracts, you can switch packages from month to month with no extra fees.

They also have a bunch of add-ons you can choose from, but these do cost extra.

Learn more about all Sling has to offer down below.

If you only want to watch local broadcast networks, you might be better off using an antenna instead. Though Sling offers some local programming from Fox and NBC, it's only available in certain areas.

What Channels Can I Watch on Sling?

A streaming service is only as good as the content it offers. Sling gives cable TV a good run for its money. Check out these channels available with each Sling plan:

Note: Bolded channels are exclusive to each package.

Sling Orange

  • A&E
  • AMC
  • AXS TV
  • BBC America
  • BET
  • Bloomberg
  • Cartoon Network
  • CHARGE!
  • CNN
  • Comedy Central
  • Comet
  • Disney Channel
  • Epix Drive-In
  • ESPN
  • ESPN2
  • ESPN3
  • Food Network
  • Freeform
  • Fuse
  • HGTV
  • History Channel
  • IFC
  • ID
  • Lifetime
  • Local Now
  • MotorTrend
  • Nick Jr.
  • TBS
  • TNT
  • Travel Channel
  • Vice

Sling Blue

  • A&E
  • AMC
  • AXS TV
  • BBC America
  • BET
  • Bloomberg
  • Bravo
  • Cartoon Network
  • CHARGE!
  • CNN
  • Comedy Central
  • Comet
  • Discovery Channel
  • E!
  • Epix Drive-In
  • Food Network
  • Fox (local channels in select areas)
  • Fox News
  • FS1
  • Fuse
  • FX
  • HGTV
  • History Channel
  • HLN
  • IFC
  • ID
  • Lifetime
  • Local Now
  • MSNBC
  • National Geographic
  • NBC (local channels in select areas)
  • NFL Network
  • Nick Jr.
  • SyFy
  • TBS
  • TLC
  • TNT
  • Travel Channel
  • truTV
  • USA
  • Vice

With the combined Orange + Blue plan, you get all of the channels listed above for $55 per month. If you don't want to compromise between NFL Live and 90 Day Fiance, this one's for you. Compared to the cost of a cable subscription, you still get a lot of bang for your buck.

Is Sling TV a good deal?
With plans starting at $40 per month, Sling offers a great selection of channels. It's an affordable way to get your cable TV fix without getting locked into a contract. Cord cutters who don't want to sacrifice live TV will want to check this deal out.

Don't see the channels you want? Sling offers additional channels and extras—but you'll have to pay a little extra.

Features and Add-Ons

Everyone has different viewing preferences. Sling lets you customize your package with more features at an additional charge. You can get premium channels like Showtime and Starz, or opt for their Extra packages, which bundle multiple channels.

Premium Channels
Premium channels are a la carte and start at $3 per month. Expect to pay more for popular options. For example, you'll pay $10 per month for 9 Showtime channels. Starz costs $9 per month for 19 channels.

Unfortunately, Sling does not offer HBO among its choices.

Sling Extras
Extras cost $6 to $11 per month for each bundle. These include:

  • Sports Extra ($11/mo)
  • Comedy Extra ($6/mo)
  • Kids Extra ($6/mo)
  • News Extra ($6/mo)
  • Lifestyle Extra ($6/mo)
  • Hollywood Extra ($6/mo)
  • Heartland Extra ($6/mo)

Each Extra gives you 5 to 15 additional channels, but the offerings differ depending on if you have the Orange or Blue plan. Check out their site for a complete list of add-on channels.

Cloud DVR Plus
For $5 per month, you can upgrade your DVR recording limit to 200 hours of movies, episodes, and full series. Base packages come with 50 hours of recording already included.

Supported Streaming Devices
This is important. Make sure your device actually works with Sling TV. Here are all of Sling's compatible devices:

  • Apple TV (4th gen and later)
  • Roku
  • Amazon FireTV
  • Chromecast
  • AirTV
  • TiVo Stream 4K
  • Android TV (OS 5 and later)
  • LG TV (webOS 3.0 and later)
  • Samsung TV (2016 and later)
  • iOS devices (iOS 11 and later)
  • Android devices (OS 5 and later)
  • Amazon Fire Tablets (2013 and later)
  • Google Chrome
  • Windows 10
  • MAC OS (version 11.1 and later)
  • Portal TV
  • Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, and Xbox One
  • Oculus Go and Oculus Quest (3.54 and later)

Can you watch Sling TV on multiple devices?
Sling is available on many devices, but they do limit how many screens you can watch at a time:
  • Sling Orange: 1 screen
  • Sling Blue: 3 screens
  • Sling Orange + Blue: 4 screens

Not ready to take the plunge just yet? Find out next how to watch more than 5,000 movies and TV shows for free.

How to Watch Sling for Free

Maybe you want to get a feel for Sling without needing to enter your credit card info or make an account. You can absolutely do that with Sling Free.

Explore their free content on desktop, Roku, Amazon, or Android devices. If you're an iOS or Apple TV user, however, you won't be able to use this service.

You can watch more than 5,000 movies and TV shows for free. Of course, there aren't as many options as you would get with a subscription. But for a free service that doesn't require an account, it's worth checking out.

There are also movie rentals available if you create an account. Rentals are one-time purchases, and you don't need to purchase a subscription to watch them.

You can see what types of movies and shows are available to subscribers, too. If you like what you see, you can easily sign up for a subscription through their site.

You work hard for your money, so you want to make sure you're paying for the best service. Check out how Sling compares to its top competitors below.

How It Compares

There are so many streaming services available. You probably don't want to sign up for every single one of them. Here's how Sling TV stacks up to other top streaming services:

Streaming ServicePriceChannelsHow many screens at once?
Sling TV$40/mo30+1-3
Hulu + Live TV$64.99/mo65+2
YouTube TV$64.99/mo85+3
AT&T TV Now$59.99/mo45+2
Paramount Plus$5.99/mo42

Hulu + Live TV
At $65 per month, Hulu's live TV plan costs twice as much as Sling, with twice as many channels. Is it worth the extra cost? Keep in mind that you get access to 65+ channels plus Hulu's on-demand library. If you want to watch Hulu originals like The Handmaid's Tale, this could be a good fit. If you're interested only in cable TV channels, save the money.

YouTube TV
YouTube's $65-per-month offering boasts more than 85 channels. They only have one plan available, so you get all of them in that monthly price. This could be a good option if you really value variety. But keep in mind that Sling TV might still be cheaper after you add a few Extra bundles to beef up your channel selection.

AT&T TV Now
AT&T has also joined in on the streaming trend, but their prices skew higher. Their base plan starts at $59.99 per month for 45+ channels, but they have plans that cost up to $129.99 per month. Of course, you get a way larger channels list for the priciest option (a whopping 140+ channels). But if you wanted to save money as a cord cutter, this probably isn't the way to go.

Paramount Plus
This streaming service offers a much smaller selection since it focuses only on CBS content. This includes live streaming and access to their original TV shows. Trekkies, this one's for you. You can stream CBS in almost every state, though not every area is serviced. Still, for die-hard fans of Star Trek, The Big Bang Theory, or Big Brother, $5.99 per month can be well worth it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Sling TV worth it?
If you're transitioning from traditional cable TV, Sling is a pretty great alternative. It's one of the most affordable streaming services that offers live TV programming. You get a good selection of channels for a fraction of the price of cable providers. That said, it's probably not for you if you only want to watch local channels.

Does Sling TV include DVR?
Your base Sling package does come with 50 hours of cloud storage. If you need more storage, you can upgrade to the Cloud DVR Plus program for up to 200 hours of recording. It costs $5 per month to upgrade.

Does Sling TV have commercials?
Yes, live TV channels go on commercial breaks just like regular broadcast TV. Some of their on-demand content also include ads.

How fast does my internet need to be?
Sling recommends these speeds at minimum: 3 Mb/s for tablets and smartphones, 5 Mb/s for single PCs or Macs, and 25 Mb/s for households with multiple devices.

Does Sling TV have Spanish channels?
With Sling Latino, you can watch more than 20 Spanish channels starting at $10 per month. There's also Sling International, which includes programming in 20+ other languages.

How do I cancel Sling?
You can cancel or change your subscription at any time since you pay month to month. Just navigate to your account and click Cancel Subscription. If you cancel in the middle of a month, you'll still have access to Sling for the remainder of the cycle.

Does Sling have any deals?

Bottom Line

Sling TV is one of the most affordable choices for live TV streaming. It offers many of the channels you already watch without the painfully high monthly payment.

Although it doesn't offer HBO or an extensive local selection, it's still a good fit for the right viewer. Remember, you can also get add-ons that broaden your channel list. But keep in mind that those little bundles can add up fast!

Overall, Sling is a great match if you want a solid TV package without too many bells and whistles. More channels aren't always better if you never watch them.

If their base channels list ticks off your favorite channels, it's definitely worth giving Sling a try. You'll save a bunch of money over your typical cable subscription.

Donna Tang is a content associate at CreditDonkey, a tv comparison and reviews website. Write to Donna Tang at donna.tang@creditdonkey.com. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook for our latest posts.

Note: This website is made possible through financial relationships with some of the products and services mentioned on this site. We may receive compensation if you shop through links in our content. You do not have to use our links, but you help support CreditDonkey if you do.

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