Sling TV does not offer the most comprehensive original programming, cloud DVR, or customer network lineup compared to other cable TV services. However, the streamer appeals to many cord-cutters due to its low price and flexibility.
Even less expensive than other streaming services like YouTube TV and Hulu TV, Sling TV stays competitive by offering a robust channel lineup and the flexibility to take your cable programming anywhere that reliable internet and compatible device are available.
But is Sling TV the best choice for your home?
What is Sling TV?
Sling TV is a premium OTT (over the top) service that allows you to watch a variety of television networks over the internet. The programming is identical to cable or satellite TV, but the content is delivered over a broadband connection at a much lower cost. No cable box is required to watch Sling TV on television via the Sling Video app, which gives viewers flexibility and options. The Sling Video app is available on multimedia devices like game consoles, phones, tablets, and laptops.
Sling TV was the first-of-its-kind service of a sort, debuting in 2015, but it now competes with the biggest names in streaming, including Hulu, YouTube TV, Direct TV, Philo, and FuboTV.
Plans and pricing
Sling TV subscriptions begin at $35 per month, which is an appealing price point given its competitors start at nearly $70 or more. Why is Sling TV less expensive? It has two basic plans, one with fewer channels than the other.
Sling Orange and Sling Blue are individually $35 per month, or you may merge the two for $50. You may adjust or end your plans as your preferences change, there are no agreements.
Sling Orange lineup ($35 monthly):
- ESPN
- TNT
- TBS
- CNN
- HGTV
- AMC
- ID
- A&E
- Food Network
- Disney
- Nick Jr.
- Comedy Central
- BBC America
- Travel
- Cartoon Network
- BET
- Epic
- Lifetime
- AXS TV
- Fuse
- ESPN 2
- ESPN 3
- Freeform
- Bloomberg
- Local Now
- Comet
- Charge!
Sling Blue lineup ($35 monthly) – channels with asterisks* are also offered on Sling Orange:
- TNT*
- TBS*
- NFL Network
- USA
- Fox News
- CNN*
- History
- AMC
- Bravo
- FS1
- FX
- HGTV*
- ID*
- Food Network*
- A&E*
- MSNBC
- Nick Jr. *
- Discovery
- TLC
- Cartoon Network
- Comedy Central*
- Travel*
- BET*
- E!
- SyFy
- Lifetime*
- IFC
- National Geographic
- Tru TV
- BBC America
- HLN
- Vice
- Epic*
- Bloomberg*
- Fuse*
- AXS*
- Comet*
- Fox Sports
- Charge!*
- NBC Sports
As mentioned above, combining both gives you access to everything in Sling’s lineup (excluding premium channels that require separate subscriptions) for a discounted $50 per month. With both Sling Orange and Sling Blue combined at that rate, you’ll net roughly two dozen channels that aren’t offered on both services, which puts your cost per channel at around $.75 monthly. Channels that both options provide include TNT, TBS, CNN, HGTV, ID, Food Network, A&E, Nick Jr., Comedy Central, Travel, BET, Lifetime, Epic, Bloomberg, Fuse, AXS, Comet, and Charge.
Sling does a good job of offering just enough to keep viewers satisfied with either option but appears committed to their bundle deal. You’ll get just the right amount with either Orange or Blue, but most viewers are probably likely to subscribe to both in short order. Both include programming that checks boxes for every viewer in the home, but you’ll always feel like you’re missing out on something.
The most apparent contrast between Sling Orange and Sling Blue offerings can be found in sports, family, and reality programming. While Sling Orange gives sports fans ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, and TNT, you’ll need Sling Blue for the NFL Network, Fox Sports, or NBC Sports. And it’s more of the same for family programming. Sling Blue includes Nick Jr., but if you want the latest from Disney, you’ll need Sling Orange or both. News channels are even broken up this way.
Still, with Orange + Blue at $50 monthly, it’s hard not to see why Direct TV reported over two million subscribers during their Q2 financials. At the end of the day, Sling is the most affordable OTT streaming service available for viewers looking to unplug. And with Nielsen reporting that streaming will overtake cable by the end of 2023, who knows how many new Slingers there will be this time next year?
Cloud DVR
Sling TV also provides DVR options that are not tied to either Sling Orange or Sling Blue. All Sling customers are provided 50 hours of complimentary cloud DVR space. However, heavy DVR users can attest to the limitations of this much space.
Bingers who regularly follow and record as little as two series a week will find 50 hours unsatisfactory and may want to spring for more. And for another $5 per month, viewers will net another 150 hours of space for a total of 200 hours. However, even this much space feels basic.
When low on space and faced with the decision to keep old unwatched content or record a new program, DVR will default to the latter unless directed otherwise. With only 200 hours, some viewers may find themselves managing their DVR more than they’d like each month. By comparison, YouTube TV offers unlimited DVR and doesn’t erase old content until nine months have passed.
Final words
Sling TV may offer the least in terms of content features among its direct competitors, but it is also the most affordable. Even viewers who opt for all of Sling’s options, including Sling Orange, Sling Blue, and 200 hours of DVR will appreciate the savings compared with Sling’s closest competitors coming in at $15 or more per month. And for most viewers, $35 is incredibly attractive, with Sling Orange and Sling Blue offering sufficient programming and the flexibility to adjust as preferences and resources change.
Pros
- Low cost
- Networks that cover news, sports, and entertainment
- Support across all major platforms
- Easy to use interface
Cons
- Confusion around channel packages