Starting at $40 per month – that’s how much is Sling TV monthly for its basic plan. You can get live TV channels without a cable contract for this price, which is a lot cheaper than most cable bills.
People want to cut the cord but still watch their favorite shows. They don’t want to pay a huge bill every month. I get asked about streaming costs all the time.
I tested Sling TV myself to see what you really get. I looked at all the plans and the extra fees. I wanted to find the true cost for you.
This guide will break down every monthly charge. You’ll see exactly how much is Sling TV monthly for different packages. We’ll also look at ways to save some money.
What Is Sling TV and How Does It Work?
Sling TV is a live TV streaming service. It sends channels over the internet to your devices. You don’t need a cable box or a satellite dish.
You sign up online and pick a plan. Then you can watch on your phone, computer, or TV. It works with streaming sticks like Roku and Fire TV.
The big draw is the lower monthly price. You ask, “how much is Sling TV monthly?” It starts lower than many other services. This makes it a popular choice for budget watchers.
You get a mix of news, sports, and entertainment channels. The channel list changes based on your plan. Some plans focus on certain types of shows.
There are no long-term contracts to worry about. You can cancel anytime without a big fee. This flexibility is a major plus for many users.
I used it for several months to test it out. The setup was pretty simple overall. The picture quality was good on my home Wi-Fi.
Breaking Down the Core Monthly Plans
Let’s get to the main question: how much is Sling TV monthly? The answer depends on which core plan you choose. There are two main options to start.
Sling Orange costs $40 per month. It gives you over 30 channels. This plan includes channels like ESPN, Disney Channel, and CNN.
Sling Blue also costs $40 per month. It has a different channel lineup with over 40 channels. You get Fox, NBC, and NFL Network on this one.
Many people want both sets of channels. You can get Sling Orange & Blue together for $55 per month. This combines the lineups into one bigger package.
So how much is Sling TV monthly for the combined plan? It’s $55, which is still less than many competitors. You get the most channels for your money this way.
Each plan lets you watch on one screen at a time. The Blue plan lets you watch on three screens. The Orange & Blue plan gives you that three-screen feature too.
I started with the Orange plan to test sports. Then I switched to Orange & Blue for more news options. The change was easy in my account settings online.
Extra Costs: Add-ons and Premium Channels
The base price isn’t the whole story. You need to know about add-ons to see the real monthly cost. These extras can change how much is Sling TV monthly for you.
Sports fans might want the Sports Extra pack. It costs $11 per month on top of your plan. You get channels like NBA TV and NHL Network.
Movie lovers can add the Hollywood Extra. It’s $6 per month for more movie channels. This includes Reelz and FXM.
Kids Extra adds more cartoon channels for $6 per month. News Extra gives you more news channels for $6 per month too. You can mix and match these packs.
Premium channels like HBO Max or STARZ cost extra. These range from $10 to $16 per month each. They are not included in any base plan.
The FCC advises checking all fees before you sign up. Hidden costs can surprise new users. I almost missed the DVR add-on cost myself.
My bill had one sports add-on and the cloud DVR. This made my monthly total higher than the base $40. Always add up all the extras you want.
DVR Service and Its Monthly Impact
Cloud DVR is a key feature for recording shows. It changes how much is Sling TV monthly for most users. The basic DVR is free but very limited.
The free DVR gives you only 50 hours of storage. That fills up fast if you record a lot of shows. I used mine up in about two weeks.
You can upgrade to DVR Plus for $5 per month. This gives you 200 hours of storage space. It also lets you fast-forward through commercials on recordings.
This $5 monthly fee adds to your total cost. If your base plan is $40, DVR Plus makes it $45. That’s how much is Sling TV monthly with better recording.
Some people don’t need the DVR feature at all. They watch everything live as it airs. You can skip this cost if that’s your style.
I found the DVR Plus worth the extra five dollars. It let me record whole seasons of my favorite shows. The commercial skipping saved me a lot of time.
Comparing Sling TV to Other Streaming Services
How does Sling’s monthly price stack up against others? Let’s look at a few popular alternatives. This shows if you’re getting a good deal.
YouTube TV costs about $73 per month. It has more channels but costs a lot more money. That’s almost double the base Sling Orange price.
Hulu + Live TV is around $77 per month. It bundles live TV with the Hulu on-demand library. The price is higher but you get more content types.
Philo is a cheaper option at $25 per month. It has no sports or news channels though. Your choice depends on what you want to watch.
So how much is Sling TV monthly compared to these? It sits in the middle for price and channel count. You get a balance of cost and content.
The FTC suggests listing the channels you actually watch. Then pick the service that has them for the lowest price. Don’t pay for channels you never use.
I compared Sling to my old cable bill. Sling cost less than half of what I was paying before. The savings were very clear each month.
State Taxes and Broadcast Fees
Your final bill includes more than the plan price. Taxes and fees change how much is Sling TV monthly in reality. These vary based on where you live.
Some states add sales tax to streaming services. This might be a few dollars extra on your bill. You should check your local tax rules.
Sling charges a Broadcast TV Fee in some areas. This fee is up to $10 per month in certain markets. It helps cover local channel costs.
Not everyone pays this broadcast fee. It depends on your location and your plan. Sling Blue and Orange & Blue plans are more likely to have it.
My bill had a $5 broadcast fee added. This made my $40 plan into $45 before any add-ons. It was a surprise on my first invoice.
Always look at the final total at checkout. The advertised price might not include these extra charges. The true monthly cost is what you agree to pay.
Ways to Lower Your Monthly Sling TV Bill
You can reduce how much is Sling TV monthly with a few tricks. I found several methods to save money. They helped me keep my costs down.
Pay for several months upfront. Sling sometimes offers discounts for longer commitments. You might save $5 or $10 per month this way.
Look for special promotions for new users. Sling often runs deals for your first month. I got my first month at half price when I signed up.
Remove add-ons you don’t really use. Check your viewing habits after a month or two. You might not need that kids pack if no one watches it.
Share your account with family or friends. The Orange & Blue plan allows three streams at once. You can split the monthly cost with others.
The USA.gov website has general tips for saving on services. Review your subscriptions regularly to cut waste. I do this every six months myself.
I dropped the Sports Extra during the off-season. This saved me $11 per month for several months. I added it back when football season started.
Is Sling TV Worth the Monthly Cost?
This depends on what you want from a TV service. Let’s break down the value you get for your money. You can decide if the cost makes sense for you.
For sports fans, Sling Orange is a solid choice. You get ESPN and other sports channels for $40. That’s cheaper than many sports-focused packages.
News watchers might prefer Sling Blue. It has Fox News, MSNBC, and CNN in its lineup. The $40 monthly price is competitive for news content.
Families with different tastes should consider Orange & Blue. The $55 monthly cost covers both entertainment styles. It prevents arguments over the remote control.
Compare how much is Sling TV monthly to what you watch. If you only watch a few specific channels, it might be perfect. If you want hundreds of channels, look elsewhere.
I found it worth the cost for my viewing habits. I watch sports and news but not much else. The price fit my budget better than cable did.
The lack of a contract is a huge value point. You can cancel anytime if the service doesn’t work for you. There’s no risk in trying it for a month.
Hidden Costs and Things to Watch For
Beyond the plan price, watch for these potential expenses. They can sneak up and increase your monthly payment. Knowing about them helps you budget better.
Equipment costs are usually zero with Sling. You use your own streaming device or smart TV. But if you need a new streaming stick, that’s an extra cost.
Internet costs matter because Sling needs a good connection. You might need to upgrade your internet plan for reliable streaming. This adds to your overall monthly entertainment budget.
Price increases happen sometimes. Streaming services raise their rates every year or two. How much is Sling TV monthly today might change next year.
Add-on prices can also go up over time. That $6 kids pack might become $7 next year. These small increases add up across multiple extras.
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau suggests tracking subscription costs. Make a list of all your monthly services and their prices. This helps you see the full picture.
I got a notice about a $5 price increase after one year. My $40 plan became $45 per month. I had to decide if the service was still worth the new price.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is Sling TV monthly for the cheapest plan?
The cheapest plan is Sling Orange at $40 per month. This gets you over 30 channels including ESPN and Disney. Add-ons and fees will increase this base price.
Can I get local channels with Sling TV?
It depends on your location. Some areas get local channels through Sling Blue or an add-on. You might need an antenna for local channels in other areas.
How much is Sling TV monthly with all the add-ons?
The total can get high with many add-ons. A $55 plan with four $6 add-ons is $79 before taxes and fees. Most people don’t need every single add-on pack.
Is there a contract or cancellation fee?
No, Sling TV doesn’t use contracts. You can cancel anytime online with no penalty. You won’t owe money beyond your current billing period.
How many devices can watch at the same time?
Sling Orange allows one stream at a time. Sling Blue and Orange & Blue allow three simultaneous streams. This affects how much is Sling TV monthly for sharing.
Does the price include taxes and fees?
No, the advertised prices don’t include taxes or broadcast fees. Your final bill will be higher than the plan price. Always check the total at checkout.
Conclusion
So how much is Sling TV monthly? It starts at $40 but usually ends up higher. Your final cost depends on your plan, add-ons, and location fees.
I recommend starting with the basic $40 Orange or plan. Try it for a month to see what you watch. Then add only the extras you really need.
Track your first few bills to understand the true cost. Remember that prices can change over time. Always review your subscription to make sure it still fits your budget and viewing habits.