Sling TV is a live TV streaming service that lets you watch channels without a cable box. It’s a cheap way to get your favorite shows and sports, and you can watch it on your phone, computer, or TV.
You might be tired of paying a lot for cable. The bills just keep going up every year. You want to watch live TV but you don’t want the big contract.
I’ve tried a bunch of these streaming services myself. I wanted to find the best one that saves money and still has good channels.
This guide will show you exactly what is Sling TV and how it works. I’ll break down the plans, the cost, and what you can really watch.
What is Sling TV in Simple Terms?
Let’s start with the basics. What is Sling TV, really? Think of it like cable TV that comes over the internet.
You pay a monthly fee. Then you get a bunch of live TV channels sent to your devices. You can watch on almost anything with a screen.
It was one of the first big services to do this. The FCC calls this kind of service “over-the-top” TV. It skips the cable company completely.
So what is Sling TV’s main job? It replaces your expensive cable package. You pick a smaller plan with just the channels you like.
You don’t need any special equipment from them. No cable box to rent. No technician has to come to your house to set it up.
You just sign up online and start watching. It’s that simple. I set mine up in about ten minutes one afternoon.
How Does Sling TV Actually Work?
The tech part is pretty cool. Your internet connection is the new “cable wire.” The signal travels to you through the web.
You download the Sling TV app on your device. This could be your smart TV, your phone, or a streaming stick like Roku.
You log in with your account. Then you see a channel guide, just like old-school cable. You click on a channel and it starts playing live.
What is Sling TV’s stream quality like? Most channels are in high definition. You need a decent internet speed for it to work well without buffering.
The FCC broadband guide says you need at least 5-8 Mbps for HD streaming. Most home internet plans are way faster than that now.
It also has a cloud DVR. This lets you record shows to watch later. You don’t need a physical DVR box in your living room.
The Main Sling TV Plans and Prices
This is where it gets good. Sling TV keeps it simple with two main plans. They are called Sling Orange and Sling Blue.
Sling Orange costs $40 a month. It has channels like ESPN, Disney Channel, and Freeform. This is the plan for sports fans and families.
Sling Blue also costs $40 a month. It has a different set of channels like Fox, NBC, and NFL Network. It’s great for news and local sports in some areas.
You can get both plans together for $55 a month. This is the Sling Orange & Blue plan. It gives you the most channels for your money.
What is Sling TV’s cheapest option? They often have a deal for your first month. I’ve seen it as low as $20 to start.
Every plan lets you watch on one TV at a time with Orange, or three TVs with Blue. The combo plan gives you more screens too.
There are no long-term contracts. You can cancel any time you want. This is a huge plus over cable company deals.
What Channels Can You Watch on Sling?
The channel list is always changing. But I’ll give you the big ones that people ask about.
On Sling Orange, you get ESPN. This is a big deal for live sports. You also get ESPN2 and ESPN3 with some events.
You get Disney Channel and Disney Junior for kids. Freeform has popular shows and movies. There’s also CNN for news.
On Sling Blue, you get local Fox and NBC channels in many cities. You get Fox News and MSNBC. You also get the NFL Network and FS1.
What is Sling TV missing? It doesn’t have CBS or ABC in most places. You also won’t find your local PBS station on there.
You can add more channels with “Extras.” These are small add-on packs for things like kids, news, or lifestyle shows.
Each extra pack costs about $5 or $6 more per month. So you can build your own perfect channel lineup bit by bit.
Comparing Sling TV to Other Services
You might wonder how it stacks up. Let’s look at the other big names in streaming TV.
YouTube TV costs about $73 a month. It has more channels, including all your local stations. But it costs a lot more money.
Hulu + Live TV is around $77 a month. It bundles live TV with the huge Hulu on-demand library. Again, the price is much higher.
What is Sling TV’s big advantage? The price. It’s the cheapest way to get a real bundle of live channels.
FuboTV is great for sports but starts at $80. Philo is cheap at $25 but has no sports or news channels at all.
The FTC Consumer Guide says to compare costs carefully. Look at the channels you actually watch every week.
For many people, Sling TV hits the sweet spot. It has enough channels without the crazy high monthly bill.
How to Sign Up and Start Watching
Ready to try it? The sign-up process is really easy. You don’t need to talk to anyone on the phone.
First, go to the Sling TV website. Pick your plan. You’ll choose between Orange, Blue, or the combo.
You can add any extra channel packs you want. Then you create your account with an email and password.
You enter your payment info. They’ll charge your card each month. Remember, you can cancel online anytime.
What is Sling TV’s next step after sign-up? You download the app. It’s free in your device’s app store.
Log in on your TV, phone, or computer. The live guide will pop up. Start clicking on channels to see what’s on.
I suggest browsing for a few minutes. Get a feel for the layout. Check out the sports and news channels to see the live feed.
The Pros of Using Sling TV
Let’s talk about the good stuff. There are some real benefits to this service.
The price is the number one pro. Forty bucks a month is a lot less than most cable bills. You save hundreds per year.
No contract is a huge relief. You aren’t locked in for two years. If you don’t like it, you just cancel.
What is Sling TV’s flexibility like? You can watch on the go. Take it with you on your phone or laptop when you travel.
The channel packages are simple. You aren’t forced to pay for 200 channels you never watch. You pick a lean package.
It works on almost every device. I use it on my Roku, my iPad, and my laptop. The experience is the same on all of them.
Setting it up takes no time at all. You don’t wait for a cable guy. You don’t need any new wires in your house.
The Cons and Limitations to Know
It’s not perfect, of course. You should know the downsides before you sign up.
The biggest con is the lack of local channels in many areas. You might not get your local ABC, CBS, or NBC.
You can get an antenna for local channels. The FCC DTV reception maps can help with that. But it’s an extra step.
What is Sling TV’s screen limit? The Orange plan only lets one stream go at a time. So two people can’t watch different shows in the same house.
The Blue plan allows three streams. The combo plan is better for families who want to watch different things.
The cloud DVR has limits. The basic storage is only 50 hours. You can pay more to get more recording space.
The interface can feel a bit basic. It’s not as slick as some newer services. But it gets the job done.
Who is Sling TV Best For?
This service isn’t for everyone. But it’s perfect for certain types of people.
It’s great for cord-cutters on a budget. If saving money is your main goal, this is a top pick.
Sports fans who love ESPN will like the Orange plan. It’s the cheapest legal way to get ESPN without a full cable package.
What is Sling TV’s fit for renters or people who move? It’s perfect. You don’t need to set up new service every time you move.
It’s good for second homes. Maybe you have a cabin or a vacation condo. Put a streaming stick there and use your Sling account.
College students can use it on their laptop or gaming console. They can watch live TV in their dorm without a cable hookup.
It’s not the best for people who want all the local channels. If you must have CBS for nightly news, look at YouTube TV instead.
Tips for Getting the Most From Sling TV
I’ve used it for years. Here are my tips to make your experience better.
Always check for a new customer deal. They often run promotions for half off your first month.
Use the “My TV” section to favorite your channels. This makes the guide shorter and easier to scroll through.
What is Sling TV’s best hidden feature? The on-demand section. Many shows are available to watch after they air, even if you didn’t record them.
Set up your cloud DVR for shows you always watch. It’s easy to do from the guide. Just click the record button once.
If you have slow internet, lower the stream quality in the app settings. This can stop annoying buffering during a big game.
Download the app on your phone before you travel. Test it to make sure you can log in away from home. This is great for hotel stays.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Sling TV’s cheapest plan?
The Sling Orange or Sling Blue plan is $40 per month. They sometimes offer the first month for $20 as a special deal for new users.
Can I watch Sling TV on multiple TVs?
Yes, but it depends on your plan. The Orange plan allows one stream at a time. The Blue plan lets you watch on three screens at once.
What is Sling TV’s channel lineup for sports?
Sling Orange has ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPN3. Sling Blue has NFL Network, FS1, and local Fox Sports channels in some areas. The combo plan gives you all of these.
Does Sling TV have local news channels?
It has Fox and NBC in many major cities. But it does not have CBS or ABC in most places. You should check your zip code on their website to see what locals you get.
What is Sling TV’s cancellation policy?
You can cancel online anytime. There is no contract and no early termination fee. Your service will run until the end of your current billing period.
Can I record shows on Sling TV?
Yes, it has a cloud DVR. The basic included storage is 50 hours. You can pay for more space if you need to record a lot of shows.
Conclusion
So, what is Sling TV? It’s a smart, cheap choice for ditching cable. It gives you the core channels most people want without the huge bill.
It’s not the fanciest service out there. But it gets the important job done. You can watch live TV on all your devices for a fair price.
I think it’s worth trying, especially with a first-month discount. You can see if the channels fit your life. And you can leave anytime if they don’t.
Check out the Sling TV website to see the latest plans. Look at the channel list for your area. It might be the simple TV solution you’ve been looking for.