While not as widely recognized as Netflix or Hulu, Sling TV has been a game-changer in live TV streaming since its 2015 debut as the first live TV streaming service. It provides an affordable cable alternative with dozens of popular channels, cloud DVR capabilities, and multi-device streaming. Below we'll break down Sling TV's channel lineup, sports coverage (including MLB games), and pricing details.
What Is Sling TV?
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Sling TV is a flexible live TV streaming service offering premium channels, live sports, and news without long-term contracts. As the most budget-friendly option among major live TV streamers like YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV, it features specialized packages rather than a universal channel lineup. All plans include 50 hours of DVR storage for recording content.
A key differentiator—and part of what keeps costs low—is Sling TV's exclusion of local broadcast networks (ABC, CBS, NBC). The service recommends pairing your subscription with an HD antenna (sold separately) for local channel access.
Sling TV supports nearly all devices including streaming platforms (Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV), gaming consoles (PS5, Xbox), smart TVs (Samsung, LG, Vizio), and more.
Does Sling TV Have a Free Trial?
Sling Freestream
While Sling TV doesn't offer free trials like competitors such as Fubo, it provides Sling Freestream—an entirely free service featuring ad-supported channels and on-demand content at no cost.
What Channels Does Sling TV Include?
Sling TV offers two primary $45.99/month packages: Orange and Blue. For $60.99/month, subscribers can combine both for complete access to 46 channels (including 22 exclusive channels).
The Orange plan (35 channels) caters to sports fans and families with ESPN, Disney Channel, HGTV, Food Network, and Comedy Central. It allows single-stream viewing by default.
The Blue plan (43 channels) focuses on news and pro football with CNN, Fox News, NFL Network, and FS1 (local Fox in select markets). It supports three simultaneous streams.
Can You Watch Live Sports on Sling TV?
Sling TV delivers live sports coverage though most local games require an HD antenna. Sports network availability varies between plans:
- Orange includes ESPN/ESPN2/ESPN3
- Blue features NFL Network/FS1
Sports enthusiasts can enhance coverage with add-on bundles ($11-$15/month) featuring NFL RedZone, MLB Network, NBA TV and NCAA networks—making it possible to stream major events including March Madness.
How Much Does Sling TV Cost?
Base plans start at $45.99/month (Orange or Blue) with a current 50% first-month discount. The combined Orange + Blue package costs $60.99/month, while prepaying for three months drops the price to $99. Premium add-ons include:
- Unlimited Cloud DVR (+$5/month)
- Sports bundles (+$11-15/month)
For more streaming comparisons, explore our guides to 2024 Hulu subscriptions, Netflix plans, ESPN+ and Disney+ memberships.
