Sling is one of the best live TV streaming services on the market for essential networks, making it a good option for anyone who wants a cheaper alternative to cable without compromising channel selection. The service has two main packages with over 30 channels each, starting at $46 monthly. You can combine them or get add-ons to access extra channels. The live TV streamer also recently introduced budget-friendly, pared-down packages, which start at $20 a month.
Though Sling offers fewer channels in its base packages, the service is less expensive than competitors like DirecTV, Hulu + Live TV, and Fubo. You can access the Sling TV app on iOS and Android devices, Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, and many of the best TVs from popular brands.
Below, we’ve detailed all the ins and outs of Sling’s different channel offerings so you can decide which plan is best for your needs. It’s important to note that channel lineups are always subject to change on live TV streaming services, especially when it comes to local networks, so you should check the final details on any service’s website before subscribing.
Be sure to check out our full Sling TV review for detailed impressions, and if you try it and don’t like it, you can always follow our guide on how to cancel Sling TV. If you’re looking to see how Sling compares when it goes head-to-head with Fubo, a popular competitor, you can explore our comprehensive Sling vs. Fubo guide. For more info, check out our Sling local channel guide and Sling Orange vs. Blue explainer.
Sling TV Subscription
For just the essentials without any extra fluff, Sling TV is the streaming service you’re looking for. It’s more customizable than other plans, with multiple options you can choose from so you pay only what you need.
What channels are included with Sling Orange, Sling Blue, Sling Select, and Sling Essentials?
Sling’s two main offerings are Sling Orange and Sling Blue. Channels largely overlap between the two plans, but there are a few differences that might push you to choose one over the other.
Sling Orange has about 33 channels, including several Disney and ESPN networks you won’t find on Sling Blue. Meanwhile, Sling Blue makes up for its lack of Disney and ESPN with up to 46 channels, including a collection of Fox-owned and NBC-owned networks like USA and Bravo. Blue also comes with local NBC, Fox, and ABC networks, but only in select markets, so the exact channel count (and price) varies from region to region.
Each plan is available to stream for a starting price of $46 a month, or you can combine the two for a starting price of $61 a month, giving you access to around 50 channels. Sling Blue sometimes costs an extra $5 per month, depending on your location and access to local channels. Sling also has genre-based add-ons starting at $6 a month. Each add-on offers a mini-bundle of related channels. There are also several premium add-ons, including Paramount Plus with Showtime ($10/month) and Starz ($11/month).
Sling also recently introduced a light Sling Select plan, which has a handful of channels (about 10+), most of which are traditionally found in the Sling Blue lineup. Sling Select costs $20 to $25 a month, depending on your region and/or local channel availability. Sling Essentials is the streamer’s other new budget-friendly plan, which costs $20 a month and carries around 10 channels (many of which are found in Sling Orange). The two packages can be combined starting at $35 a month.
Sling Orange, Sling Blue, Sling Orange & Blue, Sling Select, Sling Essentials, and Sling Select & Essentials can be purchased as three-month season passes, which are prepaid options ranging from $50 to $160. These offer some savings compared to what you’d pay after three months of a standard monthly subscription. Sling Orange also has short-term plans, including day-long ($5), weekend-long ($10), and week-long ($15).
Sling doesn’t offer a free trial right now, but they have a separate ad-supported “Freestream” service and frequent deals for new members. You may want to compare these deals and services with other platforms that show free movies online. Some Sling add-ons, like the Spanish-language option, allow you to try them free for seven days.
See below for a full breakdown of Sling’s offerings and add-ons. Keep in mind that exact channel offerings and prices are subject to change. Sling should show you a full list of available channels when you go to sign up. It’s also important to note that, in addition to the specific channels found in the paid packages, subscribers will also gain access to channels found on Freestream.
Sling Orange ($46/month)
Sling Orange features under 10 exclusive channels and more than 20 channels that are shared between all plans. The following channels are included with Sling Orange:
Sling Blue ($46+/month)
Sling Blue starts at $46 a month but costs an extra $5 a month in markets that include ABC, NBC, and/or Fox. Sling Blue carries about 15 (sometimes more, depending on local availability) exclusive channels and more than 20 channels shared between every plan. The following channels are included with Sling Blue:
Sling Orange & Blue ($61+/month)
Sling Orange + Blue starts at $61 a month but costs an extra $5 a month in markets that include ABC, NBC, and/or Fox. The plan carries all exclusive channels from both Sling Orange and Blue in addition to all of the shared channels. The following channels are included with Sling Orange + Blue:
Sling Select ($20+/month)
Sling Select carries about 10 specific channels, many of which are found in a Sling Blue subscription. Viewers in select areas might also be able to access certain local channels.
Sling Essentials ($20/month)
Sling Essentials carries around 10 channels, including several that are found in traditional Sling Orange plans.
Sling Essentials & Select ($35+/month)
The Sling Essentials & Select combo package comes with at least 17 channels, along with local channels like NBC, ABC, and FOX when available.
Add-on bundles (monthly prices vary)
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Sling offers two discounted bundles that let you add multiple packages of extra channels to your base subscription. There’s also an expanded DVR add-on you can sign up for.
- Total TV Deal ($21/month) — This bundle includes seven of Sling’s extra channel packages: Sports, Entertainment, Kids, News, Lifestyle, Hollywood, and Heartland. It also includes Unlimited DVR. The package features a total combined value of $47, so you save $26 with the bundle. In total, this is about 67 extra channels.
- 4 Extras Deal ($13/month) — This option gives you four of Sling’s most popular extras: Kids, News, Lifestyle, and Entertainment. The bundle costs $13 a month, which is about half of the regular combined price of all four add-ons. In total, this is about 35 extra channels.
- Unlimited DVR ($5/month) — Though all of Sling’s plans come with 50 hours of DVR storage, you can pay an additional $5 a month for unlimited DVR. Previously, Sling’s add-on capped DVR space at 200 hours, but it’s now truly unlimited storage (for nine months).
The following channels are available in the Sports Extra add-on for Sling Orange:
The following channels are available in the Sports Extra add-on for Sling Blue:
The following channels are available in the Entertainment Extra add-on:
The following channels are available in the Kids Extras package:
The following channels are available in the News Extra add-on:
The following channels are available in the Lifestyle Extra add-on:
The following channels are available in the Hollywood Extra add-on:
Heartland Extra ($6/month)
The following channels are available in the Heartland Extra add-on:
HBO Max ($18.49/month)
You can sign up for HBO Max, HBO’s streaming counterpart, under your Sling plan. The add-on grants subscribers access to the HBO Max app and on-demand offerings, as well as HBO channels. HBO Max is best known for its on-demand HBO programming, original series, and Warner Bros. films.
Discovery Plus ($6/month)
You can now sign up for Discovery Plus through Sling TV. The service offers access to original programs and favorites from Discovery networks like TLC, HGTV, Food Network, Animal Planet, and more. Ad-supported ($6/month) and ad-free plans ($10/month) are available.
AMC Plus ($11/month)
AMC Plus is not a live TV channel, but it does give you access to on-demand series and movies. The following on-demand services are available in the AMC Plus add-on:
Paramount Plus with Showtime ($10/month)
The following channels are available in the Showtime add-on:
MGM Plus ($8/month)
The following channels are available in the MGM+ add-on:
STARZ ($11/month)
The following channels are available in the Starz add-on:
Spanish-language add-ons (5/month)
For viewers who want more Spanish-language options, Sling offers Sling Latino base packages that cost $10/month, as well as add-on plans with content from specific countries.
Other premium add-ons (monthly price varies)
The following channels are available à la carte:
Sling Orange
You can access 34 live channels with Sling Orange, including ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, and ESPN4K.
Sling Blue
Sling Blue carries 40+ channels, including FS1, FX, and the NFL Network. It also has local networks (like FOX, NBC, and ABC) in select regions.
Sling Orange + Blue
Sling TV offers some of the best cable channels for $65 or less. There are three different tiers to choose from, plus several sports and entertainment-specific add-ons, but the Orange + Blue combo is the best way to get the most major sports channels. Plus, you can usually get about half off your first month.
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