As we march right through 2020, more and more people are saying goodbye to cable. This is definitely understandable, because the price of cable seems to keep on going up for no plausible reason. Think about it, does your cable company really offer you the choices you need or want? In this article we’ll be doing a “deep-dive” into the Sling TV service. This includes reviewing Sling TV channels, packages, pricing and a complete review.
While they may offer you what you need, the keyword there is need, right? You probably have 100’s of channels that you may not even watch, so considering whether or not you’re getting your money’s worth out of cable is definitely something to consider. Plus, to be blunt, we want to help you save some money.
That’s why, today, we’ll be giving you an in depth look at Sling TV. Sling TV is a service that allows you to stream live TV, and it does so without a clunky cable box. So if you’re someone who is looking to cut the cord, or even someone who just wants to check out some Sling TV channels, you’re definitely in the right place.
Keep in mind that Sling TV offers you quite a bit, which means that we need to break it all down into easy-to-read sections. This way -if you’re just looking to checkout Sling TV channels- you can jump right over. Now, with that being said, here is what we have in store for you today:
- A brief overview of Sling TV
- The Sling TV channels and packages
- The price
- Why we like Sling TV
- Some of the drawbacks of Sling TV
- A brief recap
So now that you know you’re getting yourselves into, let’s dive right into the wonderful world that is Sling TV. Are you ready?
What exactly is Sling TV?
Sling TV is a service that allows you to stream live television without the use of the cable box. Essentially -companies like Sling TV- have made it possible to stream live television channels over the internet. This is what we call OTT TV (Over-the-Top TV).
So think about it; the same way you watch Netflix, is now the same way you can watch live TV. Pretty cool, right? That’s the concept in a nutshell.
So at its core, this is what Sling TV is designed to do. You’ll have access to plenty of Sling TV channels, which include both live and local networks, and you’ll be able to use DVR settings as well. So if you’re someone who loves to record, Sling TV has your back there too.
How good is Sling TV DVR?
If you want to record television, you’ll have up to 10 hours of DVR storage ready to go right out of the box. Plus, if 10 hours isn’t enough, there is an additional package that will allow you to record up to 50 hours of live TV. Not bad, right? Also, we’ll have more about the price of that extended DVR for you in a little bit.
What devices is Sling TV Compatible with?
Another thing we want to go over is compatibility. This is important, because you’ll need to know that you can actually use the service, right? So let’s take a quick look at some of the devices that you can stream Sling TV channels on.
These devices are as follows:
- Amazon Fire TV devices
- Kodi boxes
- Smart TV’s (Sony, Sharp, LeEco, and more)
- Android phones (software has to be Android 4.4 and up)
- Apple TV is compatible
- Amazon Fire tablets will also work
- Apple phones and tablets
- Google Chromecast devices
So when it comes to compatibility, to be blunt, if it has wifi you can probably stream Sling TV channels on it. Unless, well, it’s a smart fridge or something like that.
How many devices can you stream Sling TV channels on at once?
This is an important thing to consider, because most people have multiple televisions or devices watching television at once. Luckily, if you have Sling TV Blue, you’ll be able to use up to 3 devices at the same time. If that seems a little light, don’t panic, because if you have both packages that number increases by 1. On the other hand Sling TV Orange is a bit more limited in that capacity, but we’ll dive into that in a moment.
The short answer? If you max out your Sling TV experience you’ll be able to watch live Sling TV channels on 4 devices at once. This does factor in recording as well.
The Sling TV Channels and Packages
Sling TV is no stranger to providing you with everything that you need. Plus, you’ll also be able to choose between two different packages as well. Therefore, in this section, we’ll break down the Sling TV channels and packages you need to know about.
Think of this section as the meat and potatoes of this post.
Sling TV Blue
Sling TV Blue is a package that you’ll find within Sling TV that comes with a wide array of channels. This is due to the fact that Sling TV Blue comes packed with up to 47 channels. Also, it’s important to keep in mind that Sling TV Blue will allow you to stream live TV on up to 3 devices at once.
Here is a look at some of the channels you’ll find within Sling TV Blue:
| Sling TV Blue Channels | ||
|---|---|---|
| ● A&E | ● FOX (select markets) | ● NBC Regional Sports Network |
| ● AMC | ● FS1 | ● NBC Sports Network |
| ● AXS TV | ● FS2 | ● Newsy |
| ● BBC America | ● Fuse | ● Nick Jr. |
| ● BET | ● FX | ● NFL Network |
| ● Bravo | ● FXX | ● SYFY |
| ● Bloomberg Television | ● History Channel | ● TBS |
| ● Cartoon Network | ● HGTV | ● TLC |
| ● Cheddar | ● HLN | ● TNT |
| ● Cheddar Big News | ● IFC | ● Travel Channel |
| ● Comedy Central | ● Lifetime | ● Tribeca Shortlist |
| ● CNN | ● MSNBC | ● truTV |
| ● EPIX Drive-in | ● National Geographic | ● USA |
| ● Food Network | ● NBC Select Markets | ● Viceland |
So as you can see, Sling TV Blue comes with everything you need if you’re someone who likes to watch some casual TV. Also, Sling TV Blue comes with up to 10 hours of DVR storage.
Sling TV Blue is a very solid package, even as a standalone. This is due to the fact that you’ll get up to 47 channels to watch live, and plenty of DVR space. The real beauty of Sling TV Blue is that you’ll be able to watch live TV on multiple devices, which makes it an all-in-one option.
Sling TV Orange
Sling TV Orange may seem limited, but it does have its own benefits that set it apart from Sling TV Blue. This is due to the fact that you’ll gain access to channels like ESPN with Sling TV Orange, which is why it’s usually the best option for sports fans. Also, Sling TV Orange is not able to stream on more than one device, so this is also something you should consider.
Here is a look at the Sling TV channels you’ll get with Sling TV Orange:
| Sling TV Orange Channels | ||
|---|---|---|
| ● A&E | ● ESPN | ● Local Now |
| ● AMC | ● ESPN2 | ● MotorTrend |
| ● AXS TV | ● ESPN3 | ● Newsy |
| ● BBC America | ● EPIX Drive-in | ● Stadium |
| ● Bloomberg Television | ● Food Network | ● TBS |
| ● Cartoon Network | ● Freeform | ● TNT |
| ● Cheddar Business | ● Fuse | ● Travel Channel |
| ● Cheddar News | ● History Channel | ● Vice |
| ● Comedy Central | ● HGTV | |
| ● CNN | ● IFC | |
| ● Comet | ● Investigation Discovery | |
| ● Disney Channel | ● Lifetime | |
So with all things considered, you’ll get less channels with Sling TV Orange, but sports content is a bit easier to reach and watch. In total, you’ll find 32 channels within Sling TV Orange.
Sling TV Orange is an excellent package on its own, but unlike Sling TV Blue, you lose out on the multi-device streaming capabilities. With that in mind, for sports at least, it’s definitely a solid option. We wouldn’t say it’s an all-in-one package, though.
Premium Sling TV Channels
Now, when we talk about high end Sling TV channels, we’re talking about channels like HBO. So ask yourself, do I want to also watch Game of Thrones or Shameless too? If you do, then pay close attention to this brief section.
Here is a look at the Premium Sling TV Channels that you can add to each of the packages we just showed you:
- HBO
- Showtime
- STARZ
- Encore
- NBA League Pass
- NBA Team Pass
Keep in mind that these Premium Sling TV Channels will cost you a bit more, but it really depends on what you want out of Sling TV.
Sling TV also has a habit of updating these channels quite often. This means that Sling TV channels are always growing, so be sure to pay attention to any changes you may notice in the coming months.
Comparison With Other Live TV Streaming Services
| Sling TV | Hulu Live TV | Fubo TV | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $30 | $55 | $54.99 |
| Channel Selections | 30+ | 60+ and Hulu Originals | 75+ |
| DVR | Yes (50 Hours) | Yes (50 Hours) | Yes (30 Hours) |
| On-Demand | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Streaming Device Support | Amazon Fire, Android, Apple TV, Chromecast, Chromecast-enabled TVs, Computers, iOS, Oculus Go, Roku, select LG and Samsung Smart TVs | Amazon Fire TV, Fire TV Stick, Amazon Echo Show, Android, Apple TV, Chromecast, Computers, iOS, LG Smart TVs, Nintendo Switch, Roku, Xbox One, Xbox 360 | Amazon Fire, Android, Apple TV, Chromecast, Chromecast-enabled TVs, Computers, iOS, Roku, Samsung Smart TVs |
| Simultaneous Streams | 1 (with Orange), 3 (with Blue) 4 (in the $40 per month Orange/Blue) | 2 | 2 |
| Free Trials | FREE SLING TV TRIAL | FREE HULU TV TRIAL | FREE FUBO TV TRIAL |
What if I combine both Sling TV packages?
To make things simple, if you want to combine both packages you’ll be able to get the best of everything. You’ll get close to 100 channels, and the price difference isn’t really anything all too crazy. Keep in mind that you’ll still need to pay extra for premium channels, but a combination of both Sling TV Blue and Sling TV Orange is by far the best way to get the most Sling TV channels.
If you want the best experience with Sling TV, and the most Sling TV channels, you can always combine both packages for the best of both worlds. That’s up to you, though.
Sling TV Pricing
The price of Sling TV does fluctuate a bit, but for the most part Sling TV is one of the more affordable live TV streaming services. This is due to the fact that each package costs one low price, and if you combine the two packages, you can even save some more money. So let’s take a look at how the price works with Sling TV.
Sling TV Orange
Sling TV Orange is basically the sports lover’s best friend. You’ll get the best of Sling TV channels -for sports at least- and you’ll get everything we mentioned earlier for only $30 per month. Not a bad price to cut the cord, right?
Sling TV Blue
Sling TV Blue, as we’ve mentioned earlier, is a package that’s geared towards more casual viewing. You’ll get plenty of Sling TV channels, and a bit more than Sling TV Orange, but the price remains at $30 per month.
What about both?
The beauty of Sling TV is that you can actually get both packages for a discounted price. This means that you can actually watch upwards of 100 Sling TV Channels for only $50 per month. As per the price, yes, you save about $10 per month as of right now.
What about special Sling TV Channels?
When it comes to special Sling TV Channels, we’re talking about channels like Showtime, HBO, and other popular channels in that category. Now, you can get your hands on these channels, but they will typically cost you an extra $10 per month.
Keep in mind that channels like HBO will run you $15 per month, and the NBA League Pass content can cost you another $30. So keep this in mind before you end up with an expensive bill.
How about the DVR?
The DVR comes with 10 hours of storage for free. This isn’t bad, but it’s also not that great either. The good news is that for an extra $5 per month you can upgrade to the 50 hour DVR. Trust us on this one, if you’re someone who loves recording, this might be a smart move.
When it comes to the price of Sling TV, you’ll be pleased to hear that it can be very affordable. You don’t need to pay $100 per month for live TV anymore.
Why we like Sling TV
Sling TV is definitely one of our favorite live TV streaming services, and it really comes down to the ease of use and customization. Therefore, in this section, we’ll break down 3 of our favorite Sling TV features.
Sling TV channels
By far, our favorite aspect of Sling TV is that you can pick and choose which channels you want. Sling TV channels are very diverse, and to be quite honest with you all, there is a package for everyone. For example, if you’re someone who thrives on sports channels like ESPN, Sling TV Orange has you covered. Now, on the other hand, if you’re someone who loves casual live TV -like Lifetime and such- Sling TV Blue has you covered there.
Plus, and this is the best part, you can combine all the Sling TV channels for only $50 per month.
Sling TV Cloud Based DVR
Sling TV Channels are excellent on their own, but what if you won’t be home this Friday night for The Avengers? This is usually where cable companies thrive, because until recently DVR was pretty limited. So the fact that Sling TV allows you to record live TV is definitely something we find very impressive.
We also love the fact that you can add up to 50 hours of DVR storage for only $5 per month. When you compare that to the competition, it doesn’t really seem like there is any competition there. Plus, the 10 hours that Sling TV comes with is not bad on its own either.
Sling TV Pricing
The price of Sling TV is also something that we find impressive. This is due to the fact that compared to other companies, Sling TV is the least expensive for what you get. Sure, are there cheaper services? Absolutely, but you won’t get what you get with Sling TV in them. While it can get pricey if you start adding additional packages, even a combination of both Sling TV Blue and Orange is less expensive than most of the competition.
Plus, if you just want a few Sling TV channels, you might end up spending only $30 per month for live TV. That’s pretty solid, right?
Some of the drawbacks of Sling TV
Sling TV is definitely an impressive live TV streaming service, but that doesn’t mean that it’s perfect. Therefore, in this section at least, we would like to show you two things that we didn’t like about Sling TV.
Sling TV channels can be limited at times
This is not exactly a bad thing, depending on how many channels you need, but sometimes Sling TV comes up lacking in the channel department. This is due to the fact that you won’t be able to get over 100’s of channels like some of the other live TV streaming services on the market.
Keep in mind that this lack of Sling TV channels can usually be fixed by combining both packages, but still, definitely something worth considering.
Sling TV packages can be a little confusing
We’re a bit torn on Sling TV Blue and Sling TV Orange. The concept of having two separate packages at a low price is a really good one, but each package is a bit incomplete when they’re on their own. This is due to the fact that Sling TV Orange is a bit more sports oriented, while Sling TV Blue is a bit more casual-viewing oriented.
Also, we don’t like the fact that Sling TV Orange doesn’t allow multi-device streaming. That’s definitely something that could have been done. Other than that, to be quite honest with all of you, the packages aren’t necessarily bad.
We definitely recommend combining the two Sling TV packages for the best viewing experience. Also, if you do it that way, you’ll get the most Sling TV channels.
Sling TV Channels, Packages, Pricing and Review – Recap
We know that we covered a lot of information today, but we want to make sure that your cable cutting decision is an informed one. Millions of people have already left cable in the dust, so we just want to make sure that your cord cutting is as flawless as possible. Plus, Sling TV is a great service to take a look at.
Sling TV comes packed with everything you need to cut the cord. It’s not perfect, but some of the Sling TV channels you’ll find are exactly what you need. It might be hard to believe that you don’t need cable anymore, but it’s time to start saving some of that hard earned money.
Also, if you ever feel a bit unsure about some of what we went over here today, please feel free to refer to this article as a guide. Trust us on this one, we have no problem keeping all of you updated along your cord cutting journeys.
Anyway, now that you know the facts about Sling TV, and some of the Sling TV channels, do you think you’re ready to cut the cord? Let us know!