While streaming services like Hulu are beginning to offer live TV streaming options, Sling TV is still the number one live option among cord cutters. Below, we’re covering the basics of Sling TV, along with some of the new and improved features.
About Sling
Sling is known for offering a very cable-like experience for viewers, without the high cost of a cable contract. If you’re new to Sling, you’ll appreciate the customized experience. Choose the plan that best fits your viewing habits, then set up your guide to be customized to your preferences.
With Sling, you’ll have the ability to watch your favorite shows at home or while you’re away, with mobile devices. After choosing your package, adding your favorite extras, and setting up your account to fit your preferences, you’ll have no problem finding the content you want to watch, whenever you want to watch it.
As Sling continues to grow its customer base, the company is making an effort to create a smoother customer experience, along with adding and improving features.
Compatible Devices
You can stream content from Sling TV on the following devices:
- Amazon Fire TV
- Amazon Fire tablets
- Android tablets and phones
- Android TVs
- Apple TV
- Chromecast
- iOS tablets and phones
- LG TV
- PC and Mac with Google Chrome browser
- Roku
- Samsung smart TVs
- Windows 10 devices
- XBox
- Xfinity X1 (Latino and International services only)
Sling Orange vs. Sling Blue
The two basic packages offered by Sling are Sling Orange and Sling Blue. Look through the channels offered in each package and make your pick based on what you like to watch. While the content on the two overlap, there are some differences that might help you make your choice.
One of the big differences is in sports channels. With Sling Orange, you’ll get ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPN3. With Sling Blue, you’ll be able to watch Fox Sports and NFL Network. Entertainment channels vary too. Sling Orange will give you the History Channel and Freeform, while Sling Blue will give you NBC, Fox, and Bravo. Check out the Sling website for a full channel breakdown of each package.
Keep in mind that you could also have access to live streaming local channels. The channels you’ll have access to will depend on your location. Local channels are only available in select cities currently. Enter your zip code to see which channels are available in your area.
Sling Orange and Sling Blue both cost $25/month, after a 7-day free trial. Bundling the two costs $40/month.
Sling International
In addition to Sling Orange and Sling Blue, you can also choose from a list of Sling International options. The international content is available in the following languages:
- Arabic
- Brazilian
- French
- Polish
- Hindi
- Punjabi
- Urdu
- Tamil
- Kannada
- Malayalam
- Telugu
- Bengali
- Marathi
- Bangla
- Italian
- Vietnamese
- Cantonese
- German
- Taiwanese
- Mandarin
You can subscribe to international channels for as little as $10/month, depending on which language you choose. To see the content offered for each language, check the Sling website.
Spanish speaking subscribers might also want to check out the Best of Spanish TV package. For $10/month, you can watch 17 Spanish language channels. The package can also be added on to your Sling Orange or Sling Blue subscription.
Adding Extras
After you’ve chosen your base package, you can continue customizing your viewing experience with add-ons. For an additional monthly fee, you can choose from the following add-ons.
- Sports
- News
- Lifestyle
- HBO
- Showtime
- Starz
- Cinemax
- Epix
- Curiosity Stream
- Up Faith & Family
- Pantaya
- Hollywood
- Heartland
- Comedy
- Kids
Another add-on option is Cloud DVR storage. For an additional $5/month, you’ll get 50 hours of DVR storage. The content you record and store on your Cloud DVR can be accessed at home or on the go, with your Sling account.
Recent Updates
The updated Roku experience has been one of the biggest and best recent Sling updates. Roku users now have access to free content, through Sling, along with being able to buy pay per view movies and events. Sling is also a streaming source for UFC, and fans can also buy PPV fights, even without a subscription through the Sling TV app.
In an effort to customize the viewing experience even more, Sling is also adding to the list of a la carte channels. Now, you can search through a list of extra channels to pick and choose which you’d like to add to your plan for an additional monthly fee. Options include the extras we listed above. You can also add the NBA League Pass for $28.99/month. The pass will let you catch NBA games, even outside of your area.
One change that customers might not love as much is the new price of Sling Orange. The cost is now $25/month, up $5 from the previous price, and now the same as Sling Blue. The reason for the increase is the addition of more channels over time, from 15 to over 30 with the base package.
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