Switching from cable to a live TV streaming service can save you money and hassle, and Sling TV is the most affordable way to do it.
You’ll get 60+ live channels, tons of on-demand content, and even a free tier Sling FreeStream, which has over 600 free live channels and more than 40,000 shows and movies.
Sling has been known for its flexibility and affordability. But lately, its value proposition has cracked. In Dec. 2024, Sling raised its plans’ price by $5.99/mo, its fifth increase in five years, despite offering no new channels or clear content improvements.
It even falls short on local channel coverage, nowhere near as extensive as Fubo TV or YouTube TV. Sure, it’s cheaper, and that’s worth considering.
But don’t just assume it’s the right fit. Take a closer look. This full review breaks down exactly what you’re getting and what you’re not. Also, since it is a U.S.-based service and won’t work outside the U.S. unless you use a VPN.
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Quick Overview of Sling TV
- Purchasing Platform: Official Website
- Free Trial: No
- Free Tier: Sling Freestream
- Subscriptions: Starts at $45.99/month
- Connections: 1-4 devices simultaneously, depending on plan
- DVR: 50 free hours included. (Upgradable to unlimited for $5/mo.)
- Live Channels: 30+ (Orange), 48+ (Blue), 50+ (Orange + Blue), 600+ (Freestream)
- VOD Content: 40,000+ titles
- PPV: Available through separate purchase.
- Streaming Quality: SD and HD
- Payment Methods: Credit/Debit Cards, PayPal
- EPG: Yes, full program guide
- Parental Control Option: Yes, basic.
- Special Features: Personalized profiles, unlimited cloud DVR, picture-in-picture mode, live sports scores, and program guide.
Sling TV Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Affordable monthly plans | No CBS or ABC Channels |
| Flexible channel selection | Regional sports networks missing |
| Freestream has 500+ free channels | Limited DVR storage |
| Multiple device compatibility | Most streams are 720p |
| No long term Subscriptions | Only one stream on Orange plan |
| Tons of customization |
How to Install Sling TV on Your Devices
1. Official Sling TV App
You can install Sling TV easily on Fire TV from the Amazon Appstore. It’s also available on the Google Play Store and App Store.
2. Sling TV Downloader Method
If Sling TV is not available in your region, you can sideload the APK using the Downloader app on Fire TV Stick/Google TV devices.
To install Sling TV this way, open Downloader and enter the Sling TV Downloader Code 5546232 in the search bar OR enter this URL bit.ly/43pEVWO and click Go.
Detailed Review of Sling TV Content
1. Live TV
Sling TV includes two base plans, Orange and Blue, or a combined plan called Orange + Blue. Each plan comes with a different set of channels based on your viewing needs. Each comes with a different channel mix, depending on what you watch most.
Orange has 35+ channels like ESPN, Disney, CNN, and AMC — great for sports and families. Blue includes 40+ channels with NFL Network, MSNBC, Discovery, and local FOX/NBC (in select areas).
Orange + Blue combines both for maximum coverage. A few popular channels like CBS, ABC, and regional sports networks (RSNs) aren’t included.
Sling also supports international add-ons for Asian, European, Latin, and Arabic content. The Freestream section provides access to over 600+ free channels and 40,000+ on-demand titles with ads, and no signup is required.
Here is the popular channel breakdown:
| Channel/Category | Sling Orange | Sling Blue | Orange + Blue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Channels | 30+ | 40+ | 45+ |
| ESPN | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ |
| Disney Channel | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ |
| FOX (select areas) | ✘ | ✔ | ✔ |
| NBC (select areas) | ✘ | ✔ | ✔ |
| CNN | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| AMC | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| TNT | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| NFL Network | ✘ | ✔ | ✔ |
| MSNBC | ✘ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Cartoon Network | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Discovery | ✘ | ✔ | ✔ |
Streaming Quality
Streaming quality is mostly HD (720p or 1080p), and some premium content or events are available in 4K.
Number of Streams
Stream limits depend on your plan. Orange allows only one stream at a time, while Blue supports three. If you subscribe to Orange + Blue, you can stream on up to four devices simultaneously.
EPG and DVR
The EPG (guide) is updated and easy to follow. Sling includes a Cloud DVR with 50 hours of recording storage, letting you save live shows and sports.
Sling TV Premium Add-Ons
| Category | Add-On | Channels Included | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sports Add-Ons | Sports Extra | NFL RedZone, Big Ten Network, FS2, FS2 Alternate, ESPNU, Pac-12 Network, NBA TV, MLB Network, Tennis Channel, Golf Channel, NHL Network, more. | $11/mo |
| Sports Extra (Orange & Blue) | Adds ACC Network, SEC Network, FS2 ESPNU, and more to the above lineup. | $15/mo | |
| News Add-Ons | News Extra | FOX Business, CNBC, NewsNation, BBC World News, WeatherNation, and more. | $6/mo |
| Premium Add-Ons | HBO Max | Stream HBO series, hit movies, family favorites, and more. Includes access to HBO Max app and HBO channels. | $16.99/mo |
| MLB.TV | Watch up to 90 live games per week and 600+ free channels with Sling Freestream. Blackouts apply. | $29.99/mo |
|
| discovery+ | Over 70,000 episodes and exclusive originals, available with Sling TV. | $9.99/mo | |
| STARZ | STARZ, STARZ Encore, STARZ Kids & Family. | $9/mo | |
| MGM+ | MGM+, including classic and contemporary films. | $5/mo | |
| Hallmark+ | Exclusive Hallmark+ original series, rom-coms, cozy | $7.99/mo | |
| VIX Premium | Over 10,000 hours of programming and live sports, including Liga MX and UEFA Champions League. | $8.99/mo | |
| Paramount+ with Showtime | Paramount+ content plus Showtime. | $10/mo | |
| International Add-Ons | Italian TV | Padre Pio TV, TG La7, Italialand Nuove Attrazioni, Ma anche no, and more | starts $5/mo (7-day free trial) |
| Greek TV | Kalimera Ellada, Happy Day Ston, Super League Greece, Champions League Basketball, beIN SPORTS | Starts $29.99/mo | |
| Arabic Channels | Premium Arabic TV channels like Al Jazeera, beIN SPORTS, and 100+ Arabic TV channels, plus Shahid and MySatGo VOD libraries with Arabic shows, movies, and live sports. | starting at $12.99/mo. | |
| South Asians Plans | Hindi ,Urdu, Dashkin programming, including cricket and popular series. | Starting $10.99/mo | |
| French Bouquet | TV5MONDE, France 24, beIN Sports, Baby TV, Euronews, and more | $17.99/mo (7-day free trial) | |
| Latino Add-Ons | Sling Latino | 85+ Spanish-language channels including Univision, Telemundo, and more. | $10/mo |
| México | Watch the best of Mexican TV with 11 channels, including top shows, movies, and sports. | $1o/mo | |
| Sling España | Access Spanish TV with 6 channels, featuring popular shows, movies, and entertainment from Spain. | $10/mo | |
| Sling Sudamérica | CARAI, NUESTRT, NTN24, RCNTEL, ECUAVI, +8 more | $10/mo |
2. Live Sports on Sling
Sling TV is a flexible pick for sports fans. You get top sports channels in the base plans, and the Sports Extra add-on unlocks NFL RedZone, NBA TV, and more.
Sling lets you build your lineup so you only pay for what you watch. For the best sports coverage, choose Sling Orange + Blue and add the Sports Extra package. This combo unlocks nearly all major sports channels available on Sling TV.
Here’s a quick look at the sports and the plans you should get for that sport.
| Sport | Sling Orange (Base Plan) | Sling Blue (Base Plan) | Orange + Blue (Combined Plan) | Sports Extra Add-On Required? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NFL | ESPN | NFL Network, FS1 | ESPN, NFL Network, FS1 | NFL RedZone requires Sports Extra |
| NFL RedZone | — | — | — | Yes |
| College Football | ESPN | — | ESPN | SEC Network, ACC Network, PAC-12 Network |
| NBA | ESPN | TNT | ESPN, TNT | NBA TV |
| College Basketball | — | — | — | SEC Network, PAC-12 Network, ACC Network |
| MLB | ESPN | FS1 | ESPN, FS1 | MLB Network |
| Soccer | — | NBC, USA | NBC, USA | beIN SPORTS or Soccer Pass |
| Golf | — | — | — | Golf Channel |
| NHL | — | NBC | NBC | NHL Network |
| Combat Sports | — | — | — | Pay-Per-View (separate purchase) |
| Tennis | — | — | — | Tennis Channel |
| NASCAR | — | NBC, USA | NBC, USA | No |
3. VOD Content
Sling TV’s on-demand library features thousands of movies and TV episodes, including recent releases and popular series. Content is organized by genre and channel for easy browsing. Premium add-ons expand the selection with exclusive movies and series.
You can also rent movies in HD or SD, with rentals available for 24 to 48 hours after playback starts and up to 30 days to begin watching. Popular titles like Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker are available for rent, though Disney+ may be a better option for Disney fans.
If you need more variety, premium add-ons (already listed below) expand the on-demand library with exclusives and originals.
4. PPV
Sling TV offers access to select Pay-Per-View (PPV) events, enabling viewers to purchase live broadcasts of special programming, including boxing, mixed martial arts (MMA), wrestling, and other unique live events.
These PPV events are available for individual purchase and are not included in regular channel packages or subscriptions.
Sling TV Features
Sling TV keeps things simple for streamers who want control without overpaying. Here are the key features
1. Customizable Channel Packages
Sling TV stands out for its flexible channel selection. You can choose between two main plans, Orange and Blue, and further personalize your lineup with a variety of add-on channels to match your interests.
2. Unlimited Cloud DVR
Sling TV now includes unlimited cloud DVR for $5/mo., allowing you to record and store as much content as you want for up to nine months, so you never miss your favorite shows or live events.
3. Multi-Stream Support
Depending on your plan, you can stream on multiple devices at once: one stream with Orange, three with Blue, or up to four if you combine both plans, making it ideal for households with different viewing preferences.
4. Free Streaming with Sling TV FreeStream
If you’re looking for free, quality entertainment, Sling Freestream is a standout option. With 600+ live channels and over 40,000 on-demand titles, all available without a subscription or credit card.
| 🎬 Movies | 📺 TV Shows |
|---|---|
| A Walk to Remember | Hell’s Kitchen (Gordon Ramsay cooking series) |
| Donnie Darko | Forensic Files (true‑crime investigative series) |
| Ip Man | Rick & Morty (cult animated sci‑fi comedy) |
| Find Me Guilty | Shameless (drama/comedy series) |
| Bernie | The Walking Dead (AMC zombie drama) |
| Mega Snake (cult sci‑fi) | Kitchen Nightmares (another Ramsay reality series) |
| More cult‑favorite indie & classic films from Gravitas, FilmRise, Magnolia Pictures, IFC Picks, Shout! Factory | Game‑show loops like Deal or No Deal and talk show channels like The Wendy Williams Show |
5. Fantastic Sports Viewing
Sports fans benefit from live scores, stats, FanView, and picture-in-picture mode, all designed to deliver a more interactive and informative sports experience.
6. User-Friendly Guide and Features
Sling TV’s electronic program guide is easy to use, allowing you to mark favorite channels, catch-up content for up to 5-8 days, and access Timeshift (pause, rewind, and fast-forward live TV).
Is Sling TV Accessible Without a VPN?
Sling TV is only available for streaming within the United States, so if you attempt to access it from another country, you’ll encounter geo-restrictions.
To watch Sling TV outside the US, a VPN like Surfshark lets you connect to a US server, bypassing these regional blocks and allowing you to stream your favorite channels and shows from anywhere.
No, Sling TV doesn’t include a free trial anymore, but you can still explore free content through Sling FreeStream, which gives you access to 600+ live channels and 40,000+ on-demand titles.
Sling TV Subscription Plans & Discount
Although Sling TV is still more affordable than most live TV services, the latest price hike feels a bit unjustified, especially when nothing major has changed.
Sure, they rolled out unlimited DVR, but guess what? It’s a $5 add-on, not included. The revamped interface is nice, Resume Watching, a cleaner guide, faster recall, but again, it’s all cosmetic.
It is the 5th price hike in five years. For regular users, the core experience remains the same. So why are we paying more for the same old Sling? Here are the plans that Sling Offers.
| Plan | Channels | Streams | First Month Price | Regular Price (After 1st Month) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sling Orange | 30+ | 1 | $23 | $45.99 - $46 |
| Sling Blue | 48+ | 3 | $23 | $45.99 - $46 |
| Orange + Blue | 50+ | 4 | $31 | $60.99 - $61 |
| Sling Freestream | 600+ | Varies | Free | Free |
What Devices Are Compatible with Sling TV?
This comprehensive list covers all major devices compatible with Sling TV for seamless streaming across platforms.
| Compatible Devices |
|---|
| Samsung Smart TVs, LG Smart TVs, Vizio Smart TVs |
| Fire TV, Roku, Apple TV (4th gen+), Chromecast, TiVo Stream |
| Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S |
| Android phones and tablets (OS 5+) |
| iPhone, iPad (iOS 11+) |
| Windows 10+, macOS |
| Chrome, Safari, Microsoft Edge, Firefox |
| Amazon Echo Show, Google Nest Hub, Facebook Portal |
| Oculus Go (VR streaming) |
Top Alternatives to Sling TV in 2025
FAQs
1. What does Sling TV offer?
Sling offers live TV channels, on-demand content, and cloud DVR across multiple categories, including news, sports, and entertainment.
2. Which Sling TV package is best?
Sling Orange is better for ESPN and Disney, while Sling Blue is ideal for Fox, NBC, and news channels; many combine both.
3. Who owns Sling TV?
Sling TV is owned by Dish Network.
4. Does Sling TV have local channels?
Sling offers limited local channels like NBC and Fox in select markets, mainly with the Blue plan.
5. Does Sling TV have ESPN?
Yes, ESPN is included in the Sling Orange plan.
Conclusion
Sling TV isn’t trying to be everything, it’s trying to be affordable, flexible, and just good enough for the average cord-cutter. And in that lane, it mostly delivers.
You get solid channel variety, decent DVR, and the freedom to choose your lineup without bloated bundles or contracts. SlingFreestream is a bonus for casual viewers who want free live TV with no strings attached.
But it’s not perfect. The lack of CBS, spotty local coverage, and another price hike without real upgrades make it hard to ignore the cracks. It’s still cheaper than YouTube TV or Fubo TV, but the value gap is closing fast.
In my experience, Sling TV works best for budget-minded users who want live TV without overpaying, not for viewers who expect full local coverage or sports-heavy lineups.
