Sling TV: Channels, packages, and how to sign up

As one of the most popular live TV streaming services, Sling brings the best of cable to your screens while keeping the price more affordable than competitors like YouTube TV and Hulu with Live TV. When it comes to cutting the cord and replacing your cable bill with something a bit less pricey, Sling TV should be the first service you try.

What is Sling TV?

Sling TV subscriptions start at just $35 per month and ensure that you'll never have to miss another episode of your favorite shows. Not at home? Not a problem. Sling is available as an app on Android and iOS phones and tablets, Xbox game consoles, and streaming devices like the Fire TV Stick, Roku streaming sticks, and Apple TV.

Thanks to services like Sling, cable is less restrictive than ever before — there's not even a contract to worry about when signing up. There's just one catch: Sling TV is currently only available in the United States and Puerto Rico.

How much does Sling TV cost?

With Sling TV, there's never any contract or additional fees to worry about, as you might see with a cable bill. Sling TV's two main packages are Sling Orange and Sling Blue, which cost $35 per month and vary in which channels they provide.

Sling Orange unlocks 32 live channels, including the likes of ESPN and Disney Channel. In comparison, Sling Blue gives you access to 43 channels, which includes an expanded collection of entertainment-focused networks. Both plans also provide you with access to 50 hours of cloud DVR storage, but the Orange plan allows you to stream on only one device, while the Blue plan allows you to stream on up to three devices simultaneously. A third plan, Sling Orange + Blue, combines all the channels from both packages into one package for just $50 per month.

When you're signing up for Sling, you'll also have the option of adding movie channel bundles and premium channels to your monthly subscription for an additional fee. Showtime, MTV, Comedy Central, and Disney Junior are among the premium channels you can add to your subscription at your leisure.

What channels are on Sling TV?

Though it doesn't offer quite as many channels as its competitors, Sling keeps its price low by focusing on only the best and most popular channels for kids and adults alike. From ESPN and Disney Channel to NFL Network and HGTV, there's no shortage of shows to watch when you're a Sling subscriber.

While Sling offers local channels like FOX and NBC, access to these may vary based on which regions you live in within the United States. In addition, using Sling with an AirTV device lets you unlock even more local channels like ABC and CBS on your channel guide with a free Locast account.

It's also worth pointing out that, because Sling TV has two base plans to choose from, the channels available via each plan also vary a bit in which channels they offer. So with that in mind, here's which channels you'll have access to on Sling Orange vs. Sling Blue.

Channels on Sling Orange

• A&E
• AMC
• AXS TV
• BBC America
• Bloomberg Television
• Cartoon Network
• Cheddar
• Cheddar Big News
• Comedy Central
• CNN
• Disney Channel
• ESPN
• ESPN2
• ESPN3
• EPIX Drive In
• Food Network
• Freeform
• Fuse
• History Channel
• HGTV
• IFC
• Lifetime
• Newsy
• TBS
• TNT
• Travel Channel
• Tribeca Shortlist
• Viceland

Channels on Sling Blue

• A&E
• AMC
• AXS TV
• BBC America
• BET
• Bravo
• Bloomberg Television
• Cartoon Network
• Cheddar
• Cheddar Big News
• Comedy Central
• CNN
• E!
• EPIX Drive-In
• Food Network
• FOX News
• Fuse
• FX
• History Channel
• HGTV
• HLN
• IFC
• Lifetime
• MSNBC
• National Geographic
• NBC Select Markets
• NBC Sports Network
• Newsy
• Nick Jr.
• NFL Network
• SYFY
• TBS
• TNT
• Travel Channel
• Tribeca Shortlist
• truTV
• USA
• Viceland

Premium add-ons on Sling TV

Like YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV, Sling TV gives subscribers the option to add channel bundles for a small additional fee each month. These include the Sports Extra for $11 per month or the NBA League Pass for an extra $29 per month, which are available to subscribers of both the Orange and Blue plans. Sling TV's other bundle options are the Comedy Extra, Kids Extra, News Extra, Lifestyle Extra, Hollywood Extra, and Heartland Extra, which start at an additional $6 per month.

Free channels on Sling TV

Though Sling TV doesn't currently offer a free trial available currently, there is still a way to access this streaming service for free. The Sling Free section allows you to watch a selection of on-demand shows, movies, and even a few live TV channels for free — you don't even need to enter your billing information! This is an excellent way to see how Sling works without signing up for a membership.

There are over 30 channels you can watch on Sling Free without even entering your billing information! Of course, though most of these channels aren't well-known, they still air some excellent shows and movies. You can find free-to-stream channels like AMC Presents, Buzzr, Shout TV, The Film Detective, Bon Appétit, Law & Crime Rewind, Ryan & Friends, Live x Live, and more.

What devices support Sling TV?

While one of the easiest ways to start streaming is to download Sling TV on a Fire Stick, Roku, or Apple TV device, thanks to modern technology, you can watch Sling on more than just your TV at home. In fact, Sling TV is also available as an app on iOS and Android mobile devices, including smartphones, tablets, and select Xbox game consoles. Here's a complete list of devices that currently support Sling TV:

Select smart TVs by Samsung and LG have access to the app, too, or you could use Chromecast, an AirTV Mini, or an Oculus Quest VR headset. Watching with your computer is also an option, with Sling TV accessible via Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, and Safari.

Are there any Sling TV deals?

New members will definitely want to take a moment before signing up. There are always a few great deals available directly from Sling, from discounts on your first month of service to free streaming devices when you pre-pay for a few months of service while joining. The most current deal available is usually featured right at the top of Sling's homepage, though you could also visit the Deals on Sling page on its website to find more offers for new subscribers.

Right now, the best Sling TV deal is taking $25 off your first month of service, dropping its price down to just $10. So far, that's the most affordable way to join Sling TV we've seen all year. Just note that the offer is only available to new customers upon account activation. It's also worth pointing out that Sling TV has a deal that lets you score a free AirTV Mini device when you prepay for two months of service.