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Sling TV Review
Sling TV is a live TV streaming (vMVPD) service with two base plans — Sling Orange and Sling Blue — plus a discounted Orange & Blue bundle. Current list prices are about $45 per month for Orange, $45 per month for Blue, and $60 per month for Orange & Blue, with frequent first-month promotions; list prices are the best guide for ongoing costs (Sling TV, Sling TV packages). Orange includes ESPN/Disney and generally allows 1 stream, while Blue emphasizes FOX/NBC-owned networks (in supported markets) and allows up to 3 streams. Local channels vary by ZIP code — Sling carries select FOX and NBC affiliates in eligible markets, does not carry CBS, and ABC availability is limited to select markets; use Sling’s ZIP lookup to confirm what you’ll get or plan on an antenna for missing locals (Sling channel lineup & local availability). To tailor your lineup, Sling sells low-cost Extras and a DVR upgrade; most Extras are $6–$11 per month and Cloud DVR Plus expands storage to 200 hours for about $5 per month (50 hours included) (Sling Help Center, Cloud DVR FAQ).
Sling TV Packages at a Glance
| Package | Price | Free trial length | Number of channels | Simultaneous streams |
| Sling Orange | $45/mo. | Promotions vary; no standard trial | Varies by ZIP (see Sling lineup) | 1 |
| Sling Blue | $45/mo. | Promotions vary; no standard trial | Varies by ZIP (see Sling lineup) | Up to 3 |
| Sling Orange & Blue | $60/mo. | Promotions vary; no standard trial | Varies by ZIP (see Sling lineup) | 1–3 (by channel) |
How We Evaluated Sling TV
Live TV services update prices, lineups, and features frequently. For this review, we verified Sling’s list pricing, plan differences (streams and locals), Extras, and DVR details on the official site and Help Center, and we cross-referenced recent independent reviews (Sling TV; Sling packages; Sling channel lineup; Sling Help Center; CNET review; Tom’s Guide review).
We categorize services as live TV cable replacements (vMVPDs) versus supplemental on-demand platforms. Sling is a vMVPD with smaller, cheaper base bundles and optional add-ons; competitors like YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV offer fuller lineups with broader local coverage and unlimited DVR included by default (YouTube TV overview; Hulu plans and prices).
We compared Sling’s plans on value (list pricing and add-on costs), local-channel coverage by ZIP, DVR capacity and upgrade options, and device support, and then benchmarked against other leading vMVPDs using their official resources (Fubo channels; DIRECTV STREAM channel lineup).
Sling TV vs. Other Video Streaming Services
Key Sling TV Features
Customize with add-ons
Sling’s Extras let you tailor a low-cost base plan with genre packs such as Sports, News, Comedy, Kids, Lifestyle, Hollywood, and Heartland. Most Extras typically cost about $6 per month, while Sports Extra is commonly around $11 per month. Sling also offers discounted bundles like the Total TV Deal (about $21 per month for a single base plan or about $27 with Orange & Blue) and periodic multi-Extra promos (Sling: What are Extras?). For current availability and channel lists by plan, check the Sling channel lineup.
DVR Friendly
Cloud DVR includes 50 hours at no extra cost; upgrading to Cloud DVR Plus increases storage to 200 hours for about $5 per month. Recordings are managed within your capacity, and you can schedule and organize DVR shows across supported devices (Cloud DVR FAQ). For context, many competitors now include unlimited cloud DVR with time-based retention, so Sling’s low entry price plus a modest DVR upgrade remains a budget-friendly combination (YouTube TV cloud DVR; Hulu cloud DVR; Fubo DVR overview; DIRECTV via Internet DVR).
Available devices
Sling TV supports major platforms including Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Android TV/Google TV, Android and iOS devices, Chromecast, LG Smart TV, Roku, Samsung Smart TV, VIZIO Smart TV, web browsers, and Microsoft Xbox consoles. As of 2025, Sling’s console app is available on Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S; there are no native Sling apps for PlayStation or Nintendo Switch. Note: Xbox consoles don’t support standard Bluetooth audio headsets — use Xbox Wireless headsets or wired/USB options (Xbox Bluetooth support).
The Bottom Line
Sling is the most flexible, lowest-cost entry point among major live TV streamers, but its lighter base lineups and limited local-channel coverage mean many households will add Extras or use an antenna for missing locals. If you want full local coverage and unlimited DVR included, look at broader services such as YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV (both include unlimited cloud DVR with ~9-month retention), or Fubo and DIRECTV via Internet (large DVR allocations and robust sports/local options in many markets). We recommend confirming your exact locals and must-have channels by ZIP before deciding: Sling; YouTube TV; Hulu + Live TV; Fubo; DIRECTV STREAM.
