Sling TV Review
Sling TV is The Streamable’s choice for cord cutters on a budget. Sling is a live TV streaming service with multiple channel packages. The $40/month “Sling Orange” plan offers about 30 channels, including Disney Channel and ESPN. The $40/month “Sling Blue” plan offers about 40 channels, including ABC, Fox, and NBC in major markets.
You can combine Orange+Blue for a total of $55 / month. Sling also offers many channel add-on packages starting at $6/month.
Sling Blue or Orange+Blue users in New York City, Chicago, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Houston, Fresno, Raleigh-Durham, and San Francisco pay a $5 surcharge because they have access to their local ABC affiliate.
It’s important to note that Sling doesn’t carry CBS in any package. Simply sign up for Paramount+ with Showtime and you’ll get access to your live, local CBS affiliate.
Sling TV also includes access to all the channels and on-demand content of Sling Freestream. The lineup features a strong variety of news, entertainment, and international programming.
Review
We tested Sling TV and other live TV streaming services for more than 100 hours. Sling TV is compatible with Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Google Chromecast, Roku, Android TV, iPhone/iPad, Android Phone/Tablet, Mac, Windows, Xbox, LG Smart TV, Samsung Smart TV, Sony Smart TV, and VIZIO Smart TV.
PROS
- Best price for many popular channels, especially sports
- Flexible channel packages
- 4K events at no additional charge
- Smart DVR
- Attractive intro offers
- Dozens of non-English packages
CONS
- No CBS
- DVR capacity limited unless you pay more
- May not offer NBC, FOX, or ABC, depending where you live
- Clunky user interface
Features
50 hours Cloud DVR
Sling TV includes 50 hours of recording space with each subscription. For $5/month, you can include a cloud DVR with 200 hours of recording space.
Although the standard DVR is limited, it automatically deletes the oldest watched shows, so it can make room for new recordings.
Unlike most cloud DVRs, Sling’s allows you to record individual episodes, all episodes of a series, or only new episodes of a series. You can also protect recordings to keep them indefinitely. If you cancel your service, Sling will keep your recording for up to 30 days in case you decide to return to the service.
Up to 4 Devices
“Sling Orange” ($40) lets you stream on 1 device at a time. “Sling Blue” ($40) allows for 3 simultaneous streams (among TV devices, smartphones, tablets, and computers).
If you subscribe to both plans, you can stream on up to 4 devices for content that is offered on both plans.
20 TV Everywhere Apps
Sling TV gives you access to 20 different TV Everywhere apps.
On Demand
A majority of channels offer on demand content, but you can’t skip or fast-forward through the content.
Parental Controls
In Sling TV settings, you can restrict content playback based on content ratings.
DIRECTV STREAM and Hulu Live TV also have parental control features.
International Channels Feature
Sling TV offers international content from Mexico, China, India, Brazil, and other countries, starting at $5/month.
NFL RedZone Feature
The Sports Extra ($11) add-on for “Sling Blue” includes NFL RedZone.
Video Controls Restricted Feature
When watching some programming on Sling, you may not be able to pause, fast-forward, or rewind. This setback sometimes appears at random, which can be frustrating.
Compatible Devices
Sling TV is compatible with these devices:
- Amazon Fire TV
- Apple TV
- Google Chromecast (Google Cast)
- Roku
- Android TV (5.0+)
- iPhone/iPad (iOS 11+)
- Android Phone/Tablet (5.0+)
- Mac
- Windows
- Xbox
- LG Smart TV (WebOS 3.0+)
- Samsung Smart TV (2016+)
- Sony Smart TV
- VIZIO Smart TV (AirPlay/Google Cast)
Sling TV is not compatible with PlayStation, Nintendo, or onn devices.
Channels
Local Channels
“Sling Orange” ($40) doesn’t include any local channels.
“Sling Blue” ($40) includes local ABC, Fox, and NBC channels in most major markets. Currently, Sling does not offer CBS, Telemundo, The CW or Univision for most subscribers.
If you need CBS, consider subscribing to Paramount+ with Showtime ($11.99 / month). It includes live CBS, blockbuster movies, and almost all the biggest hits from BET, CBS, Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon, and Smithsonian Channel.
You can get free access to CW shows with The CW apps with no subscription needed.
Local Channel Restrictions
You can only access local channels and regional sports networks when you are in your home city. For example, if you live in San Francisco and travel to New York, you won’t be able to stream any local channels.
Top Cable Channels
“Sling Orange” includes 17 of the top 35 cable channels and “Sling Blue” includes 24 top channels. The combo package has 27 most popular channels.
A number of channels can be added with their “Comedy,” “Kids,” “Lifestyle,” and “News” Extra packs ($6 each). Sling also offers a bundle of all four extra packs for only $13.
The top 35 cable channels cable channels are listed below. For a list of channels in each plan and extra packs, look at Sling TV’s full channel lineup.
- A&E
- AMC
- BET
- Cartoon Network
- CNN
- Comedy Central
- Food Network
- HGTV
- History
- Investigation Discovery
- Lifetime
- TBS
- TNT
- Travel Channel
- Disney Channel
- ESPN
- Freeform
-
Bravo -
Discovery -
E! -
Fox News -
FX -
MSNBC -
Syfy -
TLC - truTV +$6
-
USA Network - Hallmark Channel +$6
- MTV +$6
- Paramount Network +$6
- VH1 +$6
- WE tv +$6
- Disney Junior +$6
-
FXX -
Nickelodeon
- A&E
- AMC
- BET
- Cartoon Network
- CNN
- Comedy Central
- Food Network
- HGTV
- History
- Investigation Discovery
- Lifetime
- TBS
- TNT
- Travel Channel
-
Disney Channel -
ESPN -
Freeform - Bravo
- Discovery
- E!
- Fox News
- FX
- MSNBC
- Syfy
- TLC
- truTV
- USA Network
- Hallmark Channel +$6
- MTV +$6
- Paramount Network +$6
- VH1 +$6
- WE tv +$6
-
Disney Junior - FXX +$6
-
Nickelodeon
- A&E
- AMC
- BET
- Cartoon Network
- CNN
- Comedy Central
- Food Network
- HGTV
- History
- Investigation Discovery
- Lifetime
- TBS
- TNT
- Travel Channel
- Disney Channel
- ESPN
- Freeform
- Bravo
- Discovery
- E!
- Fox News
- FX
- MSNBC
- Syfy
- TLC
- truTV
- USA Network
- Hallmark Channel +$6
- MTV +$6
- Paramount Network +$6
- VH1 +$6
- WE tv +$6
- Disney Junior +$6
- FXX +$6
-
Nickelodeon
Sports Channels
National Sports Channels
Sling TV offers different national sports channels for in their plans. ESPN and ESPN2 are exclusive to “Sling Orange” and FS1 and USA Network are exclusive to “Sling Blue”. Both plans include TBS and TNT.
If you subscribe to the “Sling Orange + Blue” combo plan, you will receive both sets of channels.
Regional Sports Networks (RSNs)
Sling TV no longer carries Regional Sports Networks. Previously, the service included those from Fox Sports and NBC Sports in Sling Blue.
RSNs in Other Markets
-
Altitude -
Arizona's Family Sports -
SportsNet Pittsburgh -
Chicago Sports Network -
FanDuel Sports Network Detroit -
FanDuel Sports Network Florida -
FanDuel Sports Network Great Lakes -
FanDuel Sports Network Indiana -
FanDuel Sports Network Kansas City -
FanDuel Sports Network Midwest -
FanDuel Sports Network North -
FanDuel Sports Network Ohio -
FanDuel Sports Network Oklahoma -
FanDuel Sports Network SoCal -
FanDuel Sports Network South -
FanDuel Sports Network Southeast -
FanDuel Sports Network Southwest -
FanDuel Sports Network Sun -
FanDuel Sports Network West -
FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin -
Marquee Sports Network -
MASN -
MASN2 -
Monumental Sports Network -
MSG -
MSG Sportsnet -
NBC Sports Bay Area -
NBC Sports Boston -
NBC Sports California -
NBC Sports Philadelphia -
NBC Sports Philadelphia+ -
NESN -
Rockies.TV Channel -
Root Sports Northwest -
Space City Home Network -
Spectrum SportsNet -
Spectrum SportsNet LA -
SportsNet NY -
Utah 16 (KUPX) -
YES Network
-
Altitude -
Arizona's Family Sports -
SportsNet Pittsburgh -
Chicago Sports Network -
FanDuel Sports Network Detroit -
FanDuel Sports Network Florida -
FanDuel Sports Network Great Lakes -
FanDuel Sports Network Indiana -
FanDuel Sports Network Kansas City -
FanDuel Sports Network Midwest -
FanDuel Sports Network North -
FanDuel Sports Network Ohio -
FanDuel Sports Network Oklahoma -
FanDuel Sports Network SoCal -
FanDuel Sports Network South -
FanDuel Sports Network Southeast -
FanDuel Sports Network Southwest -
FanDuel Sports Network Sun -
FanDuel Sports Network West -
FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin -
Marquee Sports Network -
MASN -
MASN2 -
Monumental Sports Network -
MSG -
MSG Sportsnet -
NBC Sports Bay Area -
NBC Sports Boston -
NBC Sports California -
NBC Sports Philadelphia -
NBC Sports Philadelphia+ -
NESN -
Rockies.TV Channel -
Root Sports Northwest -
Space City Home Network -
Spectrum SportsNet -
Spectrum SportsNet LA -
SportsNet NY -
Utah 16 (KUPX) -
YES Network
-
Altitude -
Arizona's Family Sports -
SportsNet Pittsburgh -
Chicago Sports Network -
FanDuel Sports Network Detroit -
FanDuel Sports Network Florida -
FanDuel Sports Network Great Lakes -
FanDuel Sports Network Indiana -
FanDuel Sports Network Kansas City -
FanDuel Sports Network Midwest -
FanDuel Sports Network North -
FanDuel Sports Network Ohio -
FanDuel Sports Network Oklahoma -
FanDuel Sports Network SoCal -
FanDuel Sports Network South -
FanDuel Sports Network Southeast -
FanDuel Sports Network Southwest -
FanDuel Sports Network Sun -
FanDuel Sports Network West -
FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin -
Marquee Sports Network -
MASN -
MASN2 -
Monumental Sports Network -
MSG -
MSG Sportsnet -
NBC Sports Bay Area -
NBC Sports Boston -
NBC Sports California -
NBC Sports Philadelphia -
NBC Sports Philadelphia+ -
NESN -
Rockies.TV Channel -
Root Sports Northwest -
Space City Home Network -
Spectrum SportsNet -
Spectrum SportsNet LA -
SportsNet NY -
Utah 16 (KUPX) -
YES Network
Pro Sports
“Sling Blue” includes NFL Network.
Sling TV also offers a “Sports Extra” pack that includes MLB Network, NBA TV, and NHL Network.
College Sports
Sling TV does not include any college sports networks as part of their standard plans.
However, the “Sports Extra” add-on includes Pac-12 Network. “Sling Orange” subscribers with “Sports Extra” will also have access to ACC Network, ACC Network Extra, ESPNU, and SEC Network.
Sling does not offer CBS Sports Network.
Other Sports Channels
The Sling TV “Sports Extra” pack offers channels like beIN Sports, ESPNEWS, Golf Channel, and Tennis Channel. The channels you receive in this add-on depends on whether you subscribe to “Sling Orange” or “Sling Blue.”
Premium Channels
You can add Showtime ($10) and Starz ($9) to any Sling TV plan.
Add-Ons
Sling TV offers more ways to save than any other live TV streamer. The channels in each of these bundles will change, depending on your base package. You can also get a bundle deal. The 4 Extras package is $13 and includes everything from Entertainment Extra, Kids Extra, News Extra, and Lifestyle Extra. The Total TV Deal is $21-27 and includes every add-on channel.
Tech Specs
- High definition video is similar to other streaming services, but only offers 60 FPS on select channels
- Live streaming works well, with occasional issues switching channels.
- Live content is about 55 seconds behind cable TV, which is longest delay of any of the streaming services.
- Long lag when switching channels, so don’t expect to channel surf.
720p HD
(Up to 4K UHD)
Streams are at least 720p and most are at 30 fps. Select events are available in 4K.
To reduce playback interruptions, Sling TV will adapt the stream quality to match your network connection.
30/60 FPS
Sling TV recently added 60 fps on most national sports channels, Showtime, and EPIX.
Stereo Sound
All live TV content has standard stereo audio. Some on demand content has Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround.
Reliability
Sling recommends at least 3 Mbps for mobile devices and 5 Mbps for television devices.
We rarely had issues once a stream was started, but we often had errors starting a live stream—requiring us to reboot the app. This issue would happen often when switching between channels.
Many users have complained have Sling TV’s performance on the Roku 2 and Roku Streaming Stick.
Do not expect Sling TV to work as consistently as your cable or satellite service.
Live Delay
Live Delay
Live content is about 55 seconds behind cable TV, which is the longest delay of all the streaming services.
Channel Switching
Channel Switching
It takes about 5.5 seconds to switch between channels, which is the slowest of any of the providers.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How much does Sling TV cost?
Sling TV is available starting at $40 / month. See the full list: Sling TV Pricing & Plans
Does Sling TV have a free trial?
Sling TV does not have a free trial.
Does Sling TV have a DVR?
Sling TV includes 50 hours of Cloud DVR storage.
You can upgrade to 200 hours of Cloud DVR storage for $5 / month.
What channels are on Sling TV?
Sling TV includes 30 channels including 17 top cable channels. See the full list: Sling TV Channels.
How many streams are allowed at once on Sling TV?
Sling TV allows up to 4 devices at the same time. See more details: Sling TV Simultaneous Streams
Does Sling TV have local channels?
Sling TV includes ABC, Fox, and NBC in most, but not all markets. See the full list: Sling TV Local Channels.
Does Sling TV have live sports?
Sling TV includes live sports from ESPN, ESPN2, FS1, NFL Network, TBS, TNT, and USA Network. See the full list: Sling TV Sports Channels.
Does Sling TV offer premium channels?
Sling TV offers premium channels like MGM+, Parmount+ with SHOWTIME, and Starz for an additional fee. See the full list: Sling TV Premium Channels.
Does Sling TV offer on demand content?
Sling TV includes on demand content from most of the channels they offer. Unlike content on your DVR, you won’t be able to skip ads.
Does Sling TV support TV Everywhere apps?
Sling TV includes access to many TV Eveywhere Apps with your Sling TV credentials. See the full list: Sling TV TV Everywhere Apps.
Does Sling TV have a TV Guide?
Sling TV includes a TV Guide similar to what you would get with your cable or satellite set-top box.
Does Sling TV have ads?
Sling TV includes ads during live viewing of shows, as well on all on-demand content. You can skip ads when you watch shows recorded to your DVR.
Does Sling TV offer 4K streaming?
Sling TV includes select 4K content as part of the service. A compatible device would be required.
Does Sling TV offer Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound?
Sling TV does not include Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound as part of the service.