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These days, it seems as though the internet is saturated with streaming services, and Sling TV is one of them. But before you lump it in with the Netflixes and Hulus of the world, there are a few things that set Sling TV apart from other streaming services. It’s almost like having a cable or satellite subscription, but with more flexibility and customization — and some really nice perks, as well. The company itself says it’s “everything you love about TV without the grody parts.”
Interested in signing up for a subscription? Here’s our comprehensive Sling TV review, which lays out everything you need to know about the streaming service.
What is Sling TV, Exactly?
Sling TV is an app-based live TV streaming platform. It’s kind of like a hybrid between an on-demand streaming service and a traditional satellite or cable service in that you can watch movies, shows and live television, but you choose which channels you want or don’t want.
How is Sling TV Different from Cable or Satellite?
Having a Sling TV subscription is a lot like having cable or satellite, but since you’ll choose which channels you get, you won’t have to scroll through endless channels you’re never going to watch. Unlike cable or satellite, you can watch movies or shows on-demand with many Sling TV channels. Additionally, you don’t need any cable boxes, satellite dishes or other special equipment to use Sling TV. As long as you have a reliable internet connection and a compatible device, you’re good to go.
Can I Watch the 2024 Olympics on Sling TV?
Yes, you certainly can watch the 2024 Summer Paris Olympics on Sling TV! But you’ll need to be signed up for either the Blue or the Orange + Blue Sling TV plans in order to do so (more on this below). Both of these plans include NBCUniversal, which has the Sling TV channels that the Olympics will be streaming on: USA Network, E! and NBC (in select cities).
If you have a digital antenna, and if you live within range of a transmitter, you can access NBC even if you don’t live in one of the cities where it’s included in the plan. That way, you’ll have the full range of channels to watch the Olympics on. Additionally, if you have a 4K-capable television, you can watch the Olympics on Sling TV in ultra-high definition via the USA 4K Channel.
How Do You Sign Up for Sling TV?
To sign up for an account, visit the homepage of the website and click the “Try Us Today” button. You’ll enter some basic information such as your name, email address and ZIP code, which will determine which local channels you can access with your subscription. From there, you’ll select your plan and any add-on services you want, like extra channels or DVR capabilities. Then, simply enter your payment information on the checkout screen and you’ll be on your way to streaming!
What Plans Does Sling TV Offer?
After setting up your Sling TV account, you’ll select which plan you want. You can choose from two basic plans — either the Blue plan or the Orange plan — or a combination of the two (the Orange + Blue plan).
Both the Blue and the Orange plans cost the same per month, and they both include a base selection of 28 Sling TV channels including CNN, TNT, Food Network, HGTV and more. However, each plan comes with a slightly different selection of exclusive channels. With the Orange plan, you’ll get six additional sports and family channels such as ESPN and Disney, while the Blue plan includes 15 additional news and entertainment channels such as Bravo, National Geographic and MSNBC. The Orange + Blue plan combines the two for a total of 47 channels altogether.
The amount of devices you can stream on at one time will vary based on the plan you select. You can only stream on one device at a time with the Orange plan, whereas the Blue plan lets you stream on three devices at once. With the Orange + Blue plan, you can stream on up to four devices.
How Does Sling TV Work?
Since it’s an app-based streaming service, Sling TV is accessible via mobile phone, tablet, computer, smart TV and devices such as Roku, Xbox, Chromecast and Amazon Fire. (You can find a list of all supported devices here.) After setting up your Sling TV account, you’ll download the app on whichever device (or devices) you plan to use it on. Then, simply log in with your username and password and you’ll be ready to stream.
How Much Does Sling TV Cost?
Like many streaming services, the monthly price for Sling TV depends on which plan you pick. The Blue and the Orange plans cost $40 per month, while the Orange + Blue plan costs $55 per month. You can also add “extras” like DVR Plus, Discovery+, STARZ and Paramount+ with Showtime, each of which comes with a small upcharge. Right now, Sling TV is offering a promotional price of $15 for the first month of your subscription (not including add-ons).
What Can I Watch on Sling TV?
As long as a channel is included in the Sling TV plan you choose, you can watch anything you want on that channel! The local channels will depend on your location, however, and certain ones may not be available in your specific ZIP code. (This information will be relayed to you during your sign up process.) The Sling TV website states that FOX, NBC and ABC are available for Blue plan subscribers in select markets. But if you live outside of those cities, you’ll need a digital antenna to access local channels such as ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC.
Does Sling TV Have Commercials?
Like many other streaming services, Sling TV does have commercials, and there isn’t an option for an ad-free plan. However, by utilizing the free DVR add-on, you can record up to 50 hours of movies or shows on certain Sling TV channels, and you can pause or fast-forward over the commercials that way. (Or, for $5 more, you can get the DVR Plus add-on, which lets you record up to 200 hours.)
Can You Watch Movies or Shows On Demand with Sling TV?
Yes, you can! In fact, most Sling TV channels offer on-demand shows and movies. “Thousands of them, in fact,” according to the website.
Does Sling TV Offer a Free Trial?
Sling TV does not offer free trials at the moment. However, as mentioned previously, the company is currently offering a promotional price of $15 for the first month of your subscription. Sling also offers a free streaming service called Freestream, which includes over 500 channels plus free DVR (and you don’t even need an account to access it!).
