25 Things To Know Before Sling TV

Cable TV alternatives should provide flexibility and premium channel for subscribers. And letting you watch TV on a budget is one of the many things that Sling TV is solving for cord-cutters.

The ability to watch premium channels, your favorite sports games, and even on the go is something everyone appreciates.

As one of the earliest live TV streaming service providers, Sling TV is a great platform that is continually growing in popularity and exponentially increasing its subscribers.

Sling TV is a first-choice pick for everyone that wishes to ditch cable TV and replace it with a streaming service. For various reasons, Sling TV might be all you need to solve your cable TV problems.

This article explores Sling TV and its different services. It talks about the features, plan costs, compatibility with devices, many of its advantages, and answers some frequently asked questions about Sling TV.

1. What is Sling TV?

Sling TV is a streaming service platform that allows its subscribers access to on-demand content and Live TV channels. Sling TV provides a budget-friendly alternative to cable TV and their satellite packages at a lower price.

The transition to a digital streaming platform is usually relieving to subscribers who now have more control over their favorite content and movies. Moreover, subscribers get to enjoy the flexibility of watching their favorite movies and TV shows on the go.

Sling TV has a catalog of premium channels that provide the same content you get from your regular cable TV.

These channels provide local and premium content for your viewing satisfaction. Importantly, you are saving a lot from the difference between your cable TV plan and Sling TV’s monthly subscription.

As a new subscriber on Sling TV, you get a free trial period where you can explore all the benefits of using this platform. After your free trial period ends, you enjoy Sling TV for as low as $10 for your first month. This offer is available for new customers.

2. How is Sling TV different From Cable TV?

The difference is simple – Sling TV is a live TV streaming platform that lets its subscribers stream channels Live from their devices over the internet.

Sling TV does not restrict you to watching your shows on just a TV. It offers the flexibility for streaming your TV shows and movies on your device of choice. It is available on different devices with different operating systems.

Furthermore, Sling TV is a platform that is available for use everywhere in the United States. In comparison to cable TV, Sling TV is a cheaper platform to watch your TV channels.

Sling TV also has local channels that broadcast the contents you might want to watch. Although Sling TV is constantly updating its channel list, you can expect to get local channels like ABC, CBS, Fox, and others on this platform.

Sling TV provides Digital Video Recording (DVR) storage capabilities to record your Live TV shows. For up to 10 hours, you can watch your shows on playback at your own convenient time. You can replay your favorite recording at any point after recording and storing it in your library.

One of the requirements for watching Sling TV is a working internet connection. You need to have an internet connection of at least 25 Mbps. This is the minimum recommendation to stream content off Sling TV without a scratch.

Sling TV is available on the free Sling TV app. This app is useful for streaming the content of your favorite channel on the viewing device you choose. You can watch from a Smart TV, game console, mobile device, and tablet.

3. Sling TV Channels

Sling TV provides a concise channel list that subscribers will appreciate. Because the channel list is long, Sling TV attracts its subscribers with its budget plans. Sling TV provides over 40 different channels for viewing.

This channel list contains some channel category that covers all you need on cable TV. Depending on the subscription plan you have on Sling TV, you have access to exclusive and premium content on the channels you can watch.

Sling TV has many entertainment channels for your pleasure. It also provides sports and news channels for your perusal. Local content channels like Fox and NBC are available on this platform.

The availability of your favorite channel on the subscription plan you have with Sling TV depends greatly on your location. It is important that you check to confirm that the channel you want to watch is available in your area before proceeding.

You also have the opportunity of adding premium channels like HBO, Showtime, and Starz to your channel package. You can watch the premium content from these premium channels on your Sling TV subscription for a small additional fee.

4. Sling TV Features

Sling TV has some differentiating features that set it apart from other streaming services. Of course, these features are special designs to help subscribers get the best service for their money.

As a Sling TV subscriber, you should know your features and everything you can do on your Sling TV account. Below are some of the current features you should be aware of while actively using your Sling TV account

1. DVR Storage

One of the top features of Sling TV is cloud DVR storage and its hours of video storage for your use. Recording your favorite shows when you are not ready to give them full attention is a handy feature you will want to know about. Your cloud DVR storage feature is very effective in this regard.

Subscribers get 50 hours of video storage capacity on their account for any base plan on this platform. This feature works with several of the channels on this platform. After recording, you can choose to pause and fast-forward through your content if you choose to for your show.

If you want to increase your cloud DVR storage capability, you can get a bump-up storage space up to 200 hours for $5 extra cost every month. You can also keep your recordings for as long as you want.

2. Sling TV Watch Party

Watching your TV shows and movies that you can watch together with family and friends via Sling TV.

This feature became more popular during the lockdown period as people used this feature to catch up on their movies and favorite TV shows. With this watch party feature, you can watch live shows and other television content with family and friends remotely.

Watch party admits up to four watchers at a go. With the chat function, watchers can communicate with each other. Watchers can also enable their webcam to stream their real-time videos while watching the content of choice on Sling TV. The three extra watchers can join the watch party free.

3. Video On-Demand

You can watch all your videos on-demand via the Available Now feature on this platform. The on-demand selection of movies, documentaries, and TV shows features some of the top selections.

Unfortunately, subscribers may not be getting frequent updates to the available content on-demand. To check out the available on-demand content, you can use the Sling TV guide to look for available content.

The on-demand content attracts an extra cost, usually between $4 and $7. However, some on-demand content costs as low as $1. It is usually available within a 30-day window.

You can expect to get some Disney flicks and other premium budget movies as time goes on. Currently, there are about 2,000 video-on-demand spanning several popular genres that match your taste.

4. Pause, Fast Forward, or Rewind

Sling TV airs commercials during shows. Like cable TV, Sling TV uses commercials to offset the cost of streaming your favorite shows and Live TV.

However, the ability to pause, fast forward, or rewind depends on the channel you are viewing. This feature is not available on some channels. This feature comes in handy for subscribers who are watching their television content full of commercials.

5. Referrals

Letting your family and friends know about the benefits you are getting from using a service like Sling TV is a great idea. The competitive price plans and the TV channels combine to offer services your family and friends will want to have. Sling TV is taking it a step further with its referral program. You can reduce your subscription bill from what it is currently.

Sling TV is offering you and your referral a $5 discount for a month. This discount can get you a month of the premium package offer.

Sling TV also offers some other amazing promotion items like free Roku or AirTV mini Streamers. You can get on any of these deals by staying up to date about the latest deals via Sling TV’s website.

6. Interface

Sling TV provides an easy-to-use interface for its subscribers. It provides information about the channels and on-demand videos on screen.

You should be comfortable navigating through the layout on your first attempt. You should also use the search feature on the interface to navigate around the application.

5. Sling TV DVR Feature

A very handy feature that every subscriber on Sling TV will find useful is its cloud DVR feature. This feature is useful for recording the important shows and television content you would rather not miss.

On sign-up, every Sling TV customer gets 50 hours of Cloud DVR storage for their use. To increase the storage capacity, subscribers can expand the storage cap to 200 hours for an extra $5 per month.

Sling TV also makes room for new recordings by deleting old recordings in your library. This helps free up space for the new content you want to save.

Thoughtfully, Sling TV allows you to flag some content in your library to prevent automatic deletion. For your favorite episodes and movie moments that you would want to relive repeatedly, flagging the content is a great way to ensure that it does not get deleted automatically.

DVR feature on your Sling TV subscription is available on almost every channel. For channels that support this feature, subscribers can record their favorite shows on different channels simultaneously.

This record option is available for the channels that support DVR. In addition, this feature is not available on some devices. Devices like Samsung smart TVs and Xfinity X1 do not support Sling TV’s DVR recording.

6. Sling TV on Demand Feature

Video on Demand makes videos available for your entertainment. This offers a robust catalog of movies from their launch date and makes some available in advance.

The on-demand feature comes at a monthly rental cost varying between $4 and $7. For some movie selections, subscribers can have access to them for as low as $1. This on-demand option gives you the option to access any movie you want to watch within a 30 days window.

The library of movies available includes a healthy selection of premium, classic, and blockbuster movies that are just premiering. Over 2,000 videos on-demand titles spanning various movie genres and popularity are available.

When accessing Sling TV’s catalog of movies, you can be sure of finding categories such as action and adventure, comedy, documentary, classics, thriller, horror, family, and kids, among many others.

7. Sling TV Cost

To hop on the Sling TV train, all you need to do is to sign up and register your details. You are eligible for seven days of free trial upon registering. You can access all the premium content and check out all the services and features available on Sling TV.

For the subscription package, Sling TV offers two subscription plans. Both cost $35, but they have different channel lines up. Sling Blue and Sling orange offer more than 30 channels.

Sling orange offers more than 30 channels, while Sling Blue shows more than 50 channels. You can also combine both plans for a fee of $50 per month.

Sling TV also allows add-on packages for channels and premium content to your base subscription. As a subscriber, you have the opportunity to go through the available premium channel and select which you want to add to your basic subscription.

Of course, this premium channel addition also comes at an additional cost. Depending on the premium channel you request, the cost of the add-on channel vary.

Sling TV also has its associating cost for its cloud DVR storage. It charges about $5 extra for extending your cloud DVR storage space from 50 hours to 200 hours monthly.

8. Sling TV Packages

On this platform, subscribers are able to select between one of the three packages available. The package option provides its own distinct benefit depending on what the subscriber desires in live TV.

Noticeable is the fact that you can add extra packages to these package types. These extra packages focus on Sports, News, Lifestyle, Entertainment, and a host of others.

There are three types of packages available on Sling TV. They are Sling Blue, Sling Orange, and Sling Blue + Orange.

1. Sling Blue Package

Sling Blue package provides a channel list of 48 channels and counting. These channel options include Fox and NBC, among other content channels. The blue package allows subscribers to stream on up to three devices simultaneously.

If you particularly have an interest in News and Entertainment, this package option is for you. Other channels that subscribers appreciate on this package channel list include Bravo, Fox News, and NFL. For as low as $30 per month, this package plan option is available to subscribers.

2. Sling Orange Package

Sling TV’s orange package provides 33 channels under this package deal. The channels under this package include channels like ESPN and Disney. Fox or NBC channels are not available.

Unfortunately, subscribers to this package deal can only stream on one device at a time. Subscribers who have an interest in sports and family channels will appreciate this channel better.

Other channels that subscribers can look forward to including ESPN, Disney, and Nick Jr. this package plan costs a $30 monthly subscription rate.

3. Sling Orange + Blue Package

This package plan combines the offering from Sling Blue Package and Sling Orange Package. It provides a total of 51 channels and counting for its subscribers. If you are interested in having access to the entire base channel available on Sling TV, this option is for you.

Although you can simultaneously stream on four devices, you can any of the channels on Sling TV’s channel on only one of the four streams option. Channels you can look forward to on this package include ESPN, Disney, Fox News, NFL, and others. This package option costs $45 per month for its monthly subscription plan.

9. Sling TV Channels by Packages

The different package plans offer channel lists that distinguish them from the other channels. It is important that subscribers know the different channel lineups that these different packages are offering.

Sling Orange package has more than 30 channels, while Sling Blue has more than 45 channels. Of course, both channel lists are different from each other. Depending on what you want from your subscription, these plans can take care of it for you.

For Sling Orange’s plan, the base channel list includes channels like ESPN, BBC, CNN, AMC, Comedy Central, Cartoon Network, Food Network, Lifetime, and TNT.

The main channel list includes NBC, Fox News, AMC, BET, FX, Nat Geo, USA, CNN, Syfy, Bravo, and more for the Sling Blue package plan. The local channels are also dependent on the city you live in. This greatly affects your channel list and the channels you have access to.

For the Sling Orange + Blue package, subscribers get a combination of these channels. It is a mix of Sling Orange and Sling Blue channels. This package may not be able to provide access to certain channels for subscribers in certain states where the channel is not available.

10. Sling TV Add-On Packages

Boosting the content depth you have available on your channel list is possible with Sling TV’s add-on package. There are several add-on options for subscribers to select from for their viewing satisfaction.

For a cost ranging between $5 and $11 per month, customers can select the package they want to add to their base subscription. However, premium add-on packages like Showtime can prove to be a bit more expensive.

Add on the package also depends on the subscription plan you select on Sling TV. Some packages are truly à la carte as you do not need a base Sling TV plan before you can subscribe to them. However, if you subscribe to the Sling Blue and Orange plan, you get to have the option to choose any add-on option you want.

1. Sling Orange Plan Add-On Packages Options For Subscribers

Below you will find all of the add-on packages for Sling Orange.

Sports Extra

This package adds the sports channels that provide all the sporting content and exclusive event to your base package. For $11 per month, subscribers get access to channels like NBA TV, ESPN, ESPN SEC+, ESPNU, ESPNews, NHL Network, BeIN Sports, MLB Network, and more.

Comedy Extra

For your family television channels, you can get more with the comedy extra addition to your Sling Orange subscription. For an extra $6 per month, you will have access to channels like MTV, truTV, Paramount Network, MTV2, CMT, Revolt, and others.

News Extra

Staying up to date with the recent happenings around the world is important. With the News Extra package, news channels like the BBC World News, Euronews, Law, Crime, CGTN, and RT Network are available. This additional channel costs $6 per month.

Lifestyle Extra

For your everyday entertainment and lifestyle channels, this package deal provides your entire premium lifestyle channels. This additional channel list combines with the channel list already available on your base Sling orange plan.

Some of the channels available via this add-on package include VH1, Oxygen, Cooking Channel, Lifetime Movies, Movies & Mysteries, Hallmark Drama, among others. This add-on package costs $6 per month.

Best of Spanish Extra

This add-on option is not specific to a monthly base plan. You can add it to either of the subscription option available. For an extra $10 per month, you can watch the best of Spanish extras via this channel option. Channels like BeIN Sports, History en Espanola, BBC, Bloomberg TB, Discovery en Espanola, and others are available for your viewing pleasure.

2. Sling Blue Plan Add-on Packages Options For Subscribers

Below you will find all of the add-on packages for Sling Blue.

Sports Extra

For an extra $11 per month, subscribers can get the best of premium sports content via this add-on option. Channel options like RedZone NFL Network, NBA TV, NHL Network, MLB, Tennis channel, BeIN sports, and others are available.

Cheddar Business and Cheddar News

Both channel options are free for all Sling TV subscribers at no extra cost.

Comedy Extra

For an additional $6 per month, subscribers get MTV, Paramount Network, FeTV, Logo, Revolt, and others on their base Sling TV blue subscription.

Kids Extra

For your kids’ delight, this add-on package provides the channel that your kids will love and enjoy. Nick toons, Duck TV, Teen Nick, BabyTV, and Boomerang are available via this package. This package also costs an extra $6 per month.

News Extra

Fox Business, France 24, Euronews, BBC World, and other premium news channels are available under the News Extra add-on package. For only $6 additional cost per month, you can stay abreast with the latest happenings around the world.

Hollywood Extra

This package add-on costs $6 per month. The available channels involve Fandor, HDNET Movies, TCM, Reelz, and Sundance TV.

11. Sling TV Premium Add-On Channel

Premium contents channels are available for your viewing satisfaction on Sling TV. At an additional cost, subscribers can enjoy the content on these premium channels.

Sling TV is working with other premium channel providers to come on the platform to provide more content to its subscribers. Below is a list of premium channels available on Sling TV

Starz

For an extra $9 per month, subscribers can watch Starz, Starz West, Starz Edge, Starz Comedy, Starz Kids, and Family.

Showtime

For an extra $10 per month, subscribers can watch showtime, Showtime West, Showtime 2, Showtime Showcase, Showtime Extreme, Showtime Family, Showtime, Beyond, Showtime Women, Showtime Next.

Comedy Dynamics

For an extra $5 per month, subscribers enjoy the best stand-up comedy content from comedians like Kevin Hart, Tiffany Haddish, and a host of others. This channel also streams shows and original movies.

HBO

Because of a contract dispute, this premium channel is now unavailable on Sling TV.

12. What You Need To Watch Sling TV

Accessing the content on Sling TV requires some must-have features. This is to ensure that you get the best viewing experience possible via Sling TV.

To begin with, you need to have a Sling TV account. This is the first step in getting Sling TV’s services from the comfort of your space.

Next, you need to install Sling TV on any of the devices it supports. There are several device choices, and you should make sure you select the one that the Sling TV app works with for a seamless experience.

Next, you need a stable internet connection. You will need to have an internet connection that provides at least 25Mpbs to enjoy a seamless and hassle-free stream.

When the above conditions are being met, you can proceed to install the Sling TV app on the device you select. Log into your account and start to enjoy the content you want on Sling TV.

Be sure to pick out the right device and home internet service provider for your smooth and seamless streaming experience.

13. Sling TV Supported Devices

To make it convenient for its subscribers, Sling TV provides device compatible apps for different services. Sling TV is readily available on a host of devices that can connect to the internet and stream content. On the devices below, you can start streaming your favorite content if you have any of the devices below

1. TV Devices

Sling TV supports smart TV and peripheral share screen connections. Roku TVs and its streaming sticks, Apple TV, Chromecast, Amazon Fire Stick and TV, LG and Samsung TV, among other options.

2. Mobile Devices

Sling TV supports the majority of modern devices that have applicable operating systems. Android phones and Android tablets, Apple’s iPhone and iPads running the iOS, Mac, and PC are also compatible.

3. Consoles

Sling TV also streams on modern consoles that connect with the internet. Consoles like recent Xbox, PlayStation 4, and newer versions are compatible with the Sling TV app.

4. Web Browser

Sling TV is also available via the web browser option. This option takes flexibility and availability to another level. If you use Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge browser, Apple’s Safari browser, you can stream Sling TV’s content via these channels.

14. Pros and Cons of Sling TV

Sling TV provides several great services to its subscribers. However, there are some drawbacks as well. Below are some of the benefits of using Sling TV;

1. Cheaper Price

In comparison to other streaming service providers, Sling TV offers a cheaper rate for its streaming services.

2. Device Compatibility

Sling TV is compatible with the majority of modern devices that can connect to the internet. You can use any of the modern devices you have to access your Sling TV account.

3. Promotional Deals

Sling TV rewards its subscribers with free streaming devices and other promotional deals from time to time. Subscribers should do well to check the official Sling TV website for their new deals and promotional offers.

4. Flexibility

Sling TV offers its subscribers the flexibility to watch their favorite content and TV shows from anywhere. As far as you have a modern tech device and a good internet connection, you can log into the Sling app and start streaming your content.

15. Cons of Using Sling TV

Some drawbacks you should be aware of before signing up on Sling TV are available below. You can be sure that Sling TV is working hard to solve these drawbacks

1. Local Channels

Compared to competitors, Sling TV is working on bringing on some of the other local channels that are not yet on the platform’s channel list. For now, subscribers have to make do with the available local channel that Sling TV provides.

2. Packages

The package channel lineup might be confusing at times. Sling TV’s package provides their unique channel list for their price tag.

3. Simultaneous Stream

Orange plan only allows one streaming device per account. This restriction does not encourage the flexibility that subscribers expect from a streaming service platform.

Sling TV covers that aspect for users who wish to expand their channel list and Cloud DVR storage.

Add-on packages at an additional cost take care of the channel addition. Subscribers can be sure that Sling TV operators are working endlessly to sort out the drawbacks.

16. Which sling TV Package is Best?

The package plan from Sling TV is put together to take care of the need of subscribers. Depending on the type of content the subscriber wants, the different packages suit their need. If you can, get the package that offers both Sling Blue and Sling Orange package plans for the entire available channel.

17. How Much is Sling TV a Month?

Sling TV’s cost varies with the package plan you choose. For Sling Blue and Sling Orange package plan, it costs $35 per month. For Sling Blue + Orange, it cost $45 per month.

For more space on your cloud DVR storage, you pay an additional $5 per month. Add-on packages and premium channels have their additional cost depending on your choice.

18. Is Sling Free with Amazon Prime?

Sling TV is free with Amazon prime during the free trial period. Depending on the promotional deal that subscribers are eligible for, a customer can get up to one month of free Sling TV access with Amazon Prime. Every other month attracts a monthly cost.

19. Is Sling TV Worth Getting?

Sling TV is an ideal choice for people who want a hassle-free service void of contracts or commitment. Sling TV offers the same service as the traditional cable TV companies with fewer hassles and more live TV actions.

20. Do You Get Local Channels With Sling TV?

Yes, Customers have the option of selecting their choice local content via the Sling TV app. Customers can watch local channels like ABC, Fox, CBS, and NBC on their Sling app.

However, subscribers may not get some local stations because of jurisdiction issues. Sling TV is working on bringing on more local channels for customer’s satisfaction

21. What Channels are Included With Sling-Free?

Sling TV offers a lineup of less familiar TV channels that also broadcast Live TV content. Some of these channels include Cheddar Business and Cheddar news, A&E, HLN, and a host of others.

22. How Many TVs Can Use Sling?

All Smart TV with popular operating systems can use the Sling TV app. The Sling TV application is compatible with several top manufacturers of Smart TVs.

A top example of TVs that use Sling includes LG, Samsung, and Apple TV, among others. Depending on the package plan, subscribers can simultaneously use the same account to stream across three screens.

23. Is it Difficult To Cancel Sling TV?

Sling TV is a monthly subscription service that does not require a contract. You can start and stop the service at your own convenience. You will not have to pay a charge to sign up. Neither do you need to pay a charge to cancel your subscription.

Canceling your subscription is easy. To cancel, navigate to your Sling account and find a ‘Cancel Subscription’ option. Click on it and follow the steps.

24. What is The Cheapest Sling TV Package?

Sling provides several base package and add-on options to satisfy your needs. Both Sling Orange and Sling Blue cost the same but offer different channel options. Depending on the channels you wish to view, you can get the best content off any of the two cheapest Sling TV packages.

25. What Do I Need For Sling TV?

To start enjoying all the benefits of Sling TV, you should have some things in place. For starters, you need a Sling TV account. Signing up for Sling TV services is easy. Simply navigate to Sling TV’s website and input your details. Next, a stable internet connection and modern device that is compatible with Sling TV’s app.

Summary

Sling TV is making giant strides in creating the best viewing experience for its subscribers. This is a worthwhile investment at a pocket-friendly cost of $35 per month for any of its basic packages.

Sling TV is more cost-friendly than its competitors are and rivals the services that they provide. If you are looking for a cable-less and hassle-free streaming platform to hop on, Sling TV is an option you should consider.

Sling TV also throws open the kind of on-demand videos and Live TV channels you can watch. You will be getting the full value for your money while eliminating irrelevant channels from your package.

You also get to enjoy premium channel content from channels like ESPN, CNN, Showtime, Starz, and other premium add-ons.

However, cheaper sometimes can translate to less service. Sling TV is working tirelessly to provide more channels to its customers and match the best streaming service for the value.

In the interim, you can match its Live TV channels with its on-demand videos and TV shows to get the same viewing experience you desire.

Overall, Sling TV is a great fit if you are in search of a budget-friendly cable TV alternative. It offers the full flexibility of watching your favorite content on the go with the appropriate devices via the Sling TV app.

Sling TV is the plug-and-play alternative to your cable TV that gives you the same service you wish for at a pocket-friendly cost with less stress.