Slings Dvr Storage Space Is Somewhat Average
Earlier this year, Sling TV increased its DVR storage space and increased its monthly price by $5 because of it. We’re here to say it was worth it.
Sling TV used to come with a free 10-hour Cloud DVR storage . Now, Sling TV comes with a 50-hour DVR storage.
If that’s not enough for you and the five family members you live with, Sling TVs Cloud DVR Plus is an extra $5 per month for 200 hours of recording space. Your recordings will save indefinitely, so you wont have to worry about last years recording of 30 for 30 disappearing.
Also, when you hit the record button on a TV show, a pop-up will ask you if you want to record all episodes, only record new episodes, or record this episode only. This saves you the hassle from going through and clicking record on every episode.
But keep in mind: if you go over your 50-hour storage space, it will automatically delete recordings youve already watched and then your oldest recordings.
For some families, 50 hours is enough. This means you can record about 50 TV episodes or 20 movies.
If you want to record TV shows and movies and save them for years so you can watch them whenever you’d like, you might find yourself upgrading to 200 hours of DVR storage space in the long run.
Which Sports Channels Does Sling TV Have
Sling TV is one of the few services that offers NFL RedZone! Get the Sports Extra for $15 per month to enjoy the best channel in the world .
Slings sports channels are a little slim, so its not the best option for sports fans. We would recommend fuboTV or YouTube TV if youre looking for a live TV streaming service with lots of sports channels.
If youre sold on the low price or only want a few sports channels, stick with Sling.
Sling Orange includes the following sports channels:
- ESPN
Sling Blue includes the following sports channels:
- NFL Network
Sling Orange + Blue includes the following sports channels:
- ESPN
- Stadium
- TNT
To make sure you get all of the channels you and the family want , take advantage of that free trial.
How Much Does Sling Orange Cost
A Sling Orange subscription is $35 per month, which makes it an incredibly affordable option when compared to IPTV platforms like Hulu + Live TV and FuboTV. Not only do you get an enticing bundle of live channels and VOD content, but 50 hours DVR storage is thrown in for free – which just about makes up for the lack of a Sling TV free trial right now. Thats perfect for recording the latest football match or that explosive TV season finale. Theres no long-term contract, either unlike cable so you can cancel your membership at any time.
Check out our Sling TV Price and packages guide for more information on what a Sling TV plan can offer. There are some brilliant deals currently, and new subscribers can enjoy their introductory month for only $10 saving them $25 off the typical monthly fee.
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What Channels Come With A Sling TV Package
Were going to need your full attention for a moment, because Sling TVs packages are pretty confusing.
As mentioned earlier in the story, Sling TV has three basic live TV streaming packages: Sling Orange, Sling Blue and Sling Orange + Blue.
Sling Blue and Sling Orange are each $35 per month packages, but they offer different selections of channels.
The line in the sand appears to be the ESPN family of networks. Sling Orange has them, and Sling Blue does not. Since ESPN channels are expensive for the streaming providers, the Orange package has an otherwise stripped-down menu.
Sling Blue doesnt offer ESPN channels, but it offers more channel options for the same price. Instead of ESPN, youre able to get channels such as FOX News, MSNBC, Discovery, Bravo and your local NBC or FOX affiliates.
For an additional $15 per month, you can skip the comparison between Orange and Blue. Sling Orange + Blue is $50 per month and offers all of the channels of both $35 packages.
When looking at the channel menu below, you may notice that only NBC and FOX affiliates are offered with the Blue and Orange + Blue packages. That means youre completely out of luck if you want to watch your local ABC and CBS channels with Sling. If youre looking for access to local channels, we have some ideas that wont break the bank.
- IFC Films Unlimited
What About Local Channels?
As I previously mentioned, only select NBC and FOX affiliates are included with your Sling TV subscription.
Service Optimizer
Sling TV Price And Value
Undoubtedly, price is Sling TVs main selling point. With plans starting as low as $35 per month, this is one of the cheapest ways to access live TV. It is not the cheapest, with services live Philo and TVision Vibe even cheaper, but their channel lineups are more limited than Sling TVs. For those who want access to many of the common premium live TV channels and networks, Sling TV is going to be a better affordable choice.
It is important to note that the price is relative with Sling TV. It is not simply a matter of Sling TV being cheaper, as the base packages compromise more than expensive services. Likewise, the price is directly relevant to what the subscriber chooses, so for those who opt to expand on the base package with add-ons, the price is going to increase accordingly. With enough add-ons, the price will quickly rise until it reaches a similar level to Hulu Live and YouTube TV.
Therein, is arguably Sling TVs ultimate selling point. Unlike other services, Sling TV provides enough options and routes to ensure a subscriber can create a package that suits their needs. For those simply looking for basic access to live TV channels, the two base packages offer a good enough level, at low enough prices.
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Is Sling TV Worth It
If you like having a lot of channels and enjoy channel surfing, you’re probably better off with cable or satellite TV. But if Sling TV’s basic package or add-on packs have most of the kind of programming you like, it could be a better deal.
You can also supplement Sling’s programming with other online services, such as Amazon Prime , Crackle , Hulu and Netflix .So think about what you like to watch, and add up how much it will cost with Sling TV and other streaming services compared with cable or satellite TV. Sling TV offers a free seven-day trial, so you can find out firsthand how you like it.
What Equipment Do I Need To Get Started
One of the biggest perks of cutting the cord and using a service like Sling TV is the variety of ways in which you can enjoy the content.
Not only can you move seamlessly from device to device, but you can also take your recorded content with you thanks to the portability of the cloud DVR.
You can watch Sling TV on your phone, tablet or computer. In fact, Sling recently launched a new version of its app that includes some cool new features like browsing whats playing on all other channels while still watching a channel.
Many of us still like to enjoy entertainment on a television from the comfort of our couches. Sling TV has you covered in that area, too. Most of the most popular streaming devices, including Roku and Amazon Fire TV, are compatible.
The streaming services list of supported devices for TV includes:
- TiVo Stream 4K
- Xbox One and Xbox Series X
This is probably a good time to mention that Sling likes to run promotions for new customers that sometimes can net you a free streaming device for your television.
For example, heres a limited-time promotion offered recently to new users willing to prepay for two months of service:
One final thing to consider in the equipment arena is how important local channels are to you.
If you need to see all of them as a Sling subscriber, you may also need to invest in an antenna to account for the channels that Sling does not provide. Remember, Sling provides access only to select NBC and FOX affiliates on some of its packages.
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How To Get A Sling TV Free Trial
This platform heavily advertises their free trial, so it’s pretty easy to get one. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to get a Sling TV free trial. However, we should mention that only new customers benefit from this offer.
1. Go to the Sling TV website and click the Try It Free button that’s really hard to miss.
2. Next, fill in your email address and create a password, then use the Continue to go to the next page. You can also use your existing credentials if you currently use a Sling Free tier.
3. Now, you will have to select the desired base plan, so pick the one you’d like to keep after the trial ends and click the Select button.
4. After you do that, scroll down to see what add-ons you want from the list that will appear, such as Premium channels or Extras – they are all free to try. Use the Add button to pick them.
5. Finally, use the Check Out button at the bottom-right of the screen. Enter your credit card information to complete your purchase and use the Submit button.
6. The last step is to select your payment method. If you go for the credit card, fill in the requested details.
7. Click the Finish & Submit button to finish setting up your account.
8. Now, you can access Sling TV on all your compatible devices for free for seven days.
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.
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What Is Sling TV
Sling TV is the streaming take on cable. By paying a monthly subscription, you can use the Sling TV app to access dozens of cable channels and DVR your favorite shows. The app is available through iOS, Apple TV, Xbox, Oculus, Fire TV, Android, Android TV, Chromecast, Roku, AirTV Mini, Windows, Samsung, TiVo Stream 4K, and LG. You can also watch Sling TV in browser with Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, and Safari. Basically, with the notable exception of the PlayStation family of consoles, Sling TV is available on most video streaming devices.
Bottom Line Functional Differences
SlingTV seems like it would be better for those who want the freedom of canceling their subscription. Its also a good pick for those who wish for the most popular cable problems. The Sling Orange is also suitable for single individuals who only want to stream on one device.
For Roku, its better for families who want to watch movies or stream on their TV. They provide a better overall experience and are great for large flatscreen televisions. However, you will be limited to only one device streaming at any given time.
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Which Channels Does Sling TV Have
We recommend Sling Orange if you want a package with kids and lifestyle channels, and you’ll want Sling Blue if you want more news and sports channels.
Sling Orange + Blue gives you fewer than 10 more channels than Sling Blue does on its own, but you’ll get four EPIX channels and a few more sports channels.
Well make it simple with a nice list of some of the channels in each plan, or check out the full channel lineup. And if you want to find the best section of all, scroll down to see the sports channels each plan offers.
Sling Orange includes the following channels:
- A& E
Sling Blue includes the following channels:
- BBC America
Sling Orange + Blue includes the following channels:
- AMC
- USA
Slingtv Vs Roku Navigation
Another critical factor for many streamers is the ease of use. No one wants to sit in front of their tv fumbling through apps and buttons on the remote. You want to sit back and relax, so having good navigation is a must.
The Roku interface is straightforward to navigate. The first screen that pops up will have all of your major streaming apps listed on the right for starters. On the left-hand side, youll be able to scroll through the settings.
Luckily, the Roku remote comes with quick-access buttons. This can help with navigation and makes it hassle-free to get to your primary streaming services such as Netflix, Hulu, Sling, and Movies.
Sling navigation is a little more complicated. Youll have to use their grid guide or channels guide to find your shows. They are organized by genre, channels, and allows you to perform a search for individual shows.
Overall, we believe that Roku is superior in ease of use. However, Sling offers a more complex method of browsing and finding shows to watch.
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Add Additional Channels To Sling
On top of the channels that come with a basic Sling subscription, you can also subscribe to extras which come at a variety of price points. Some extras include a bundle of channels, like the Sports Extra, the Kids Extra, or the Lifestyle Extra. Sling TV is a great option to watch sports online via the add-on packages. These extras start at just $6/month, and are a great way to supplement your Sling subscription with more specialized content that may directly pertain to your interests or the interests of someone in your family.
The Hollywood Extra, for example, includes channels like FX, Reelz, and Cinemoi, which offer additional scripted TV options for only $6 each month.
In addition to the extra bundles that you can add to your purchase, you can also subscribe to some individual premium channels that are available as part of your overall Sling package. Those premium channels include Showtime, which is $10/month, and Starz, which is $9/month. Sling is currently offering a deal where you can get your first month of each channel for just $5.
In part because its so customizable, Sling is a great option for someone looking to ditch their cable subscription. You may be able to get many of the channels you still need without any of the ones that you dont. Sling may not be as cheap as Netflix, but it costs much less than cable. If it isnt for you, its easy to cancel Sling TV at any time.
Editors’ Recommendations
Is Your House Ready For Sling TV
Sling TV requires a minimum download speed of 5 Mbps to stream, but you’ll want 25 Mbps for a smoother streaming experience. And if you and two other members of your family want to stream at the same time, that means youll be using 50 Mbps total.
So do you have the bandwidth to support your familys streaming needs?
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Sling TV Free With Verizon
Good news for Verizon customers – you can watch live TV and on-demand content with Sling TV. They have a few offers right now:
- Sling Blue or Sling Orange – Get 2 months of Sling Blue or Sling Orange for free on Verizon, and watch your favorite live sports, news and entertainment. $35/mo after.
- Sling Latino – Get 3 months of the best from Spanish language TV plus a regional package for free. Up to $15/mo after trail ends.
- Sling International – Choose from 14 eligible language packs to enjoy for 2 months for free. Then up to $35/mo.
These are available for a limited time for new and existing Verizon Fios, wireless, and 5G Home accounts new to Sling TV.
Is Sling TV For You
Sling TV’s combined Orange & Blue Plan is still cheaper than most other live TV services, but the cost of this plan has increased over time. On one hand, we like its lineup of national channels, free tier, improved DVR capabilities, and reliable streaming performance. However, a lack of robust local programming channels and inconvenient distribution of channels between the Orange and Blue plans are drawbacks.
Our Editors’ Choice winners for the live TV category are Hulu + Live TV and YouTube TV. Hulu is a great value, considering its live and on-demand component. YouTube TV excels for its top-notch interfaces and channel offerings.
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Sling TV Devices: How Can I Watch It
Sling TV devices include most major smart TVs, smartphones and streaming boxes and sticks.
- web browsers on PC and Mac
- iOS mobile devices
- Apple TV
- Amazon Fire TV devices
- Fire tablets
- Google Nest
- Roku TVs from Hisense and TCL
- TiVo Stream 4K
- Xbox
- Select LG, Samsung and Vizio smart TVs
Right now, the latest version of the Sling app is available on Fire TV, Roku, Android TV and the AirTV Mini.