What’s the Deal with Sling TV? Say Goodbye to Cable and Learn More

Sling TV gives you an alternative to pricey cable subscriptions and the freedom to say goodbye to those sky-high TV bills. While it isn’t free, it’s definitely more affordable than most cable or satellite packages, and offers a lot of bang for your buck. But what exactly is Sling TV and how can it benefit you?

So, What Exactly is Sling TV?

Sling TV is a service that lets you stream TV shows over the internet. It’s not like Netflix, where you watch shows on demand. Instead, Sling TV delivers live TV shows. It’s known as an OTT (Over The Top) service, which means it’s delivered over the internet rather than through a cable connection or satellite dish.

With Sling TV, you get the best of both worlds – access to on-demand shows as well as live TV channels like ESPN, CNN, TNT, and more. Their channel lineup includes over 50 options, and they’re constantly adding more. In fact, Sling TV recently announced that Comcast Xfinity customers will now have access to over 425 channels with Sling TV X1.

What devices can I use to watch Sling TV?

You’re probably wondering which devices you can use to enjoy Sling TV. Well, the great thing is that Sling TV is compatible with a wide range of devices. Whether you have an iPhone, an Android phone, an Apple TV, an Amazon Fire TV or Fire TV Stick, a Roku, a Google Nexus Player, an Xbox One, or a Chromecast, Sling TV has got you covered. And that’s not all – there are even more options listed on the Sling website!

So, whether you’re traveling within the U.S. or want to watch at work, or even during your commute, you can do it. As long as you have a device that works with Sling TV and a good internet connection, you’re good to go.

What channels are available?

Now, let’s talk about the channels you can get with Sling TV. However, I must warn you, it can get a bit confusing with all the different packages and add-ons. There are two main packages to choose from: Sling Orange and Sling Blue. If you want both packages, you can go for the Sling Orange + Blue combo. On top of that, you can add more channels with various bolt-ons and even regional programming if it’s available in your area. See? It’s a little complicated.

If you’re only planning to watch shows on a single device, Sling Orange is perfect for you. However, if you want to enjoy family viewing and watch on multiple devices at the same time, Sling Blue is what you need. It allows up to three streams simultaneously.

Sling Orange

The Sling Orange package costs $20 per month and includes popular channels like ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, TNT, TBS, HGTV, DIY Network, Food Network, Travel Channel, CNN, Cartoon Network, ABC Family, Disney Channel, AMC, IFC, A&E, History, H2, Lifetime, Bloomberg, Polaris+, Newsy, Flama, AXS TV, and Cheddar.

Sling Blue

For $25 per month, you can get the Sling Blue package, which includes everything in Sling Orange, plus Bravo, Fox, Fox Regional Sports, Fox Sports 1, Fox Sports 2, FX, FXX, Nat Geo Wild, National Geographic, NBC, NBC Sports Network, NFL Network, Nick Jr., Syfy, and USA Network.

If you want the best of both worlds, you can combine Sling Orange + Blue for $40 per month.

Premium add-ons

Once you’ve selected your base package, get ready for the world of add-ons! There are plenty of options, such as Sports Extra, Kids Extra, HBO, Cinemax, Starz, Comedy Plus Extra, Lifestyle Plus Extra, Hollywood Extra, News Extra, Best of Spanish TV Extra, Caribe Extra, Sudamerica Extra, Espana Extra, World Cricket Extra, Hindi Extra, Chinese Extra, Shahid Arabic Extra, TV Globo Brazilian Extra, World Music Extra, Italiano Extra, and Urdu-India Extra. Each add-on costs an extra $10 per month and offers a variety of channels for your enjoyment.

What can you do with Sling TV?

With Sling TV, you have the ability to do some pretty cool things while watching your favorite shows. You can fast forward, pause, and rewind certain TV shows, allowing you to catch up on episodes you may have missed. However, it’s important to note that not all functions are available on all channels or shows. This could be due to licensing restrictions rather than limitations of the platform. For example, you won’t be able to rewind or catch up on ESPN shows at all.

Sling TV offers a catch-up service called Replay, which allows you to watch any show that has aired within the past seven days. It’s worth mentioning that the availability of shows on Replay is sporadic, and not all channels or shows are included.

Currently, Sling TV does not have a DVR feature.

Will I see commercials while using Sling TV?

Yes, when you watch shows on Sling TV, you will also see commercials. Since Sling TV broadcasts live streams to your device, commercials are included along with the shows. While you can fast forward through some channels, there is no built-in option to skip commercials. However, certain channels do allow manual fast forwarding through commercials, while others do not.

As I mentioned earlier, the availability of the fast forward feature varies across different channels and shows. This includes popular channels like ESPN, AMC, TNT, TBS, CNN, Cartoon Network/Adult Swim, Disney channels, ABC Family, Boomerang, HLN, IFC, and Sundance TV.

What internet speed do I need for Sling TV?

Since Sling TV is delivered over your internet connection, a faster internet speed is ideal for a smoother viewing experience. According to Sling themselves, if you’re able to watch any other video or TV stream, you should be able to watch Sling TV without any issues. However, I haven’t personally tested it on slower internet speeds or over a 4G connection.

Are there any contracts or commitments?

No, there are no contracts or long-term commitments with Sling TV. It operates on a one-month rolling contract, which means you can cancel anytime without any fees or penalties. There are no setup fees or hidden charges either. You simply pay each month and enjoy your content through the app.

Is Sling TV worth the money?

Sling TV is a great option if you’re looking to cut the cable cord, but it does have its downsides. The channel package system can be confusing and cumbersome to navigate. Customer service may not always meet your expectations, and there may be occasional issues with playback even with a good internet connection. Additionally, the licensing system for content can be frustrating, although this is not entirely Sling TV’s fault.

If you’re a TV enthusiast, it might be worth giving Sling TV a try alongside your current provider for a month or two to see if it suits your needs.