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Is Sling TV worth it? A breakdown for cord cutters

Trisha Easto
Paste BN
Jan. 28, 2026, 4:07 p.m. ET
Everything you need to know about Sling TV including channels offered, pricing and more.
  • Sling TV is a live TV streaming service that offers a flexible, contract-free alternative to traditional cable.
  • Plans include Sling Orange for sports and family, and Sling Blue for news and entertainment, both starting at $45.99 monthly.
  • Users can customize their lineup with add-ons for sports, entertainment, and premium channels like HBO Max.
  • Sling offers short-term Flex Passes for as little as one day, providing temporary access for specific events.

Cutting the cord doesn't have to mean giving up live TV or live sports. Sling TV is one of the most popular streaming options for households that have left traditional cable packages behind.

Whether you're trying to replace cable entirely or just looking to trim your budget without giving up live channels, Sling offers a mix of sports, entertainment and news without a long-term contract. Packages start at just $4.99 for a single day, but the customizable options are nearly endless for a streaming package that suits your needs.

Here is everything you need to know about Sling TV's cable streaming service:

What is Sling TV?

Sling TV is a live TV streaming service that let's you watch cable channels without a traditional cable contract or hardware. It's become a popular service as more and more households move to cord-cutting and streaming services, because it offers flexible packages, lower monthly costs and you can customize your channel lineup so no more paying for channels you don't use.

How much does Sling TV cost?

Sling TV has flexible and affordable plans all year long, here's a breakdown of each plan and cost:

  • Sling Orange: The Sling Orange package has over 30 channels, including popular networks like ESPN, Disney Channel, CNN and HGTV. This is a popular pick for families and sports fans who want access to live game coverage and kid-friendly content. Sling Orange allows streaming on one device. Sling Orange starts at $45.99 monthly.
  • Sling Blue: The Sling Blue package includes 40+ channels, including NFL Network, Bravo, CNN, FOX News, and more. You can stream up to three devices simultaneously with the Sling Blue plan. Sling Blue starts at $45.99 monthly.
  • Sling Orange + Blue: The Sling Orange + Blue package offers 50+ live channels, including ESPN, NFL Network, USA, TNT, Bravo, FOX News, CNN and more. With this plan, you can also watch on up to four devices at a time. Sling Orange + Blue starts at $29.99 per month, after getting half off your first month.
  • Sling Select: Sling Select is a streamlined option designed for viewers who want a smaller channel lineup with entertainment and lifestyle programming. It's not sports-focused on its own, but you can still add the Sports Extra. Sling Select starts at $19.99 per month.
  • Sling Flex Passes: These passes offer Sling Orange for a day, three days or seven days. They allow customer flexibility if you just want to a catch a single game, or a tournament without paying the full price of a monthly Sling subscription.
    • The Sling 1-Day Pass starts at $4.99
    • The Sling 3-Day Pass starts at $9.99
    • The Sling 14-Day Pass starts at $14.99
  • Premium Channels: You can watch premium networks, like HBO Max, Showtime, Starz and MGM. Add-ons are priced on top of a monthly plan. For example, HBO Max is $18.49 per month, on top of your selected package.
  • Add-ons: Sling's draw is in its customizability. You can add groups of extra channels to your monthly or even daily package, depending on your interests. Add-on categories include: Sports, Entertainment, Kids, News and more. The price for add-ons vary depending on the package you select.
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Sign up for Sling TV and watch your favorites without traditional cable. Try Sling today

What channels does Sling TV offer?

There are several Sling TV packages to choose from, but there are two main packages that customers may be asked to choose between: Sling Orange and Sling Blue. You can choose either Sling Orange or Sling Blue, or choose to package them together, but they come with a different channel offerings.

  • Sling Orange focuses on sports and family-friendly programming, including ESPN, ESPN2, TNT, TBS, CNN, Disney Channel, Nick Jr., Freeform and many more.
  • Sling Blue leans more towards news and entertainment, including CNN, FOX News, TNT, TBS, NFL Network, FS1, TruTV, Vice, Bloomberg Television and more.
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Can I watch local channels on Sling TV?

Local channels on Sling TV are limited and market-dependent. Sling Blue includes FOX and NBC in select cities, but availability varies by location. Sling does not currently offer CBS or ABC nationwide.

Does Sling TV offer sports channels?

Yes. Sling offers access to a wide range of live sports and sports channels, including NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB, college football, college basketball and more. Depending on the package you select, you can watch games across major networks, including ESPN, TNT, TBS, FOX, NFL RedZone, NFL Network, and more league-specific channels with a sports add-on.

What is the Sling Sports extra add-on?

The Sports Extra package is an add-on to any Sling subscription that includes NFL Red Zone, Big Ten Network, Golf Channel, NBA TV, NHL Network, MLB Network, Tennis Channel and many more sports channels.

How much does the Sling Sports Extra add-on cost?

Here is a breakdown of the cost for the Sports Extra add-on, depending on the package you select:

  • When added to a Sling Orange or Sling Blue monthly package, the Sports extra add-on is $11.
  • When added to Sling Orange + Blue, the Sports extra add-on is $15.
  • When added to a Sling 1-Day Pass, the Sports Extra add-on is $1.
  • When added to Sling 3-Day Pass, the Sports extra add-on is $2.
  • When added to a Sling 7-Day Pass, the Sports extra add-on is $3.

Does Sling TV offer a day pass?

Sling offers several short-term passes, including a 1-day pass that allows for 24 hour access. It's perfect for a big game, an awards show, or an impromptu movie night.

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Get 24-hour access to cable TV, live sports and more with a Sling Day Pass. Try a Sling 1-day pass

Does Sling TV have ESPN?

ESPN is included with Sling Orange, Sling Orange + Blue, and any Sling Flex Pass, making it a solid choice for fans who want access to live sports, including NFL, college football, NBA games, Monday Night Football and more ESPN programming.

Does Sling TV have a free trial?

Sling does not currently offer a free trial, but it does provide low-cost, flexible passes that allow you to try the service without committing to a full month. You can choose from a 1-day pass, 3-day pass or 7-day pass for temporary access at a much lower cost.

What devices work with Sling TV?

Sling works on over 20 top devices, making it easy to stream or almost anywhere. Supported devices include smart TVs, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Android TV, iOS and Android phones and tablets, gaming consoles and web browsers. As long as you have a compatible device and an internet connection, you can watch Sling without any extra equipment.

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