Sling TV Review: 2026 Price, Orange vs Blue & Sports Channels
Compare Sling TV monthly plans, live sports channels, regional blackout rules, and supported devices.
Sling TV Review: Verdict, Cost & Sports Coverage
WhereSports Editorial Desk • Audited October 2026
The Verdict
Our Verdict: Sling TV is the cheapest live cable TV streaming service in the United States for sports fans willing to work around its quirks. Instead of forcing everyone onto an $82.99/month bundle like YouTube TV, Sling lets you pick between skinny $19.99/month starter packs (Sling Select and Sling Essentials) or its $45.99/month core packages: Sling Orange (ESPN, ESPN2, TNT, and TBS) and Sling Blue (FS1, NFL Network, USA Network, plus local FOX, NBC, and ABC in select big cities). Pairing either plan with the $11/month Sports Extra add-on unlocks SEC Network, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, NFL RedZone, NBA TV, MLB Network, and NHL Network. The trade-offs are that Sling carries zero CBS stations nationwide, limits Sling Orange to a strict 1 simultaneous stream, and charges $4/month extra in markets where local ABC, FOX, and NBC are included.
Best For
- Fans following live games across AEW, AFL, AFL Womens, ATP Tour.
- Viewers watching live coverage in our American Football, Basketball, Baseball TV schedule hubs.
- College football and basketball fans pairing Sling Orange ($45.99/mo) + Sports Extra ($11/mo) for ESPN, ESPN2, SEC Network, ACC Network, and ESPNU
- English Premier League and NFL fans using Sling Blue ($45.99/mo) for USA Network, FS1, NFL Network, and select local NBC/FOX stations
- Budget-conscious sports fans who want MLB Network, NBA TV, NHL Network, and NFL RedZone via the $11–$15/mo Sports Extra add-on
- Cord-cutters who already use a free indoor HD antenna (or AirTV) for local CBS, ABC, FOX, and NBC broadcasts
- Ultra-lean streamers grabbing the $19.99/mo Sling Select (FS1 + NFL Network) or Sling Essentials (ESPN + ESPN2) skinny tiers
Pricing Reality
Sling TV starts at $19.99/month for its skinny Select and Essentials tiers, $45.99/month for Sling Orange or Sling Blue, and $60.99/month for the combined Sling Orange + Blue plan.
- Sling Orange ($45.99/mo) vs Sling Blue ($45.99/mo): Orange carries ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, TNT, and TBS (1 stream limit); Blue carries FS1, NFL Network, USA Network, TNT, TBS, truTV, and select local FOX/NBC/ABC stations (3 streams).
- $4/mo Local Broadcast Surcharge: In major metro markets where Sling Blue includes local ABC, FOX, and NBC stations, Sling raises the price of Sling Blue to $49.99/mo (and Orange + Blue to $64.99/mo).
- Sports Extra Add-on ($11/mo single or $15/mo combo): Adds SEC Network, ACC Network, ESPNU, NBA TV, and MLB Network on Orange, or NFL RedZone, Big Ten Network, FS2, NHL Network, and Golf Channel on Blue.
- DVR & Cancellation: Includes 50 hours of free Cloud DVR storage (upgradeable to 200 hours/Unlimited for $5/mo); billed month-to-month with no contracts.
Devices & Account Features
- Supported Devices: Available on Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Roku, Google TV, Chromecast.
- Simultaneous Streams: Up to 2 concurrent streams per account (depending on tier).
- Cloud DVR & Replays: VOD Replays.
- Subscription Model: Direct digital sign-up with online account cancellation.
In-Depth Platform Analysis & Coverage
Owned by EchoStar Corporation (parent of DISH Network), Sling TV is a modular live TV streaming service built for cord-cutters who want national cable sports without paying for a 100-channel bundle. Subscribers can choose between budget $19.99/month skinny plans, the ESPN-led Sling Orange tier ($45.99/month), the FOX/NBC-led Sling Blue tier ($45.99/month), or the combined Sling Orange + Blue package ($60.99/month). Sling also integrates directly with over-the-air antennas via AirTV hardware to merge free local broadcast channels into its on-screen TV guide.
What We Like (Pros)
- Saves $20 to $37 per month compared to YouTube TV, Fubo, Hulu + Live TV, and DIRECTV Stream
- Sports Extra ($11–$15/mo) carries MLB Network, NHL Network, NBA TV, NFL RedZone, and all major college networks
- Zero mandatory regional sports network (RSN) fees or equipment rental charges
- AirTV integration makes it easy to combine free antenna channels with cable sports in one TV guide
What to Consider (Cons)
- Sling Orange (including ESPN, ESPN2, SEC Network, and ACC Network) is strictly capped at 1 stream at a time
- Carries zero local CBS stations nationwide, and local ABC, FOX, and NBC are only available in select metro markets
- Mandatory $4/month price increase on Sling Blue and Orange + Blue in markets that receive local ABC, FOX, and NBC
- Base plans only include 50 hours of Cloud DVR storage unless you pay an extra $5/month for DVR Plus
Subscription Packages & Pricing
30+ channel package built around live ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, TNT, and TBS for Monday Night Football, NBA, college sports, MLB Tuesday, and NHL Playoffs.
- 30+ live channels including ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, TNT, and TBS
- Add Sports Extra ($11/mo) for SEC Network, ACC Network, ESPNU, NBA TV & MLB Network
- 50 hours of free Cloud DVR storage included
- 1 simultaneous stream limit across all devices
40+ channel package featuring USA Network, FS1, NFL Network, TNT, TBS, and truTV, plus local FOX, NBC, and ABC in select major metro markets ($49.99/mo where locals apply).
- 40+ live channels including FS1, NFL Network, USA Network, TNT, TBS, and truTV
- Includes local FOX, NBC, and ABC in select major metro markets (+$4/mo local fee)
- Add Sports Extra ($11/mo) for NFL RedZone, Big Ten Network, FS2, NHL & MLB Network
- 3 simultaneous streams and 50 hours of Cloud DVR storage
Combines both Sling Orange and Sling Blue into a 50+ channel package ($64.99/mo in markets with local ABC, FOX, and NBC) so you get both ESPN and FS1/USA/NFL Network.
- All 50+ channels from Sling Orange and Sling Blue combined
- Includes ESPN, ESPN2, FS1, NFL Network, USA Network, TNT, TBS, and truTV
- Up to 4 simultaneous streams (3 Blue streams + 1 Orange stream)
- Save $7/mo on the combined Orange + Blue Sports Extra add-on ($15/mo)
Ultra-low-cost 10+ channel skinny tier carrying FS1, NFL Network, FOX News, and FX, plus local FOX/NBC/ABC in select markets.
- 10+ live channels including FS1, NFL Network, FOX News, and FX
- Includes TV provider login access for the FOX One app
- 3 simultaneous streams across devices
- 50 hours of free Cloud DVR storage
Entry-level 10+ channel skinny bundle built around live ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPN3 for Monday Night Football, NBA, and college sports on a budget.
- 10+ live channels anchored by ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, and Freeform
- Cheapest live TV package in the US carrying ESPN and ESPN2
- 1 simultaneous stream limit
- 50 hours of free Cloud DVR storage
Sports channel expansion for Sling Orange subscribers adding major college conference networks alongside NBA TV, MLB Network, and Tennis Channel.
- Adds SEC Network, ACC Network, ESPNU, and ESPNews
- Includes NBA TV, MLB Network, and Tennis Channel
- Includes beIN SPORTS for Ligue 1 and Copa Libertadores
- Follows the 1-stream limit of Sling Orange
Sports channel expansion for Sling Blue subscribers unlocking Sunday afternoon NFL RedZone, Big Ten Network, FS2, NHL Network, and Golf Channel.
- Adds NFL RedZone, Big Ten Network, and FS2
- Includes NHL Network, MLB Network, NBA TV, and Golf Channel
- Adds beIN SPORTS and Tennis Channel
- Allows up to 3 simultaneous streams
Combines both the Orange and Blue Sports Extra packs at a $7/month discount for Sling Orange + Blue subscribers.
- Includes NFL RedZone, SEC Network, Big Ten Network, and ACC Network
- Unlocks ESPNU, FS2, NBA TV, MLB Network, NHL Network, and Golf Channel
- Adds Tennis Channel and beIN SPORTS
- 20+ specialty sports channels in one add-on
What Leagues & Sports Can You Watch on Sling TV?
Official broadcasting rights and live competition schedules carried by Sling TV.
Live & Upcoming Matches on Sling TV
Live sporting fixtures scheduled on Sling TV carried channels and tournaments.
Recently Aired Matches on Sling TV
Recent sports matches and tournament games previously broadcasted across Sling TV channels.
Live TV Channels & Station Lineup
Official television networks and sports broadcast feeds carried by Sling TV.
Where Sling TV is Available
Select your regional sports TV hub to browse local channels and schedules.
Supported Devices & Streaming Apps
Native applications and verified hardware compatibility for Sling TV.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Sling Orange and Sling Blue for sports?
Sling Orange ($45.99/month) is built around Disney/ESPN channels: it includes ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, TNT, and TBS, but is strictly limited to 1 stream at a time and carries no local broadcast stations. Sling Blue ($45.99/month, or $49.99/month in select local markets) drops ESPN in favor of FS1, NFL Network, USA Network, TNT, TBS, and truTV, includes local FOX, NBC, and ABC in select cities, and allows 3 simultaneous streams.
Which channels are in the Sling TV Sports Extra add-on?
The Sports Extra add-on costs $11/month for Sling Orange or Sling Blue, or $15/month when combined on Sling Orange + Blue. On Sling Orange, Sports Extra adds SEC Network, ACC Network, ESPNU, ESPNews, NBA TV, MLB Network, and Tennis Channel. On Sling Blue, Sports Extra adds NFL RedZone, Big Ten Network, FS2, NHL Network, Golf Channel, MLB Network, NBA TV, and beIN SPORTS.
Does Sling TV include local CBS, ABC, FOX, and NBC channels?
Sling TV does NOT carry local CBS stations anywhere in the United States. Local FOX, NBC, and ABC stations are included on Sling Blue (and Orange + Blue) in roughly 20 major metro markets (such as New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, Dallas, Houston, San Francisco, and Atlanta), where Sling adds a $4/month local broadcast adjustment. In all other markets, Sling recommends pairing its app with an indoor HD antenna.
How many devices can stream Sling TV at the same time?
Stream limits depend on your plan: Sling Orange and Sling Essentials allow only 1 stream at a time. Sling Blue and Sling Select allow 3 simultaneous streams. If you subscribe to Sling Orange + Blue ($60.99/mo), you can watch up to 4 streams at once (3 streams on Sling Blue channels + 1 stream on a Sling Orange/ESPN channel).
Can I watch Regional Sports Networks (like FanDuel Sports Network, YES, or NESN) on Sling TV?
No. Like YouTube TV, Sling TV does not carry Regional Sports Networks (RSNs), which is how it keeps its monthly price at $45.99/month without charging $15/month in mandatory regional sports fees. To watch local in-market MLB, NBA, or NHL games, you will need a standalone RSN app, Fubo, or DIRECTV Stream.