Sling TV Provides a Cheap Option for Cordcutters

Sling TV remains one of the more popular streaming services. In fact, this offshoot of Dish was one of the first in the industry. It offers a variety of low cost packages aimed at attracting cordcutters.

The Sling TV logo. Image copyright Sling TV.

We provided an overview of Sling TV a few years ago. More recently, we analyzed their plan to offer individual channels on an a la carte basis.

This time out we take a fresh look at Sling as part of our series on streaming services. Is it still a valid option for your cordcutting household? Let’s find out!

Sling TV Packages for the Cordcutter

Sling still provides two separate channel packages – Sling Orange and Sling Blue – available for $25 per month. The two packages combined are available for $40. This price point places Sling as one of the more inexpensive streaming services.

Check out Sling’s listing of available channels. While other services offer more options, it typically comes at a higher monthly cost. Essentially, Sling TV makes a great choice for budget-conscious households.

The service’s available premium channels include Showtime, Starz, EPIX, and more. The lack of HBO is likely a dealbreaker for many. Additionally, access to most local channels requires buying and installing an antenna. Their Cloud-based DVR service includes an extra $5 monthly fee.

Sling still offers a variety of channels on an a la carte basis. Beyond premium channels, most of the offerings are niche-oriented, like Country Network Plus and Hallmark Movies Now. A variety of extra channel packages are also available for sports, news, kids, and more. Expect to pay anywhere from $5 to $10 for their a la carte offerings.

Ultimately, after adding a few extras, Sling TV’s monthly price gets closer to other streaming services, like PlayStation Vue. Keep these extra costs in mind when choosing the best service for you. The cheapest monthly price isn’t always the top option.

When considering other budget streaming services, check out AT&T Watch TV and Philo. Both are slightly cheaper than both Sling Orange and Sling Blue.

What Devices are Supported by Sling TV?

Sling supports most popular streaming devices, including Roku, Apple TV, and more. Videogame consoles, tablets, computers, and smartphones provide other options.

Note that free deals on devices are typically available for new Sling TV customers. For example, a Roku Express is one of the current freebees. An Air TV Mini is the other. Air TV works with your antenna to integrate local channels into the Sling interface.

What About Sling and My Internet Speed?

HD streaming requires at least 5 Mbps of Internet speed. Of course, this depends on the number of devices simultaneously accessing your router. Sling TV allows from one to three devices streaming at once, depending on your specific plan.

If you encounter extra buffering, consider using a range extender or a dual band router. A mesh network router is another worthy option for optimizing your home streaming. Also perform a regular Internet speed test to ensure your ISP is providing the bandwidth they promised.