Sling TV is a live TV streaming service designed for cord cutters on a budget.
In this article we’ll discuss the Pros and Cons of Sling TV so that you will get a better idea if this streaming service is right for you.
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Sling TV offers three plans:
- Orange: $35/month
- Blue: $35/month
- Orange + Blue: $50/month
Orange offers 32 channels, Blue comes with 43 channels, and Orange + Blue comes in with the most with 51 channels.
If you’re curious about the platform, then check out some of the advantages and disadvantages of cutting the cord and going full streaming with Sling TV.
Table of Contents
Main Advantages of Sling TV
There are a handful of advantages to purchasing one of the plans for Sling TV.
Low Cost
With plans as low as $35 per month, Sling TV is one of the most affordable options for cord cutters. From there, pricing only goes up if you want to add something.
This translates to just over $1 every day, making it easier than ever to save a stash aside to pay for the monthly subscription service.
Simultaneous Streams on Orange + Blue
If you opt for the Orange + Blue plan, then you’re able to view simultaneous streams. In fact, there are four simultaneous streams offered which is very good compared to other streaming services.
This is the perfect route for subscribers with multiple people in the household who may all want to view something on different screens at the same time.
It’s also helpful if you happen to share your Sling TV with someone not in the household yet they get on the same time you do.
Cloud DVR
All Sling subscribers have access to 50 hours DVR storage for free. This DVR function is available for almost all live content besides Digital Networks such as Local Now.
Offering 50 hours is plenty for many people to record favorite shows or even a season. However, you can always add DVR Plus for an extra $5/month as that gives you 200 hours of storage.
The best feature of their DVR service is that it allows Fast Forward capability to pass through ads when watching a movie etc.
Device Support
Another benefit of Sling TV is its versatility in where you can use it. It’s available on multiple web browsers, smart TVs, game consoles, mobile devices, and set-top boxes.
For example, you can watch it on Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast, Apple TV, Roku, Xfinity, Xbox and many TVs and players.
It’s viewable on both Windows 10 and Mac OS. You can download it to your Android or iOS 11 devices.
Sling TV is also available for download on the Xbox Series X|S.
One note here: many people complain that Sling TV is buffering a lot. This depends mainly on how powerful your streaming device is.
Try to avoid smaller streaming devices such as some TV sticks, low-power android TV boxes etc because they usually don’t have enough processing power for smooth playback. It is not Sling’s TV problem.
Add-On Channel Packets (A La Carte Programming)
Sling TV allows you to completely customize and tailor your experience thanks to their add-ons.
Extras provide you with some additional channels not offered in your plan of choice, and all they do is add to your monthly fee. Some are as low as $6/month.
The extras are as following:
- Sports ($11/month)
- Comedy ($6/month)
- News ($6/month)
- Lifestyle ($6/month)
- Hollywood ($6/month)
- Heartland ($6/month)
- AMC+ ($7/month)
- Kids ($6/month)
You can also get the Total TV Deal that includes all the add-ons. For Orange or Blue plans, it’ll be $21/month, while Orange + Blue plan costs $27/month extra.
Besides those packets, there are also over 30 different Premium channels available to buy. This includes Showtime, Noggin, BET, DogTV, and plenty more.
Disadvantages of Sling TV
Even with the clear advantages of subscribing to Sling TV, there are still some concerns that are worth speaking about so you have all the information at hand.
Limited Local Channels
Although there seems to be a good selection of channels, there doesn’t appear to be that many local channels offered.
It’s unsure as to why that remains to be so, but if you seek more of your local channels, you may be better off going with an antenna.
Fewer Channels Compared to Other Services
When you compare Sling TV to other larger streaming services like Hulu + Live TV, it doesn’t provide as many channels as those like Hulu offers.
Also, although it’s nice that they provide add-ons, it’s the fact that you do have to purchase the add-on plans if you want more channels to watch.
Limited Cloud DVR
As stated before in the advantages section, Sling TV does include free DVR storage. However, it does only offer 50 hours. This may be enough for a show, but it can become constricting if you want to record and save multiple seasons.
Also, to get more, you have to purchase the extra storage so that you have enough space for a multitude of shows.
Compared for example to Youtube TV which offers unlimited DVR storage, Sling’s offering in this area is somewhat limited.
Minimal Sports Channels
Sports lovers may not be happy to note that Sling TV isn’t really the go-to service for sports.
Yes, they do have some sports channels, but most are available through an add-on for extra cost every month. Compared to some other streaming services (like Fubo TV etc), this may not be enough for those of you who are crazy about watching sports.
Does Sling TV Support 4K?
As of now, Sling TV does not support any content in 4K quality. Note that even if it did, the only way you can take advantage is if you sport a 4K TV.
Can you Cancel Sling TV at Any Time?
As there is no contract when signing up for Sling TV, you are able to cancel your subscription at any time.
If it falls during your billing cycle, then the service won’t turn on until after the cycle runs its course.
If you don’t want to outright cancel and instead need to take a break for whatever reason, you can always pause your subscription.
This pause can last for a set amount of time from one month to a few months. It’s an option that can give you more breathing room to start up when or if you’re ready again.
Is Sling TV Worth It?
At the end of the day, it does beg the question as to whether Sling TV is worth it. Well, the answer isn’t simple because it truly depends on your needs.
If you are looking for a budget-friendly way to do away with cable, then Sling TV is right for you.
This is good for those who seek versatility too considering there are three plans. It is generally straightforward to navigate too, and thanks to it being contract-free, you can stop whenever you please.
On the other side of the coin, Sling TV may not be worth it for some individuals. If you are seeking a massive sports package or many local channels, then this is not the subscription streaming service for you. Also, if you want more channels and you actually have the budget to afford them, then Sling TV may just be a waste of time.
Still, there is just the right amount of options available that can make this a worthwhile service for many people.
You can even enjoy this with family and friends thanks to their “Watch Party” feature. Set one up or join one to stay connected across all your favorite shows.
If you act now, new users are being offered Sling TV at an incredible discount. For your first month, it’ll just be $10. Afterward, it goes up to the regular pricing.
You can even try out a free trial to start things off with. It’s a good way to gauge how you feel about the streaming service so that you may come to a decision on whether this is the right choice for your household.
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