Overview
Is Sling TV Safe and Reliable?
Yes, Sling TV is generally safe to use. It's a reputable live TV streaming service that is commonly used as an alternative to traditional cable television.
Sling TV currently has a rating of 1.3/5 on Trustpilot. While satisfied customers mention its value for money and ease of use, others complain of difficulties in canceling their plans and of their service freezing when in use.
The company is accredited by the Better Business Bureau and has a rating of A+ with the body, although it has a score of just 1.11/5 based on customer reviews.
As with any online service, you should make sure to use strong, unique passwords and take other standard security precautions.
How Sling TV Works
How to Get Started With Sling TV
If you’d like to sign up for Sling TV, visit the company’s website and click on the 'Try It Free' button for the plan you’re considering. You’ll then need to enter your email address, create a password, and provide your billing information. Then you can add premium channels or extras to your subscription. Unless you cancel your membership during the trial period, you’ll become a paid member and get charged on a monthly basis.
You can watch Sling TV via a wide range of devices, including the following:
Amazon Fire
Android TV, Google TV
Apple TV
Chromecast
Google Nest
Oculus
Roku
Find a full list of supported devices here.
In addition to high-profile channels and networks, you can also watch local channels through Sling TV. To do so, you’ll need to purchase an HD antenna (available for free if you prepay for 2 months of Sling TV). Note, the availability of local channels is not as extensive as some of Sling TV’s competitors and will depend on the area you live in. You can find a list of channels available in your region here.
With a strong focus on international programming, Sling TV also provides content in languages such as Hindi, Urdu, Arabic, French, German, Greek, Italian, and Polish.
Overall, we found Sling TV’s website extremely easy to navigate, with a clear explanation of all its customization options.
Sling TV Customer Support
You can contact Sling TV through phone, online chat, social media, or 24/7 virtual assistant. Its phone support hours are 7 days a week, 9.30AM-12AM (ET), while its social support hours are 8AM-1AM.
When we contacted the company over Twitter, we received an extremely helpful reply within 30 minutes.
Sling TV also has a wide selection of FAQs on its website, which provided most of the details we needed. You can also consult a range of articles and how-to guides in its online help center, which also include a great deal of information about the service.
Is There a Sling TV App?
If you’d like to watch and stream TV directly to your mobile device, you can download the Sling TV app from Google Play or the App Store and access all the features on your account.
To download the app on Android, you’ll need version 5.0 and above, while Apple requires iOS 11 or later.
Sling TV Pricing
With the inclusion of ESPN and channels such as Nick Jr. and Lifetime, Sling Orange offers excellent value for families who love sports and have young children. If you are interested in current affairs and showbiz, Sling Blue offers channels such as E!, FX, and Fox News. For families who can’t decide or have eclectic viewing tastes, the combined Sling Orange and Blue plan could be the best choice as it offers access to all available channels.
How Much Does Sling TV Cost?
At present, the company has several deals available. For example, you can receive a free Chromecast with Google TV if you sign up for Sling TV and prepay for a month’s service. Likewise, you can receive a free HD antenna (worth $44.99) when you prepay for 2 months of Sling TV. You can find a full list of deals here.
The company also provides access to thousands of hours of free live and on-demand content through Sling Free. You can create a free account from the website without having to enter any credit card details.
Overall, Sling TV is one of the most affordable streaming services on the market and is especially good value if you opt for a base plan without extras. (See below for more information on those.)
Sling Orange
Best for sports fans and families
Sling Blue
Best for showbiz and news
Sling Orange and Blue
Best for full bells-and-whistles viewing
Cost Per Month
$40
$40
$55
Number of channels
31
41
47
Number of simultaneous streams
1
3
1-3
Notable channels*
ESPN
Disney
CNN
TNT
Comedy Central
Bravo
Discovery
E!
Fox News
CNN
Bravo
Discovery
E!
ESPN
FOX news
* Full channel list available here
Optional Add-Ons
Once you’ve chosen your base plan, you can then customize your subscription with Sling Extras, which are packages of additional channels.
Sports Extra ($11 per month): includes SEC Network, NBA TV, beIN Sports, and more
Comedy Extra ($6 per month): includes MTV, TruTV, CMT, Paramount Network, and more
News Extra ($6 per month): includes reporting from HLN, plus leading networks in Europe and India
Lifestyle Extra ($6 per month): includes VH1, WE, Hallmark Drama, FYI, and more
Heartland Extra ($6 per month): includes World Fishing Network, Insp, Outdoor Channel, and more
Hollywood Extra ($6 per month): includes Cinémoi, Sundance TV, TCM, HDNet Movies, and more
AMC+ ($7 per month): includes AMC+, Shudder, Sundance Now, and IFC Films Unlimited
4 Extras ($13 per month): includes Kids Extra, News Extra, Lifestyle Extra, and Comedy Central
Total TV ($21 per month): includes all extras
The company also offers a choice of 26 premium channels that you can add to your subscription. Here’s a list of some of the most notable:
Showtime ($10 per month)
Starz ($9 per month)
Epix ($5 per month)
Cinémoi ($3 per month)
Hallmark movies ($6 per month)
Bet+ ($10 per month)
Dove Channel ($5 per month)
Magnolia Selects ($5 per month)
You can find a full list of available premium channels and networks here.
Sling TV also offers a DVR Plus upgrade for $5 per month that allows you to record up to 200 hours to your DVR. Without the upgrade, you’ll receive 50 hours of free DVR storage.
Bottom Line
If you’re seeking a streaming service that will allow you to personalize your subscription for an affordable fee, Sling TV could be an attractive solution. We were impressed by the availability of its free content, which could provide a great insight into whether you would benefit from a paid subscription. Although Sling TV is one of the most budget-friendly streaming options on the market, whether it offers value for money will depend not only on the base plan you choose, but also any optional extras you add.
