Sling TV is an internet streaming service that offers an alternative to traditional cable or satellite TV. It has much cheaper monthly subscription packages than most pay television services on the market and a flexible membership arrangement.
With the budget-friendly pricing, you do get a more stripped-back service. But it's best to look at Sling subscriptions as a base to build rather than comprehensive TV packages. Fair-priced extras and add-ons can then be purchased on top to personalize your viewing experience. There are also plenty of inexpensive OTT streaming services that you can sign up for alongside Sling to fill in any glaring gaps in your channel lineup.
GOAL breaks down Sling TV's Orange and Blue plans, including their differences, similarities, and sports divide below.
Sling Orange vs. Sling Blue
Sling TVSling Orange and Sling Blue are the two standard subscription package options on offer with Sling TV, with each offering largely similar features but also some channel differences.
- Sling Orange ($45.99/month) - which, according to their site, is more sports and family orientated.
- Sling Blue ($50.99/month) - which, according to their site, is more news and entertainment orientated.
A combined subscription is available to Sling Orange & Blue ($65.99/month), saving $31 if each was purchased separately. The combined subscription contains all the channels available across the individual packages, plus all the ones each other doesn't, so a fairly complete all-round subscription.
Benefits of Sling TV
✓ No contract tying you in long-term
✓ On the more affordable side compared to other providers
✓ Huge range of channels to choose from
✓ Major sports channels like ESPN are available
What's the difference between Sling Orange and Blue?
In terms of DVR storage, nothing at all. Both include 50 hours of Cloud DVR storage with a standard subscription and an optional add-on for Unlimited. Subscription pricing is tight, too, starting from $45.99 per month.
27 shared channels are featured in both packages. With the package exclusive channels, we start to see a few key differences, as Orange has eight compared to Blue's 19.
Package | Monthly price | Simultaneous streams | Cloud DVR | Unlimited DVR | Channels | Exclusive channels |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sling Orange | $45.99 | One | 50 hours | $5 | 35 | ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, ESPN 4K, Disney Channel, FreeFrom, MotorTrend, and QVC |
Sling Blue | $50.99 | Three | 50 hours | $5 | 46 | ABC (local), FOX (local), NBC (local), Bravo, Cartoon Network, Discovery, E!, |
Sling Orange and Blue shared channels
A&E | CHARGE! | HGTV | MGM+ Drive-In |
AMC | CNN | History Channel | Nick Jr. |
AXS TV | Comedy Central | IFC | Sling scapes |
BBC America | Comet | Investigation Discovery | Sling scapes 2 |
BET | Food Network | Lifetime | TBS |
Bloomberg Television | Fuse | Local Now | TNT |
YTravel Channel | Vice |
What's coming up on Sling in 2025?
- Yellowjackets (season three) - airing now
- The White Lotus (season three) - airing now
- Suits LA - airing now
- The Last of Us (season two) - April 14
- The Righteous Gemstones (season four) - Airing now
- And Just Like That... (season three) - TBC
- Peacemaker (season two) - August
- It: Welcome to Derry - TBC
Which is Sling's sports package?
TBSThis is where it gets interesting. Supposedly, Sling Orange is Sling's sports package. ESPN, ESPN 2, and ESPN3 are exclusive to Orange's lineup, as is ESPN 4K. So at first glance that makes sense. However, Sling has thrown us a curve ball by having channels like NBC, FS1, FX, USA, and the NFL Network exclusive to the Sling Blue subscription.
NBC and FOX channels are essential sports networks for live events throughout the year, including the Olympics, professional tennis, professional golf, NFL, English Premier League, MLB, NASCAR, AEW, WWE, NBA, and the NHL. Not only is it odd for Sling to siphon them off into a separate package, but it's also inconvenient and leaves plenty of people opting for the Sling Orange + Blue combo package.
Why is there a sports channel divide?
While the channel divide isn't ideal for customers, from a marketing perspective, it makes a lot of sense. Having the channels divided this way means a joint Sling Orange & Blue subscription ($65.99 per month) is the best value sports coverage for your money.
It's hard to get too mad at this though. Even Sling's joint subscription is relatively budget-friendly compared to many of its competitors. The subscription packages with YouTube TV, fubo, and DIRECTV all range between $74.99 and $154.99, so you're still in a much lower price bracket.
Sling TV subscription special deals
Sling consistently offers discounted prices and deals for new customers, which is a nice perk. Current deals include:
New Sling TV customers can enjoy 50% off their first month of Sling Orange, Blue, or Orange & Blue for a limited time, meaning you can get Orange for $23, Blue for $25.50, or Orange & Blue for $33.
Which is better overall, Sling Orange or Blue?
Sling TVUltimately, the best value subscription for your money is the joint Sling Orange & Blue package. You get every channel in each subscription and the combined number of simultaneous streams. However, when it comes down to picking Orange or Blue, Blue is the clear winner on paper. You get more simultaneous streams and exclusive channels for your money, including local channels if available in your area.
The big hole in Blue's lineup, though, is the absence of ESPN; there's no way around that. But if we're going to be extra thrifty, an ESPN+ subscription is only $11.99 per month. A Sling Blue subscription with ESPN+ comes to only $63.98, that's a bit less than a combined Sling Orange & Blue subscription.