Ready to cut the cord on cable TV and try a streaming-only service? One of the best options is Sling TV, and it’s also one of the most reasonably priced too. Let’s have a look!
Cable TV has been the gold standard for streaming television for decades now. Problem is, with its reliance on a cable box and specific hardware, it’s also limited to being viewed on your television set, which makes it of limited value for most people with their mobile lifestyles and various devices and gadgets. Sure some cable services like Xfinity, Time Warner and Charter are adding Internet-based alternatives for people who want to use their computers, tablets or smartphones, but those are limited to subscribers who also pay for cable service itself.
What if you don’t want any cable service? You want to “cut the cord” and just have a streaming service? Sling TV fits into that category and with its iOS and Android apps coupled with Mac and Windows applications, it lets you watch your favorite TV shows, channels and some limited movies anywhere you have a good Internet connection. We previously looked at DirecTV Now too, if you’re curious how they compare.
Sling TV is really easy. On the iPhone, for example a single tap launches the app:
And after a few seconds it’ll start showing the last channel you watched, including showing you what program is on. In my case, the last channel I watched was Turner Classic Movies:
A tap on the three horizontal lines on the left and I can get to a Guide view, which makes it easy to slide along and see what’s playing and what’s coming next on any of the various supported channels. On the El Rey network, for example, there are some movies coming up that are worth watching!
Look closely and you can see a magnifying glass icon on the top right too. That’s the search feature and it’s one of the best parts of Sling TV because it finds current and future movies and even gets you to the on-demand section.
I’ll do a quick search for my favorite film director, Alfred Hitchcock:
Vertigo? A brilliant movie. How can I resist?
A single tap and I’m watching Barbara Bel Geddes as Midge Wood in a scene from the beginning of the film. It’s crisp, bright and streams without a glitch or flaw:
Where Sling TV really shines is on devices with bigger screens.
The experience with the Sling TV app on the Mac is significantly better. Here’s the On Now guide, for example:
At least one thing worth watching on the list, but I’m not going to say what it is (Family Guy). Oh, wait, I did, didn’t I? 🙂
While I like a lot about the Sling TV experience, the program guide is a bit of a mess in my opinion. It definitely takes some getting used to if you’re more used to a simple spreadsheet grid of time versus channel.
Here’s the Mac version, a bit more detailed than the iPhone / Android interface, but still extremely hard to get an overview from:
Check out the lower row of “Available Now” too: those are movies you can watch on demand, including some great choices (in my view, at least). Who doesn’t enjoy Annie Hall or The Battle of Midway? 🙂
There are lots of sports channels and foreign language channels too. You can see the whole Sling TV lineup here, it’s broken down into Orange and Blue channel lineups.
Meanwhile, back on TCM…
Now, to be fair, the program guide isn’t the only thing that I think Sling TV can improve. There’s no DVR capability if you want to record a program to watch later (though rumor has it that certain Roku Sling TV subscribers are beta testing a DVR), and as you can see, there are a decent selection of channels depending on package (certainly Sling Orange with its 30+ channels covers most of my viewing), but there still aren’t local broadcast TV or any network television networks at all. If you want NBC, ABC, CBS or Fox, you’re on your own, other than in some select markets. Check their help pages for more details if you’re eager for locals.
But it took decades for cable TV to master channel packaging and selection and we’re early yet in the streaming TV world, so I’m still going to recommend Sling TV as a good choice for streaming that’s easy and affordable. Check it out, see what you think!
Disclaimer: Sling TV gave us a “Blue” channel lineup account so we could write about the service.
Oh cool, I’ve been wanting to try out Sling for a while now. I hope I Win!
I would love a chance to try out Sling. I have a SlingBox, but no Sling TV.
We have been thinking about dropping our satellite and taking Sling for a test drive. Seems like a great service! Thanks for the chance to win.
We ditched cable years ago and are ready to implement streaming into our home. I bought the Roku Streaming Stick 3600r a couple days ago and everything works great. My mother has desperately been wanting us to find an alternative to high pricing cable. Sling TV is the answer. I’ve used their free trial before on my laptop, iOS, and android devices and it did an amazing job of keeping a solid stream. I’m sure it’ll be the same on the quad core Roku stick. That $75 Sling TV gift card will be perfect for the package I’m trying to get. The Sling Orange + Blue ($40) and the two $5 packages that have MTV and VH1. I wish Sling included more gift card choices. Maybe a $5 one to cover the taxes when ordering a package. OR just start back accept prepaid debit cards like they did in the beginning haha.
Congrats, Marcus! You won our giveaway! I’ll email you…
Before we actually signed up for cable for the first time in our lives, we were pretty sold on Playstation Vue. It has a better channel lineup that Sling, I didn’t encounter the frustrating buffer issues that I constantly ran into with Sling, and it has a cloud DVR function. Once our ridiculous Prism deal runs out in a year, I’m hoping that the streaming options will have a chance to mature some more and be more usable.
I’m a Roku Beta Tester for Sling TV and, man, have I missed DVR! Did not realize how much I missed it till I got it again… It’s certainly a work in progress and needs some more UX love put into it… my biggest fear is that the Sling TV price will start creeping up with the addition of each new feature…
I can’t beat Steve’s passion, but I do love how consumers have so many more choices now – and that the cable/satellite monopolies have real competition.
We are on Sling Blue and Orange, use a simple antenna for a few of our local channels that aren’t on Sling, get streams for other content on Reddit (which we run to a Chromecast with a lot of add blockers on that computer), and stream from the networks online for everything else.
There’s nothing we can’t see, with this little bit of work. $40 or so a month. What’s not to like about this?
“SLING” ME! Pre=Jan 31, 2017. Bring on the $75 Sling TV gift card
I think a good alternative for me, as far as local channels go, would be to just go with basic cable programming which would cut my cost way down and then subscribe to Sling TV.
I’m leaving a comment for a Sling-shot at Sling, Dave.
Glad to see a bit more info on “SLING.” I live where even Local (ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX) are only accessible via cable. But, I am very interested in “limited” cord cutting; but for me, I am extremely fed and disgusted with double channels with same programming; non-English channels which I cannot (not have any interest in ) watching. Dave, wish you would get into the weeds and discuss the how SLING will work on several TVs. Overall, I need/want more “how to” instructions. I am a ZeroGeekGuy. Thanks.
thanks ever so much b/c i was actually wondering about the sling tv. you’ve explained very well. even a lay person like me got it. thanks again, i may try it. God bless you for keeping us informed. happy new year.
sound good, wondering if if has stations that cover current sporting events like Bull Riding, Rodeos, Golf. Will have to check it out more. Ready to cut cable.
Well we’re not going to leave Steve with a sure thing so I’ll reduce his chances to 50% now.
I’ve never even heard of Sling until now!
Great. Sling was great but didn’t have the channels i wanted. directv has a better deal with the promotion. they are getting better by the day.
“SLING” ME! This’s me leaving a comment prior to Jan 31, 2017 so’s I can win a $75 gift card to SlingTV! #HookMeUp #DrawMyName #LuckBeALadyTonight