Everything you need to know about Sling Blue

There are three different base packages for Sling TV—Sling Orange, Sling Blue, and Sling Orange + Blue—and not only do they differ in terms of the channels provided, but they also have notable distinctions when it comes to cost, add-ons, local channels, and the number of devices you can stream at any given time. Here’s a complete rundown on Sling Blue.

What is Sling Blue?

Sling Blue used to be a little more expensive than Sling TV’s other basic package, Sling Orange. While both now start at $20 for the first month, Sling Blue provides a much better value. That’s because it offers more exclusive channels and three times as many concurrent streams. If you’re looking for the biggest number of channels for the least amount of money, Sling Blue is rivaled only by the budget-minded streaming service Philo.

WATCH: Is SlingTV worth it?

Sling Blue cost

Both Sling Blue and Sling Orange cost $30 per month ($20 first month). Sling Orange + Blue, which combines both the channels and the number of devices you can stream with into one big package, costs $45 per month ($35 first month).

Sling Blue devices

Sling TV works with Amazon Fire Stick and Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Android TV, Roku, Xbox One, Google Chromecast, Portal, Oculus, LG, Samsung, and iOS and Android devices. (You can find a complete list of Sling TV compatible devices and specifications here.)

That said, your base package determines how many devices you can use with Sling TV at one time. Here’s a complete breakdown:

• Sling Orange = 1 device
• Sling Blue = 3 devices
• Sling Orange + Blue = 4 devices

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Sling Blue channels

Sling Blue offers roughly 47 channels, and a surprising number of those aren’t available on Sling Orange. Here are the channels you’ll only find on Sling Blue (in alphabetical order): BET, Fox and Fox Sports (select markets), FS1 and FS2, FX and FXX, Local Now, National Geographic, Nat Geo Wild, NBC and NBC Sports (select markets), NBCSN, Nick Jr., NFL Network, TruTV, and USA.

Note: Your channel lineup may vary slightly depending on your location. For the purposes of this Sling Blue channel list, I’m using the ZIP code 20003 for Washington, D.C. (Here’s a complete guide to Sling TV channels.)

Sling Blue local channels

As you can see, you’ll get some local channels with Sling Blue. Those will come in handy when you’re watching on mobile and can’t rely on your smart TV or HD antenna. To see what’s available in your area, punch your ZIP code in here. You’ll see, in my example below from Washington, D.C., that local affiliates for Fox and NBC are available, in addition to one regional sports network, NBC Sports Washington. If Fox and NBC aren’t available in your area, you should be offered an on-demand version of the channels, though you’ll have to wait to the morning after an episode airs to watch on Sling TV.

Sling Orange vs. Sling Blue

If you have to choose between Sling Orange and Sling Blue, the decision should be obvious. Sling Blue offers 15 more channels and almost everything a sports fan could ask for—with the noted exception of a three-channel block of ESPN channels featured in Sling Orange. And you’ll be able to watch Sling TV on more devices at once with Sling Blue.

That said, if you have to have ESPN or the Disney Channel, you can always upgrade to Sling Orange + Blue. That package costs $45 per month.

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OTHER LIVE TV STREAMING OPTIONS:

• FuboTV channels
• DirecTV Now channels
• YouTube TV channels
• Hulu Live TV channels
• Philo channels

Sling Blue channels: Add-on packages

If you’re looking for a specific type of content, chances are you can add it in one of these Sling Blue packages. Worth noting: While they cost $5 per month individually, You can add four Extra packages (Kids Extra, Lifestyle Extra, Comedy Extra, and News Extra) for $12 per month total.

1) Sports Extra: Sling Blue

Cost: $10 per month

Not only is the cheapest way to watch NFL RedZone online, but you also get great speciality channels like NBA-TV and NHL Network.

• NFL RedZone
• NBA TV
• NHL Network
• NBC Golf
• BeIN Sports
• Pac-12 Network
• Stadium
• Outside TV
• Olympic Channel
• Motorsport.TV

2) Comedy: Sling Blue

Cost: $5 per month

Not exactly laugh-out-loud funny, but you get most of the Viacom channels you’re missing with this add-on.

• MTV
• Paramount Network
• MTV2
• CMT
• Logo
• GSN
• TV Land
• Revolt

3) Hollywood Extra

Cost: $5 per month

A solid selection of channels for movie buffs.

• Fandor Festival
• Reelz
• HDNet Movies
• Sundance TV
• TCM
• Cinemoi
• The Film Detective

4) News Extra: Sling Blue

Cost: $5 per month

There’s some fake news in here (see: The Blaze), but this is one of the best ways to get MSNBC and CNBC.

• MSNBC
• CNBC
• BBC World News
• The Blaze
• HLN
• Weather Nation
• EuroNews
• France24
• News18
• NDTV 24×7
• RT
• CGTN
• Science Channel

5) Lifestyle Extra: Sling Blue

Cost: $5 per month

Stock up on Hallmark Christmas movies with this add-on.

• VH1
• E!
• Oxygen
• Cooking
• DIY Network
• FYI
• Hallmark Channel
• WeTV
• Lifetime Movies
• Vibrant TV Network
• Z Living
• Afro

6) Heartland

Cost: $5 per month

Outdoor sports and more for rural America.

• World Fishing Network
• Sportsman Channel
• Outdoor Channel
• Ride TV
• RFD TV
• PixL
• Cowboy Channel
• American Heroes Channel
• Destination America

7) International

Original content and live sports from India, the Middle East, China, and Europe.

Cost: $5 per month

• Aaj Tak
• CCTV-4
• MBC
• ProSiebenSat1 Welt
• Rai Italia
• Globo
• Sony Entertainment Television Asia
• TV5Monde Info
• WillowHD
• Zee Cinemalu

8) Español: Best of Spanish TV (Sling Blue)

Cost: $5 per month

The Sling Orange version of this package swaps NBC Universo for ESPN Deportes and lacks Univision Tlnovelas.

• NBC Universo
• Univision Tlnovelas
• Cine Latino
• Cine Sony
• Discovery en Español
• Discovery Familia
• History en Español
• Azteca
• EstrellaTV
• BeIN Sports (4 channels)
• Pasiones
• Inti
• VME Kids
• NTN4
• BabyTV Español
• ZeeMundi
• BBC’s CBeebies
• Hola TV

9) Kids Extra: Sling Blue

Cost: $5 per month

Don’t forget the kids!

• NickToons
• Boomerang
• TeenNick
• BabyTV
• ducktv

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New to cord-cutting? Here are our picks for the best movie streaming sites of 2018 and free live TV apps and channels. If you’re looking for a specific channel, here’s how to watch HBO, Showtime, Starz, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, AMC, FX, Fox News, MSNBC, CNN, CNBC, FS1, TBS, TNT, Golf Channel, Cartoon Network/Adult Swim, the CW, BBC, NBA TV, MTV, the Weather Channel, and NFL RedZone without cable, as well as free movies on YouTube. If you’re on the move, here’s how to watch Fox Sports Go and live stream NBC Sports.

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