Sling TV Quietly Raises Prices
Sling TV is hoping you won’t notice, but they just raised their prices. If you want a package that includes Sling Blue, your price has gone up $4 if you get any local channels.
| Package | Old Price | New Price |
|---|---|---|
| Sling Blue (no locals) | $45.99 | $45.99 (no change) |
| Sling Blue (1-2 locals) | $45.99 | $49.99 |
| Sling Blue (3 locals) | $50.99 | $54.99 |
| Sling Orange + Blue (no locals) | $60.99 | $60.99 (no change) |
| Sling Orange + Blue (1-2 locals) | $60.99 | $64.99 |
| Sling Orange + Blue (3 locals) | $65.99 | $69.99 |
Who Has to Pay More?
It all depends where you live. Sling carries FOX in 20 cities, NBC in 12, and ABC in 9 areas. (Remember, Sling doesn’t carry CBS anywhere.)
This chart shows the viewing areas that include local channels for Sling. Tally up the locals in your area and see the chart above to see what you’ll have to pay now.
| Market | FOX | NBC | ABC |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta | Yes | ||
| Austin | Yes | ||
| Boston | Yes | ||
| Chicago | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Dallas | Yes | Yes | |
| Detroit | Yes | ||
| Fresno | Yes | ||
| Gainesville | Yes | ||
| Hartford | Yes | ||
| Houston | Yes | Yes | |
| Los Angeles | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Miami | Yes | ||
| Milwaukee | Yes | ||
| Minneapolis | Yes | ||
| New York City | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Orlando | Yes | ||
| Philadelphia | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Phoenix | Yes | ||
| Raleigh/Durham | Yes | ||
| San Diego | Yes | ||
| San Francisco/Oakland | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| San Jose | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Seattle | Yes | ||
| Tacoma | Yes | ||
| Tampa | Yes | ||
| Washington, D.C. | Yes | Yes |
$45.99/mo.+
Is Sling TV Still Worth It?
Honestly, Sling is beginning to stretch the boundaries of its value. For some viewers, it’s still a great deal. But if you watch a lot of TV, it’s worth giving a good look to its competitors. Because Sling doesn’t offer CBS, it was always playing catch-up to begin with.
Sling TV vs. DIRECTV
Like Sling, DIRECTV offers a wide variety of channel packages. A bundle like MyEntertainment is just $34.99 and includes free Disney+, Hulu, and HBO Max. If you need sports, you’ll pay more, but DIRECTV’s flexibility is a huge perk if you’re coming from another flexible provider like Sling.
I really enjoy DIRECTV’s user interface and excellent picture quality. It’s my top recommendation for cord-cutters.
$34.99/mo.+
Sling TV vs. Fubo
Fubo appears to be flaming out. Thanks to a feud with NBCUniversal, it has been missing channels like NBC, MS NOW, Bravo, and CNBC for two months. The service lowered their price to compensate, but there’s no end in sight. It’s still wildly expensive for what you get.
Fubo’s main strength is its regional sports networks, but DIRECTV offers you more of those.
$89.98/mo.
Get $25 off your first month
Sling TV vs. YouTube TV
YouTube TV looks more attractive as other providers continue to raise prices. YouTube TV is going to offer smaller channel bundles later this year, and that will probably kill Sling altogether. After all, Sling has fewer than 2 million subscribers. Most are probably choosing it because they’re price sensitive, so this news may hit them hard.
$82.99/mo.
Sling TV vs. Hulu + Live TV
You don’t choose Hulu + Live TV because you’re looking for a skinny channel bundle. It only has one base package and it has a ton of channels.
If you choose Hulu + Live TV, you’re probably enticed by the free Disney+, Hulu on-demand, and ESPN Unlimited. That trio alone costs $35.99, so it’s a good value when you throw in the live channels. I wish Hulu offered smaller channel packages, but the overall value is pretty great.
$89.99/mo.
Sling TV vs. Frndly TV
If you’re looking to save money, Frndly TV is worth a look. It’s remarkably inexpensive, but the channel lineup is lacking. You will get ION, Hallmark Channel, MeTV, INSP, GRIT, REELZ, Hallmark Mystery, A&E, Lifetime, Game Show Network, and Bounce TV.
Frndly TV is missing local channels, news, and sports channels, however.
$8.99/mo.
Sling TV vs. Philo
Philo is another good option for bargain hunters. Subscribers get favorites like Hallmark Channel, HGTV, History Channel, MeTV, MeTV Toons, Discovery Channel, INSP, TLC, Food Network, Investigation Discovery, Hallmark Mystery, TV Land, and A&E.
Philo is also missing local channels, news, and sports channels, so it’s not a fit for everyone.
$33/mo.
First month: $25
Includes free HBO Max, Discovery+, and AMC+
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