Sling Introduces New ‘Essentials’ Plan with ESPN for $19.99

You gotta hand to to Sling TV. The innovator in channel packages has done it again, releasing a new skinny bundle that includes ESPN, Disney Channel, and other general entertainment channels for just $19.99/month.

That makes it the cheapest monthly plan to watch ESPN.

What Channels Are Included in Sling Essentials?

It’s a small, but mighty list that could be a nice compliment to something like Philo or Frndly TV, which doesn’t have some of these channels. The new Sling bundle has 7 of the 35 most-viewed channels from 2025.

• ESPN
• ESPN2
• Grit
• Hallmark Mystery
• Freeform
• Disney Channel
• Me TV
• Game Show Network
• H&I (Heroes & Icons)
• LMN (Lifetime Movie Network)
• Start TV
• Bounce

What Else Do You Need to Know About Sling Essentials?

Because the plan is so inexpensive, you can only stream on 1 device at a time.

Sling TV includes a 50-hour DVR. That’s usually enough if you’re not recording sports or several shows. Sling has ways to manage the DVR to help you stay under the cap. You can pay more to upgrade to the Unlimited DVR.

How Does This Compare to Other Ways to Watch ESPN?

Before this plan, your cheapest ESPN standalone option was ESPN Unlimited for $29.99. Now, that comes with far more sports than the new Sling bundle.

ESPN Unlimited gives you ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, SECN, ACCN, ESPNEWS, ESPN Deportes, ESPN+, SECN+, ACCNX, and NFL Network. So it’s lacking the general entertainment options you’d get with Sling.

DIRECTV and YouTube TV‘s cheapest ESPN options are their Sports bundles: both normally $64.99 after intro discounts.

Fubo can deliver ESPN in its $55.99 Sports + News bundle, but that has limited availability.

Hulu + Live TV is a great overall value and includes ESPN, but it’s $89.99.

Streaming Smarter’s Channel Finder

Enter your favorite channels to see where to stream them.

What Devices Can You Use to Stream Sling Essentials?

• Android Mobile
• iOS Devices
• AirTV Mini
• Amazon Echo Show (8, 10, 15)
• Amazon Fire Devices
• Android TV, Google TV
• Apple TV
• Chromecast
• Google TV Nest Hub
• LG Smart TVs
• Roku
• Samsung Smart TVs
• TiVo Stream
• VIZIO Smart TVs
• Xfinity
• Xbox Series X|S
• Web Browsers