Sling Packages And Channels | Pick Your Best Lineup

Sling packages and channels differ by plan and add-ons, so pick Orange, Blue, or both based on the channels you watch most.

Sling TV is built for people who want live channels without a long cable contract. The catch is choice: the lineup changes with the plan you pick, your ZIP code, and any add-ons you bolt on later. If you’ve ever searched for a single “Sling channel list” and felt lost, you’re not alone.

This guide helps you match Sling’s packages to the channels you care about, without guessing. You’ll get a clear plan-by-plan breakdown, a quick way to total your real monthly bill, and a checklist you can use before you subscribe or switch plans.

How Sling Packages Work In Real Life

Sling starts with a base plan, then lets you stack extras. That means two people can both “have Sling” and still see different channel grids on their TV. It also means the smartest way to shop is to think in layers, not just a single price tag.

Start with a base plan — Choose Sling Orange, Sling Blue, Sling Orange & Blue, or Sling Select as your foundation.
Add only what you’ll use — Sports bundles, kids bundles, and paid add-on services can be added month to month.
Check local availability — Some local channels show up only in select markets, and the plan you pick can change what’s offered.
Match streams to your household — Sling’s device limits vary by plan, so one plan can feel “perfect” in one home and annoying in another.
Re-check before big seasons — Sports rights and channel deals change over time, so confirm the current lineup before you pay for a month you care about.

If you want the fastest path, build a short “must-watch” list first. Write down 8–12 channels you’d miss if they vanished. Then match that list to a plan, and use extras only when they solve a real gap.

Sling Packages And Channel Lineup By Plan

Sling keeps its core lineup split into two main plans: Orange and Blue. The combo plan (Orange & Blue) merges them. Sling also sells a smaller option called Select in some areas. Channel counts on marketing pages are useful for quick comparison, yet the safest move is still to verify the current lineup for your ZIP code on Sling’s official Channel Lineup page.

To see plan details side by side, Sling’s compare plans page is the cleanest starting point.

Sling Orange

Sling Orange leans toward sports and family viewing. Sling describes Orange as 30+ channels with ESPN and Disney Channel in the mix, and it includes one stream at a time.

Pick Orange for ESPN-heavy nights — If your schedule revolves around ESPN and related sports channels, Orange usually lines up better.
Plan for one stream — One person watching live Orange channels can block a second device from tuning in at the same time.
Rely on add-ons for depth — If you want more niche sports, more movie channels, or more kids options, you’ll likely add an extra pack.

Sling Blue

Sling Blue leans into news and a broader entertainment mix. Sling describes Blue as 40+ channels and includes three streams at once, with select local channels available in certain markets.

Pick Blue for multi-room viewing — Three streams makes Blue easier for roommates or families with multiple TVs.
Check local channel access — Availability for FOX, ABC, or NBC can depend on where you live.
Use Blue for channel variety — If you prefer a wider base of general entertainment, Blue is often the better starting point.

Sling Orange & Blue

The Orange & Blue combo is the “everything Sling offers in one base” choice. Sling notes this plan bundles more channels and can include select locals in some markets. You also get a mixed stream setup: one Orange stream plus up to three Blue streams at the same time.

Pick the combo when your must-watch list splits — If your list needs ESPN from Orange and a Blue-only channel set, the combo stops the tug-of-war.
Expect the highest base price — You’ll pay more up front, but you may skip some add-ons you’d otherwise buy.
Use it as a “base + less extras” strategy — Many people find the combo reduces the urge to stack too many packs.

Sling Select

Sling Select is a smaller pack built around a short list of nationally available channels. Sling describes it as 10+ channels with three streams and cloud DVR offers that can vary by account and timing.

Pick Select when you want a low channel count — If you mainly need a few live channels and don’t want a larger grid, Select can be enough.
Use Select as a sports add-on base — Sling markets bundles that pair Select with Sports Extra for RedZone and other sports channels.
Read the fine print on locals — Like other plans, local access depends on your market.

Plan Comparison At A Glance

This table keeps it simple. Channel lists shift over time, so treat this as a “fit” view, then confirm your exact channels in Sling’s lineup tools.

Plan	Best Fit	Streams At Once
Orange	ESPN-focused sports and family channels	1
Blue	More general entertainment plus multi-device homes	Up to 3
Orange & Blue	Households that need both plan-only channel sets	1 Orange + up to 3 Blue
Select	Small live pack for a short channel list	Up to 3

Extras And Paid Add-Ons That Change The Channel Count

Once you pick a base plan, extras are where Sling becomes personal. Sling sells themed packs (sports, kids, news, and entertainment) plus paid add-on services you can toggle month to month. The right move is to add packs only when a pack gives you channels that you’ll watch weekly, not just once.

Common Extra Packs

Add Sports Extra for niche leagues — Sling markets Sports Extra bundles that can include channels like RedZone, college conference networks, and more, depending on your base plan.
Add News Extra for more news options — News packs can broaden your lineup if your household watches news channels daily.
Add Kids Extra for kid-friendly live channels — Kids packs are best when you want live kids networks without paying for a giant bundle.
Add Entertainment Extra for more lifestyle channels — Entertainment packs tend to fill in the “nice to have” side of the grid.

Paid Add-On Services Inside Sling

Paid add-on services sit on top of your plan and behave like month-to-month subscriptions. Sling’s plan pages mention add-ons like Max and STARZ that you can add on eligible plans.

Add a paid add-on for one show run — If you only want a single series, add the service for a month or two, then remove it.
Use add-ons to replace cable tiers — If you’re used to a cable movie tier, a single add-on can scratch that itch without a big bundle.
Check app access — Some add-ons include access through the service’s own app, which can matter for downloads and profiles.

Local Channels And Regional Sports Reality Check

Local channels are the most misunderstood part of Sling’s lineup. Sling states that local channels can be available with Sling Blue and Sling Orange & Blue in select markets, while Sling Orange does not include locals.

Check your ZIP code first — Sling’s lineup tools will show whether FOX, NBC, ABC, or other locals are available where you live.
Plan for an antenna when locals are missing — Sling notes that an over-the-air antenna can be a free workaround when locals aren’t offered in your plan or area.
Separate local needs from sports needs — A plan that has locals is not always the plan that has the sports channel you want.

Regional sports networks are another common sticking point. Many streaming services carry fewer RSNs than cable did, and rights can change. If a specific RSN is the reason you’re shopping, verify that exact channel in Sling’s lineup tool before you subscribe for the month.

Streams, DVR, And Device Limits That Affect Households

Channels are only half the story. The other half is whether everyone in your home can watch at the same time without the “stream limit” message.

How Many Devices Can Stream At Once

Sling explains the basic rules like this: Blue can stream on up to three devices at once, while Orange is limited to one stream. The Orange & Blue combo can stream one Orange channel and up to three Blue channels at the same time. Sling also notes that certain channels may be limited to one stream at a time.

Count your peak-hour screens — If you have two TVs plus a tablet in play on weeknights, Blue or the combo is less stressful.
Remember channel-based limits — With the combo, Orange channels use the single Orange stream, even if you have Blue streams open too.
Watch for one-stream channels — Some high-demand channels can be restricted to one device at a time, even on plans with multiple streams.

Cloud DVR Basics

Cloud DVR can change how “many channels” feels in practice. If you record a game, you don’t need to fight for the live stream later. Sling offers cloud DVR options that can vary by plan, including free hours on some plans and upgrades for more storage.

Record live events when streams get crowded — One person can watch live while another watches the recording later.
Check what counts as a recording — Some content may have recording limits based on rights, so test with a couple of shows early.
Upgrade only if you’re filling storage — If you’re not hitting the cap, keep the free tier and save the monthly fee.

How To Pick The Right Sling Package In 10 Minutes

You don’t need a spreadsheet to get this right. You just need a quick routine that forces clear tradeoffs. Here’s a simple way to decide with confidence.

Write your must-watch channels — List the channels you watch weekly, plus any sports channels tied to your team or league.
Choose your base plan from that list — If the list leans ESPN, start with Orange. If it leans multi-room viewing and broader entertainment, start with Blue. If it splits, start with the combo.
Confirm locals for your address — Use Sling’s lineup tools to see what locals show up in your market, then decide whether you’ll use an antenna.
Decide how many people stream at once — Pick a plan that matches your busiest hour, not your quietest one.
Add one extra pack at a time — Add the single pack that fills your biggest gap, then live with it for a week before stacking another.
Total your real monthly cost — Base plan + extras + any paid add-on service is your real bill. If that number feels too high, step back and remove the least-used add-on.

If you’re still torn between Orange and Blue, start with the plan that fits your stream needs. It’s easier to swap plans than it is to live with daily stream limit pop-ups.

Fix Missing Channels And Billing Surprises Fast

Sometimes a channel is “missing” because it was never part of your plan. Other times it’s a login issue, a device cache problem, or a location mismatch. These quick checks solve most headaches.

Confirm the plan on your account — Open your Sling account page and verify whether you’re on Orange, Blue, the combo, or Select.
Check your active extras — If you expected a channel that lives in an add-on pack, make sure that pack is turned on and billed for the current month.
Restart the app and device — A full restart clears many channel guide glitches, especially on streaming sticks.
Sign out and sign back in — This forces the app to refresh access for your plan and add-ons.
Update your location settings — If your device is using an old location or VPN, local channel access can behave oddly.
Test on a second device — If a channel works on your phone but not your TV, the issue is often the TV app cache or an outdated app version.
Use Sling’s Help Center when it’s still stuck — Sling’s troubleshooting pages walk through device and account checks in plain steps.

One-Page Checklist Before You Subscribe Or Switch

Run this checklist once and you’ll avoid most buyer’s remorse. It also helps you cancel an add-on you don’t use, without second-guessing.

Match your must-watch list to a base plan — Start with Orange, Blue, the combo, or Select based on the channels you use weekly.
Verify local channels by ZIP code — Confirm what locals are available where you live, then decide on an antenna if needed.
Count peak-hour devices — Pick a plan that matches how many screens you use at the same time.
Pick one add-on that fills the biggest gap — Add Sports Extra, News Extra, Kids Extra, or Entertainment Extra only when it fixes a real hole.
Keep paid add-on services seasonal — Add a service for the months you’ll watch it, then remove it.
Test recordings early — Record a show in week one so you know how DVR behaves on your devices.
Re-check the lineup before big events — Confirm the channels you care about before playoffs, finals, or a new season drop.

Once your plan matches your channel habits and your stream count, Sling stops feeling like a puzzle and starts feeling like a simple monthly utility.