Sling Orange may only include one stream at once, but it's also packing ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPN3 so it's the best choice for sports fans Plus, Sling Orange subscribers aren't forced into Sling Blue's $5 up-charge for ABC (upcharge is in select markets only).
For
- Includes ESPN channels
- $5 cheaper (in select cities)
Against
- No NBC, Fox or ABC
- Only one stream at once
Sling Blue is great for people who want network TV. Sling Blue offers NBC, Fox and ABC broadcast channels, though these offerings depend on your TV market. Plus, Sling Blue lets you watch on up to three devices at once. Unfortunately, some users will have to pay $5 more for ABC and you can't opt-out.
For
- NBC, Fox and ABC
- 3 streams at once
Against
- No ESPN channels
- $5 upcharge in some markets
Sling Orange vs Sling Blue is a question that may leave you cross-eyed, but we're here to help you out. Sling TV, one of the best cable TV alternatives, is popular due to its cheap price. Sling Orange and Blue both start at just $40 separately or if you want both, you can get Sling Orange + Blue starting at just $55.
And if those prices aren't enough to entice you, often there are promotions for your first month. We've seen anything from $10 off your first month to a whopping 50% off. Sometimes, Sling even offers a free first month of its premium add-ons like Paramount Plus with Showtime or expanded DVR storage. Keep up to date with the latest deals on our Sling TV promo codes page.
Even without any promotions, Sling is more affordable than the $73 per month YouTube TV and $77 Hulu with Live TV. Even for those users who have to pay a $5 surcharge if ABC is offered on Sling Blue in their TV market (sadly, there's no way to opt out of ABC to avoid the fee), Sling remains the most affordable of our favorite cable alternatives.
However, given that Sling Orange + Blue is only $18 less than YouTube TV, we wouldn't blame you if you opted for the more premium offering from YouTube. We have a comprehensive YouTube TV vs. Sling TV face-off to show how Sling differs from its next-pricier competitor in case you need help deciding.
So which should you choose? Should you opt for Sling Orange? Or Sling Blue? For just $15 more, maybe you should just get both? For these answers and more, read on to learn all about Sling Orange vs. Blue and everything else you need to know about Sling TV.
Sling Orange vs Blue: What is the Sling Orange plan?
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Sling Orange used to be the cheapest of Sling's packages, but now it costs the same as Sling Blue in most markets — $40 per month — though in some markets it is $5 cheaper than the $45 you have to shell out for Sling Blue. Orange gives you access to 34 total channels, including exclusives like ESPN, ESPN 2, Freeform and Disney Channel.
Aside from the differences in channels, Sling Orange does have one other major difference from Sling Blue. On Sling Orange, you can stream only one channel at a time, whether you’re recording a show or watching live.
Sling Orange vs Blue: What is the Sling Blue plan?
Sling Blue also costs $40 per month in most markets and gives you access to 43 total channels — nine more than Sling Orange. channels.
In some markets though, you have to pay $5 more for Sling Blue. Sling Blue costs more for users in Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Oakland and San Jose markets due to getting ABC added to Sling Blue. Those in Fresno, Houston and Raleigh markets will get ABC without the price hike.
While Sling Orange is for the sports fans, Sling Blue is for news junkies. Sling Blue doesn't get ESPN, but it does get Fox News and MSNBC in addition to up to three broadcast networks (NBC, Fox and ABC). There are other exclusive channels too, like USA, Bravo and FX.
Sling Blue also offers a serious advantage over Sling Orange in one key area. Sling Blue is a multi-stream option, which means you can access the service on up to 3 devices at once. That means three different people could use the account simultaneously, or you could record three shows while you’re away, or mix and match.
If even these packages are too pricey, make sure to check out our Philo review to see if the $25 live TV service has the channels you need.
Sling Orange vs Blue: What is the difference?
Outside of channels, the biggest difference between Sling Orange vs Blue is the single-stream nature of Orange versus the multi-stream nature of Blue. However, the channel selection differs as well, making it somewhat difficult to tell which service carries which programs, and which channels work with multi-stream functionality.
For example, both services can add on premium channels like Paramount Plus with Showtime or MLB.TV. But the pricing can vary slightly depending on the plan, though.
Sling Orange vs Blue: Is my favorite channel available through Orange or Blue?
Consult our handy chart below to find out Sling Orange vs Blue's channel lineups:
| Row 0 - Cell 0 | Sling Orange | Sling Blue | Sling Orange + Blue |
| Disney Channel | Yes | No | Yes |
| ESPN | Yes | No | Yes |
| ESPN 2 | Yes | No | Yes |
| ESPN 3 | Yes | No | Yes |
| Freeform | Yes | No | Yes |
| MotorTrend | Yes | No | Yes |
| Bravo | No | Yes | Yes |
| Discovery Channel | No | Yes | Yes |
| E! | No | Yes | Yes |
| Fox Sports 4K | No | Yes | Yes |
| Fox Sports 1 | No | Yes | Yes |
| FX | No | Yes | Yes |
| Fox News | No | Yes | Yes |
| HLN | No | Yes | Yes |
| MSNBC | No | Yes | Yes |
| NFL Network | No | Yes | Yes |
| National Geographic | No | Yes | Yes |
| SyFy | No | Yes | Yes |
| TLC | No | Yes | Yes |
| USA | No | Yes | Yes |
| USA Olympics 4K | No | Yes | Yes |
| A&E | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| AMC | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| AXS TV | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| BBC America | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Bloomberg Television | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| CHARGE! | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| CNN | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Cartoon Network | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Comedy Central | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Comet | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Food Network | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Fuse | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| HGTV | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| History Channel | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| IFC | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Investigation Discovery | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Lifetime | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| MGM+ Drive-In | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Nick Jr. | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Sling scapes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Sling scapes 2 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| TBS | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| TNT | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Travel Channel | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Vice | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| NBC | No | Yes* | Yes* |
| Fox | No | Yes* | Yes* |
| ABC | No | Yes* | Yes* |
*select markets
Sling Orange vs Blue: Can I get both?
Yes, you don't even have to choose Sling Orange vs Blue. In fact, Sling encourages you to, calling its $55 Orange and Blue pack its “best value.” Granted, $55 per month, plus whatever optional packages you get, put it well within the price range of a traditional cable subscription. But if you love Sling TV and want everything it has to offer, this is probably where you want to start. Once you sign up, check out our guide for how to record shows on Sling TV.
Sling Orange vs Blue: Which should I choose?
Picking Sling Blue or Orange can be very simple. If you're a sports fan who can't live without ESPN or need Disney Channel, you'll probably sign up for Sling Orange.
Need to be plugged into the news 24/7? Well then, Sling Blue will be the choice for you thanks to the combination of cable news and local networks it offers. Also, if you're someone who needs multiple simultaneous streams, then you'll definitely need Sling Blue or Sling Orange + Blue to watch on up to three devices at once.
Either way, Sling TV is on all of the best streaming devices. Combine that with the wide offering of channels despite its budget price and it's no wonder that it's also one of the best streaming services out there.
